Send Takeout And Beer Delivery: A Perfect Match?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants and bars were forced to shut down their dine-in services. As a result, lawmakers in many places eased restrictions on off-premise alcohol sales and delivery services. This meant that, for the first time, restaurants and bars could sell alcohol with food takeout.

In the US, the rules for off-premise alcohol sales vary from state to state. For example, in some states, only beer and wine can be sold for off-premise consumption, while others also allow liquor sales. In most Canadian provinces, liquor, wine, and beer sales are permitted.

While consumers could have purchased alcohol from liquor stores during the pandemic, most don’t carry the private labels that restaurants do. This, along with the availability of fresh, gourmet cocktails, led to an increase in alcohol sales for restaurants and bars.

There are also hundreds of ways to buy takeout beer, from your local bottle shop, supermarket, or directly from breweries.

Beer delivery laws vary across the US and Canada

District of Columbia

Eight states allow beer and wine to be shipped to your home:

Oregon (also, cider)

Four states don't allow beer and liquor, but they do allow some alcoholic beverages beyond wine:

• Connecticut and New Jersey (wine, mead, and cider)
• New Mexico (wine and cider)
• Arkansas (wine and mead, but the consumer must be physically present at the winery to make the purchase)

Three territories have no statutes addressing the direct shipment of alcoholic beverages:

• Guam
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

In the US, alcohol delivery laws differ from state to state, and even within states, depending on local laws. For example, Texas has relaxed its alcohol delivery laws, allowing parking lot pickup of alcohol orders and issuing Consumer Delivery permits. However, deliveries are restricted to within the same county as the business or up to 2 miles beyond city limits for cities near a county line. On the other hand, alcohol delivery is illegal in Utah.

In Canada, the situation is similar, with regulations varying across provinces. For example, in Newfoundland and Labrador, restaurants can sell alcohol with takeout and delivery orders, including from wineries, breweries, and distilleries. However, other provinces may have different regulations. Additionally, there are federal import requirements for bringing food and beverages into Canada, including restrictions on the quantity and type of products.

Beer can be delivered by retailers with a liquor license

There are several apps that deliver beer and other alcoholic beverages. Drizly, for example, allows you to shop from liquor stores in your area and delivers in 60 minutes or less. Minibar is another option, which works with local spirit retailers to deliver your order within a few days. Minibar also has an event planner page that helps you determine how much alcohol to buy based on the number of guests, the duration of your event, and the types of alcohol you want to serve.

If you're looking for craft beer specifically, websites like Craftshack and Craft City offer a wide selection of craft brews that can be sorted by style or brewery. Most of their offerings are available as single cans or bottles, but they also offer variety packs.

In addition to these dedicated alcohol delivery services, some food delivery apps like Postmates, Uber Eats, and DoorDash have also started offering alcohol delivery in select markets. So, whether you're looking for a quick delivery from your local liquor store or planning a party and need help figuring out how much to order, there are plenty of options available to you.

Beer delivery is a growing industry

Drizly allowed users to order beer, wine, and liquor from local liquor stores, with delivery in under an hour. While Drizly is no longer in service, there are several other apps that provide similar services.

Saucey, for example, offers 30-minute delivery or two-day shipping of beer, wine, and liquor. It operates in several large metropolitan regions in the United States, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. However, it is important to check if your address is serviceable.

Minibar is another popular option, delivering wine, beer, and liquor in under an hour in 22 states and over 70 cities across the United States. The delivery fee for Minibar depends on the number of items ordered, and many orders are eligible for free shipping.

For those who want to try limited-edition and craft beers, Tavour and Beer Drop are great options. Tavour partners with independent breweries to offer limited-edition releases and cult beers, while Beer Drop offers a monthly subscription starting at $39 for five different craft beers from award-winning microbreweries.

With the growing popularity of alcohol delivery apps, it is now easier than ever to get your favorite beer delivered right to your doorstep.

Beer can be delivered by UPS and FedEx

UPS requirements for shipping beer include:

• Having an account with UPS.
• An alcohol shipping agreement.
• An alcohol shipping license, with the shipper authorized according to applicable federal or state laws and regulations of the origin and destination states.
• Destination restrictions—UPS does not accept beer shipments for delivery to consumers and only accepts shipments between selected states.
• Specific packaging requirements, such as inner packaging made of molded Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, a folded corrugated tray, or a molded fiber tray.
• A special label signifying that the package contains alcohol, obtained from UPS.
• Documented shipment created with a UPS Compatible Shipping Solution.
• An adult signature is required for final delivery.

FedEx requirements for shipping beer include:

• An account with FedEx.
• A signed alcohol shipping agreement with FedEx.
• Proper packaging to ensure the shipment is secure and prevent glass breakage.
• A special label signifying that the package contains alcohol, obtained from FedEx.
• Documented shipment created using FedEx Ship Manager® electronic shipping.
• An adult signature is required for final delivery.

Overall, while it is possible to ship beer via UPS and FedEx, there are significant restrictions and requirements that must be carefully followed to comply with regulations.

Beer must be packaged carefully to avoid breakage

Beer bottles are heavy and fragile, so they need to be packaged carefully to avoid breakage during shipping. Here are some tips to ensure your beer arrives safely at its destination:

Choose the Right Packaging Materials:

• Use sturdy corrugated cardboard boxes designed for shipping.
• Opt for bubble wrap with smaller bubbles to protect the bottles from damage.
• For extreme weather conditions, consider using thermal bubble wrap.
• Gather filler materials such as old magazine papers, wrapping papers, shoppers, and flat cardboard pieces.
• Strong elastic rubber bands are ideal for securing your package.
• Duct tape or packaging tape is necessary for sealing the box securely.

Prepare the Bottles:

• Capped bottles require extra protection. Use paper towels and a rubber band or tape to seal the mouth.
• Place each bottle inside a Ziplock bag, removing excess air before closing.
• Wrap the bottles in bubble wrap, ensuring they are fully covered and padded from both ends.
• For bigger bottles, tape the top and wrap generously with bubble wrap.
• Optional: Group four packed bottles together with a rubber band or tape and wrap them in a large bubble wrap for added security.

Pack the Bottles in the Box:

• Select a box size that accommodates the number of bottles being shipped.
• Tape the bottom of the box from the outside to prevent accidental opening.
• Cover the inner sides of the box with a large styrofoam sheet and bubble wrap.
• Put packing material or extra cardboard at the base of the box for added protection.
• Place all the bottles inside and fill empty spaces with filler material.
• Close the trash bag with a rubber band, then cover the top with large bubble wraps, plastic shoppers, or flat cardboard pieces.
• Seal the box securely with duct tape or scotch tape.
• Label the box with "⬆This side Up⬆" and shipping address.

Additional Tips:

• Make sure the bottles are packed tightly, with no movement or sound of bottles touching each other.
• Avoid using old boxes as they may have a higher risk of breaking.
• Do not use newspapers for packing.
• Do not write "Fragile" or "Glass Inside" on the box.
• Use thermal bubble wrap or Styrofoam coolers to maintain the ideal temperature during transit.
• Avoid using regular packing peanuts; opt for eco-friendly or biodegradable fillers instead.

Frequently asked questions