08-08-08 Russian Imperial Stout Exchange

[TerapinChef]

So now the big question...

How long do we wait before we count Jacobyhale out of the swap and make other arrangements? I would be quite fine with shipping to both of the others that were supposed to recieve his brew if they would be willing to ship in return...then I would get to taste FOUR different brews intstead of three...but don't call me greedy!

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Ok, ok...I'll ship...really...like ASAP!

Sorry guys.

 

[Evets]

According to UPS my last package was delivered, successfully, last week. I haven't heard from the recipient, though.

 

[DeathBrewer]

well...i've still only received from one person. looks like i'm kinda screwed this time around. still have plenty of my own, thankfully.

 

[Chriso]

I'll man-up and send you some, DB, no worries. In the meantime (if you haven't already - you probably have) I'd PM Muncher with which two you haven't received. I know one of your senders is one of our confirmed MIA people right now, hopefully he's doing OK with his out-of-state move that he indicated he'd have to deal with.... I thought your other two senders had both shipped already, so maybe one got confi'd en route or something? Either way, expect a box from me dude.

I can't wait to brew more RIS. And I can't WAIT to finally get my Brett Raspberry RIS into bottles... someday... Still don't know how long I should age it before bottling... or how to kill the Brett off.....

 

[korndog]

This beer is so good, I am going to brew another batch. Masterful recipe guys.
Going to do 8 gals. and do something fun in a 3 gal. keg.

888 is just around the corner!

btw, is there a review thread?

 

[Chriso]

Just a little refresher, I know that 99% of you have done this... but it's been a few months, a review never hurts!

WHEN YOU SHIP YOUR BEERS, Please go to the Sampling & Critique forum (the one this thread is in) and create a NEW THREAD.

TITLE THIS THREAD "RIS Swap - *Yourname*'s Beers"

Within the thread, please post: How many beers you sent out, to whom, and what beers they are. Especially if you use abbreviations on the bottle caps, PLEASE post what each abbreviation stands for.

Again, you are creating YOUR OWN new thread. When your recipients get their beers, they post IN YOUR THREAD. When you receive someone else's beer, you post the review in THEIR thread.

 

[TerapinChef]

Yeah, you're not the only one with one visiting brew in the fridge. I'm glad that I'm not quite the noob I was when I signed up for this, this was my first swap, and I think if I wasn't cool as a cucumber I might swear off swaps for ever...

 

[Chriso]

I think if I wasn't cool as a cucumber I might swear off swaps for ever...

This is exactly the "hurt" feelings we want to avoid... Muncher and I are keeping each other updated with who's in a pickle, who hasn't shipped, etc.... But if the net result is "a bust" for you in the end, I will make it worth your while. Brewt00l had a good idea of how to "fill in the gaps" that I forwarded to Muncher for consideration.

Thanks for being patient and cool as a cucumber. I appreciate it, and as I said, I will most definitely make it worth your while. Sometimes these things "just happen", no matter how many precautions we take...

 

[BierMuncher]

I'm all for filling in the gaps by anyone who wants to volunteer.

I'd say we wait one more week, then assemble a list of people who only received one (or none) and a list of volunteers who can muster up a couple bottles.

If anyone received two...we consider that a success (I'd say). I've only received one, but I'm fine with that.

I'm probably only good for one package because I've done a few private swaps of late and my shipping budget is shot...plus, these included some RIS's so my supply is getting low.

Then finally, when it's all said and done, we all box up some fresh farts and send them to the "welchers" in the group. Shouldn't cost much to ship a fart.

 

[Chriso]

I could probably do 4 people. Might only get 1 RIS and a couple other assorted goodies though. I, too, am low on RISes due to only bottling 2.5 gal, and infecting the other 2.5 gal with Brett. I guess I could whip them into a keg, carb 'em, and bottle 'em in a week. I wonder if the pellicle will reform in the bottle though.

I've got my 7% sinful stout sitting in a keg, too, that could be tasty! Need to hook that one up to the gas. Oh and the Hobgoblin should be ready to keg tomorrow, too. I've got some Dryhop Honey Wheat in bottles... and I thought about buying some of the Boulevard Smokestack series to include as a special present.

 

[korndog]

I could probably do 4 people. Might only get 1 RIS and a couple other assorted goodies though. I, too, am low on RISes due to only bottling 2.5 gal, and infecting the other 2.5 gal with Brett. I guess I could whip them into a keg, carb 'em, and bottle 'em in a week. I wonder if the pellicle will reform in the bottle though.

I've got my 7% sinful stout sitting in a keg, too, that could be tasty! Need to hook that one up to the gas. Oh and the Hobgoblin should be ready to keg tomorrow, too. I've got some Dryhop Honey Wheat in bottles... and I thought about buying some of the Boulevard Smokestack series to include as a special present.

That's awfully nice of you Chriso, but I'm sure nobody would want you to rack that Brett beer prematurely. I say let the pelicle fall and send me a bottle then. Just kidding of course; you don't have to send me anything. I got two out of three; I'm happy. I better get all my 9-9-9 though!

 

[McKBrew]

Mine were sent today. I don't like to bitch, since I waited so long but part of the reason some of these fellas might be holding out is shipping costs. It cost me $40 to send 3 boxes. In the future we might look at cutting back the amount required (I.E. maybe 2/ 12oz bottles). I understand everything was random as well, but all of my recipients were east of the Mississippi. How about breaking it up so that a person can ship 1 to the east coast, 1 to midwest, 1 to west.

Yeah, I'm whining and I'm a bit buzzed too so don't take me too seriously. I hope everyone on the receiving end enjoys their brew.

 

[Chriso]

First, I'd like to address quantity - The reason we chose 44 oz minimum is that some people were planning to bottle in 22-oz bottles. If a person shipped a sole 22-oz bottle, and it broke, the recipient gets screwed. If a person ships two 22-oz bottles, and one breaks, then there's one survivor. Same with 12's... if you ship 4x 12-oz bottles, and 2 break in transit, there are still 2 beers to enjoy. 44 total ounces A) was in trend with past swaps that had been done, and B) seemed like a fair amount of beer to send, not too much, not too little. It's up to BierMuncher what happens for the Barleywine swap.

Perhaps in the future perhaps we can try to put a tangible $ amount in the FAQs so that it is abundantly clear -- but if we do that, we leave it wide-open for people to come back and bitch at us because their individual shipping bill was over whatever arbitrary amount we quoted. You dig what I mean?

Mine were $42 total to ship, and I'm sure most others' were on par with that number as well. In fact, at least two brewers had to make up AND ship 2 extra boxes because their first ones were lost/broken, so that's both less of their own beer they get to drink *and* extra shipping cost. I understand the pinch totally. Don't get me wrong there. Just tryin' to help see the other side too.

And as far as zones... well, when we planned this, we deemed that it was not feasible to manage all of the seperate zones and who is part of them. Part of why I used BierMuncher's randomizer was to keep the time commitment of organizing it to a minimum. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, just explaining why it was done this way this time. I know BM will take it into consideration as he's organizing the 9/9/09 swap, and I know that he and I gave it a lot of thought as we were getting this swap off the ground, too.

This post isn't meant to be an "F U" towards you. I just wanted to make sure to address your concerns, and in doing so, to hopefully help *everyone* understand why things were done this way. - I tried really hard to make this swap fair to everyone, and I plan to personally encumber extra burden to ensure that the ones to whom it's been less than fair, are compensated fairly.

Cheers and all the best.

 

[McKBrew]

I understand. I might have overpadded too, driving up my shipping costs. My box to North Carolina (farthest away) was cheaper than the closer ones.

Again, posting while buzzed might not be the best option, hope I didn't piss you off.

 

[TerapinChef]

I would be willing to chip in a few bottles as well if need be...

 

[Chriso]

Quite the opposite, I wanted to make sure *I* hadn't pissed off *you* or anyone else.... Minor snafus aside, I'm very very pleased with this swap as a participant... I'm just trying to hold up my obligation on the coordinator-side, too, to making sure that the participants are happy, or at least mostly happy... Cheers!

 

[BierMuncher]

Being in the center of the universe helps my shipping. It was about $35 for three packages to go out...

But I got some pretty good beers in return (in theory)

 

[brewt00l]

I am willing to chip in some bottles for folks that got shorted as we approach the deadline.

Shipping is what it is these days. The first time you ship some bottles it can come as a bit of sticker shock. It's just one of those factors you have to take into account when participating in bottle trades/swaps.

 

[DeathBrewer]

we're definitely not doing this to save money or i'd just make more of my own RIS.

as for bottle breaking, how are you guys packing these??? NONE of the bottles should be breaking unless they are heavily mistreated during shipping.

wrap every bottle in bubble wrap or some other wrap, even crumpled up newspapers. Put the "bottle wrap" in ziplock bags or plastic bags with twist ties. layer bottom of box with more crumples/bubbles. put "bottle bags" in center of box and surround sides and top with more crumples/bubbles.

fedex can drop-kick that packaging into their truck and it still won't get damaged

it also shouldn't change shipping costs at all, as all the packaging weighs far less than a pound.

oh, and put the label on the TOP of the box. In doing this, the MAJORITY of it's time in transit, it will be right-side up.

 

[korndog]

as for bottle breaking, how are you guys packing these??? NONE of the bottles should be breaking unless they are heavily mistreated during shipping.

Yep, I get regular shipments from Belgium packed with just thin foam sheets and have not a had a break yet. Bubble wrap should never have a problem.

KD

 

[Chriso]

My roommate has been watching the FEX/UPS guys lately. Turns out they've been throwing the boxes over my fence from their truck, about 20 minimum feet. As in leaning out and chucking it as hard as they can. I had to chuckle.

I packed mine using an amalgamation of bubble wrap and Apple shipping foam from non-returnable parts. Ain't *no* way mine were breaking unless they were straight-up run over by a forklift. And even then, they were packed so tightly that it'd have to be a *heavy* forklift.

Re: saving money, I started pondering this and assuming $40.00 to ship, receiving 3 packages with 4 beers each, it comes out to trading $3.50 in ship costs for each beer you receive. If any sender included extras, that trade cost goes down. I know, I know, that's ASSUMING you receive all your beers. But in *theory*, each and every person should. In theory.

(Note, you're "trading costs", not "buying".)

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Finally shipped today! Sorry guys! They'll be there in time for 8/8/8.

 

[TerapinChef]

Got yuri's beers a while ago, and I was worried when I saw that they were coming USPS...I got even more worried when I saw the very small box that they were in...Then I opened it. That tricky fellow shipped 'em in aluminum bottles. He so smart....

 

[BierMuncher]

Two weeks to go baby. I'm thinking the opening cermonies will be long enough to let me get through two bottles. (Though an RIS might be better suited for the winter olympics...)

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Got yuri's beers a while ago, and I was worried when I saw that they were coming USPS...

Aluminum bottles or not, I don't think I'm going to use USPS any more. I thought it was a good idea, but it's just not worth the risk of getting caught.

 

[brewt00l]

Aluminum bottles or not, I don't think I'm going to use USPS any more. I thought it was a good idea, but it's just not worth the risk of getting caught.

I was surprised to see the box and took a few seconds to give it the "postal inspector" shake...not a hint of the contents were audible. I really liked the alum bottles and think they make great sense for swaps and the like.

 

[BierMuncher]

Aluminum bottles or not, I don't think I'm going to use USPS any more. I thought it was a good idea, but it's just not worth the risk of getting caught.

Aside from not driving on weekends... I love UPS.

Print the labels at work...drop off the boxes on the way home. No need to "interface" with anybody...just drop the boxes and go.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Oh, I'll definitely be using the aluminum bottles again. They're awesome for shipping.

 

[DeathBrewer]

ok, i'm going to take people up on their offers to send me some brew. i haven't heard back from my other two people. i have some of my own left to drink on 08/08/08 and BSs as well but i really feel kinda screwed that i can't taste some more.

i feel like an ass takin beers from people that don't really owe them to me, but i also want to participate in the 09/09/09 and other swaps and i don't want a couple of slackers discouraging me from participating in swaps in the future.

i know it was probably extraneous circumstances, but i still feel a little cheated.

so thanks to the fine people that offered to send me a beer. i want to taste some of these other variations. i'll reply to youz guys PMs. if you still feel it in your heart to forward me some roasty goodness, i'd be much obliged.