Expert: Ed Westemeier - 12/5/2006

Question
If I buy a beer out of the cooler and want to ship it to a friend, should I ship it in a way that keeps it cold or does it matter?

Answer
At this time of year, it won't matter.
The flavor of a beer will be adversely affected if it sits for very long at a temperature high enough that you would be uncomfortably hot. That can easily happen in the summer, when it travels in a truck or sits in a warehouse (or even in the trunk of your car in a hot parking lot).
But for now, don't worry about it. However, you might want to check on your method of shipping for another reason. For example, the post office won't let you ship alcohol, so consider the rules imposed by UPS or FedEx or other shippers.