At Catawiki, we curate premium-quality whisky auctions featuring rare, sought-after bottles and exclusive accessories. Each object is carefully reviewed by our in-house experts to ensure authenticity, collectability, and value — offering bidders a trusted experience and sellers the best opportunity for success.
Follow these guidelines to maximise your chances of a successful sale.
What we accept
We’re looking for collectable, high-quality whisky and related items. To be accepted, your object must:
Fall within our accepted categories:
Individual bottles or cans of premium beer
Full crates (if complete and well preserved)
Limited editions or discontinued releases
Small batch or vintage releases
Beers from respected craft breweries, Trappist breweries, or other collectable producers
Be properly sealed, full and in good visual presentation
Be not widely available: current mass-market or supermarket beers are not eligible
Meet the minimum expected value of €75
(You can combine objects in one submission to meet this threshold with a maximum number of bottles/cans per submission of 24)
Some of the popular accepted brands include:
Cantillon, 3 Fonteinen, and other Lambic/Gueuze brewers
Westvleteren, Orval, Chimay, and other Trappist beers
Goose Island, Mikkeller, and similar American and European craft producers
Antidoot, Nevel, Tommie Sjef, and other wild/sour ales
De Struise Brouwers, De Dolle Brouwers, Het Anker, and Hertog Jan
📌 Examples of accepted objects:
What we do not accept
To keep our auctions high-quality and trustworthy, we do not accept:
Open, unsealed, or empty bottles/cans
Non-cellar beers that are passed their due date
Generic glassware or accessories
Coasters, labels, or caps
Promotional items (mirrors, billboards, branded merchandise)
📌 Examples of rejected objects:
Getting your submission ready
1. Fill in all the object details following the submission flow and write a clear description
When you submit a beer, you’ll see fields to guide you in providing the right information — such as country of origin, brewery/producer, edition (name of the beer), bottle or can size (e.g. 33cl, 75cl), alcohol by volume (ABV), best before date, number of bottles/cans, etc. These fields ensure your listing is clear, searchable, and easy for bidders to understand.
Please also use the object description field to share:
Details about the release (e.g. type of beer, limited edition, discontinued, vintage year)
Condition notes (e.g. storage history, any visible wear on labels or packaging)
Notes on packaging (e.g. original crate or box included)
Background on the brewery or specific beer, if relevant or interesting to collectors
Tip: The more detail you provide, the easier it is for bidders to understand the value of your object – and the more likely it is to sell. Find here more tips on how to write a clear, accurate description.
📌Examples of a well-written description:
Example #1
“Westvleteren XII w/ original crate:
You are bidding on a full crate of 24 bottles of Westvleteren XII, the famous Belgian Trappist beer. It has often been awarded the title of best beer in the world.
The crate - which is included - has been kept in a dry and dark cellar and is undamaged”.
Example #2:
“Cantillon Piacere 2024:
This lot contains two bottles of "Piacere" from the Cantillon brewery in Brussels. This is a rare bottle.
This beer is a collaboration between Cantillon and the Italian Fuori Mondo. A blend of 2-year-old Lambic and Ciliegiolo grape, a close relative of Sangiovese, whose name means "cherry" in Italian.
Bottle date = 22/10/2024.
Bottles have been kept in a wine cellar under ideal circumstances”.
2. Great photos matter
Photos are the first thing bidders see – so make them count! We recommend including at least 4 high-quality images that clearly show the condition and details of your object. This helps bidders make informed decisions and increases your chances of a successful sale.
Your photos should include:
For all submissions:
All sides (front, back, top, sides) of each bottle or can
Front and back of each label
Bottle caps and seals
Production or expiration dates
Packaging (e.g. box or crate)
Any signs of wear or damage
For grouped submissions:
Group photos and individual shots
Tip: Use a neutral background (white or black), avoid low-quality or stock images, and aim for natural lighting. Find here more tips on how to take professional photos.
📌 Examples of good vs. bad photos:
3. Shipping guidelines
Proper packaging and clear communication are essential to ensure your beer arrives safely and meets buyer expectations. Follow the guidance below to help protect your object during transit and avoid delivery issues.
Packaging
Use protective materials such as inflatable bottle airbags or thick polystyrene bottle protectors to prevent breakage. Place the bottle in a sturdy cardboard box.
We also recommend wrapping the capsule and label with cling film or parafilm to protect against scuffs or moisture damage. Grouped bottles (e.g. crates) must be safely secured.
Shipping method
Always use insured shipping with a Track & Trace code. This provides security for both seller and buyer and helps resolve any delivery problems quickly.
Import/export regulations
Some countries restrict the import of alcohol. If you're aware of any restrictions from your country to others, include this clearly in your object description.
Being transparent about shipping conditions builds trust with bidders and ensures a smoother transaction.
📌Example of a sentence to be included in the description:
“Before placing your bid, please check your country’s regulations regarding alcohol imports.”
Ready to sell? List your beer today
Listing with us is free – commission is only applied if your object sells.
Follow these guidelines to maximize your chances of success.
Register as a seller and submit your beer for auction now.