Shipping Homebrew

[Consiglieri]

I'm running into some obstacles trying to ship some homemade beer.  (fair summary can be found here: http://www.realbeer.com/library/beerbreak/archives/beerbreak20011108.php )

Any of you homebrewers have a solution other than creative disclosure of parcel contents?  Don't want the recipients to have any trouble.

As always, thanks in advance. 

[MWS]

Hey Consiglieri,

Sorry no solutions, but I pondered the same thing last year. I opted to not ship. I also wondered how well the ale in question would travel by air. Would the bottles blow up in mid air from pressure? Again...I figured I better just drink them myself and tell the intended recipient what he was missing. Sorry can't help, but if you do find a solution, do tell.

P.S. I currently have 2 different IPA's bottled and a Christmas Porter fermenting.

[owrstrich]

[Wildcat]

Looks like O sent us a bug.  :o ;D

[Consiglieri]

I decided to ship homemade goods in glass containers rather than beer.

I like MWS' approach, too. 

[La Quinta]

I think that's a bad idea!!! :)

[Payson]

I ship it all over the country as "Live yeast samples". I've gotten a few weird looks but using USPS and UPS I've never had any trouble.

[Consiglieri]

"live yeast samples" is exactly what the article suggested.  Problem is that there are too many homebreweres on the west coast.  Too many know what yeast do; easier to call it homemade goods in glassware.   Live yeast description: On the one hand, the brewers would get it and let the good brew ship... On the other hand there may be the company person who can figure what the yeast eat and make a problem.

Long and short of it: the shipment isn't a "sale".  One's a gift  and the other is a gift exchange.  Each involves homemade products.  With the changes I've seen in the law, there's certainly grey area, but the law is focused on shipments of sales of alcoholic products.   

As always,

Cheers

[Consiglieri]

MWS: Sounds like you're well stocked (time for a smoker party).  I ran out of time for a spiced beer this year, so we'll enjoy the IPA. 

[MWS]

Consiglieri,

Speaking of live yeast samples....I ordered two WYeast liquid yeast packs that are in the mail heading my way as well as some specialty grains.  Christmas season is coming and one can never have too many ales on hand. Hope I have enough bottles. It's not too late for Christmas yet Consiglieri......put on a batch this weekend and you'll have ale for Christmas Eve thru New Year  ;)

[ThomasMN]

My friends and I ship beer all over the country for competitons. We've never run into trouble with fedex and have an account somewhere that gives us a hefty 2nd air discount. Only time I've been question was shipping 6 boxes totalling over 120 lbs to the National Homebrew competition in Florida last year 2nd day air. I had a quick comment prepared so they didn't question it any further. We never put anything down for the content of the packages.

/Medal "whoring" homebrewer  :D

[Gizmo]

Consiglieri,
Your homemade goods in glassware arrived nicely today.  Thank You so much. 
It only took about 45 minutes  ;D to unwrap the glassware so you know they made it safely. ;D

You are too cool  8).

Anything I can do for you just let me know.