28 replies to this topic

[ColdAssHonky]

I'm still game for whatever comes along.Edit: I just remembered a dream I had the other night about the virtual beer pass. It was like being inside of some virtual reality with a big floating box of beer bottles. I was trying to remove some and put others in, but couldn't get it to work right. Maybe that means a swap is a better idea...

Edited by MyBeerPants, 14 May 2009 - 10:08 AM.

[pods8]

Bump/statement of interest. I would rather it be 2 beers, as I rarely have more than one on tap, and that would minimize the commercial beer I would be forced to send.

How about we make it a 2 different beer minimum and then you can do whatever you want after that? As mentioned I pack 4 at a time for my shipping method (assuming it keeps working ) so I'd fill up the slots just cause even if I doubled down on something.

Pods - do you want to move forward with this, or do you want someone else to take the lead in terms of setting up the actual details?

I can, doesn't matter to me either way though.Should I start a new thread now that we're going into action or just work from here?We'll swap forward since that will eliminate any issues if we have odd numbers participating. It won't be a blind swap because I'd have to collect all the addresses and then distribute them and don't feel like it. We'll pull names and then I'll post who has who so you can arrange contact info via PM.Want an entry deadline of the 17th with a name draw on the 18th or a deadline on the 24th with a pull on the 25/26(depends if I'm around a computer on the 25th)?Two weeks to get packages out after the name draw?Here's what I'm seeing in this thread:1. pods82. ncbeerbrewer - ? need to confirm3. dubbelentendre4. mach5 - ? need to confirm5. stellarbrew6. mybeerpants7. cheflamont - ? need to confirm8. hoopefjetcar9. odacrewm - ? need to confirm10. badogg

Edited by pods8, 14 May 2009 - 12:42 PM.

[ncbeerbrewer]

Pods yes I would like to participate in the swap. I never did it on the GreenBoard but I am just wondering, anywhere I can look now just to get an idea of how to go about the shipping part. I have never shipped beer anywhere before and I am sure its not that difficult but I just wanna know the sorta instructions there might be. This should be fun no doubts.

[pods8]

Pods yes I would like to participate in the swap. I never did it on the GreenBoard but I am just wondering, anywhere I can look now just to get an idea of how to go about the shipping part. I have never shipped beer anywhere before and I am sure its not that difficult but I just wanna know the sorta instructions there might be. This should be fun no doubts.

You mean like packing methods/carriers? Well technically you can't use USPS and folks have had issues with both UPS and Fedex depending on what you tell them. Basically try to avoid discussing what is actually in the package, just say its doesn't apply to any of their shipping restrictions and 90% of the time it'll be fine.That said I'll be using USPS with the thought in mind that if they actually finally snag one of my packages (haven't yet) then I'll just follow up with a replacement package for the receiver. Here's why/how I use them. The flatter rectangular flat rate boxes are affordable to ship (~$10 currently I think) and conveniently fit 4 beers. I take plotter paper tubes and cut them down the the width of the box (~11"+), then stuff a beer into them (they fit 12's and 22's) and pack around them and the ends with newspaper. Then 4 of those tubes go right into one of those flat rate boxes side by side with maybe a bit of paper on the end. Everything is snug and doesn't slosh around, etc. I'm sure if you REALLY beat the crap out of it you could break a bottle but under normal conditions you won't and I've yet to have an issue. If paranoid line the box with a garbage bag so even if you do have a break it doesn't leak out and alert the delivery person to reject the package.All that said I think ScottS mentioned some places are getting X-ray machines that will pick up on the bottle caps so we'll have to see. You can also get brown plastic bottles at my LHBS so I could bottle in those if needed to avoid X-ray machines. I'll adapt as issues arise. For now I'll roll with what works.Here's what I'm seeing in this thread:1. pods82. ncbeerbrewer3. dubbelentendre4. mach5 - ? need to confirm5. stellarbrew6. mybeerpants7. cheflamont - ? need to confirm8. hoopefjetcar9. odacrewm - ? need to confirm10. badogg

[ColdAssHonky]

Pods yes I would like to participate in the swap. I never did it on the GreenBoard but I am just wondering, anywhere I can look now just to get an idea of how to go about the shipping part. I have never shipped beer anywhere before and I am sure its not that difficult but I just wanna know the sorta instructions there might be. This should be fun no doubts.

I've shipped out about 6 packages so far and all have arrived intact. I tend to go overboard, but here's what I do.Wrap each bottle individually in saran wrap.Place bottles in separate ziplock freezer bags or even vacuum seal them.Pack in a box so that there is a layer of packing materials between each bottle and all sides of the box. I use bubble wrap when I have it, or newpaper, etc when I don't.I signed up for a FedEx account so that I can get my label printed and then drop off at a FedEx/Kinkos location. This way there are no questions about what you're sending.

[BuxomBrewster]

Yeah, we had some real confusion with a couple of Christmas packages. I made some homemade truffles to send along. They seized the mead, and then repackaged the chocolates in an appropriately sized box. Imagine the confusion to the recipients who were expecting mead for Christmas and then got a little box with some chocolates.

[pods8]

Yeah, we had some real confusion with a couple of Christmas packages. I made some homemade truffles to send along. They seized the mead, and then repackaged the chocolates in an appropriately sized box. Imagine the confusion to the recipients who were expecting mead for Christmas and then got a little box with some chocolates.

Was it USPS and the bottle caps that did that or a different carrier? Anyways just be aware folks, I'm just going to gamble on USPS and will eat the $10 package cost if I eventually get hosed and just ship another out.

[Hooperjetcar]

I say deadline of the 17 with a draw of the 18. This thread has been around a few days already, likely anyone interested in joining is at least aware enough to check it out. May be worth starting a new thread just to alert that it is not in discussion, but ready to take place.

[BuxomBrewster]

Was it USPS and the bottle caps that did that or a different carrier? Anyways just be aware folks, I'm just going to gamble on USPS and will eat the $10 package cost if I eventually get hosed and just ship another out.

That was UPS.