Midwest Barrel Company

Today, Brown-Forman announced the layoff of approximately 200 employees and the closure of its legacy cooperage in Louisville, KY. This is a significant shift for the industry and a deeply impactful decision for the local community. Our thoughts are with the employees and families affected, and we hope to see opportunities emerge for those displaced by this closure. The barrel and spirits industries are evolving rapidly. When Louisville Business First reached out to Midwest Barrel Company my thoughts on this announcement, here’s what I shared: On the cooperage industry: “This closure reflects a broader trend of adjusting to slowing global spirits consumption, evolving consumer preferences, and economic pressures such as potential tariffs. Brown-Forman has been a key player in barrel production, and their decision to outsource signals a significant change in supply chain strategies. Upstream, this may reduce demand for raw materials like staves and wood, potentially impacting stave mills and loggers. Downstream, cooperages and other barrel suppliers will likely experience increased demand as they fill the gap left by Brown-Forman’s exit from direct production.” On the barrel market: “As one of the largest producers of whiskey barrels, Brown-Forman has historically supplied a significant volume of once-used barrels to the global market. If their production slows or they release fewer barrels, the supply of freshly emptied barrels will tighten. This could lead to increased competition among distilleries seeking barrels for secondary aging, potentially driving up prices and creating challenges for smaller producers. While this presents opportunities for third-party cooperages, it also demands that they scale efficiently while maintaining the quality and consistency distilleries rely on.” On the bigger picture: “The closure of Brown-Forman’s Louisville cooperage is not an isolated event. It’s part of a larger strategy that’s been unfolding over the past year, with divestitures and a shift toward external sourcing. For the industry, this moment underscores the importance of adaptability and collaboration. At Midwest Barrel Co., we remain committed to supporting distilleries through these changes, ensuring they have reliable access to high-quality barrels as market dynamics evolve.” Change isn’t always easy, but it often drives innovation and resilience. This moment is a reminder of how interconnected we all are in this industry and the opportunities that can arise when we work together to navigate the challenges ahead. To read the full article see here: https://lnkd.in/eUYsr5KV

Big news this morning: my personal thoughts on Brown-Forman's cooperage closure and its potential impact on the industry moving forward.

Let’s talk about resume mistakes that can cost you the job before you even get to the interview. 💼🚨 Misspelled words? 🛑 Ugly, basic formatting? 🛑 Wasting space on things you’re not good at or don’t enjoy? 🛑 These are rookie moves you can’t afford to make. The good news? There are plenty of simple and easy-to-use tools to help perfect your resume and cater it towards your unique personality. Canva is a great tool that I've used that offers resume templates you can use to add a little color and character. You can also work with a professional resume writer to help bring out your best characteristics and experience, and shine a light on them. Here’s the truth: I only spend a few seconds reading a resume, so you’ve got to make every word count. Tell me your story, highlight what you’re great at, and leave the fluff behind. A great resume isn’t about listing everything—it’s about showing why you’re perfect for this job. Think of it as your audition—would you want to blow it because of a typo? 🙅♀️ #resume #resumetips #jobinterview #hiringmanager #interviewtips #jobapplication #ceo #ceolife

PSA to breweries: Your next flavor-packed masterpiece is calling, and it’s got bourbon in its roots and maple in its soul. 🥃 🍁 Introducing the Bissell Maple Syrup Barrel (Ex-Bourbon)—where two bold worlds collide to make your beers, ciders, and meads 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 hard to put down. Sweet maple vibes? Check. ☑️ Bourbon warmth? Double check. ☑️☑️ A chance to tell your customers you age with barrels that have over 100 years of maple syrup history? Now THAT’S a flex. 💪 Get 'em while you can—before we decide to keep them all for ourselves. (Kidding... mostly.) Tap the link to grab yours! #barrelaged #barrelagedbeer #brewery #maplesyrup #whiskey #whisky #bourbon #barrels #bourbonbarrel #whiskeybarrel  

Just a tiny brag: Our barrels travel all the way from Kentucky to Japan, and still get a ‘simply superb’. 👏 If that’s not proof our warehouse team is killing it at shipping barrels with care—no matter how far the journey—we don’t know what is. Thanks for the barrel love, Antelope Meadery! #barrels #mead #meadery #barrelaged #bourbonbarrels #whiskeybarrels #whisky

Sherry Barrels - When wine is just a side hustle. 🍷 💪 Jessica-Ann Zimlich spills the (Sherry) tea on why these barrels are the A-listers of spirit finishing. It can take up to THIRTY YEARS to mature Sherry wine, and yet the barrels are more in demand than the wine itself. 🫠 Enter the Sherry seasoning program. Want to know how these programs work and how you can get your hands on one of these casks? You'll have to watch and find out. 🍿 #sherry #sherrybarrel #sherrywine #barrels #bourbonbarrel #barrelaged #barrelfinished #whisky #cask

Let’s talk hiring tools and why we swear by Culture Index. 🧠 Some assessments predict performance, others measure personality traits, but Culture Index? It’s descriptive—helping us zero in on the characteristics we need for success. Here’s how it works: We assess what makes someone thrive in a role within our organization and compare that to applicants. It’s not about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ traits; it’s about finding the right fit. 🎯 Hiring isn’t just filling a role—it’s building a team that clicks, performs, and grows together. What are your thoughts on using assessment tools as a part of the hiring process?👇 #hiring #hiringmanager #assessment #interviews #jobinterview #jobapplication #ceo #ceolife

The 🦃 is loose, and it’s bringing BIG flavor with it. Our 4-Year Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrels just landed, and they’re ready to turn your brew or spirit into the star of the show. 🌟 🔥 Char level: MAXED OUT (aka No. 4 Alligator Char 🐊) 🥃 Bourbon-aged for 4+ years, these barrels are locked and loaded with rich vanilla, smoky spice, and that signature bourbon swagger. Translation: Your beer or spirit isn’t just getting aged—it’s getting a glow-up. These barrels don’t do subtle, and neither should you. Stock is limited, so snag yours now before they're gobbled up. #wildturkey #wildturkeybourbon #barrels #bourbonbarrels #barrelaged #whiskeybarrels #barrelagedbeer

Side Bung vs. Head Bung: Which Barrel Fits Your Needs? 👉 Side Bung: Ideal for easy sampling, commonly found in bourbon rickhouses. 👉 Head Bung: Perfect for palletized systems and maximizing storage efficiency. Need help deciding? Let’s connect—I’m here to guide you. 🛢️ #barrels #bourbonbarrels #whiskeybarrels #whisky #rickhouses #warehouses #barrelaged