temp issues with shipped ingredients?

[vendejp]

Anyone ever have any trouble with having beer ingredients shipped because of temperature and amt of time it takes to ship? particularly yeast and hops, which are subject to the elements?

Im in pittsburgh, so in the summer i can see problems with the yeast and the hops getting too hot, in the winter, the hops would be fine, but im not sure how cold the yeast can get.

do places like morebeer.com put insulation around the liquid yeast or something?

thanks

[michaewa]

I ordered 3 kits from Austin Home Brew this summer, and ended up with three useless yeast vials. I made starters for each batch, and was 0 for 3.

I foolishly declined the purchase of the ice pack, I'm sure that would have made a difference. Also would suggest timing your order to minimize ship time (ie don't order on Thursday so it may sit over the weekend).

[ray m]

I know that morebeer.com allows you to purchase those little ice packs with your yeast---I think they're 79 cents or so, and I think you can order at least 2, if not as many as you want, to be shipped with your yeast. Just stipulate that the next time you order. Morebeer.com is the place I deal with exclusively when I have to buy something mail order. Their service is trouble-free and fast. I know other guys in the forum deal with other places that they are just as satisfied with.

[vendejp]

thanks gang,
i ordered from morebeer.com for the first time and havent received the goods yet. i emailed and asked what they do to ensure good product is delivered bcuz of temperature changes (it wasnt in their FAQ).

The reply didnt say anything about ice packs, just that UPS is generally good about it.

my favorite in the response is

Do to the perishable nature of ingredients, we will guarantee they will ship out fresh, but can't guarantee what the shipping company does with them

this statement is just absurd. its not a guarantee unless i can verify it is actually good when it leaves... do they test it immediately before they ship?..... oh well.

[Brownbeard]

I always order from Northern Brewer. If I order before 1pm, I get it the next day. Even in the heat of summer, I have not had a problem with the yeast, I get Wyeast XL packs. I never get the ice packs.

[BucksBrew]

Annapolis HomeBrew answers some of these question in their FAQ section. That is where I have been buying recently. I buy there because they are the closest out of state (tax boycott!) and looks like each recipe has what it needs, not how the ingriedients are packaged.

However, I just ordered a Czech Pilsner (Budvar) style and the Malt Extract was crushed by UPS and I received Malt flavored peanuts!!!!

Man was I pizzed!

I order so I get it for the weekend to cook up and now I am screwed and they won't next day me my malt! Now I may have to cook it up one night this week, which the wife loves!