Shipping beer: how to safely transport and store your beers

The landscape of shipping beer reached a turning point in 2013, and has been evolving rapidly ever since. In 2013, higher ocean freight rates created a turning point for shipping beer, with pricing strategies and the cost-effectiveness of exports both affected.  More recently, geopolitical challenges, such as the war in Ukraine, have impacted the sourcing of key ingredients like malt.

All of these challenges can have an impact on a beer importer’s bottom line. Beer has a lower profit margin compared to wine and spirits, which means beer importers need to stay one step ahead of any fluctuations in the market. Find out how in this article, where we’ll explore the current beer market, strategies for shipping beer and what you need to consider when planning a shipment.

What’s happening in the beer market?

The beer market includes an exciting range of beverages, from traditional, malt-based fermented alcoholic beverages to non-alcoholic beers. The global beer market was worth around USD 1.1 trillion in 2023, and is predicted to continue to grow at around 6.5% annually until 2030. 

In the US, at-home revenue (generated in supermarkets and convenience stores) was worth USD 334.2 billion in 2024, compared to out-of-home revenue (generated in restaurants and bars), which was worth USD 318.7 billion in 2024. The Covid-19 pandemic brought about this shift in the beer market, with off-premise sales channels taking over from the on-premise channels that had previously dominated.

What to consider when shipping beer

There are many things you need to take into account when shipping beer, from packaging to the local market options. Physically transporting your beer also requires a lot of planning. Here are key things to consider when shipping beer:

The mode and routing 

Almost all international beer journeys are multimodal - meaning they use a combination of different modes of transportation to reach their destination. This is because different modes of transport are best suited for different stages of the journey. For example, a van is able to deliver directly to a retailer, but a rail freight service would struggle to do this. When deciding how your shipment is transported, you will need to choose the mode of transport that will be used for the main part of the journey. This might be by ocean, rail, road or air freight. Each of these has unique advantages and disadvantages when shipping beer, as each has a different: 

• Speed 
• Shipping cost 
• Risk of damage (packaging & quality of Beer)
• Risk of delays (freshness)
• Environmental impact

Climate consideration

Making use of the latest technology can help things run more smoothly when shipping beer. Using data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), we are able to predict the temperature and humidity your shipment will be exposed to on your chosen route. This allows you to understand the risks to your beer shipment in transit.

Container type 

Just like wine, beer needs protection during transit from climatic conditions that may damage its qualities. There are many different types of containers to choose from when shipping beer, and the type of shipping container you choose has a big impact on the potential risk of damage during transport.  

Each type of shipping container offers different conditions for your shipment. A refrigerated container, or “reefer”, provides to-the-degree temperature control - ideal for shipping craft beer, which can be harmed more easily by temperature fluctuations. Alternatively, a container with an insulated liner is a more cost-effective option that offers a degree of protection from thermal shocks and external temperatures. In addition, liners protect against humidity, condensation, and contamination.

Storage 

The flavors and aromas of beer can be easily influenced by the conditions it is stored in, which means storing beer under the right conditions is an essential part of shipping beer safely.

To preserve its unique flavors and characteristics, beer needs to be kept upright, in a cool, dark place. Beer should be stored upright to combat oxidation, which can harm the taste of your beer. Sunlight exposure can also alter the flavour of beer.

Is shipping beer the right way to do it?

Like wine, beer is produced via fermentation and therefore needs to be stored and shipped in a way that protects the product and its packaging. Beer can also have a relatively short shelf life, which can make it challenging to ship long distances, especially when tight profit margins may make faster but more costly modes of transport, such as air freight, less viable. Here are some alternatives to exporting beer that may be available to brewers:

Brewing under licence

Brewing under licence (BUL) can be an attractive alternative to exporting and shipping beer long distances. It involves finding a local partner in your destination country to work with to produce your beer in the country you plan to distribute in. While BUL can save on the costs of shipping beer, you will still need to factor in the cost of sourcing and shipping the ingredients when brewing closer to the market.

Trust us to ship your beer safely, so you can focus on brewing great beer

Whether you’re shipping cans, bottles or kegs, safeguarding the quality of your beer is our top priority. To ensure each journey from brewery to table is a success we offer carefully tailored shipping solutions, including temperature-controlled warehouses and refrigerated or insulated containers.

By understanding ideal transport and storage conditions for beer, selecting appropriate packaging, and prioritizing safe handling during transport, we can help you ensure that your beer tastes just as good in the hands of the customer as it does when it leaves the brewery.

For a quote, or to find out more about Hillebrand Gori’s specialist beer transport and storage services, get in touch today.

Reviewed by Hillebrand Gori