Low supply of aluminium cans continues to worry local brewery in the US

Shortage of aluminium cans following the COVID-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc on the aluminium industry. Aluminium cans are in low supply due to supply chain difficulties. The aluminium supply chain constraint is taking a toll on Secret Tail Brewing Company, which has been in the industry for the past five years.

Charlie Barrett, the owner of Secret Trail Brewing Co., said a can with a lid used to cost 20 cents, which currently has hiked by 25 per cent to stand at 25 cents. Secret Trail now cans roughly 500 cases every two months with 24-16 ounce cans in each case.

 “We haven't raised prices this year, but we may think about it for next year on the cans. We haven't raised prices at all for our beer, so we might have to do something the first of next year though just because we have to keep up with the cost,” said Barrett.

The brewery, like other companies, has faced several challenges as a result of the epidemic. They've had to make adjustments, such as expanding their interior and outdoor area. Barrett stated that things have improved and that people are returning, but that inflation remains high.

Because their consumers prefer drinking beer from cans, Barrett stated that they have no plans to move to glass or any other form of container. On-site canning is not available at Secret Trail. Instead, every two months, a Sacramento-based company named "Canvan" comes in to can the beers. The next canning for the brewery is set for the end of April.

“I know the prices are going up, but we are holding tight and we just love being here for the people of Chico. All the other costs have to do with the gas or the war and everything else. It's just a hard time for all ingredients and all of our dry goods have gone up. So we're hanging in there so far, but we have to do what we have to do to survive,” added Barrett.