How to package?

[gallowd7]

I'm going to be sending some homebrew to a relative in CO. How do you all package your beer? I'll be sending about 3-4 bottles. My first inclination is a pvc pipe or an architect's "roll".

Thanks,Dave

[Payson]

I wrap them in something like bubblewrap etc, box them in packing peanuts then put that box within another box. Pretty successful so far.

[davesarman]

I've done many trades with no broken bottles that I know of. Here's what I do. Wrap each bottle individually in bubble wrap. Make sure the bubble wrap goes around the bottle at least twice. After wrapping each bottle, find a box that is big enough to contain the bottles and enough packing peanuts so that none of the bottle are touching the surface of the box. The key is making sure there are enough peanuts so that the box is packed tight and no shifting can occur. This has worked for me many times.

[newportstorm]

My routine - yet to have a broken bottle (knock on wood), and I've been accused of going overboard:

-place each bottle (12 oz.) in gallon sized zipoc-type bag (generic brand works) - contains leakage or breakage from ruining your package and alerting the shipper to a problem. 22 oz. bombers and 750s won't fit in ziplocs - wrap extra well.

-wrap each bottle in several layers of bubble wrap - pay attention to the neck and crown areas

-line bottom of box with packing peanuts, bubble wrap or even old crumpled newspaper

-pack in a large enough box such that the bottles aren't jammed against the sides/bottom/top of box

-fill in each layer of bottles with more peanuts, paper, bubble wrap

-pack tightly enough so that when the box is shaken, no movement can be felt or 'sloshing' heard

-tape well - all seams - with clear or brown packing tape - one FedEx ship center gave me crap about my super-duper duck tape

-choose your shipper wisely - easiest thing to do is set up an online account with FedEx. It allows you to get price quotes, print your own labels, not specify the contents and avoid the third degree that you'll get at some ship centers (UPS Store)

-Avoid shipping during intense cold/heat waves. Heat for obvious reasons. Cold because, although alcohol does not freeze at 32 degrees, prolonged exposure to temps like most of the northern US has had lately could freeze and crack your bottles. :(

-Also, if you have access to the styrofoam molds like many wine shops use (beer of the month clubs, as well) - they rock!!

Good luck. Cheers!

p.s. if you ever ship growlers and need tips....just ask.

[Otis_The_Drunk]

newportstorm, I never got the third degree from the UPS store, I just told them I was shipping soda, not a problem.

I have shipped Cases of beer that way, never had a broken bottle or a problem.

But I do ship the same way you do though.

[fretlessman71]

Upon reading this, and having had one of my IPA homebrews recently, I can only concur that the only problem you're going to run into is if your brew is OVERCARBONATED like mine was! Wouldn't hurt to place all of the bottles in a large plastic trash bag before you put them in the box. Poor steveh had to receive a DRIPPING box from me... :(

[Payson]

I've never had a problem with UPS either. I've always said it was "live yeast".

[newportstorm]

Must just be a few bitter UPS pr*cks here in the northeast ;)

I agree, every shipper has their quirks and issues. But after a couple of run-ins, shady looks and stories from a bud about UPS Store people wanting to open his already sealed package to "ensure it was packed properly", I moved on to the FedEx account and go with Ground service now.

Cheers!

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by Payson
I've always said it was "live yeast".


That's funny.

[Katefan00]

When I tried "live yeast cultures" at a UPS store in DC, the lady looked at me like I was crazy -- the "live" part was what concerned her. I think she thought I was either a) a mad scientist sending petri dishes full of funky growths, or b) sending some bread yeast.

I don't think they ultimately care, except that they don't want to be shipping something perishable. I think next time I'd erase the "live" part, or maybe even just say "glassware."

K.

[BluesHarp]

..."malt syrup" works good too; I had them ask if it was good on waffles...:D

[Jake]

I'm 1 for 2 with my trades I sent. I been reuseing the box I get my beer of the month in. The last trade I made ended in disaster. No broken bottles, but my last shipment took 10 days to Washington and froze somewhere along the way. The 5 twist tops popped off and the 2 non twist tops survived.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by Payson
I've never had a problem with UPS either.

i use ups mostly, however i think fed ex has a much better conveyor system in thier distribution centers, 80% live rollers, pop up sortation and a laser eye to scan the packages.

ups, 95% bed and belt and everthing is hand sorted.....i have seen first hand what those systems do to loose packages, so if your going to use ups...keep everything tight, especailly the box's! tape them good, cuz thier conveyors will do a number on them if there is any thing on it that they can grab on to.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Poor steveh had to receive a DRIPPING box from me... :(

One of the packages I sent him also arrived with some bottles broken. Maybe it is his P.O. that was the problem. I've never had any other problem ever but after Steveh's I started using Fed Ex and not the Post office.

[sundontlie]

i got a kick out of that "live yeast" thing, i just said they were beer glasses... its funny how you can tell the truth, but not the whole truth..

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by chazwicke
One of the packages I sent him also arrived with some bottles broken. Maybe it is his P.O. that was the problem. I've never had any other problem ever but after Steveh's I started using Fed Ex and not the Post office. I sent his package via DHL - you know, the new guys in yellow. I'm sure that most of the problem with mine had to do with an overcarbonated bomber of homebrew and an air delivery (read: depressurized package). Anything I send nowadays will be GROUND. Oh well.

And to those of you who have helped me acquire porters from across the country, fear not; your package will go out by Friday. :)

[chazwicke]

I sent mine gratis. Your project and reports will be fair turn around. I've been using Fed ex ground lately and seems to be good.

[MadDog88]

All air cargo is pressurized, unless it is on something like a DC-3.

[chazwicke]

Well I have had several bottles seep from the caps onto my clothing inside luggage that has been in the hold.

[fretlessman71]

I'll bet it's not pressurized as much as the cabin is... besides, I'm sure the "handlers" are less than careful all the time with packages and baggage. Never a bad idea to carry gallon size freezer baggies and stick what you can in one - just one more thing to not go wrong. :)

[chazwicke]

I try to carry it on in the cabin if I can. But gallon zip locks are a good idea.