How to Properly Pack Beer and Wine in a Suitcase
When some people go on vacation, they bring magnets or postcards. I bring a drink. For a long time, I just brought beer to give him or share with friends, but over time it turned into alcoholic drinks. When I arrived in Scotland earlier this year, my home whiskey collection improved dramatically, and when I returned from Italy my suitcase was full of Chianti.
When I travel to the United States, I sometimes send what I buy home so I don’t have to try and shove it in my suitcase. Earlier this year, I wrote some detailed instructions on how to mail a beer.
When you travel overseas, you really have no choice but to put a drink in your checked baggage. If you’ve ever watched someone load suitcases onto an airplane, then you know that your precious cargo is in danger almost from the moment you throw it on the flight.
There is a right and wrong way to package it. Here’s what I do using what I already have:
Wrap every bottle
I usually put each bottle in a sock first and then wrap it up again with the thickest clothing I have. Think sweaters, sweatshirts, jeans … the thicker the better. Protection is key here, especially the neck of the bottle. In most cases, if the bottle breaks, it will be because the neck has broken. Pay close attention to this part, making sure you cover the entire bottle. If you have any bags, tying the bottle in it (before or after packaging, depending on its size) can help minimize damage, if any.
Build a wall
When you’re packing your suitcase, your goal is to make sure the bottles don’t touch either side of the suitcase. I usually start by creating a base at the bottom of my suitcase with a layer of shirt or other clothing that I didn’t use to wrap the bottles. Next, you want to build a protective wall on the sides of the suitcase. Shoes are great for this. If you don’t have shoes, try rolling up your shirt or pants. Everything you have will be an extra layer of protection between the bottles and the sides of the suitcase.
Fold your bottles
Place the bottles in the center of the suitcase with the top of the bottle facing the same direction as the bottom of the next bottle. Separate each bottle from any additional clothing on hand. You must make sure that your bottles touch each other as much as possible.
Above
Protecting the top of your suitcase is just as important as protecting the bottom. Take any remaining clothing and create a protective barrier for the top of the bag. I’ve also used books here as an extra layer of protection.
That’s all. I have been traveling with wine, beer and spirits in my bags for over a decade and still have not been hurt. A few professional tips: If you shop at a distillery or vineyard, you may sometimes be given a box to buy or wrapped in bubble wrap. Take advantage of this. In Italy, every liquor store I went to bought bubble wrap sleeves. In Scotland, there were boxes for every bottle of whiskey. It does make things a little harder when packing comes in, but it also makes them safer.
If you’re traveling and planning to get some booze, I also recommend grabbing a foldable duffel bag (I have this Herschal that doesn’t seem to be on sale anymore) to use if for some reason your alcohol has crowded out so much space in your suitcase , all your things don’t fit anymore. And the next time you upgrade your suitcase, choose a tougher suitcase.
And finally, if you * really * intend to travel with a drink, you may want to consider purchasing a special suitcase to do so. I once bought a #beercase, as I affectionately call it, from a local winery. Basically, it is a styrofoam wine box with 12 bottles around which a suitcase with wheels is built. It weighs in at 12 bottles of wine and will still be under 50 pounds (the maximum for most airlines).
It’s huge and completely impractical for every trip you take, but if you’re going somewhere like Napa and planning to come back with a ton of bottles, packing it should be a snap. I use my every Christmas to fly home with a beer from California for friends (and to fly home with a beer from my hometown).
I have the winery logo from where I bought it, but you can also get the generic logo from Amazon .