Shipping home brew to another state?

[jstrausss]

I've tried to search for topics but I'm not sure what key words to use. I've tried UPS, MAIL, SHIPPING HOMEBREW.

Anyway - I was wondering if anyone has tried to ship some home brew to a family member or friend in another state?

[Beerbilly]

I have sent a few 12 packs of bottles to various friends and familiy. I just pack them in a box and UPS them. I am not sure of UPS policy but I just approach it as they don't ask, I don't tell.

[gestyr]

If they ask you could always tell them that you are shipping yeast cultures. :)

[larin1477]

I agree...you are shipping YEAST!...not beer!...get it...got it...good...

[danno]

it is specifically illegal to ship beer via the USPS. so, don't do that... I'd also say "water samples", since you can usually hear the liquid moving around... I've used both UPS and DHL successfully...

[Payson]

Originally posted by danno
it is specifically illegal to ship beer via the USPS. so, don't do that... I'd also say "water samples", since you can usually hear the liquid moving around... I've used both UPS and DHL successfully...

Likewise. I usually go to any "Pack & Ship" type place and specifically tell them that I'm shipping liquid yeast cultures. If they ask about the hazardous nature, literally tell them that if it spilled on them it would be perfectly safe to drink it. Short of odd looks I've never had any issues.

[jstrausss]

ok - so it seems UPS or DHL would be the best way.

What about the possibilty of the bottles exploding?

should I think about under priming these or just put what is usaully called for when priming bottles?

[Payson]

Originally posted by jstrausss
ok - so it seems UPS or DHL would be the best way.

What about the possibilty of the bottles exploding?

should I think about under priming these or just put what is usaully called for when priming bottles?

Prime as usual. I've never made any allowances shipping to comps and never had any problems. Just double or triple bag them and pad the bejesus out of the whole affair.

[hicks107]

I live in New York and I have shipped beer to brothers in both California and Florida. Just to be extra safe I usually ship it the day after I bottle it, that way there is less carbonation during the shipment. If I feel like being extra cautious I will ship it in a champagne bottle with wire tight plastic corks, but this adds weight and shipping $$$.

My brother has shipped to me just using 12oz bottles and we didnt have any problems. He told the UPS store that is was "soda."

Also IMO you should ship ground that way you dont have air pressure issues from a plane.

[jstrausss]

thanks everyone. I do like the idea of shipping rightaway after bottling. The next brew I will try it out.

[zoom6zoom]

I enclose each bottle in a ziplock bag in the event of breakage or seepage. I usually put them in 6 pack carriers and stuff a little newpaper around the bagged bottle to keep it from shipping. The box that I'm putting the carriers in (usually a case box) gets put in a larger box with some additional bubble wrap or peanuts about it. Don't use a beer box for the external box.

I usually print out a FedEx label on my computer at home and them just drop off the box at Kinko's. They never ask what's in it.

[jstrausss]

zoom6zoom - Sounds like a good way of doing it. Have you had any bottles blow up ? None the less - I will still give it a go and see what happens. My brother in Texas has been eager to try out some brew :)

[Mad Scientist]

The last time I shipped beer, UPS asked me what was in the box and I told them beer. The girl just said okay, and went on about shipping it. Only USPS will not ship beer, UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc are fine.

[SDBrewer]

How about to another country?

[corkybstewart]

Originally posted by SDBrewer
How about to another country?

That would depend completely on the other country's laws. And don't even think about having someone overseas shipping beer here. Customs will mail you for importing alcohol without a license. I got a really nasty letter from them for some chocolates my MIL sent me from France. They had minute amounts of liquors in them but that was enough to get the threatening letter. Bottom line, the country of the recipient sets the rules, not the shipper's country.

[Ooompa Loompa]

Just an update to this thread. I was shipping some art supplies and some beer to a friend of mine (she lives in a small town, and doesn't have a good art supply store nearby). I had to fill out on a form what was in the package, and I put in simply "art supplies" I packed it, and I figured I packed it plenty well enough, but apparently not. Anyway, I got a call back from the pack and ship place today and they said one of the bottles broke, and it is illegal to ship beer. This was through UPS. Anyway, I have to go pick up the box today. Guess I'll pack better next time, and go through Fed Ex. Oh well. PACK YOUR STUFF REALLY WELL!!!! :eek:

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Boerne Brew
The last time I shipped beer, UPS asked me what was in the box and I told them beer. The girl just said okay, and went on about shipping it. Only USPS will not ship beer, UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc are fine.

I wouldn't necessarily say UPS, FedEx and DHL are all "fine" with shipping alcohol. It's actually against their written policy unless you have a license to do so (brewer, retailer, distributor, etc.).

Now, the employee at the counter may not care about company policy but the warehouse handler, driver, etc. just might. I've known people to experience theft from their packages, and in the case of breakage, it's a crapshoot whether you'll get your beer back or have it "destroyed" by the shipping company.

Don't ask, don't tell is the best policy. Open up an account for any/all shippers online so you can package, print and label the boxes at home. Then just drop and go.

[Ooompa Loompa]

Just got back from the pack and ship place. All of the bottles of beer were gone, and I'm pretty sure all 4 didn't break (2 12 oz bottles, 2 bombers). So I hope somebody is enjoying the "destroyed" product. Oh well, I reshipped the art supplies, and will get some awesome packing supplies from my work tonight, and ship the beer on Monday.

[Mill Rat]

I hope you shjipped from a different location than the one that found out that destruction could be so rewarding.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Mill Rat
I hope you shjipped from a different location than the one that found out that destruction could be so rewarding.

Better yet, scoop some fresh toilet, puddle or pond water into a few bottles and ship with the same place. :D

[hockeynut]

My best experience has been to bubble wrap each bottle and put 2 into poster tubes taped shut and then have the UPS store pack those into boxes with p-nuts. I believe that they have all come through and never had a leak. A little more expensive to ship that way but I think worth the dollar or 2.

[Ooompa Loompa]

Originally posted by Mill Rat
I hope you shjipped from a different location than the one that found out that destruction could be so rewarding.

Definately. I'm actually gonna take newportstorm's advice and pack it all myself (obviously doing a much better job this time), and do the shipping label online, and just drop it off at the Fed Ex drop location.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by newportstorm
I wouldn't necessarily say UPS, FedEx and DHL are all "fine" with shipping alcohol. It's actually against their written policy unless you have a license to do so (brewer, retailer, distributor, etc.).

Now, the employee at the counter may not care about company policy but the warehouse handler, driver, etc. just might. I've known people to experience theft from their packages, and in the case of breakage, it's a crapshoot whether you'll get your beer back or have it "destroyed" by the shipping company.

Don't ask, don't tell is the best policy. Open up an account for any/all shippers online so you can package, print and label the boxes at home. Then just drop and go.

I effort to ensure that beer has never been removed from a box, I have always packaged it in a manner that you cannot open the box without ot being obvoius..this includes using lab custody seals...those shipping employees know that breaking one is a no-no...

Also, I might note that the Sam Adams Longshot instructions direction entrants to ship via UPS or FedEx.

edit: I also bubble wrap every bottle.....

[BrewDog]

I first seal each individual bottle in its own ziplock bag.
Next, I wrap each individual bottle with the 'small' bubble wrap.
Then, I put them all in a 6 pack carrier or similar box.
Then, I make a "box top" by cutting the bottom off another 6 pack carrier.
This smaller box gets put into a bigger box surrounded by 'big' bubble wrap & crumpled newspaper or whatever else is on hand.

On the outside of the outer box, write "Fragile: Non-Perishable Food".

Send it via UPS or FedEx.

HTH-