Subzero temps and shipping

Don't even think about it!

My rule of thumb has been no beer in or out if the temp is below zero. Period. And even under 10 degrees is a yellow light for me unless the beer is all double digits ABV. I've shipped over 400 boxes in a long career & not lost a single beer to cold with this rule. The only beer I've ever lost incoming to cold was a surprise shipment from a long time trader & you guessed it - sub-10% ABV & sub-zero temps.

Personally I wouldn't risk it & am in fact holding onto two boxes this instant that I'd really have liked to get out this week. That's the story from a lifetime resident of the great state of Minnesota.

 

Come on man!

 

You've gotten the advice you need here. But yeah, don't do it. I have a box due to a trade partner in CT. Basically the same route. Looking at weather, I may not be able to ship for 2 weeks past when I was supposed to, and he's fine with it. Like any good trade partner should be. And I'm shipping all BA stuff that is probably 11-12% and up. I may have tried to run the gauntlet in my early years of trading, but now playing it safe is the only way to go. Another trade friend should be sending my CW Anniversary allotment this week. Gonna have to wait on that one too. It is what it is. This happens when you trade in the dead of winter.

 

Great advice listed above. I have boxes coming from MA, VA, and PA and have asked the people shipping to hold off for now. Usually I would not ask people to delay shipping boxes of hops but the upcoming forecast is brutal. Years ago I had beers freeze after forgetting them in the car over night.

 

I'm not fine with it. Haha It's a bit cool out, what's the deal?

 

I'm gonna send you some fruit puree bombs tomorrow as a thank you for being patient!

 

Those are probably the safest for winter shipping. Now, send a box during a summer heat wave and you're pretty much a domestic terrorist

 

I'm sending a box containing IPAs to IL early next week. I'll be running a couple tests this weekend but I've stepped up my insulation game so I plan on being successful. Either way, it gives me something to do.

 

I sent 2 boxes to Illinois usps Monday morning.
They just arrived safely Thursday afternoon. Bottles and cans.
Did an ok job of insulation.
Just couldn’t stand the thought of fresh hops sitting around waiting.
I think the key factor in this situation was there was no delays and someone was home so it didn’t sit on the porch for hours.
Cheers

 

Things by me are low 20s during the day and low teens/10 at night today. Sun even peeked out briefly today to melt roads some. If I had that happening for the coming week my boxes would all be going out ASAP, especially of the destination was similar or warmer.

Sat/Sun/Mon are going to be single digits as a high and negatives at night. I'd be scared as hell to ship in that. I'm sure Chicago area is a few degrees colder than me as they often are. Ship at your own risk in these temps folks. One delay and you're probably f'd.

 

Yes. I admit I was living dangerously.
I did see Thursday was the warmest day of the week for them too.
I also checked with the recipient first. Which is probably the most important.

 

Challenge accepted.

 

If anyone can, you can boss.

 

Only time I’ve ever done this I’ve reused a giordano’s styrofoam shipper. If they can ship pizza to the south in the dead of summer, a few cans will survive freezing temps.