Question about shipping beverages from UK to USA

[porsche911girl]

Hey all,

happy holidays to ye and all that good stuff! I have a question for you that I am hoping some of you can answer for me. I have just gotten back from London and I am wanting to buy some more cans of Carling, Strongbow, and Special Brew, however, there are no stores near me that sell them or could get them in for me.

I have looked around online at various websites, including The Drink Shop, which I only know about b/c I saw a box someone had in the airport with their name written on the side, but you can only buy in bulk from them, and the total cost of 24 cans of Strongbow is over $100 with shipping. Insane!

I was able to bring some back with me from London, but I had to check them, which made for a mad scramble to buy another bag at the airport and then eat the excess baggage fee, and they didn't all make it back intact; one of my Special Brew cans leaked half its contents in the bag, leaving me with only one full one. not cool.

Another website I found charged $61 for 6 cans of strongbow, and I'm sorry but I just don't like the stuff enough to be shelling out that kind of money.

A friend of mine is coming from the UK over to stay with me for a few weeks right after Christmas, and he said he would look into bringing some with him when he came over, as it would probably be the cheapest and safest way. However, are they going to stop him in customs if he has 4 cans of carling, 4-8 cans of special brew, and 4-8 cans of strongbow? I mean, I was fine, nobody stopped me at all but I only had 3 cans of strongbow and 2 cans of special brew.

I have been reading up on it online, and I don't want to get my friend in trouble if he mailed them over in a box (altho I hear that's another option) and declared it 'yeast samples' or 'collectible glassware' or something of that nature.

So what would you suggest I do? I obviously can't fly back over and get any, but I really really want some!

[Dottore]

You should be able to get all of those beers in the US. They're not obscure brands.

Look for a good speciality beer importer in your area.

[Tishabet]

You can absolutely buy those brands in the US, Strongbow and Carlings are particularly easy to find... I can think of 2 stores within 5 miles of me that will have both. Try calling around.

[Paul K]

Might want to check on how much alcohol can be brought into the US from the UK, as I think they changed it. Then have your friend bring in the max allowed while you search around for them here. There must be a forum for this?

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

You can absolutely buy those brands in the US, Strongbow and Carlings are particularly easy to find... I can think of 2 stores within 5 miles of me that will have both. Try calling around.

Well I live in Charlotte, and I've called the only places I can think of that might have them, and they don't have any.

[VincentVega]

Did you try total wine? http://www.totalwine.com/StoreList.aspx?state=NC&store=601

They can get just about anything

[Aerkuld]

Frugal MacDougal is just south of Charlotte on the S.C. border near Carowinds (same exit off I-77). They had a very good beer selection last time I was in there. I don't know for sure if they have what you're looking for but I'd say there's a good chance.

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by Chris Martin

Did you try total wine? http://www.totalwine.com/StoreList.aspx?state=NC&store=601

They can get just about anything

Yep, they were the first place I tried. I have emailed a few other places in Charlotte, so we shall see if they carry it..

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by Aerkuld

Frugal MacDougal is just south of Charlotte on the S.C. border near Carowinds (same exit off I-77). They had a very good beer selection last time I was in there. I don't know for sure if they have what you're looking for but I'd say there's a good chance.

Cool yeah I was going to call them and find out if they had any of the beers in question.

Thanks guys appreciate the suggestions! Keep them coming!

[Scuba Steve]

A bar called the Flying Saucer has Stongbow, and I've seen it in several grocery stores in TX. If nothing else, you can get someone from TX to mail over a case which should be far cheaper than England.

[bonkers]

They're more like Woodpecker than Strongbow but if you're looking for cider our Northern neighbours frement some pretty good apple juice, eh. (And pear, raspberry, ...)

Keep an eye out for Wyders and Growers. Both Canadian brands and both bloody good stuff!

[vash]

bevmo carries strongbow....

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by vash

bevmo carries strongbow....

which is great, but they won't ship to NC for some reason, or at least they won't ship Strongbow to NC...

[tcar]

Can your friend buy them in the duty-free shop?

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by tcar

Can your friend buy them in the duty-free shop?

I don't know, I don't think he'll know until he gets to the airport and finds out if they even carry them in the duty-free shop.

This really has me quite frustrated..guess that's what I get for having picky tastes!

[id10t]

http://www.strongbowcider.us/Distribution/tabid/117/Default.aspx

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by id10t

http://www.strongbowcider.us/Distribution/tabid/117/Default.aspx

This was the reply I got when I contacted them regarding finding Strongbow in North Carolina.

Note this was dated: Oct. 9, 2007

Currently RDU is the only place to get Strongbow but that is ONLY in
Kegs. To find it for the house you will need to travel to Atl GA,
Nashville TN or Tidewater VA Area. Cheers.

[Mo_Gearhead]

Forget the beer.
Go to France.
See this guy:



I want the (Blue State) franchise in the USA.