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Shipping beer-- Sam Adams has an opinion.

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kornkob

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So, a friend of mine asked a question I couldn't answer regarding shipping homebrew.

In general, as I understand it, shipping beer is considered illegal (if not exactly a henious crime). However, Sam Adams Homebrew contest tells people to ship the brews (although they specifically tell people not to use the USPS) and states clearly that it is NOT illegal to ship beer.



It is not against any federal laws to ship your entries via a privately owned shipping company for analytical purposes.� However, IT IS ILLEGAL TO SHIP ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES VIA THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE.� Private shipping companies may refuse your shipment if they are informed that the package contains glass or alcoholic beverages. It is solely the entrant�s responsibility to follow all applicable laws and regulations.


 
I'd believe it. I shipped some homebrew yesterday via FedEx. They didn't ask me anything about the contents of the package.
 
the catch is that you have to at least claim the beer is for analysis, as kornkob points out. that makes it OK.

If you try shipping a case of Budweiser to your buddy so he can drink it, you face interstate bootlegging charges if it crosses state lines.

But... for ANALYSIS, all is ok.
 
Isn't there some "Beers of the World" club that people can join. I thought that the point of this club was that you received some new kind of beer each month via some delivery service.

I am pretty sure that they do not specify that the beer is for analysis. It is obviously for consumption purposes.
 
Liquor Stores and such can ship stuff. Wineries can.

So the label should read: "Live yeast samples for independent analysis" ?
 
There are obviously different rules for places that sell alcohol and people who are specifically prohibited from selling alcohol (like homebrewers).

The discussion is about people shipping their homebrew to other people for non-sale purposes.
 
I'd like to offer my "Analysis" Services pro bono to anyone in this forum. Not to worry, I will gladly return any shipping containers to persons requesting an "Analysis" so that they may use them in a future shipments for "Analysis" purposes.

Ahhh, Science, life's liquid bread!
 
I am sure it all comes down to who get the taxes. If you are sending a sample to a buddy and no money is exchanged then there shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure to pack everything so the beer doesn't spill. That would be a tragedy.
 
What I normally do is cut a peice of bubble pack (the big bubbles) long enough to go around the bottle twice and about 6 inches wider than the bottle is tall. I roll the bottle up & tape it, then fill the ends with packing nuts and tape them in.
 
sonvolt said:
Isn't there some "Beers of the World" club that people can join. I thought that the point of this club was that you received some new kind of beer each month via some delivery service.

I am pretty sure that they do not specify that the beer is for analysis. It is obviously for consumption purposes.

I know Beer Across America ships via UPS b/c I used to have a subscription. They required an adult signature. But I'm sure they pay taxes on what they ship b/c they are technically selling beer to you.

I've shipped beer via UPS several times and had no problems at all. And I didn't bother to label it in any way. Shipping companies are most concerned with hazmat materials. Beer is not a hazmat threat.:)
 

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