Shipping Beer

http://alewatcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-trader-tips.html

EDIT: regarding the "preserving taste" part...not sure there's a whole lot you can do to protect yourself against all the variables that the box will be exposed to - most beer will hold up though. In general , I'd say avoid shipping during extreme hot or cold weather spells.

 

I'll also add, try to ship on Mondays to avoid having your box sit in a warehouse with no temperature control over the weekend.

 

The alewatcher blog is a great reference tool, as are other excellent pointers from other BA's in the trading forums. I use a combination of the tips to make sure nothing leaks or breaks. Always pack your bottles so there is no movement. The biggest is lining the inner box with a contractors grade garbage bag and placing that box in a larger box filled with packing materials such as foam peanuts. You will find a way that makes you feel comfortable with your shipment.
A lot of BA's, myself included, also like to ship at the beginning of the week. That way, your box is not sitting in a warehouse or truck over the weekend. Follow these guidelines and your beer should arrive safely to your partner, without potential discovery.

 

If your first trade is with an experienced BA (and I recommend that it should be), then I would also ask for HONEST feedback from them on how you packed after they receive your box. Any good BA would be more than happy to provide you legit, honest, constructive feedback.

 

^^thats exactly what I did and is how I learned about rubber banding to preserve the reuse of bubble wrap. Great comment.

 

Uneducated question...but why is it illegal to ship ETOH?.. Adult to adult of course but if my buddy lives on west coast and I can send him Heady Topper.. why is that illegal? I don't get some laws out there.

 

I like this idea but does the bigger outer box jack up the shipping costs or is it all a weight issue???

 

I'd also add that sending extras is not required but, in my opinion, is an important aspect of how I trade. It's fun and goes a long way with your reputation. There are BAs on here that will blow extras out of the water. It's always fun to agree on extras and not know what you're going to get. Like Christmas! I was really confused by extras when I made my first trade, which is why I bring it up. Even if I don't receive "equal" extras, I always think it's worth it, and it seems to come back around, beer karma style. Good luck, and welcome to addiction!

 

You are going to get a lot of tips from folks here. But it isn't really that tough. I have had some horrendously packed boxes arrive through the US Mail fine and intact. Depending on the size of the box I use a combination of the above techniques. Do I always double box? No. Always put in zip locks or otherwise liquid proof the box? No. But I do always use plenty of packing material and make sue that there is no movement inside the box when you shake it. Still, if you want to be super safe than go ahead and do what you have to do.

I really don't worry about the sound of liquid inside as some do, the guy at my shipping place (a Postal USA center that does UPS, Fedex and USPS) knows what I am sending and could care less. I even tossed him a couple Heady Toppers and Substance the last time I was there sending stuff out.

I did have one box damaged. It was actually double boxed and all contents were in zip lock bags. Somehow they managed to break a growler from HF so badly that it must have broken the zip lock as well. They put all the contents (Heady Topper and another HF growler) into another box and sent back to the shipping place. He re-packed it and sent it out again. He and I still talk about how the heck they could have broken that one...

 

I like to individually ziplock every can or bottle, then bubble wrap each individual can or bottle, then put them in a garbage bag and do the old spin and tie. The key to any package is not leaving room to move. Make sure every side is padded and every void is filled. As already stated, I too prefer to ship on Mondays so it's not sitting somewhere over the weekend who knows where.

 

My guess is that it would increase shipping due to the larger/heavier box. I don't double box or "liquid proof" my boxes and I've never had a problem. Basically, I do three things:

1) Completely enclose every single individual bottle in bubble wrap and tape it closed
2) Pack the bottles snugly enough that they will not have room to move around
3) Fill in the negative space with packing peanuts, so that the bottles aren't so tightly packed that outside pressure (like another box being stacked on top of your box) can diffuse without cracking bottles.

 

I'll agree about trading with an experienced member first. Trading with someone new or with zero feedback is tough for your first trade. I trade on different sites and each one my first trade was with someone who had trades under their belt and it went a long way for me. I don't get crazy as far as packing and how I pack depends on the size of the trade. For a large trade with a lot of bottles a 12 bottle styro shipper works really well and you don't need a ton of extra materials. For smaller trades, I usually put a lot of newspaper, brown packing paper, peanuts, or whatever I have on the bottom for cushion. Then I'll wrap up each bottle separate in bubble wrap and sometimes extra paper wrapped around that. I'll lay each one in the box with bubble wrap or newspaper between then to avoid them hitting eachother or moving around. I'll also stuff materials all around the edges so that when the box gets shuffled around, tossed, kicked, etc the bottles aren't taking the hit. I make sure to stuff as much material in as I can so there is zero movement. That is the key. For conserving bubble wrap, rubber bands are good, but I also like the blue painting tape method. My first trade the guy did that. Comes off super easy and conserved the bubble wrap. Most people reuse materials tho, so many times there will be tape all over the wrap from a previous person so you can't really avoid that. Good luck on your first trade and make sure those bottles can't move at all and have some cushion between each.

 

It does actually. Shipping fees (as I understand them, anyway) are much more heavily dependent upon the size of the box rather than weight. That's why you'll notice a good amount of BAs trying to "expand" on trades...trying to get the most bang for their shipping buck or max out the size of the box that they have to use. Some folks might find it to be worth it to double box...and while I have on occasion, I don't view it as high up on the priority list of shipping necessities as some others do...

 

I like to double box to add a bumper/crumple zone. I am sure it adds a little to the weight, therefore the cost, although I am not sure how much. I do try to use square boxes whenever possible.(Dimensions do play a part in the shipping cost.) The little extra I pay is worth the peace of mind I get. I have been fortunate enough to not have a shipment break yet, so I continue to pack in a way that is comfortable to me. I have not shipped a growler yet. I imagine, the bigger the bottle, the more packing it needs.
The one thing you should think of when you pack your box: it is flying down or maybe falling off, conveyor belts and being tossed (maybe thrown) on and off trucks. I've been told a box needs to survive a six foot drop. I think about will I have to, or will I be able to replace the bottles I am shipping, as well.
I also do not use noisemakers to disguise or cover up the sloshing of the beer. (Another reason why I double box; it helps to deaden the sloshing. ) Why put something in the box that sounds loose or broken and could possibly attract the attention of the shipping co.
On my first trade, I received a box that was barely packed with any materials and the box was beat up. I couldn't believe the beer survived, but it did. Once again, it's about packing in a way that makes you comfortable.
To me, it is all about making my trading partner's jaw drop when he opens his box. (Yes, that means extras, too.) Every trading day is Christams day!

 

LambicPentament (a few posts ago) seems to do the same thing I do when shipping beer.

As for shipping method, FedEx seems to be the cheapest. Open up a Fedex account for yourself, and buy your postage online. DO NOT send USPS - iirc, that is illegal.

 

It's illegal if you don't pay da man and follow da rules lol

Our government regulates alcohol. Means they get a piece of the action (thru fees, for example) and control over the terms of sale, manufacture, distribution and whatnot. Anyone who wants in, has to meet their conditions and pay them (for various licenses/permits). While alcohol isn't a "controlled substance", it is a controlled substance

 

I am a little anxious as I just made my first trade and it is a big one. I went to UPS and the guy asked me what was in the box. I was not ready for this question (in retrospect I should have been), so I panicked and said "Books, mostly". He seemed suspicious and measured the box. When I shook the box prior to dropping it off there was no sound or movement coming from it, it was packed very tightly with bubble wrap and grocery bags, and it was certainly heavy enough to contain books. But now my tracking number doesn't seem to work which is increasing the anxiety as it is now close to noon on Monday and I dropped it off 48 hours ago. The question is...is my anxiety warranted?

 

Rookie mistake #1. Don't worry, I also made this mistake. Use FedEx.

Are you saying you dropped the box off Saturday? I would expect the tracking to be updated here pretty soon today. Depending on how late you dropped it off Saturday, your box may not have even been sorted yet. (Tip #2, always ship on Monday or the beginning of the week).

 

Why FedEx versus UPS? I have heard the opposite so far. I dropped it off at about 1pm on Saturday. This thread has been helpful re: shipping on Monday (and some other shipping issues). I just got to it a couple days late I guess.