Moving My Cellar 1800 miles

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by NinaElizabeth, Jul 20, 2015.

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  1. NinaElizabeth

    NinaElizabeth Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2014 Louisiana

    Hey ya'll,

    I searched this forum but didn't find the exact information I need.
    I am making a big move from Boston to New Orleans this summer and have a buuuunch of beer in my "cellar" that I need to transport. I'm trying to drink as much of it as possible but it's too much to go through in a month. In Boston, I've had the luxury of a cool basement where I've put my stash.
    I am using one of those moving containers as a cheaper alternative to renting a truck and my belongings will also be in storage until I find permanent residence in NOLA.

    So, here are my questions:

    Has anyone moved beer in one of those moving containers? Any tips on how to package the goods so they arrive safely in NOLA? Am I totally nuts for even considering this?

    Moreso, will the beer be okay once in storage? LA is hottttt so I'm a little concerned if it will hold up alright

    Any insight or tips would be appreciated! And no "just send your beer to me, I'll take care of it" responses :stuck_out_tongue:

    cheers,

    Nina
     
    #1 NinaElizabeth, Jul 20, 2015
  2. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    How many bottles are you talking about?
     
    #2 atpca, Jul 21, 2015
  3. srgehl

    srgehl Crusader (437) Oct 22, 2014 New Jersey

    shipping is shipping. package the beer the same way you would if you were sending it on a trade. as for the temp. I'd bring the beer inside. even if the house is 75-80 degrees its better than the 120 degrees that container will get sitting in the hot sun.
     
    #3 srgehl, Jul 21, 2015
  4. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That's a lot easier said than done, for a larger cellar. Not so bad for 10's to maybe 100 bottles but for a large (1000+) cellar that's a pretty major undertaking.
     
    #4 atpca, Jul 21, 2015
  5. Dicers

    Dicers Grand Pooh-Bah (3,436) Sep 2, 2012 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I moved from MA to Houston. Used the storage container, but immediately unloaded it upon it's arrival. if it's staying in their long-term it will most likely be sun exposed at worst and non temperature controlled at best. in LA this time of year you're looking at internal temperatures of the container upwards of 120 degrees. I had to move about 350-400 bottles of beer so shipping wasn't really an option. We just paid a bit extra to get the container faster
     
    #5 Dicers, Jul 21, 2015
  6. NinaElizabeth

    NinaElizabeth Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2014 Louisiana

    Thanks for all of the responses. Yeah, the internal temperatures are what I'm most concerned about about, for sure. I guess it's kind of a crap shoot. In terms of packing it all up, I've never traded or shipped beer. Would ya'll think the Styrofoam bottle containers are the best? Or just a butt ton of bubble wrap?

    thanks again for all the insight!
     
    #6 NinaElizabeth, Jul 21, 2015
  7. Dicers

    Dicers Grand Pooh-Bah (3,436) Sep 2, 2012 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    1. Quantity?
    2. for your styrofoam question, will you be shipping it to yourself or using the container? If it's going in the POD than just standard 12 bottle wine boxes/beer boxes will suffice. If you're shipping uses styro
     
    #7 Dicers, Jul 21, 2015
  8. tokimedo

    tokimedo Savant (1,038) Feb 28, 2015 California
    Trader

    I moved about 300-400 bottles and about 400-500 records at the same time from DC to Santa Barbara. Put a tow hitch on my Lexus and towed a trailer with beer and vinyl. Driving it across country it was sun exposed a good amount but the inside of the trailer didn't get too hot. I parked it In the shade and unloaded as soon as I got to SB. I had the bottles and records in an uncontrolled temp insulated storage unit for a few months (no windows, just a 5x15 spot) and the temp didn't usually go above 75. Everything is still OK and I've moved it all to Orange County. trailer was about $350. Most important thing to remember is direct sunlight and extreme temps. 75-80 degrees won't kill the beer, will just make the yeast in it work faster. Just keep it really dark. I wouldn't suggest a shipping container tho. 120 degrees will ruin it all haha. Good luck!
     
    #8 tokimedo, Jul 21, 2015
  9. tokimedo

    tokimedo Savant (1,038) Feb 28, 2015 California
    Trader

    Oh and I packed my beer in just 12 bottle cases. No styrofoam or anything just bottles in the case, upright, and taped up the cases top and bottom. Worked perfectly.
     
    #9 tokimedo, Jul 21, 2015
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