Shipping Growlers?

An additional question (Caveman hope you don't mind): anyone have any experience with non-glass growlers? Stainless steel maybe? Might this save a little shipping weight and reduce breakage chances?

I assume plastic is a no-no taste-wise, but maybe not?

 

Box in a box. For 64 oz growlers I often pack them in a wine / beer box well padded, and then put that box in a bigger box. I tape the cap on the growler (if it's a screw top) with plumbers tape, put the growler in a plastic bag, pack it in a box, put the box in a plastic bag, etc.

Basically use a couple methods of protection and you're usually good. I've had 2 instances of growler leakage - both to the same person sadly - but have shipped many successfully. Flip tops seem to have a lower likelihood of leaking in my experience.

 

I thought it was nuts to ship a growler too, until someone offered and sent me a 64 oz growler of Kuhnhenn DRIPA to me intact and in all its glory. It was in a huge box, packed tightly with cans wrapped in bubble wrap, newspaper, etc. Interestingly, one of the cans burst but it was still delivered. When I say the wet box, I thought it was the growler but alas, it was one of the throw ins.

 

I ship and receive growlers all the time. When shipping with my buddy in San Francisco we usually use the USPS two day boxes. He likes to tape the tops but I don't usually bother (I just don't see how they are going to come loose in transit). I put it in a zip-lock and pad it up...that leaves room for two cans/bottles so I throw in a couple of those as well and off she goes. Never had an issue either way, and we have probably shipped about 50 between us...For my friends that are closer (as far as Chicago) it only takes 2-days by UPS so I don't bother with the two day box and can send more stuff along with it. Freshness has never been an issue. Unlike most, I have not had any extra success with flip tops over screw tops, have sent and received many of both successfully. Actually, have had minute leaks with flip tops and none with the screw tops.

As for costs, a golden rule of shipping beer is to never, ever, think of cost, much less talk of it!

So, keeping scratching that head of yours or get in the game and enjoy some outstanding fresh beer!

 

I've shipped "quite a few" growlers so know a thing for two...

Here are my packing tips in general: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/tips-for-newbie-on-trading.177530/#post-2413609

With growlers, I only ship 1L or 32oz growlers. This is because they are just a bit larger than 750ml bottles. Other than taping the cap/swing top well, you treat them as 750ml bottles so you can use styro bottle shippers (for 750ml bottle size opening), or wrap them up well with bubble wrap. There rest of the packing is the same for me (double trash bag).

I have received metal growlers and 64oz, all were simply well bubble wrapped and in several bags in addition to trash bags.

As for higher shipping cost, not really. If you really think about it, there's probably more glass needed (so more weight) if you split the content of 64oz into separate small bottles. Worst case, they're roughly the same. Only when compared to cans that they're heavier.

 

I like to use 32oz "Boston Round" growlers for shipping, they fit into the bottle shippers perfectly. I've never had any issues (keeping fingers crossed).

 

Stick to the 32 oz swing tops and something similar to this will do the trick. Double bag it with jumbo zip-locks with plenty of padding. Happy shipping!

 

I've shipped quite a few 32oz flip-tops of 10 Barrel's Berliners.... All have arrived intact with carbonation (knocks on wood).

That said, I don't think I will ever ship 64oz growlers again.... If my trader absolutely needs 64oz, it is just easier for me to ship 2x 32oz'ers.

 

Yeah, should have mentioned, I am talking 32oz when I say shipping cross country in the 2-day. The big guys won't fit in there. But, if going UPS or something then the 1/2 gallon is no issue, I have sent and received several, though not nearly as many as the small ones...

 

-32oz or 750 swing tops only (I've had capped ones leak)
-Electrical tape it to death (some people don't and that's fine, but better safe than sorry IMO)
-I wrap in shrink wrap like crazy (again better safe than sorry)
-Use a bottle shipper (some bubble wrap to fit snug)
-Always ALWAYS ship on Monday. I've had growlers sit in hot trucks or warehouses for the weekend because the other end shipped on a Wednesday or Thursday.

Like my mama said, treat others the way you wanna be treated. I really go outta my way for my partners in an effort to make sure it arrives safe as possible without leakage. You don't wanna be the guy/gal that skimps on this and now you have to send another bottle and spend more on shipping.

 

Sorry to revive this old thread but has anyone ever shipped two growlers in one box?

 

What I don't understand about shipping growler is how do you keep them cold? Winter months is understandable, but what about hot months. Growlers have to be kept refrigerated at all times.

 

yes. someone mentioned this in another related thread....start with a 12 bottle wine shipper and hollow out two 4 bottle squares so the growlers fit. works very well (assuming you have properly sealed the growlers).

Edit: this assumes you mean 2 64oz growlers