Utility Cycling - How do you get beer?

I am currently car light, however I would like to be car free. I typically only use my car one day out of the week when I want to pick up a big box that won't fit on my bike. One such item is a case of beer. I usually pick up about one case at a time. How do you go about bringing home a case of beer (bottles) when you don't have a car?

Backpack + 12cans

- keg transport:

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/NA-TLR-angle.gif

I bring home two twelves of Rolling Rock in my grocery getters (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18210&subcategory_ID=2312). A few years back I had a Giant Iguana with front and rear racks and would strap up to 3 cases of cans for a run from the Beverage Barn to the beach house. (amazing how that works:p ) I can also suggest a large paper boy style basket from Wald...:rolleyes:

Aaron:)

messenger bag, holds gallons

A 12 pack fits nicely on the back rack. If you're buying 24 packs I'd suggest switching to a better quality of bear instead of rancid pilsner. Oregon Honey Beer is one of my favorites.

I have a simple Jansport back pack that I can fit two 6 packs of bottles in, one on top of the other. With a rack, another two 6 packs or a 12 pack should be able to be secured fairly easily.

Or just get some cans!

A 12 pack fits nicely on the back rack. If you're buying 24 packs I'd suggest switching to a better quality of bear instead of rancid pilsner. Oregon Honey Beer is one of my favorites.

Yeah, a 12 pack. I prefer ales over lagers and they tend to be less mass produced and therefore come in smaller packaging. Thanks for the tip, I have yet to get a rack, I've mostly been using a back pack for stuff.

Ales are my thing too.

I live within a 5-min walking distance to a liquor store though, so most of my beer is delivered home on foot, actually.

2 miles downhill to the Bottle Barn in north west Santa Rosa. For the rest of you check out www.ratebeer.com for many store locations.

Home brewing is fun too. People who are concerned about getting their stuff more locally might like
to try it to reduce their food's dependence on fossil fuels.

Ales are my thing too.

I live within a 5-min walking distance to a liquor store though, so most of my beer is delivered home on foot, actually.

+1 Especialy Burton ales.

Why, if 'tis dancing you would be,
There's brisker pipes than poetry.
Say for what were hop-yards meant,
Or why was Burton built on Trent?
Oh many a peer of England brews
Livelier liquor than the Muse,
And malt does more than Milton can
To justify God's ways to man.
Ale, man, ale's the stuff to drink
For fellows whom it hurts to think
Look into the pewter pot
To see the world as the world's not.
And faith, 'tis pleasant till 'tis past.
The mischief is that 'twill not last.
Oh I have been to Ludlow fair
And left my necktie God knows where,
And carried half-way hame, or near,
Pints and quarts of Ludlow beer:
Then the world seemed none so bad,
And I myself a sterling lad;
And down in lovely muck I've lain,
Happy till I woke again.
Then I saw the morning sky;
Heigho, the tale was all a lie;
The world, it was the old world yet,
I was I, my things were wet,
And nothing now remained to do
But begin the game anew.
--From A.E. Housman "Terence this is stupid stuff"

:beer: :beer:

Yeah, a 12 pack. I prefer ales over lagers and they tend to be less mass produced and therefore come in smaller packaging. Thanks for the tip, I have yet to get a rack, I've mostly been using a back pack for stuff.

If you want to be as car lite as possible, a rack is a great investment. Then keep your eyes out on craig's list for some panniers and you'll be golden as far as beer and groceries go.

I can't imagine carrying anything glass in a backpack on a bike, myself...

I'd go with grocery panniers or baskets.

Get a trailer, then you can move multiple kegs. The skys the limit with those things. People with big enough trailers have moved large appliances like refrigerators and up to 1000 lb payloads solo: http://www.bikesatwork.com/hauling-cargo-by-bike/hpv-cargo-capacity.html. They are really the key to a car lite or free life.

Arkel Utility Basket pannier.

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/utility/overview.asp?fl=1&site=
http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/utility/images/utility_A.gif

I have put a case on the rack of my bicycle. However, I have since found an easer way. I have it delivered. The difference in cost is only one RMB (a case with 16 600ml bottles is 22 RMB in the market and 23 delivered). I do not have to pack the beer up the stairs and they haul the empties away for me.

My trike holds 4 24 cases in the rear with the aid of two bungee cords and another 12 fits in the front basket.

I host bi-weekly poker games and supply the beer, so a regular run to the Beer Store is common for me. I've been known to get six cases stacked in the rear, but it was heavy. Fortunately the store is only about three miles (5km) away.

If you are drinking a case of beer a week then please, please become car free and not just car lite.

PLEASE!!! ;)

pahn-YAYs if you're uptown.
milk crate on a rear rack, if you're downtown.

I am currently car light, however I would like to be car free. I typically only use my car one day out of the week when I want to pick up a big box that won't fit on my bike. One such item is a case of beer. I usually pick up about one case at a time. How do you go about bringing home a case of beer (bottles) when you don't have a car?


Time to look into covered cargo trailer otherwise, people might think you are drinking and riding or going to a party.

I've put a 12pk of bottles (Otter Creek Brewing is local!) on end in my 40liter backpack many times and never had a broken bottle.

Trailer all the way. You can find used kiddie trailers for cheap on the usual places. Plus, people think you have a kid in there and give lots of room. Can't be too careful carrying beer.

If you are going car free, rack and bags and/or a trailer almost becomes a pre-requisite. I'm car-lite and even just the commute to work would be near impossible without a rack. Well, not impossible but difficult enough it might not be worth the effort. Anywho.. good luck.

I am currently car light, however I would like to be car free. I typically only use my car one day out of the week when I want to pick up a big box that won't fit on my bike. One such item is a case of beer. I usually pick up about one case at a time. How do you go about bringing home a case of beer (bottles) when you don't have a car?

Like some of the others, I just use panniers. If that's all you're hauling that day, three or four sixpacks of bottles is quite possible, even if you have a bunch of hills between the store and home. Of course, it's quite a bit easier if you buy less beer at one time...

Trailer all the way. You can find used kiddie trailers for cheap on the usual places. Plus, people think you have a kid in there and give lots of room. Can't be too careful carrying beer.

+1
We stash my son and many many 6-packs in the trailer - works grrrreat!!:D

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x74/RaiynStorm/Traileroutside001.jpg
Rated Capacity: 100lbs
Pony Keg weight: about 90.
:D

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned an Xtracycle. I can carry eight (or more) 12-packs of soda to restock the refrigerator at work.

Rack + 2 ratcheting nylon straps + 30 pk PBR = :beer: :)
Also the looks you get when you are strapping down said 30 pack and riding away down the street with it are priceless.

A sixer can be placed in a backpack, 12 packs and above get strapped to the rack. I think I enjoy the looks of horror and confusion I get from people more than I do the beer (sometimes. depends what I'm drinking). I live way out in the 'burbs (for now) and it's amazing how uncomfortable people get when you aren't piling into a car to go not even 1/2 a mile home.

I make my own beer and wine (and spirits) at home. The kits I buy come in 15L(4g) and I put 1 or 2 in my trailer.

You should also get a camelback so you can easily drink some on the way home. I just keep my camelback filled with beer. Sure it tastes horrible after being in there a short time, but I stay drunk so who cares?

My trike holds 4 24 cases in the rear with the aid of two bungee cords and another 12 fits in the front basket.

I host bi-weekly poker games and supply the beer, so a regular run to the Beer Store is common for me. I've been known to get six cases stacked in the rear, but it was heavy. Fortunately the store is only about three miles (5km) away.

Say, would you mind posting a pic of that next time you get around to it?

+1
We stash my son and many many 6-packs in the trailer - works grrrreat!!:D

I did that once with just a six pack. He just shrugged and gooblie gooked when asked him why it was a 5 pack.

I have carried two six-packs on my CETMA rack (http://cetmaracks.com/). Made steering a little squirrelly, but OK if you're not doing a lot of weaving between cars.

Usually I walk with my backpack, and buy 12 bottles. Its important when looking for backpacks to buy one that will fit a 12 pack! The beer store is too close (10 min walk) to bother with the bike.

If your bike has brazeons for it I really recommend a rear rack. You can bungee stuff to it directly, you can tie (use old inner tubes) a milk crate to it, you can attach panniers full of crap to it etc.

Tools I also find handy for car-free living (if you live in a neighbourhood where there are walking distance amenities): bundle buggy, wooden wagon (great for flats of plants, returning the empties, the water cooler size jugs of water etc.

Since I am a bit tired of the buggy/wagon and walking it, I am working on making a rubbermaid-bin style trailer. My friend Mark has complete details of how to do this online:
http://www.drumbent.com/trailer.html

Say, would you mind posting a pic of that next time you get around to it?

I'll take a pic over the next day or so. I'm going over to the Beer Store before Saturday's game. I have had trouble posting pics here though. Hopefully, I'll be able to post it.

i got me a chrome roll top backpack--the biggest one they make. holds a case and a half.:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

ya buy more'n that at a time, you're an alcoholic. jus' sayin' . . .

My Bob Yak can carry 6 cases of wine, or two cases of beer. Problem solved.

I give money to the clerk, he gives me beer.

Also, I can take a 6 pack of bottles or a 12-18 pack of cans in anything i can attach to the bike, panniers, backpack, rearrack bag

Beer is to your body like a car is to society...

You can get a lot of beer in this......

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/P4160011.jpg

Beer is to your body like a car is to society...

Is that your opinion, or just absolute BS?

I can't imagine carrying anything glass in a backpack on a bike, myself

Agree with that as I was once doored and landed right on my back.
I'm not a beer drinker, but we do get our weekly milk from the local farmer's market. The milk comes in glass containers, so I throw four quarts in the Arkel T42s and I'm set.

I found that with soft bags like backpacks and most panniers that taking the bottles out of whatever packaging they are in lets you cram many more in to the same space. Last week I fit a weeks groceries including a case of Magic Hat bottles minus the two cardboard boxes they were shipped in, into my backpack and panniers.

- keg transport:

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/NA-TLR-angle.gif

I added plastic mesh to the sides of mine, and if I had a need to hall beer, 2 cases, no problems.

Beer is to your body like a car is to society...


Is that your opinion, or just absolute BS?
I'd say both.

- keg transport:

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/NA-TLR-angle.gif
Not with that. It's only rated to 45 lbs

In agreement with most I endorse the back rack method, though make sure to have proper straps due to precious cargo. I've tried carrying cases one-handed resting on my thigh but it was catastrophic. Turns out cardboard is not extremely durable. Please, for the beer's sake, use a rack!

Two jugs of Olde Burnside Brewing Company's Ten-Penny Ale fit nicely into my messenger bag. At 64 oz. each, it's more than enough for me and a buddy.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

http://www.foxnews.com/images/175932/1_23_083105_looters2.jpg

Living a block from the beer distributor helps a lot too.