Learning how to pack craft beer when moving to a new home is really important. However, it can be a delicate process as you ensure the precious brews arrive intact and undamaged.
You’ve spent years building your collection, so you don’t want to risk it when it comes time to move.
Here are some steps to help you pack craft beer for your move:
Step 1: Gather your supplies
First step in knowing how to pack craft beer when moving is to make sure you have the needed supplies in advance. Luckily, most of what you will need you might already have around the house or planned on purchasing to pack other household items.
- Sturdy cardboard boxes or wine shippers with dividers (designed for bottles)
- Bubble wrap or packing paper
- Packing tape
- Ziplock bags (optional)
- Styrofoam or cardboard inserts (optional)
- Permanent marker for labeling
Step 2: Check the regulations
Before putting anything into the first box, you will want to check on regulations that might apply to the type of moving you are doing. This is specifically important if you plan on shipping your items.
Step 3: Choose your beer
Once you’ve determined that you can legally move the beer, now you need to decide which beer is worth transporting. If you are moving down around the corner or across town then you can probably justify bringing all of your beer. However, if you are moving further away and there’s a cost to every box you move, then you might want to ensure it is all worth moving.
Characteristics to consider when deciding which to bring include value, rarity, and sentimental value. If you decide there are beers that you do not want to take, it can be a great opportunity to gift these to someone or have a bottle share with friends before moving.
Step 4: Prepare the bottles
Before packing the beer, inspect each bottle for any damage or leaks. Discard any compromised bottles. You don’t want any leaks or broken bottles. Not only would you lose the beer, but you’d likely also damage other personal items.
Next, clean the bottles if they are dusty or have residue on them.
Step 5: Wrap each bottle
Wrap each bottle individually in bubble wrap or packing paper to protect them from breakage. Ensure the entire bottle is covered, including the neck and bottom.
If you have ziplock bags, place each wrapped bottle in a bag for an extra layer of protection against leaks. If there is a leak, at least it will be contained to the bag.
Step 6: Use dividers
If you have wine shippers or cardboard dividers designed for bottles, use them to separate the bottles and prevent them from touching each other. It is common for items to shift in boxes during moving so they dividers prevent them from hitting each other and breaking.
Step 7: Pack the bottles in boxes
Place the wrapped and separated bottles into the sturdy cardboard boxes. Make sure they fit snugly to prevent shifting during the move.
If you don’t have dividers, you can use Styrofoam or cardboard inserts to create compartments within the box.
Fill any gaps or empty spaces in the box with packing paper, bubble wrap, or crumpled newspaper to prevent bottles from moving around.
Step 8: Seal and label the boxes
Seal the boxes securely with packing tape. Then, label the boxes as “Fragile” and “This Side Up” to alert movers to handle them with care.
It’s also a good idea to write “Craft Beer” on the boxes for easy identification. If you want to take it a step further, make an inventory list of what is each box. This can be taped to each box or kept separately. Once you’ve moved, this list will be nice to help locate specific items until you have a chance to completely unpack.
Step 9: Transport with care
Keep the boxes upright when loading the boxes into your moving vehicle, make sure to keep them upright at all times to minimize the risk of bottle breakage.
Once packed and on the road, drive carefully and avoid sudden stops or sharp turns to prevent bottles from shifting inside the boxes.
Step 10: Unpack and store
Once you arrive at your new home, unpack the craft beer boxes as soon as possible. If you aren’t able to keep it in a refrigerator, it’s important to store your craft beer in a cool, dark place, preferably a cellar or a closet with a consistent temperature.
Remember that some craft beers, especially those with high alcohol content or bottle conditioning, can change over time. So, it’s essential to handle them with care during the move to preserve their quality.
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