Comes to you partially assembled, flat with all you need for final assembly.
Pack includes partially assembled 24-12 beer boxes (like the one shown in the photo), Two black sheets of dividers, 1 bag of screw posts and 1 assembly instruction booklet.
A flat head screwdriver is required for assembly. Each 12-22 case takes about 5 - 10 minutes to assemble.
Phil's (Co-owner of C&W Crate) comments: I have used cardboard boxes to store my bottles for years. Unfortunately they just don't hold up. I generally use the same box for two, three and sometimes four batches before I find I must replace them or risk loosing some of my beer to an untimely accident. If a box has handles built into the side I find that after several uses they usually rip out. And of course if the cardboard gets damp or wet, that is an immediate throw out. A water damaged cardboard box accident, particularly if it is full of beer only has to happen once before the problem becomes painfully obvious.
We searched for a material that was more durable, long-lasting and waterproof. We found several excellent options, all of which we required that it be made in the U.S.A.. We selected polypropylene from a manufacturer in Madison, Wisconsin.
Polypropylene is a polymer (plastic), it is very durable and waterproof, and consequently you have a waterproof beer case. It is corrugated to give it a combination of strength and light weight. Beer can be easily washed off with mild soap and water. Polypropylene is recyclable as a number 5 recyclable material. Both the brown plastic case and the black plastic dividers are made from 100% polypropylene and it is all made in the U.S.A.
Phil's (Co-owner of C&W Crate) comments: This is one of the most important requirements of the 24-12 case. Being waterproof was an absolute must have. For years I have used cardboard boxes, yes they work but I just don't trust them. For me, cardboard boxes are the weak link in the equipment chain, particularly when it comes to getting wet. I realize the goal is not to get them wet but having had a few mishaps over the years with broken bottles, waterproof was not negotiable. In the unfortunate event that beer or water does spill on the case, we wanted to be able to clean up easily.
Another requirement was to make a waterproof case that could be iced down and not damage the case. The goal was to make the box so that when getting ready to share a few with friends in the great outdoors, we could simply open the case, throw a bag of ice in and not have to transfer the beer to a cooler or tub. Added bonus, the water (and spilled beer from the empties) leaks out the bottom and waters the lawn.
We found that polypropylene met all of our requirements. Polypropylene gives the 24-12 its waterproof attributes. Beer washes off with mild soap and water. Also, the screwposts that hold the box together are made from Aluminum so they don't rust.
Phil's (Co-owner of C&W Crate) comments: A must have requirement for our 24-12 beer case was to be able to ship and store them flat. Those of you who remember the older heavy waxed cardboard beer cases that were manufactured up until the early 1970's could not be stored or shipped flat as they were both glued and stapled together. The look and design of those boxes was an inspiration to us but we needed to find a better way to ship and store these boxes. It's your choice how you store your boxes though, they can be disassembled and stored flat or they can be kept full of wonderful home brew.
To disassemble and store them flat, just unscrew the screws and fold the box down flat. We don't recommend removing the 4 screws that hold the side of the box together (the 4 next to the C&W Crate Co. label)
Caution: If you do elect to remove all of the screws, when you re-assemble the box be certain the C&W Crate Co. label is on the outside of the box. If it is not you may damage the box as it is designed to be folded with the label on the outside. Due to the way it is die-cut it could damage the material folding it the other way.
