Tutorial for Shipping Beer

[quick5pnt0]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the laws are on this?

I read on one forum it can be a felony in some states. If that's the case then I personally wouldn't risk it. Sure it's unlikely that you'll get caught but how many times have we heard of guys who have had a home brew bomb due to too much carbonation? Now imagine that same bottle of beer is on a UPS truck and the driver calls the police because he thinks something exploded in your package. It wouldn't take much for the shipper to wind up on the wrong side of the law.

 

[ahaley]

What I just read on a few govt. sites suggests we, consumers, need a permit to ship it but the retailers don't

 

[jetmac]

I doubt the pictures will ever be re-linked. His last post was 3 years ago.

 

[dongemus]

Maybe un-sticky then?

 

[VegasJ]

Looks like pics died in June of 2010...

still a sticky? Did anyone save pics and can re up them?

 

[socalboomer]

I think it's a great sticky... Can we get someone to rebuild it? Do we have the technology?

 

[JABBY]

Good to know.

 

[bumstigedy]

The temperature is what concerns me. I have a few competitions I'd like to ship to in June, but with it warming up I'm not sure they would do well due to oxidation. The insulated box method sounds a bit expensive and I'm not sure it would keep it cool enough during the summer. I imagine it can get pretty hot on those trucks. What kind of experience have people had with this? Do the beers all end up oxidized by the time they get to their destination?

 

[bigmike99]

Nice thread. Would love if it still had the pics but I def get the idea. Thnks.

 

[Spinrathen]

Still good thread even without pics

 

[phatfire6]

The only problem that I have with this thread is that there isn't anything here addressing pasteurization prior to shipping the bottles. Easy to do and ensure the recipient gets good beer.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Home Brew mobile app

 

[kharper6]

Why not USPS?

I have to ship to an embassy in Honduras and USPS is the only way to deliver there.

My cousin works for the state dept.

 

[sablesurfer]

Just shipped to my second comp in brewing career. Both had specific instructions to NOT tape stuff up. If you need to hold stuff together use rubber bands.

They do not want mummy bottles.

 

[CadillacAndy]

I put together a series of photos on the process of how to ship beer to competitions.

 

[vincentAlpha]

Just a thought on the cooling side of things, anyone ever tried packing in a bit(very, very little mind you) of dry ice in there with that insulation? It wouldn't get soggy and so long as your box isn't airtight it wouldn't be likely to have pressure issues. I'd just be sure to give the stuff it's own space and not touching the bottles since it could very well freeze things or at the very least make the glass more likely to break. Though I've no idea on the legality of it but can't see it being much of an issue and it could do wonders for keeping brew cold on hot days.

 

[TxBigHops]

Great post! Even without the photos the OPs descriptions of the steps are more than sufficient. Is there a way to also sticky this over in the beer swapping forum? I looked for something there, but couldn't find anything. Luckily someone else knew this was here and directed me. But it would provide a lot of assistance if it were in that forum as well.

 

[Walzenbrew]

Solid stuff. I wish the pictures worked, is the link broken or the hosting expired?

I'll see if I can replicate the pictures and post.

 

[pablosbrewing]

Why not USPS?

It's illegal:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/212/kw/mailing%20alcohol/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5NjY0OTU0Ny9zaWQvdkhSakxaUWw%3D/suggested/1

 

[cank]

What does it usually cost you guys to ship a sixer?

 

[Hello]

What does it usually cost you guys to ship a sixer?

Depends upon destination. $9 to $18.

 

[phatfire6]

It's illegal

The article says its illegal to import into the US, but what about exporting to another country?

 

[pablosbrewing]

The article says its illegal to import into the US, but what about exporting to another country?

Sorry about that, looks like I linked the wrong article.

https://www.usps.com/ship/can-you-ship-it.htm

 

[ryomac]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the laws are on this?

I read on one forum it can be a felony in some states. If that's the case then I personally wouldn't risk it. Sure it's unlikely that you'll get caught but how many times have we heard of guys who have had a home brew bomb due to too much carbonation? Now imagine that same bottle of beer is on a UPS truck and the driver calls the police because he thinks something exploded in your package. It wouldn't take much for the shipper to wind up on the wrong side of the law.

Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[CarolynSowell]

There have been a lot of questions as of late pertaining to shipping beer.
I decided to photograph my process and post a tutorial to help. My methods may not be the same as everybody else uses, but I haven't had a broken bottle yet.


Step 1
Assemble all of your supplies: bubble wrap, tape, box, beer, scissors, etc. I usually use a 14x14x14 box if I'm sending 22oz bottles. If I'm only sending 12oz bottles, I can get away with a 12x12x12 box. I like to use a couple different kinds of bubble wrap for maximum protection (kind of like condoms and birth control pills).

Step 2
Cut out a sheet of bubble wrap long enough and wide enough to make a couple of wraps around your bottle.

Step 3
Roll it. I cut the piece about the same length wide as the bottle is tall. I don't let too much overhang on the top or bottom, and I'll show you why a few steps later. Tape it in place.

Step 4
Roll it again. Here is where I like to employ the larger bubble wrap. You could also just cut your original piece twice as long and wrap it continuously. Again, throw a piece of tape on there to hold it.

Wow that's awesome...Thanx

 

[lolznrofls]

Dont forget..its against ups and Dhl policy to ship beer so label it "yeast samples in solution" before shipping

 

[illomenbrewery]

Would it be illegal to ship "soda" or "root beer"? I am currently living in Belgium and would like to ship some homebrew to family, trade some international beer, and enter future competitions. I can only ship thru USPS (APO - Army Post Office). I know everyone frowns upon USPS shipping but if I were to ship thru Fedex a 10 LB package would cost me close to $200 to ship internationally. Would labeling the package as Soda or Root Beer work, or is it illegal to ship liquids thru USPS?

 

[lolznrofls]

I dont know about APO. also see what the ucmj says about it

 

[lolznrofls]

My dad was in Germany..he just waited till he went on leave and brought a bunch of beer back on a MAC flight through customs with no issue

 

[illomenbrewery]

My dad was in Germany..he just waited till he went on leave and brought a bunch of beer back on a MAC flight through customs with no issue

Yea thats what I do here, I am not in the military anymore but for for the US Army as a civilian. It just sucks because since I am in Belgium I have access to some rare beers for cheap and always get asked about sending some Westy 12. I also plan on entering competitions in the future and I will be overseas for the foreseeable future so this kind of sucks.

 

[drinkindinkins]

I have used usps a few times. I just didn't tell them what was in it. I didn't completely seal off every beer and I should have, because i am not sure how they operate but if it is the way fedex does, a leaky package will be trashed.