Desireable form of container for transporting cans of beer in luggage

Question

I was intending to bring some beer back home in my check-in luggage. From reading some of the previous questions on StackExchange, I know that transporting beer in glass bottles is safe and practical, but since aluminium cans are much lighter than glass bottles, I was wondering if there is a more suitable container for taking them in luggage. In my luggage there is just clothes, some print material and a laptop.

Will aluminium cans be more prone to damage in the process of luggage handling, or in the cabin environment with lower pressure? Is there something I need to pay extra attention to when packing them in my luggage?

Answer 1

Socks, put the beers in socks and/or roll them in your own cloths.

On a side note, I would not put a laptop in check-in luggage if possible. Take it with you as a carry-on.

Answer 2

One consideration is protecting the bottle, and other posters have suggested socks, clothes, or bubble wrap for this - perfectly sensible. However, you may also be interested in protecting the contents of your suitcase in the event of a leak. I'm more experienced transporting wine than beer, but the same principles apply: pressure changes may cause liquids to leak.

My standard procedure is to put the item in a sturdy plastic bag (hotel laundry bag is often a good source), roll that up and tape it up, then wrap the whole in cling film / saran wrap (this is your waterproofing), then wrap that up in bubble wrap. This has protected me against both leaks and (once) a broken bottle - no idea what force was applied to the case to break a bottle through bubble wrap, but not a drop of wine escaped. I now ensure the bottles are right in the middle of the case.

Answer 3

Socks as @max said are a great idea.

Tons Plastic bubble wrap ( that's what i did). all my guiness bottles and cans sustained a high atmospheric flight due to a storm from dublin to barcelona without breaking, loosing gas , or opening alone, and had a good taste afterwards.

Plus, if something breaks inside a big bubble wrap ball, nothing else will soak.

Also, as @max said, laptop as carry on if you don't want to find a surprise.

Answer 4

We did this once for 2h flight with friends. We simply put them into the luggage, with a simple with a knot bag around it in case of rupture. One of the side benefits was that the beer was nice and cold after the flight.