Any tips for shipping beer?

[Grammaton Cleric]

Hi, I'm new here, also a new(2009) member on cigar family.

I know it would be best to do a proper intro thread first, but I just had a quick question. Does anyone have any guidance regarding shipping bottled beer? I'm shipping out some extra bottles for a couple guys to try.

I have heard the best way is to wrap each bottle in bubble wrap and then pack everything in foam pieces or packing peanuts. Has anyone tried that method? Also, I have read that it's best to ship via either UPS or FED EX. One of my coworkers advised to ship ground as the bottles would explode if shipped via air(although, not sure if that's true).

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Jeff

 

[smokinghole]

When I ship beer I try to wrap each in bubble wrap and then if it's a 12oz bottle or shorter I put the bubble wrapped bottles in a gallon size ziploc bag. My thinking is that if a cap pops or the bottle cracks it will help contain the mess. Then I fill the box with peanuts below and sourround/top off the box with peanuts if I have them on hand. Also if your delivery location is domestic I highly doubt you'll be getting any air treatment. Pretty sure if you do USPS, Fed Ex, DHL, or UPS it will go ground unless you drop the cash for express services.

When it comes to bottles exloding in air due to decreased pressure. I'm sure it can happen. I don't know what sort of pressure change there is but you have to figure there is a pressurized liquid in the glass bottle. At sea level there is air pressure pushing in as the beer is pushing out. It is not a completely equalized set of forces but its enough. Now if you went up in the sky I don't know if the lack of air pressure would allow the bottles to burst. If it does my bet is the neck area or the bottom of the bottle would fail first. It depends on the carbonation level of the beer, and the bottle in which its packaged. Domestic long neck 12oz and 22oz bottles are more likely to break compared to most import bottles.

 

[L8A]

I just use bubble wrap and tape. If there is extra room in the box I'll use foam peanuts or something similar. Make sure they are snug in the box so they don't have room to move around. You should be fine.

 

[cvm4]

What they said...

Companies actually make bottle shippers too for 12oz and bomber bottles. Comes in handy when you're sourcing beer like I do at times.

 

[javajunkie]

just to throw out the obvious: don't tell them you are shipping liquid, especially alcohol. don't mention any tobacco goods you may put in there either! when in doubt, "collectible snow globes" works. o)

and welcome to the forum!

 

[thatjohnguy]

i usually wrap the bottles in news paper first then bubble then ziploc, i guess the paper would just absorb any liquid and further help contain any mess within the box.

 

[Goalee1]

The shippers for the 12's and bombers are great and will accommodate the bottles nice an tightly. The shippers that I've used, both hold 12 bottles. If you're only shipping a couple of bottles, wrap like described above and if possible, I'd put em in zip locks like Adam mentions above just in case of leakage. Use Ups or Fed Ex as USPS doesn't ship alcohol. Then again, you are shipping "Olive Oil" but just in case of leakage, always better to stay safe. G1

 

[cartisdm]

I'm not as fancy as some of the guys here on the board and I don't have bubble wrap. I do, however, have a lifetime supply of plastic grocery bags. I twist them up and wrap them around the bottles loosely. Apply a little tape or stick them inside a big bag to keep them wrapped then pack the box with other soft items or more (again, lifetime supply...) plastic bags and ship via USPS (the other companies are a rip off)