Brewery Beer Buying: Where And How To Buy Directly

Buying beer directly from a brewery is a convenient way to get your favourite tipple delivered to your door, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, direct shipment of alcohol is often regulated at the state level, so check the rules for your area. Some states, like Alabama, Arkansas, and Utah, don't allow beer to be shipped directly to residents, while others have dry counties or cities where alcohol sales are prohibited. Shipping costs can also be high, typically ranging from $20 to $35 for ground shipping. You'll also need to be home to provide an adult signature when the beer arrives. Despite these challenges, there are now many online platforms and apps that connect you directly with breweries, making it easier than ever to get your brew.

Beer delivery costs and restrictions

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects customers with smaller craft-centric bottleshops. They offer flat-rate shipping to all lower 48 states but do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, military APO & FPO addresses, U.S. territories, or international addresses.

Untappd Shop

Untappd is a social media craft beer app that recently launched its own e-commerce platform. The Untappd Shop currently ships to the following states: AK, CT, FL, GA, ID, IL, NE, NH, NY, ND, OR, PA, VA, and DC. Customers can check their zip code in the app to see if shipping is available to their address.

Oznr

Oznr is an app that allows breweries to release new offerings digitally and build excitement through pre-sales, waitlists, and raffles. While Oznr does not ship beer directly, select breweries now offer direct-to-door shipping through the app. Oznr is available in select cities and continues to add top-tier breweries.

Brewvana

Brewvana is an online beer box and homebrew supply retailer that curates craft beer selections from across the country. They cannot ship to USPS PO boxes or residents in the following states: AL, AR, DE, IN, MD, MO, MS, NC, UT, VT, and WV. International shipping is also not available.

Half Time Beverage

Half Time is a New York-based e-commerce platform offering a wide selection of beer and cider. They ship to most states, but only select zip codes within some. Customers can enter their zip code on the product page to check availability.

Tavour

Tavour is a subscription-based platform that allows customers to fill up a box of beer over time before shipping it out. Tavour's shipping range is constantly updated, so customers should check with them directly to see if they ship to their state.

Craft Beer Kings

Craft Beer Kings is a website that offers a wide range of hype beers from breweries across the country. They ship to most of the contiguous U.S. (lower 48 states) but do not ship to PO boxes, APO/FPO addresses, international addresses, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico.

Best Damn Beer Shop

Best Damn Beer Shop is a San Diego-based retailer that offers same-day pickup for local customers and shipping to select states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, ME, MO, NC, NE, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WV. There is a minimum order of $40 and six bottles.

Shipping beer is expensive

Yes, you can buy beer directly from a brewery, either by visiting in person or by ordering online. Many breweries now have their own apps, allowing customers to restock their favourite beers or try new drops. Beer fans can also rate and review beers on sites like Untappd and BeerAdvocate, and even buy beer online from across the country.

However, shipping beer is expensive. For example, one customer reports that the shipping and taxes for four bottles was $28, which was more than the cost of the actual beer. Another user comments that UPS is expensive, and that they paid around $15 to ship 4-6 beers.

There are several reasons why shipping beer is costly. Firstly, there are strict rules and regulations surrounding the shipping of alcohol, and only licensed and authorised shippers can transport alcoholic beverages. Secondly, carbonated bottles can react poorly to changes in pressure and temperature at high altitudes, so beer must be shipped by ground transportation, which is often more expensive. Finally, shipping companies charge higher rates for heavier items, and the packaging and boxes required to safely transport glass bottles adds to the weight and overall cost of shipping beer.

Beer delivery services

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects customers with smaller, craft-centric bottle shops. They offer a wide range of craft beers, including unique options like the El Segundo Broken Skull IPA and the Urban Roots Barrel Aged Coconut Almond Chocolate Moustache Imperial Stout. CraftShack provides speedy delivery to the lower 48 states but does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or US territories.

Tavour

Tavour is a subscription-based beer delivery service that lets customers fill up a box of beers that are then shipped out. They offer a constantly rotating selection of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours, from various breweries across the country. Tavour delivers to most states but does not ship to US territories.

Untappd Shop

Untappd, the world's largest social media craft beer app, has launched its own e-commerce platform. The Untappd Shop offers over 250 beers and collaborates with some of the best breweries in the country. They put together exclusive bundles and beer boxes with rare and highly-rated beers. The app currently ships to select states, including AK, CT, FL, GA, and IL.

Oznr

Oznr is an app-based platform that allows breweries to release new offerings digitally through pre-sales, waitlists, and raffles. Breweries can also offer direct-to-door shipping to customers through the app. Oznr is available in select cities and is adding new top-tier breweries regularly.

Brewvana

Brewvana is an online beer box and homebrew supply retailer that curates craft beer selections from across America. Their Brews Less Traveled Beer Club sends members a curated selection of craft beers from a new American city each month. They also offer holiday beer boxes for special occasions. Brewvana cannot ship to certain states, including AL, AR, DE, and IN.

Half Time

Half Time is a virtual bottle shop based in New York that offers one of the largest selections of beer and cider. Customers can order as little as a single can or as much as a case, with shipping available to select zip codes in many states, including CA, CO, CT, and DC. Half Time also offers Beer & Cider of the Month Clubs.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers alcohol delivery, including beer, wine, and spirits, to select locations. They offer a range of popular beers, such as White Claw Hard Seltzer, Corona Extra, and Guinness Draught.

Buying beer online

There are a variety of ways to buy beer online. Some websites work directly with breweries and ship beer directly to customers. Other services work as intermediaries, connecting consumers with smaller, craft-centric retailers and bottleshops. Some apps allow you to order beer for delivery from local retailers, while others allow you to pre-order for later pick-up.

When buying beer online, it is important to be aware of the shipping restrictions that may apply to your state. For example, in the US, shipping alcohol to certain states such as Utah, Alabama, and Oklahoma, is restricted or prohibited. However, in recent years, laws have changed to allow residents of most states to buy beer online.

There are numerous online retailers and apps to choose from when buying beer, each with its own unique selection of beers and shipping restrictions. Some popular options include:

• CraftShack: An online marketplace that connects customers with smaller craft-centric bottleshops. CraftShack offers flat-rate shipping to most states in the US but does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or US territories.
• Untappd Shop: The world's largest social media craft beer app, Untappd, has its own e-commerce platform. It offers a rotating selection of over 250 beers and exclusive bundles, with shipping to select states in the US.
• Oznr: This app allows users to purchase new releases from their favourite breweries digitally and offers pre-sales, waitlists, and raffles. Oznr is available in select cities and breweries across the US, with some breweries offering direct-to-door shipping.
• Half Time: A virtual bottleshop offering a large selection of beer, cider, and mead. Half Time allows customers to order by the can or case and ships to select states across the US.
• Tavour: A subscription service that allows customers to fill up a box with beers over time before shipping it out. Tavour offers a rotating selection of beers and ships to most of the contiguous US.
• Brewvana: An online beer box and homebrew supply retailer that curates craft beers from across the US. Brewvana offers a beer club subscription that features a different American city each month, as well as holiday-themed beer boxes. They ship to most states in the US but do not ship internationally.

DtC beer shipping basics

Direct-to-consumer (DtC) beer shipping is a great way to connect with customers and develop a more personal connection with beer lovers. It can also help breweries develop a greater national presence. While DtC beer shipping is not as widespread as the DtC wine market, it has gained popularity, fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is important to note that non-compliance with regulations can result in fines or other penalties, so it is crucial to understand the basics and stay compliant.

• Destination state rules: Shippers must abide by the rules of the state they want to ship to. Currently, 11 states and the District of Columbia allow DtC beer shipping. It is important to refer to an updated list of these states, as they can change over time.
• Licensing requirements: Shippers must be licensed by the destination state and use approved carriers who will check IDs and collect signatures. The licensing application process can be time-consuming and costs vary between states. A separate license is needed for each state, and the license must be specific to beer, not wine or spirits.
• Age verification: It is essential to verify the age of the purchaser and recipient, ensuring they are both at least 21 years old.
• Labelling and volume limits: Boxes must be labelled with a notice of alcohol content and the adult signature requirement. Shippers must also abide by per-person volume limits set by the destination state.
• Taxes and reporting: Shippers must agree to remit all applicable sales and excise taxes to the destination state and file regular reports detailing their shipments.
• Brand ownership: Shippers can only ship brands or labels that they produce or own.

In addition to the above, there may be state-specific complications to watch out for. For example, Alaska allows DtC beer shipping but has dry cities and counties where alcohol sales are prohibited. Therefore, producers must ensure they do not ship to customers in these areas.

DtC beer shipping can be a positive and profitable endeavour for breweries, but it is crucial to do the necessary research and maintain compliance with regulations.

Frequently asked questions