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The Great GDNet Beer Exchange

Started by evolutional May 27, 2006 at 5:30 PM 55 replies 7.7k views

Original Post

May 27, 2006 at 5:30 PM

This is for all your beer fans out there... Here's an idea that I've batted around a couple of times with people and would like some general feedback on it. What I'd like to do is set up a GDNet Global Beer Exchange in which people from around the world send a bottle of beer from your home town (and/or country) to another GDNet beer affectionado. When you receive a beer you write about it for the rest of the group to read about (and take pics of you drinking it!). Think of it like a secret santa of sorts, but it's entirely beer-related [wink] I think it's a good way to try different beers from all over and would offer a unique way of experiencing new things (especially if you're a big fan of real ale as I am). What I'd like to know is mainly who'd be interested in this? Bear in mind it'll cost you to buy the beer and post it, but remember that you'll also receive one back. Also we can only have people who are legal to drink in their country, so no under 21's in the USA or under 18's in the UK/Europe. If there's enough interest in this, we'll sort out some guidelines and a way of co-ordinating it. But for now, yay or nay?

jfclavette

May 27, 2006 at 5:33 PM

This is probably illegal in most places around the world. Sounds like fun tough. I would be in if I didn't move around all the time, which would make it very difficult for me to participate.

Sneftel

May 27, 2006 at 5:35 PM

Quote:
Original post by jfclavette
This is probably illegal in most places around the world.

Not as far as I know. Selling liquor by mail is controlled, but I'm pretty sure giving it away is fine.

Toolmaker

May 27, 2006 at 5:37 PM

Sounds interesting, but is probably going to end up really expensive due to mailing costs...

Toolmaker

jfclavette

May 27, 2006 at 5:38 PM

Quote:
Original post by Sneftel
Quote:
Original post by jfclavette
This is probably illegal in most places around the world.

Not as far as I know. Selling liquor by mail is controlled, but I'm pretty sure giving it away is fine.

I tried sending chocolate back to Canada from the US and it didn't go trough and came back (more than a month later). Can't even imagine what would happen with alcohol across the Atlantic. Maybe chocolate's special and/or they tought it was softwood lumber.

jollyjeffers

May 27, 2006 at 5:46 PM

I like the idea.

I've done a fairly good job of drinking my way around the best the UK has to offer, but theres gotta be plenty of decent international beers out there.

I was quite impressed with the stuff out in Seattle - forget the name of the technique now, but their beer had distinct Ale-like characteristics, yet also being slightly fizzy like lager.

I would imagine that the import/export regulations would be a bit of a pain. In my case the lengthy delivery times would be a real pain - I'm gonna be living in 3 different places over the next 4 months. Would be disappointing for someone to send a beer over to me and it arrive after I've left the place [sad]

Some UK import law information, but doesn't seem to cover alcohol/beer. Dont really have time right now to do any further Googling

Jack

Sneftel

May 27, 2006 at 6:13 PM

Just looked up US law. Sending alcohol by mail is illegal; by courier (UPS, FedEx, DHL) is fine. Import duties and excise tax for a bottle of beer would be quite low (less than a dollar) but of course shipping would be quite high.

u235

May 27, 2006 at 7:04 PM

I'd be in as long there were no deadlines, and I wouldn't be able to start until I move to Conneticut in a few months.

-AJ

leiavoia

May 27, 2006 at 7:49 PM

* ALERT *

* ALERT *

Sending any kind of alcohol by mail is illegal. Private carriers usually have rules against this as well (feel free to look them up) and will not knowingly ship alcohol.

Now, that's not to say that people don't do it anyway. I'm just saying if you don't want to get into trouble, it's not worth it. Plus if you tie it to a website, there could be problems with "distributing alcohol to minors" and that sort of thing.

I make my own wine at home and i've considered doing a "wine swap" just like this, but the shipping hassles are not worth it to me. I just give away samples to local friends.

fnm

May 27, 2006 at 8:01 PM

i'm in.
anyone want to taste some italian beer?

Witchcraven

May 27, 2006 at 8:14 PM

I would be in. I hear that Denver is the beer capital of the USA. I am sure I can send out some quality.

Maega

May 27, 2006 at 8:29 PM

FedEx won't ship alcohol unless you are a licensed retailer/wholesaler of alcohol.

UPS is the same way.

I doubt Americans will be able to participate.

Luckless

May 27, 2006 at 8:50 PM

Sounds like way too much effort, and so many risks as far as legal issues go.

I remember awhile ago someone posted up something about working out lists of drinks, and every month they would pick one or two beers that people would have to try and order and do it sort of a bookclub thing. Your thoughts on the drink and all that.

I wouldn't mind trying this, only I don't drink, so I guess I'm out. But oddly enough, I've always wanted to brew stuff,... go figure.

monkeygrrl18

May 28, 2006 at 12:43 AM

I'm in for the beer swap.

However, if we can't get around US shipping laws, I second Talroth's idea about creating a "beer club".

Thevenin

May 28, 2006 at 2:00 AM

This reminds me of CapnMidnight' unsuccessful 'beer club' post; and his didn't even involve expensive ((And probably illegal) shipping) fees.

evolutional

May 28, 2006 at 3:34 AM

I see your point(s).

How about then that we try and restrict it to local exchanges (where it's not illegal), or rather just scrap the beer theme and make it general 'gift' exchange?

Witchcraven

May 28, 2006 at 4:10 AM

Are there any internet beer sellers that have figured out how to deliver it? Kinda like beer amazon.com? If so people could place orders for others.

EDIT:
Here are 3 stores that deliver. They all seem to have different shipping abilites. The first 2 are USA only I think. The third may do Europe. I am sure there are options for all parts of the world.

http://beergeek.stores.yahoo.net/info.html
http://www.liquidsolutions.biz/main/
http://www.beerliquors.com/edelivery.htm

Although the beer of the month club may be more practical. I remember it not working because the selected beer was not availible in many areas. Buying online might be an option though. Ever month the beer of the month club posts online supplies of the selected beer for as many areas as possible.

python_regious

May 28, 2006 at 6:21 AM

It sounds like a great idea in principle. However, the import regulations and general shipping problems associated with alcohol would probably become prohibitive.

Still, I'm up for a "beer club" of sorts. Perhaps a GD Gathering group?

superpig

May 28, 2006 at 11:16 AM

I'm up for this, as long as it's beer. I think I can secure some Turf Tavern Summer Ale to be shipped away [smile]

Lode

May 28, 2006 at 11:44 AM

In my country we have a really great selection of beers :)

However, I'd find it a shame to send away one of those bottles of Westvleteren we have in our cellar because the chance of something happening to it in the mail is so high.

I can really advice you to check out one of our bars though, because most bars offer a really fine selection of Belgian abbey beers.

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