Buying Beer: Age Verification And Alcohol Purchases

If you're looking to buy beer, there are a variety of options available to you. You can either go to a physical store, such as Walmart, or opt for online retailers like CraftShack, Half Time, or Craft City. These online stores offer a wide range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and ales, and provide delivery services, making it convenient to shop from home. However, it's important to note that some states have restrictions on shipping alcohol, so be sure to check the applicable laws for your location.

Where to buy beer online

There are many options for buying beer online, from local delivery services to subscription services and specialist craft beer retailers.

Local Delivery Services

Local delivery services will pick up your order from your neighbourhood shop of choice and bring it to your door, usually within the hour. Examples include Drizly, Saucey, and Minibar.

Online Retailers

Online retailers offer a wide selection of beers, from domestic brews to craft beers, and can deliver across the country. FreshDirect, for example, offers a range of beers for a $5.99 delivery fee. Craft City has a large selection of craft beers from smaller breweries, but you'll have to pay FedEx ground shipping fees.

Subscription Services

Subscription services are a great way to discover new beers and try something different. Beer of the Month Club, for example, offers four different beers from two different US microbreweries each month for $29.95, plus shipping. Tavour is an app-based service that releases two new beers per day, which you can claim and add to a custom box.

Specialist Craft Beer Retailers

Specialist craft beer retailers, such as CraftShack, offer a wide range of unique beers from small, craft-centric bottleshops. The Best Damn Beer Shop, based in San Diego, offers same-day delivery for local customers and ships exciting West Coast beers across the US.

Other Options

Other options include Brewvana, which curates beer boxes from craft beers across America, and Pure Project, which offers craft beer for shipping within California only.

Beer delivery services

There are a variety of beer delivery services available, depending on your location. Some of the most popular services include:

• Craftshack: An online marketplace that connects customers with smaller, craft-centric bottleshops. Craftshack offers a wide range of unique craft beers, including El Segundo Broken Skull IPA and Urban Roots Barrel Aged Coconut Almond Chocolate Moustache Imperial Stout. They offer flat-rate shipping to most states within the US but do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or US territories.
• Untappd Shop: The world's largest social media craft beer networking app with over 11 million fans worldwide. The Untappd Shop offers a rotating selection of over 250 beers, including exclusive bundles from top breweries. They currently ship to select states, including AK, CT, FL, GA, and ID.
• Tavour: A subscription-based service that allows customers to fill up a box of craft beer over time before shipping it out. Tavour offers a constantly rotating selection of beers from top breweries across the country. Their shipping range includes most of the contiguous US, but they do not ship to PO boxes, APO/FPO addresses, or international addresses.
• Half Time: A virtual bottleshop offering one of the largest selections of beer and cider, with options to order as little as a single can or as much as a case. Half Time offers shipping to select states, including AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, and CT.
• Best Damn Beer Shop: A brick-and-mortar store based in San Diego, offering same-day pickup for local customers and shipping to select states, including AZ, CA, CO, CT, and DC. They offer a variety of exciting West Coast beers, such as Fremont's B-Bomb and 3 Fonteinen Armand & Gaston. There is a minimum order of $40 and six bottles for shipping.
• Total Wine & More: A delivery service that offers a range of wine, beer, and spirits. They deliver to select locations, including Orlando, Florida, and provide benefits such as expanded alcohol delivery options.

These services provide convenient access to a wide range of beers, from local crafts to limited releases, allowing you to explore new flavors and support small breweries from the comfort of your home.

Beer availability in stores

When it comes to physical stores, beer can typically be found in supermarkets, liquor stores, and specialty beer or craft beer stores. The selection and availability of specific beers may differ between these stores. Supermarkets usually carry a wide range of domestic and imported beers, including popular brands such as Budweiser, Corona, and Heineken. They often have a dedicated beer aisle or section, making it convenient for customers to browse and purchase their preferred beer.

Liquor stores, on the other hand, tend to have a more extensive selection of alcoholic beverages, including craft beers, imported beers, and beer varieties that may not be readily available in supermarkets. These stores often cater to a wide range of customer preferences and may offer rare or limited-edition beers.

Specialty beer or craft beer stores focus exclusively on beer and typically offer a more comprehensive range of craft beers, including local, regional, and international options. These stores are ideal for beer enthusiasts looking for unique or hard-to-find beers. They often have knowledgeable staff who can provide recommendations and guidance to customers.

Online beer shopping has emerged as a convenient alternative for those who want to purchase beer without leaving their homes. Websites such as CraftShack, Half Time Beverage, and Tavour offer a wide selection of beers that can be delivered directly to customers' doorsteps. These sites often collaborate with breweries and local bottle shops to source their beer selections. Additionally, apps like Oznr and Untappd have also entered the market, allowing users to purchase beer directly from breweries or local retailers.

It is important to note that the availability of specific beers may vary by region, and some online retailers may have restrictions on shipping to certain states or locations. Beer enthusiasts are advised to check the applicable restrictions for their state or region before placing online orders.

Beer availability on holidays

Beer is a popular drink for many holidays, and there are also many dedicated beer celebration days. In the United States, beer is the most consumed alcoholic drink on Halloween, and Americans spend over $1 billion on beer on the Fourth of July. Christmas is another holiday where a lot of beer is consumed, and many drinkers opt for seasonal Christmas ales and winter warmers. Thanksgiving is also one of the top drinking holidays of the year, with beer often being paired with traditional meals.

There are also many dedicated beer celebration days. For example, the first Saturday in November is Learn to Homebrew Day, which was established in 1999 to encourage beer lovers to learn to brew their own beer at home. The first Thursday in November is International Stout Day, where stouts from around the world are celebrated. National Lager Day falls on the 10th of December, devoted to the light and crisp lager, the most widely available and recognisable beer style globally.

Other beer celebration days include Beer Can Appreciation Day (24 January), National Beer Day (7 April), International Beer Day (4 August), and National Drink a Beer Day (28 October).

Age restrictions for buying beer

The age restriction for buying beer depends on your location. In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21, and an ID is required to prove your age when purchasing alcohol. However, this may vary in other countries.

When it comes to buying beer online, different platforms have their own age verification processes. Some websites require users to create an account and confirm they are of legal drinking age before making a purchase. Others may have restrictions based on the shipping location, ensuring that alcohol is not delivered to minors.

It's important to note that even within the US, there are variations in the laws regarding alcohol sales. For example, on the Fourth of July, some states may have restrictions on alcohol sales during specific time frames. Additionally, certain counties or towns may be designated as "dry," meaning the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

To ensure compliance with age restrictions, it is always advisable to check the specific regulations in your area and provide valid identification when purchasing beer or any other alcoholic beverage.

Frequently asked questions