Beers are sensitive to temperature changes and require more care than most other items.
Shipping is the most crucial step in the success of your craft breweries.
To ensure that your package arrives at its destination in one piece, you must adequately pack your beer to ship.
Some of the most successful brewery owners have shared their shipping advice, and we have distilled all of the critical points for you in this guide.
You won’t have to worry about anything if you use this method.
It’s one thing to ship a keg. After all, kegs are practically indestructible, but if you want to send individual brewed beer or a case of it, you must take the necessary precautions.
Understand the Beer Shipping Regulations
The first thing you need to do is educate yourself before buying beer online are the beer shipping regulations of your state. Each state has different rules, so it’s essential that you know and follows them.
If you’re unsure where to start, the Brewers Association has a comprehensive guide covering all 50 states.
You should also check with your local alcohol board or licensing authority to ensure that you comply with their rules.
How To Transport Beer
Choosing the appropriate container and carefully packing your beer to keep it safe will simplify shipping craft beer.
1. Decide on a container
The first step in sending beer is picking a container that will be big enough to carry many bottles.
While gift boxes are an option, bottles can be placed straight inside a different container, like a plastic bin or a Styrofoam cooler.
If you choose to do this, include lots of straws or other packing material to act as padding between the bottles.
Bottle shop owners typically use six-pack shipping boxes because they are easy to find and hold a good amount of beer.
2. Packing Your Beer
Now that your materials are ready, it’s time to begin putting your beer into the containers.
Make sure to keep the following advice in mind when packaging them:
- Keep the recipient’s address as clear as possible, whether on a shipping label or marker. In some cases, an address may appear right outside the package. Even so, it’s best to double-check everything before closing the box. The shipping labels should be all correct to avoid delays.
- One by one, put the beers in the cooler, being sure to load any empty spaces with packing peanuts. If foam inserts are available, gently place them inside the cooler before setting the bottles on top.
- If you need to include any additional paperwork with the beers, put it somewhere in the box that won’t be buried, like under the packing peanuts.
- You must add an antifreeze pack to the cooler after putting all your beers in it. This method will keep the beer cold for a few hours, but if you want to ensure that it stays chilled for an extended period, buy a styrofoam icebox to go with it.
- Place the cooler in a box that can accommodate its size after wrapping it in bubble wrap to preserve it during transport.
- In compliance with the beer shipping regulations in your state, please seal the package and label it.
3. Select the Shipping Method
Two of the most popular methods for transporting beer are using a regular carrier or an internet carrier.
Before making a choice, examining all the pros and cons of these possibilities is essential.
Once your craft beer is packed, you must choose a shipping method. The two most common methods are UPS and FedEx.
UPS and FedEx are the most expensive shipping options, but they’re also the most reliable. If you can afford to ship with UPS or FedEx, we recommend doing so.
The US Postal Service is the cheapest shipping option, but it’s not as reliable as UPS or FedEx.
Important Tips for Packaging the Beer Safely
- Gather Your Packing Supplies and Beer
- Secure Bottle Caps and Place Beer in Plastic Bags
- Wrap and Rubber Band Each Beer
- Create a Shipping Account
- Place Your Wrapped Beer in Your Box
- Keep Your Beers Cold
- Prevent Leaking
- Mail Your Package Through Ground Transport
When packaging your beer, you must consider three things: glass, cans, and bottles.
- Glass- is the most fragile packaging, so it requires the most care. When packing glass, use bubble wrap or packing peanuts to cushion the beer and prevent it from shifting during transit.
- Cans- are less likely to break than glass, but they can still be damaged if they’re not packed properly. Wrap each can work individually in bubble wrap and place them in a box with packing peanuts or crumpled paper.
- Bottles- are the most durable type of packaging, but they’re also the heaviest. When shipping bottles, use packing peanuts or crumpled paper to fill any space in the box. This will prevent the bottles from shifting during transit. Some bottle shops also offer box boxes specifically designed for shipping bottles.
Beer club memberships are a great way to get new, exciting beers to try. But your beer can be damaged in transit if you’re not careful.
CHECK OUT: How To Find The Best Materials For Beer Koozies
How To Legally Ship Beer
When transporting beer, there are a few constraints to bear in mind. Here are some guidelines for sending beer that comply with the applicable law.
- You must obtain a license from the federal government to ship alcohol.
- It is permissible to send beer only in 12-ounce bottles. Anything more than that is prohibited and can lead to the seizure of your package. The alcohol by volume (ABV) of the beer must not exceed 5%.
- Before shipping, you must prepare an invoice with your name and address. Additionally, you need to provide the recipient’s name and address, along with a package description.
- Beer can only be shipped to people at least 21 years old, the legal drinking age in most states.
- Before craft beer delivery, the recipient must sign for the package.
- It would help if you informed the purchaser that attempting to sell or resale alcohol without a license is prohibited.
Conclusion
Brewing Beer is very vital in the alcohol industry as it is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. It is a long and complicated process that can be difficult to understand.
When shipping beer, it is essential to pack it carefully. There are several ways to make alcohol shipments.
Make sure to use packing peanuts or bubble wrap to cushion the beer, and don’t forget to include an antifreeze pack if you’re using a styrofoam cooler.
Then you’ll need to choose the proper shipping method for your beer. We hope this guide has been helpful. Cheers!
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Once your brewery is established, the logistics can be a pain, but at least you are familiar with the requirements, processes and laws. Not to mention a roladex full of shipping and storage contacts.
If you are just starting out though, this is an absolute nightmare! You need to source cold shipping, cold storage, affordable transport, options that allow pressurized kegs or fragile handling of bottles.
My advice: Hold onto EVERY contact you make during the process. Keep calling around, share logistics costs, get a distributor if you can. And as always, microbrewers need to share the love!