Beer Shipping Internationally?

[Drummerboy]

Hey Guys,

I am new here, and did a search already on this site, but whether from the "new-ness" or from the dumb-a$$, I didn't find anything, so would someone here take pity on me and tell me if it is possible for someone in Germany to send beer to the US via the mail (as long as all customs taxes are paid, I mean?).

Thanks

Bill

[surfadelic23]

I shipped a sixer of various ales to England... I think I used the USPS and didn't have any troubles... and the beer got there!

[sundontlie]

i think you should be fine, but i wouldn't let whoever is shipping this know theres alc. in the package. some things are better left "unknown"

[corkybstewart]

Don't even think about trying it. There's a very, very good chance it'll be confiscated by US Customs and you'll get a nasty letter in the mail instead of your beer. It is illegal to import any amount of alcohol into the US without a license to do so. Customs will let you carry beer back with you from Germany but once you ship it you've lost that privilege. I once had a box of liquor filled chocolates from my inlaws in France confiscated. That's when I got my nasty letter about importing alcohol. There probably wasn't even 1/4 cup of liquor in the whole box but it was too much.
Also it's illegal to ship alcohol domestically thru the USPS.
Go visit your buddy, drink a lot of very fresh beers, and then carefully pack your extra suitcase with as much beer as you can.

[Drummerboy]

Thank you, Corky, for that very good advice.

I had sent an e-mail to Deutsche Post (German Postal Service), but they have not answered, so I thank you for taking the time.

I was recently over there, brought back some Bitburger as gifts, and forgot one of my friends and I was feeling really badly about it, hence the post asking the question.

Last year, I was able to find some Bitburger at a local liquor store here in Georgia (Marietta to be exact), but they are no longer able to get any. Supply/Demand problem, perhaps?

Also, what I was able to drink (when they had it) just didn't taste like it does in Deutschland.

Again thanks very much for the answers.

Bill

[chazwicke]

Bitburger is available in the States and even on draft. The bottles that are shipped here do seem to suffer but IMHO it's not all that great of a beer to begin with. (I've also had it in Germany and I'll agree it was slightly better there.) It might even be available here in the 5l mini kegs. If I remember correctly.

[corkybstewart]

Originally posted by surfadelic23
I shipped a sixer of various ales to England... I think I used the USPS and didn't have any troubles... and the beer got there!

Shipping from here to there doesn't involve US Customs, and most other countries don't give a damn about the quantities that can be shipped through the mail. The issue is what happens when someone over there ships here. And with all the terrorism concerns, more and more packages will be examined a lot closer.
We were in France when Iraq invaded Kuwait so security was tighter at the airport. They X-rayed my suitcase with a machine so good you could tell which bottles of wine were red or white and you could even read the labels. Me and the security guy chatted about the merits of each of my bottles, and that was with the suitcase closed. That was 15 years ago and surely these machines are improved so it would be hard to sneak a few bottles into the states.

[surfadelic23]

Gotcha, Corky! Thanks for the post.

[jjpm74]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Bitburger is available in the States and even on draft. The bottles that are shipped here do seem to suffer but IMHO it's not all that great of a beer to begin with. (I've also had it in Germany and I'll agree it was slightly better there.) It might even be available here in the 5l mini kegs. If I remember correctly.

Bitburger is definitely available in 5L minikegs. I bought one for a party I had a few months ago.

[Drummerboy]

Originally posted by jjpm74
Bitburger is definitely available in 5L minikegs. I bought one for a party I had a few months ago.

How did everyone like it, jjpm74 ?

Thanks

Bill

[jjpm74]

Originally posted by Drummerboy
How did everyone like it, jjpm74 ?

Thanks

Bill

I lot of people knock Bitburger, but it went over well. I like it and it is a great party beer when Weihenstephaner and Kostritzer mini kegs are sold out. Relatively sessionable alcohol levels and a decent malt and hop profile for a premium lager make for a nice drinkable beer that even a Coors lover can appreciate.

[brazilhead]

"a Coors lover"

I don´t think I´ve ever encountered those three words used in that order.