Craft Beer Buying: A Guide To The Perfect Purchase

Craft beer has never been more accessible. With a few clicks, you can now buy beer online and have it delivered to your door. Online beer ordering has opened up a world of possibilities for beer lovers, allowing them to access a wide variety of beers from the comfort of their homes. From simple websites to apps, there are now numerous ways to buy craft beer online.

Where to buy craft beer online

There are many online stores that sell craft beer, with some even offering speedy delivery services. Here are some of the top options:

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online craft beer delivery service that offers a wide range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, sours, and more. They have highly-rated products and offer speedy delivery.

Craft City

Craft City is another online store that offers a variety of craft beers, as well as other spirits like whiskey, tequila, vodka, and gin. They have a rewards club and provide shipping information on their website.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers a large selection of craft beers, with over 1,400 options to choose from. They have a variety of styles, including IPAs, lagers, ales, and seasonal releases.

Pure Project

Pure Project is a website that sells craft beer online, with options for shipping within California. They have a range of different beer styles, including blonde ales, IPAs, stouts, and saisons.

Half Time

Half Time is an online craft beer store that offers a large selection of beer and cider. They have gift options available and provide store hours and locations on their website.

How to choose the right craft beer for you

With the wide variety of craft beers available, choosing the right one for your taste can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect craft beer to match your preferences:

Determine Your Taste Preferences

Start by considering the types of beers you usually enjoy. Do you prefer light and crisp lagers, or are you more inclined towards robust and complex stouts? Perhaps you like the fruity notes in ales or the bitterness of IPAs. Think about the flavours and characteristics that appeal to you the most.

Explore Different Styles

Craft beer encompasses a diverse range of styles, so it's worth experimenting with different options. Try a variety pack or sampler to explore multiple styles and identify the ones that suit your palate. From American Pale Ales to Hazy IPAs, Imperial Stouts, and Sour Beers, there's a wide spectrum to discover.

Read Beer Descriptions

Pay attention to the descriptions provided by breweries or retailers. These often highlight the key flavours, aromas, and characteristics of the beer. Look for specific ingredients, ageing or brewing processes, and any unique elements that make the beer stand out. This information can give you a good idea of whether a particular craft beer aligns with your tastes.

Check Reviews and Ratings

Take advantage of websites and apps like Untappd and BeerAdvocate, where fellow beer enthusiasts share their reviews and ratings. These platforms can offer insights into how others perceive a particular craft beer's taste, quality, and overall experience. While tastes may vary, reviews can still guide you towards beers that are more likely to suit your preferences.

Consider the Occasion

Think about the occasion for which you're purchasing the craft beer. Are you looking for something to pair with a meal, or do you want a special brew to savour and share with friends? Perhaps you're seeking a gift for a beer connoisseur. The occasion can help narrow down your choices and guide you towards the most suitable options.

Consult Beer Experts

If you're still unsure, don't hesitate to consult the experts. Visit specialised craft beer retailers or taprooms and strike up a conversation with knowledgeable staff. They can provide personalised recommendations based on your taste preferences and guide you towards craft beers that align with your palate.

Remember, the fun part of choosing a craft beer is the exploration and discovery of new flavours and styles. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something different—you might just find your new favourite brew!

How to buy craft beer in bulk

There are several options for buying craft beer in bulk online. Here are some of the top options:

CraftBeerKings.com

CraftBeerKings.com offers a wide selection of sought-after craft beers, including sours, nitros, and ales. They offer free shipping on all orders and have physical stores in two locations. They also offer subscription boxes that can be tailored to your favorite styles, such as hazy IPAs, sours, dark beers, and California beers.

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects beer buyers with smaller, craft-centric bottle shops. They offer a simple way to buy craft beer and have a small team of beer experts who work directly with small bottle shops to fulfill orders. CraftShack offers flat-rate shipping to all lower 48 states but does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international addresses.

Half Time

Half Time is a virtual bottle shop offering one of the largest selections of craft beer, cider, and mead. You can order as little as a single can or as much as a case, and they offer shipping to most states. Their platform allows you to check if shipping is available to your zip code before placing an order.

Sam's Club

Sam's Club offers bulk beer cases and pallets for sale online and in-store. They have a variety of domestic, imported, and craft beers available, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors, Miller, and craft beers like Sierra Nevada Summerfest. You can order online and pick up your order at your nearest Sam's Club location.

Brewvana

Brewvana is an online beer box and homebrew supply retailer that curates craft beer selections from across America. They offer a traveling beer box subscription, the Brews Less Traveled Beer Club, which visits a new American city each month to hand-select local brews for members. Brewvana also creates holiday beer boxes for special occasions like Hanukkah and Christmas. However, they do not ship to all states, so be sure to check their shipping restrictions.

How to find rare craft beers

There are a few ways to get your hands on rare craft beers. Firstly, consider joining a beer club that specialises in rare beers, such as the Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club, which offers a Rare Beer Club membership. This club provides access to exclusive and hard-to-find beers, including those brewed specifically for club members.

Another option is to keep an eye out for limited-edition releases from sought-after breweries. For example, Russian River Brewing's Pliny the Younger is a highly coveted beer that is released once a year, only on draft, and in extremely limited quantities. Dark Lord by Three Floyds Brewing is another example, available only one day a year in late April.

For the more adventurous beer enthusiasts, consider travelling to the source. Some rare beers are only available at the brewery or in the region where they are produced. For instance, Blabaer Lambik by Brasserie Cantillon is a blueberry beer that is only sold from the brewery in Belgium, with some years seeing as few as 100 bottles released. Similarly, Westvleteren Abbey 12 by Brouwerij de Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren is a beer made by Trappist monks in Belgium that is incredibly difficult to obtain, and serious collectors may need to travel to the monastery to secure a case.

Lastly, some rare beers are available through online craft beer retailers, such as Craftshack and Craft City, which offer a range of craft beers, including limited releases and rare finds. These websites often provide detailed descriptions of the beers, allowing you to discover new and unique brews.

How to buy craft beer as a gift

Do your research

First things first, you'll need to do a little research into the recipient's preferences. Take a mental note of the type of beer they usually drink: the brand, the style, and the taste. You can gather a lot of information just by looking at the label. Once you've done that, probe them with a few light questions to get an idea of what kinds of beers they like or dislike.

Seek expert advice

Once you've gathered some basic information, it's time to turn to the experts. Smaller, independent beer stores will be able to offer you one-on-one advice. Share what you know about the recipient's preferences, and the staff should be able to recommend beers that fit their taste. If you know other friends who love craft beer, you can also ask them for advice.

Mix it up

Even if you know what kind of beer the recipient usually drinks, they will probably appreciate the opportunity to try something new. So, consider buying a variety of beers, perhaps including some seasonal specials.

Add some extras

You could also combine the beer with some beer-related accessories, such as bottle openers, coolers, or merchandise from the brand, like a hat or t-shirt.

Go for a gift card

If you're really not sure what to buy, a gift card to a brewery or beer store is a safe bet. Many breweries also offer experiences like beer-tasting and yoga, which could be a fun gift.

Check the dates

If you're buying beer as a gift, make sure it's fresh. Breweries release beer when it's ready to drink, so it's best to hand it over as soon as you get it. Check the dates on the package to avoid giving stale beer.

Frequently asked questions