(or bulk shipping) relates to the movement of large quantities of beer—other than that contained in bottles, cans, kegs, casks, or demountable tanks that can be used to dispense beer directly to the consumer. Bulk transport is often used where the beer packaging location is separate from the brewery. Although beer can be transferred over short distances by pipelines, most bulk transport is carried out in tanks designed for transport by road, rail, or sea. The filling of these tanks with beer presents challenges not experienced with most other liquids. First, the tanks must be thoroughly cleaned to a high standard to prevent possible flavor taints and contamination with beer spoilage microorganisms. Second, the pickup of oxygen during the beer transfer and filling operations must be minimized to prevent the subsequent development of staling characteristics in the beer. Third, because the beer is often already carbonated, turbulence must be avoided during tank-filling operations because this can generate foam and prevent effective filling. Oxygen pickup can be minimized by careful monitoring of pipe and hose joints and of the seals of beer-pumping equipment, together with the creation of an oxygen-free atmosphere (usually carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or both) in the receiving tank. Pressuring the gases inside the tank can also help to minimize turbulence during filling. Finally, maintaining the beer at low temperatures during transit can also reduce any adverse flavor development and slow the growth of spoilage organisms. Heaters are also used to prevent the beer from freezing during winter. Bulk-shipped beer is normally flash-pasteurized before the tanker is filled. Large breweries that practice high-gravity brewing often bulk ship concentrated versions of their beers. The high-gravity beer is then blended down with sterile deoxygenated water at the receiving location before being bottled or kegged there. See high gravity brewing.

See also distribution.