Lucky enough to be going out to Colorado (Crested Butte) for some hiking and flyfishing next weekend. Of course I may find a few brews not attainable here in my home state of Virginia. How can I bring a few back? Bottles in the suitcase well padded? Cans mostly? Forget it or transport in my gut otherwise I will have a suitcase with exploded cans or broken bottles? On another note What to look for? jim
If you're flying, I guess I would suggest using your carry-on. Otherwise, pack VERY carefully. I have no experience with this but I know that many BAs do.
You won't be able to carry it on unless it's something you purchase inside the airport after security. You'll have to check it, it'll be fine just make sure it's wrapped well and sealed in bags to prevent leaks. I brought back a bunch from San Diego to NY and no problem at all.
Never done this myself before, but have seen people place them in checked bags. Wrap with some bubble wrap, put inside a plastic bag, pad with clothes. Have also seen people leave some notes for the TSA, with materials to re-wrap the beer once its been searched
Pack them in your checked baggage, wrap with bubble wrap and tap. Make sure the suitcase is packed tight, free space and glass bottles are not a good combo. Weight is a big deal to the airlines, keep the packed bag under 50 pounds. I hauled 20 pounds of beer a few weeks ago no problem.
This comes up a lot, but no worries. I've flown with beer more times than I can count. You can likely get by with just putting bottles/cans in with your clothes (checked bag of course, they still have the 3.4oz limit thing) but I prefer to bring bubble wrap and tape or rubber bands. Just be sure to stay at or under the airline's per-bag weight limit.
very good advice here. I also wrap clothing around the bottles for extra safe and comfortable travel for my important cargo.
Bubble wrap! great idea, I will pack some on the way out with tape and rubber bands. good news it is a one way flight at least.
I've always had good luck with packing them up and putting them in a checked bag. I've transported countless bottles from San Diego, CA to Maine with zero problems. My MO for packing beer in a checked bag usually consists of a ziplock bag (for containment in case of breakage), a layer or two of bubble wrap (especially around the cap or C&C area), and I usually end up rolling them in t-shirts for extra padding. I've done this at least 4 times in the past and haven't had a break yet.
Been to Texas three times this year and each time I have brought about 12 bottles (bombers and 12oz) back with me. I take ziploc bags to pack each bottle in just in case. I wrap them in my clothes and pack it very tight so nothing moves. Have yet to have a bottle break this way.
Flew back to VA from SD a few month ago both my wife and I had 4 bottles eash in our checked suitcase. We just carefully wrapped every one in the thickest clothing and luckily had no issues. That being said, bubble wrap sounds like a great idea and I think I'd go that way next time for peace of mind.
i was travelling with my sister who gets unlimited free check-in bags so i brought two 12-slot styro shippers and filled them both up with some Wisco goodies. as i do when i send out trades, i put the styros in a big plastic trash bag in case of leaks.
Just brought back a bunch from Florida! put all the cans inside doubled up socks and the bottles wrapped in t-shirts, not a single casualty in the bunch! Good Luck!
I have flown with beer bottles, 5ths and handles of vodka. Used to fly monthly for about 2 years with 2 handles of vodka in my suitcase (My parents are polish and make vodka). Never had a single one break so I feel you'll be fine. Place your bottles in the center of the suitcase and wrap them up in all your clothes, towels, etc. I can confirm you will HAVE to check in any bottles you bring, cannot carry them on. What to look for - Avery Uncle Jacob's Stout was on shelves when I was in Denver in February, and it was awesome. Not sure how available that is though. Another idea if you are really worried (or have too many bottles to bring back) - make up a box for yourself and ship it to Virginia! Hopefully there are some BAs in Colorado that can help you out.
US Airways check in lady actually put stickers on my luggage for fragile/glass when I told her there were beers in there. Just wrap them really good and keep them towards the center of the suitcase (unless it is a hard shell)
I do this all the time in checked bags without an issue... but keep in mind they WILL open your bag and search it.
take some garbage bags and bubble wrap with you on your way out and just use your suitcase to check the beer in.
