Traveling with Beer

[GooseIslandFan]

I am traveling to the DC area this weekend and want to bring back a growler of Oak Barrel Stout from Old Dominion. Is the flight back to Chicago going to totally ruin it? I am guessing that the bottles would be a bit more stable but its just not the same as the real deal. My girlfriend and I fell in love with this brew during our undergrad days in DC and she is dying for a taste of it again. Hopefully I'll score some good boyfriend points for this if I can pull it off.

[fretlessman71]

I think it will be fine - I've been reading where people on BeerAdvocate.com trade growlers through the mail! I've been told that the most important thing is not to open it at all once it's been filled... and the main way they combat that is to use duct tape on the cap so it doesn't move. Can't speak for the airline and their rules, but like I said, you could always ship it - what a surprise your GF would have getting this package!

[GooseIslandFan]

I don't plan on telling the airline outright that I am traveling with a half gallon of beer in my carry-on. I should start charging delivery fees though because I am bringing Giordano's pizza out for friends in DC. Anyone want to start a national beer and pizza delivery service with me? I guess a $100 plane ticket to bring back a $6 growler might get to be a bit cost prohibitive.

[fretlessman71]

Don't forget - that growler has to go through the X-ray machine... and they might consider it an "open container"....

[GooseIslandFan]

Aren't growlers considered closed containers? How else could it be legal to get them home? Then again, I know anything goes at the airport.

[fretlessman71]

I'm no expert either, but if I were you I'd call ahead and ask what's allowed and what's not. Also, there ought to be several realbeer members on come first light; I'm sure they'd be willing to share any insight they might have. I've certainly never done it before!

[Frau Stahlsturm]

Just make sure you aren´t stupid like I was and put any bottles in the suitcase. I thought I could travel from Rhode Island to Milwaukee with a few bottles wrapped in my clothing safely but when I got my suitcase and opened it there was nothing but broken glass and wet clothing. Doh !

[steveh]

Originally posted by GooseIslandFan
Aren't growlers considered closed containers? How else could it be legal to get them home? Then again, I know anything goes at the airport.

Most brew-pubs will wrap a sort of sealing tape around the cap and seal it with a hair-dryer - this gets by the open/closed container clause if the local constabulary needs a revenue boost that week.

Frau Sturm - I've brought bottles of beer back from Germany, England, and Ireland in my suitcase and never had one broken. Luck of the roll, I guess.

S.

[PFDarkside]

I travel to El Paso often for business, I almost always bring back a growler of some sort from Jaxon's on the last day. I've never had a problem. The rules (on AA and Con. anyway) are that you can't transport anything higher than 100 proof, I believe, and there's a certain limit that a growler easily falls within. I always figured that if they gave me a problem I could just head back out of security and drink it. ;)

Too bad there's nothing worthwile to bring back from Japan... lol I sure am savoring this $3.00 bottle of Guinness Extra Stout.

[zoom6zoom]

Be sure to check out the Spring Brew while you're at Dominion, too. It's a noble Imperial Pilsner.

[GooseIslandFan]

My growler made it back with out incident. The TSA screeners at Dulles were a little confused about the concept of a large jug of beer, but once they knew what it was, they thought it was pretty cool. My flight ended up getting delayed and the good people at the Old Dominion Bar in the airport let me put my growler in the fridge.

[MeridianFC]

I can't tell you the crazy looks I got from customs (both sides) on my last trip back from England. I had this crazy ass box, duct taped up to bring back all these bottle conditioned ales from the Pig's Ear Festival. It did look a little shoe-bomber-ish.

The US immigration officer (I carried it on board with me) actually laughed when I told him what was in the box. Then he asked for a brew!

[chazwicke]

I've brought beer on many trips. Always best to carry it on. Bottles will sometimes leak in luggage in un pressurized environments. Seepage from the caps.