Cookie Policy

Last updated: June 2024

This Cookie Policy explains how Carboy Corner ("we," "us," or "our"), operating at carboycorner.com, uses cookies and similar storage technologies — including browser localStorage — when you visit our site dedicated to home brewing and winemaking reviews, guides, and recommendations.

What Are Cookies and Local Storage?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. Local storage is a similar browser-based technology that allows a website to save small amounts of data directly in your browser, without that data being sent back to a server automatically with every request. We use both types of technology in a limited and privacy-conscious way.

How We Use Cookies and Local Storage

• Consent Preference Storage: When you first visit Carboy Corner, a cookie consent banner appears asking whether you accept or decline optional cookies. Your choice (accept or decline) is saved in your browser's localStorage. This allows us to remember your preference on future visits so you are not repeatedly asked to make the same choice.
• Analytics Cookies (Only With Consent): If you click "Accept" on our consent banner, we load anonymized analytics scripts that set cookies to help us understand how visitors use our site — for example, which brewing equipment reviews or winemaking guides are most popular, how long people stay on a page, and which pages lead people to leave the site. These cookies are not set, and no analytics scripts are loaded, unless you have given consent.
• No Tracking Without Consent: If you click "Decline," or if you do not interact with the banner, no analytics cookies are placed. Only the strictly necessary localStorage entry recording your banner choice is saved so we know not to show the banner again unnecessarily.

Third-Party Cookies

When analytics is enabled by your consent, our analytics provider may set its own cookies in your browser to collect aggregated, anonymized usage statistics. We do not control these third-party cookies directly; they are governed by the respective analytics provider's own privacy and cookie policies. We only use analytics data in aggregate form to improve our content, site structure, and user experience — we do not use cookies for personalized advertising or to sell your data.

What We Don't Do

• We do not use cookies to serve targeted or retargeting advertisements.
• We do not sell cookie or localStorage data to third parties.
• We do not combine analytics data with any personally identifiable information you may provide elsewhere on the site, such as through a contact form.

How to Withdraw or Change Your Consent

You are always in control of your cookie preferences. If you previously accepted cookies and would like to withdraw that consent, you can do so at any time by:

• Clearing your browser's cookies and site data (often found under "Privacy," "History," or "Site Settings" in your browser's settings menu) for carboycorner.com.
• Clearing your browser's localStorage for carboycorner.com, which will reset your saved consent choice and cause the cookie banner to reappear on your next visit, allowing you to make a new selection.
• Adjusting your browser settings to block cookies and local storage entirely, though this may affect certain site functionality.

Because our consent record is stored locally in your browser rather than on our servers, clearing your browser storage is the most direct way to reset or withdraw your preference. We do not retain a separate server-side log tying your consent choice to your identity.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the tools we use or for legal and regulatory reasons. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions about how Carboy Corner uses cookies or localStorage, please reach out through our contact page. We're happy to explain our practices in more detail or help you manage your preferences.