Online Beer Buying Guide: England's Best Brews Delivered

There are several online stores that offer English beer for sale. GotoLiquorStore, for example, offers a variety of English beers, but requires users to enter an address and verify their age before displaying product pricing and availability. Total Wine & More also offers a range of English beers, including well-known brands such as Samuel Smith's and Newcastle Brown Ale. Beers of Europe, Britain's biggest online beer shop, offers a wide selection of beers, including English beers, for delivery straight to your door. Drizly is another online retailer that offers English beer for purchase, with the added convenience of delivery in under 60 minutes. It is important to note that some websites may have restrictions based on location and age, so providing an address and verifying your age may be necessary to access certain product information and services.

Online retailers that deliver beer in England

There are many online retailers that deliver beer in England. Here are some options:

Beer52

Beer52 is an online craft beer and wine shop that delivers across the UK. It offers free delivery on orders over £50 and has a wide range of craft beers and wines sourced from independent breweries and winemakers worldwide.

Beers of Europe

Beers of Europe claims to be Britain's biggest online beer shop, offering 1,700 beers and 1,000 malt whiskies, spirits, and liquors. They deliver across the UK and also have a superstore in Norfolk. Free delivery is available for orders over £100.

Beerhunter

Beerhunter is an online beer retailer offering a wide selection of beers from around the world, including many that are not typically stocked in supermarkets. They also offer personalised beer gifts and alcohol-free and gluten-free options.

Beer Shop HQ

Beer Shop HQ is an indie retailer specialising in craft beer, traditional ales, lagers, and more. They offer free shipping on orders over £65 (and £40 for Hertfordshire postcodes). They also have physical stores in St Albans and Hitchin, Hertfordshire, for local collections and deliveries.

Beer Hawk

Craft beer specialist Beer Hawk offers multipacks, kegs, homebrews, glasses, and an extensive gifting range. They have over 1,000 different types of beer, including real ales and wheat beers from various countries. Free delivery is available for orders over £50.

These are just a few options, and there are many other online beer retailers serving England, such as Honest Brew, Flavourly Craft Beer Club, and Master of Malt.

Shipping costs for beer deliveries

Beer delivery costs vary depending on the quantity of beer ordered, the desired delivery speed, and the delivery location.

Standard Delivery Costs

Standard delivery costs for beer in the UK typically range from £5.95 to £7.95 for orders under £25. For orders between £25 and £60, standard delivery costs are usually between £5.95 and £9.95. Some retailers offer free standard delivery for orders over £50 or £100.

Express Delivery Costs

Express delivery costs are typically higher than standard delivery costs. For orders under £25, express delivery can range from £8.95 to £9.95. For orders between £25 and £60, express delivery costs are usually between £9.95 and £13.

Remote Location Surcharges

It's important to note that some remote locations, such as the Highlands and Islands, may incur additional charges based on the postcode. These surcharges are typically calculated during the checkout process and added to the total delivery cost.

Free Delivery Options

Some retailers offer free delivery for orders that meet a certain minimum spend. For example, free delivery is often offered for orders over £50 or £100.

International Delivery

International delivery costs for beer can vary widely depending on the destination country and the quantity of beer being shipped. However, due to the additional customs and tax charges that may apply, some retailers may not offer international delivery for beer.

When ordering beer online, it's always a good idea to review the specific delivery options and costs provided by the retailer, as these may vary depending on your location and the size of your order.

Legalities of shipping beer in the US

Shipping beer in the US can be a complex and confusing process due to the various federal, state, and local regulations that come into play. Here is a detailed overview of the legalities of shipping beer within the US:

Federal Regulations:

According to the United States Postal Service (USPS), shipping "intoxicating liquors" with an alcohol content above 0.5% is prohibited in almost all circumstances. However, a bill introduced in the House of Representatives in 2021 aims to change this policy. It is important to note that USPS employees are not allowed to search packages without a warrant, so they primarily rely on the information provided by the sender.

Carrier Policies:

Private carriers such as FedEx and UPS have their own policies regarding alcohol shipments. Both companies only accept alcohol shipments from licensed manufacturers, sellers, distributors, or importers of alcohol. They require the sender to disclose that the package contains alcohol, apply a surcharge to the shipment, and ensure that an adult signs for the delivery.

State and Local Regulations:

Shipping alcohol across state lines can be particularly tricky due to differing laws and regulations in each state and, in some cases, municipality or county. Some states may prohibit the shipment of more than one bottle at a time or impose limits on the number of bottles that can be shipped to an individual annually. It is crucial to research the laws for both the shipping state and the receiving state before attempting to ship alcohol across state lines.

Alternative Options:

Instead of shipping beer yourself, you can utilise alcohol e-commerce sites, such as Drizly or Minibar, which offer local delivery options. These sites enable you to send beer or wine to friends or family from local retailers, simplifying the process and ensuring compliance with local regulations.

In conclusion, shipping beer within the US requires careful consideration of federal, state, and local laws, as well as carrier policies. It is essential to be well-informed about the legalities of shipping alcohol to avoid any potential issues or violations.

Alcohol-free beer available online in England

Alcohol-free beer is widely available online in England. Here is a list of some of the top places to buy it:

Amazon

Love it or hate it, Amazon is a great place to source alcohol-free beer. While a lot of the alcohol-free beer on Amazon comes via breweries and retailers, so you won't get free postage or Amazon Prime delivery on many items, it's still a decent outlet, especially if you're buying in bulk.

Wise Bartender

Wise Bartender sells around 40 alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers online from its base in Wiltshire. You can buy beers by the bottle or opt for taster packs of their most popular brews. There are also other non-alcoholic drinks available.

Beer Hawk

Beer Hawk stocks a small selection of alcohol-free brews among its 1000-strong catalogue of craft beers and ales. It's tricky to find non-alcoholic beers on the website if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, but they do have a good selection of harder-to-find alcohol-free craft beers. Beer Hawk also sells an alcohol-free mixed case featuring pale ales, lagers, wheat beers and stout.

Booze Free

Booze Free sells ultra-low-alcohol and alcohol-free beers, which you can buy by the bottle or case. There’s also alcohol-free ciders, mocktails and mixers on offer.

The Alcohol Free Co

Alcohol Free Co is an importer and exporter of alcohol-free drinks with trade customers as far away as Australia. You can buy through its website, as well as eBay and Amazon. It aims to price match or beat competitors’ prices.

The Alcohol-Free Shop

The Alcohol Free Shop is a good option if you want to buy non-alcoholic beer by the case. It also sells mixed boxes of alcohol-free beer if you want to sample a few varieties. Wine, spirits and cocktails are available too.

Beer Wulf

Beer Wulf is based in the Netherlands but delivers to the UK. There’s a small range of (mostly rare) alcohol-free and non-alcoholic beers available, all with 24-hour UK delivery when you order before 4 pm.

Delicious Drinks Shop

Delicious Drinks Shop is another Dutch retailer, which has a UK-based website. It offers almost 50 alcohol-free beer brands with a focus on German and Dutch brands.

Beer subscription boxes in England

Beer subscription boxes are a great way to discover new brands and flavours and can make a fantastic gift for beer lovers. There are several beer subscription boxes available in England, and here are some options:

Beer52

Beer52 is one of the biggest names in the beer delivery game and offers a range of new and exciting beers from different breweries each month. The theme changes monthly, taking subscribers on journeys to different countries to discover the best beers each has to offer. You can choose to receive 8 or 10 beers a month and decide between a mixed box (light and dark beers) or just light beers. Along with your beers, you'll also receive a magazine and a quirky snack. Beer52 is flexible, and you can personalise and adjust your delivery options easily.

Brew Republic

Brew Republic prides itself on having connections with the best independent craft breweries. They offer three cases to choose from, each containing 12 craft beers. The classics case focuses on traditional styles, the discovery option offers more adventurous choices, and the premium box features the best craft breweries. Your first case comes with a free glass, and all packaging is recyclable. It's easy to amend your order if you want to skip a month or try something new.

Beer Dad

Beer Dad curates interesting new beer selections, offering six different boxes to choose from depending on your preferred style. You can also select a mixed box if you like a bit of everything. Each box contains eight beers, including stout, sour beer, pale ales, and IPAs. Detailed tasting notes are available via a QR code to guide you through the beer-tasting experience.

Hop Burns & Black All Killer No Filler

Hop Burns & Black promises that its subscription box will never be padded with ordinary beers – it's all killer, no filler. Each month, you'll receive 12 beers, including small-batch collaborations, international rarities, and exclusive beers. You'll also receive reviews, tasting notes, and suggested pairings written by expert beer and food writers. Membership is capped to ensure they can fulfil their unique beer offerings.

Best of British Beer

Best of British Beer offers an array of subscription options, but their standout choice is the Beer for a Year edition. Over 12 months, subscribers receive four boxes containing 12 different 500ml bottles, with the occasional 330ml can or bottle for something extra special. You can pick the dates throughout the year you want your deliveries, making it perfect for anniversaries or birthdays. Their beers come from various independent breweries across the UK.

Brewser

Brewser is one of the nation's fastest-growing beer subscription services, focusing on deep dives into the best independent breweries in the British Isles. You provide your beer preferences (mixed, light, or a combination), and they will suggest a box for you. They support more than 120 independent breweries, including celebrated names like Cloudwater and DEYA. Beers are sent directly from the brewery to reduce travel miles and packaging waste, making it a more sustainable option.

These are just a few of the beer subscription boxes available in England, each offering a unique selection of beers and features to suit different tastes and preferences.

Frequently asked questions