Depending on the type of packaging, shipping beverages can sometimes be comparatively easy. Canned beverages, for example, are very durable and can be easily be shipped without worrying too much about physically protecting them.
However, one thing that nearly all beverages require is protecting them from sustained exposure to temperatures outside of their recommended levels. Doing so without protection can damage some products, such as shipping wine in the winter.
Temperature Matters
Different beverages will have different ideal levels of temperature for storage. Beer, for example, should be carefully handled if it’s in bottles because this is much more delicate than a can. The temperature is also critical. A recommended temperature of between 37-46 degrees. If it gets too warm, it can spoil the beer. On the other hand, if it freezes, beer in glass bottles can expand and crack the bottle, thus leading to leaks when the temperature rises.
Wine is in a similar position, especially when it comes to the delicacy of glass bottles. The recommended temperature for wine is between 55-65 degrees. If it gets too warm, the cork sealing the wine in the bottle could dry out, which leads to rapid oxidation and ruins the wine. However, if shipping wine in the winter is allowed to freeze, like with beer, it may expand in the bottle and crack it, leading to leaks.
More importantly, however, freezing may also lead to the cork being pushed out, which will cause the wine to oxidize and turn into vinegar. Even if the cork doesn’t push out, the freezing process changes the flavor of the wine, which can ruin the wine-drinking experience. In the worst-case scenario, with shipping sparkling wine in the winter, if it freezes, this causes the gases inside to become explosive, which can pose a serious risk to everyone in the area.
This is why, when dealing with shipping beverages, ensuring a constant, stable temperature is of utmost importance for health, safety, and ensuring the quality of the product.
