How to transport homebrew

I'm in the process of brewing several carboys of beer to serve at my wedding in a few months. The catch is that the wedding is on the other side of the country. I'm planning on taking a few days to drive it there myself, and I'm wondering how best to package it.

  • I'm going to be bottling because the logistics and cost of keg fridges will be prohibitive.
  • I'm driving a pickup truck with a cap so vertical stacking isn't necessary (per stuffing bottles in the trunk), but the ride could be bumpy.
  • I can package them as I'd like (with reasonable materials), but I'd prefer not to get into the business of e.g. bubble-wrapping each bottle as I plan to move several hundred bottles.

How can I best ensure that the beer survives the trip without breakage, or loss of containment due to agitating the bottles?

Topic transport shipping equipment beer homebrew

Category Mac

1
answered at

I would suggest force carbing and bottling from a keg instead of bottle conditioning. A long trip may very well stir up any yeast on the bottom too. Also, since this is for a wedding, guests may not necessarily be familiar with bottle conditioned beers and might be put off by sediment regardless.

1
answered at

Make sure you aren't in violation of any bootlegging laws along the way. Each state will likely have different amounts considered allowed for personal use.

Perhaps your state alcohol board will sell you tax seals/stamps (even though you only have small quantities), so if stopped you can point to them and avoid time spent talking with the local magistrate.

1
answered at

I would do nothing special. Just put the bottles back in the the same cases that the bottles came in. Beer you buy commercially is separated in 6 packs within the box by just a single layer of card-stock (the six pack carrier) and they do fine. These are driven all over the country and do fine. If you are doing the driving it would be fine too.

1
answered at

Put it in cases and wrap the cases in towels to help minimize the mess if you do have some break? I'd be more concerned about temperature problems, honestly.

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