Comments on: UPS and FedEx Favor Wine and Reject Beer When It Comes to Businesses Shipping to Consumers

By: Brewforia Beer Market

Brewforia Beer Market — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:26:46 +0000

Hi guys, I wanted give a quick thanks to you guys for devoting a little attention to our cause. I’m the owner of Brewforia Beer Market, the store mentioned in the article. We believe it is patently unfair of the two carriers to refuse shipments of beer to states where it is legal and are fighting tooth and nail to get this policy changed. I expect that this will be a long and difficult battle but the support of the craft beer community is very much appreciated.

If this is a cause you believe in become a fan of Demand Beer Equality on Facebook, call and write to UPS and FedEx and most importantly tell your elected representatives to support the craft beer industry by making it possible to consumers to buy the products they want and have them shipped to thier homes.

Thanks from all of us here at Brewforia.com
Rick

By: Hoperatives - Short Hops: March 17, 2010

Hoperatives - Short Hops: March 17, 2010 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:02:02 +0000

[...] ? UPS and FedEx Favor Wine and Reject Beer When It Comes to Businesses Shipping to Consumers [...]

By: anda

anda — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:30:28 +0000

The problem is that in most states it is technically illegal to ship beer, but not wine. Most direct shipment laws specifically state wine may be shipped directly to consumers by certain retailers or wineries. The laws are silent on beer, which, technically, makes it illegal.

Until the state laws are changed, the shippers are unlikely to change their policies. One of the only states that specifically allows breweries to ship directly to consumers is CA.

I think Erika is right, it will be another long fight for breweries to get the same rights as wineries fought hard to get from the states.

By: Erika

Erika — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:49:18 +0000

Great post Geoff…I get asked all the time about shipping. Having previously worked for an online only retailer, I know how dependent business can be on shipping. I also know how restrictive and cut-throat each shipper can be. Boycotting one to get them to change will ensure the others will follow. I know big money went into ensure wine could be shipped..it was a major battle for years. I expect it will be a similar fight for beer…Power to the Hops!

By: Dean Ruffner

Dean Ruffner — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:03:40 +0000

When the revolution comes, the first ones up against the wall will be the sheep who said, “but that’s the way we’ve always done it”

By: blackhook

blackhook — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:14:14 +0000

I love Susan Rosenberg’s comment “this is our policy.” ‘Policy’ has always been a substitute for actual clear thinking – about any issue – and this is just bizarre. It reflects pure ignorance about beer vis-à-vis wine.

It’s bad enough that we can no longer carry beer on board planes, but to have to listen to brain-dead people spout off like this just insults our sensibilities.

Note to Fedex & UPS: Wake up & smell the hops. You are marginalizing your own businesses when you endorse such backward business practices.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:14:05 +0000

Joel says, “So are there lobbies that we can join to help improve WA beer laws? What organizations are around to promote good legislation?”

Yes!! The Washington Beer Commission is here to help us get new legislation thru the Washington state government.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:25:49 +0000

Currently wine can only be shipped to 32 states and yet UPS or FedEx has not applied the same allowances for beer, where its legal.

It is because of those states that allow direct to consumer allowances, that makes their regulations towards beer and spirits counter-intuitive.

If someone wants to ship wine to their legal allowed state, I feel the same should be allowed for beer.

By: Kaiser

Kaiser — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:15:43 +0000

Tiffany – I’m not well-versed enough in the state laws to be able to answer any of that myself…

My understanding is that it is not illegal to ship beer into Washington, just that UPS and FedEx don’t allow it per their rules. Most online retailers stay away from shipping to states where it is definitely illegal (like PA), and every online retailer I’ve seen will ship to WA. Like I said, I’m not well-versed in the actual laws, this is just my understanding.

My goal here was to bring to light that beer is treated differently than wine by UPS and FedEx. Simply asking that they allow retailers to ship to consumers in states where it is not illegal to do so.
The state laws are a completely different and much more complicated issue in my eyes.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:09:58 +0000

Great post! Glad to see we are increasing awareness.

Thanks for your adds Tiffany..

So are there lobbies that we can join to help improve WA beer laws? What organizations are around to promote good legislation?