Delivery Process for Beer Distributors

The delivery process for beer starts at the warehouse. Distributors gather beer from brewers and store it in a temperature-controlled warehouse. Truck fleets are maintained to deliver inventory to retailers.

Transport

Beer transport trucks and vans have strict temperature controls to prevent spoilage. The vehicles deliver to small and large businesses, including restaurants and bars. The chain of custody for the product is transparent, which means there is full disclosure of routes and destinations to comply with local and state laws. Billing is either done on a C.O.D. basis or through the extension of credit. Customers count the delivery with the drivers present and sign for their deliveries to ensure accuracy for billing purposes.

After Delivery

Distributors monitor beer on retail shelves on a continuing basis to check freshness. Now that delivery is finished, some bookkeeping can be done. In many states, taxes are collected from a small number of distribution companies instead of from numerous retailers because it's more efficient.

Hazards

Beer delivery is a self-paced job. Delivery drivers don't have supervisors watching them directly, so drivers must pace themselves to make sure they get enough rest breaks and meet their scheduled deliveries. Beer cases and kegs can be heavy. Deliveries are typically only made to locations accessible to hand trucks.

References

• National Beer Wholesalers Association: How Does the Beer Distribution System Work?
• CRM Loss Control E-Tools: Beverage Delivery: Delivery Process