Best Beer Buying Options For You

There are many options for buying beer, whether you're looking to buy in-store or online. For in-store purchases, you can try liquor stores, grocery stores, or specialist beer and wine shops. If you're looking to buy beer online, there are several delivery services available, such as Craftshack, BevMo, and Drizly, which is now operated by Uber Eats.

Beer delivery services

The Beer Guy

The Beer Guy is a popular option for beer delivery in Ontario. They offer a wide range of beers and deliver them right to your door, with convenient hours of operation from Monday to Sunday.

Craftshack

Craftshack is an online beer delivery service that offers a wide range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, sours, and more. They have a variety of options, from well-known brands to local brews, and provide speedy delivery.

Tavour

Tavour is a unique beer delivery service that brings you craft beers from across the country that you can't find locally. Their selection is constantly evolving, featuring new beers from top breweries. Tavour is highly rated by customers who appreciate the variety and rarity of the beers they offer.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers alcohol delivery in Orlando, Florida, including a range of popular beers such as White Claw Hard Seltzer, Corona Extra, Guinness Draught, and more. They also deliver wine and spirits, providing a one-stop shop for all your adult beverage needs.

Local Options

Depending on your location, there may be local beer delivery services available. For example, in Ontario, The Beer Hunter provides an interactive map of retail locations selling beer, including independent microbreweries with retail outlets.

With these delivery services, you can easily stock your fridge with a variety of beers, discover new brews, and enjoy the convenience of having them delivered to your home.

Localsection of a city

If you're looking for a beer in Toronto, there are plenty of options to choose from. The city boasts a wide variety of breweries, distilleries, and retail stores that offer an extensive range of local and imported beers.

One notable option is the Amsterdam Brewing Company, located on Queens Quay West. This waterfront craft brewery, restaurant, and retail store offers a large selection of local beers and IPAs. With its spacious setting, Northern Maverick Brewing Company on Bathurst Street is another excellent choice for beer enthusiasts. They feature an extensive brewhouse, a restaurant with ample seating, and a retail store showcasing their latest brews.

For those seeking a broader selection of beer varieties, The Beer Store, with over 440 retail outlets across the GTA, offers a diverse range of more than 1000 beers from around the world. Alternatively, Bellwoods Brewery, located on Ossington Avenue, provides an ever-changing assortment of bottles and cans, featuring different flavours and crisp lagers.

In addition to these options, Toronto also hosts several other independent craft breweries, such as the Great Lakes Brewery, which has been in operation for 35 years, and the Mill Street Brewery in the Distillery District, known for its commitment to using organic grains. So, whether you're looking for a local craft beer or a global import, Toronto's local beer scene has something for everyone.

Online stores

There are many online stores that allow you to buy beer without leaving your house. Some of the most popular options include:

• CraftShack: CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects customers with smaller, craft-centric bottleshops. It offers a wide selection of unique beers, including El Segundo Broken Skull IPA and Urban Roots Barrel Aged Coconut Almond Chocolate Moustache Imperial Stout. CraftShack ships to all the lower 48 states but is unable to ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international addresses.
• Untappd Shop: The world's largest social media craft beer networking app with over 11 million fans worldwide. The Untappd Shop offers over 250 beers and collaborates with some of the best breweries in the country to offer exclusive bundles. The app also puts together beer boxes with rare and highly-rated beers. The Untappd Shop currently ships to select states, including AK, CT, FL, GA, ID, IL, NE, NH, NY, ND, OR, PA, VA, and DC.
• Oznr: Oznr is an app that allows breweries to release new offerings digitally and build excitement through pre-sales, waitlists, and raffles. Breweries can also offer direct-to-door shipping through the app. Oznr is available in select cities and continues to grow, adding top-tier breweries to the app.
• Half Time: Half Time is a virtual bottleshop that offers one of the largest selections of beer and cider around. The New York-based e-commerce site stocks some of the country's best cider, mead, and craft beer. Half Time offers a mix of domestic brews and craft beers, and shipping is available to select states, including AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NH, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, WA, and WI.
• Tavour: Tavour is a subscription-based service that releases two new beers per day. Customers can claim the beers they want, build custom boxes, and control the frequency of delivery. Tavour ships to select states, and the shipping cost is $15 regardless of the number of beers purchased.
• Craft Beer Kings: Craft Beer Kings offers a wide range of hype beers from breweries across the country, including Against the Grain, Great Notion, and Humble Sea. Customers can craft their own monthly subscription boxes or purchase individual beers. Craft Beer Kings ships to most of the contiguous U.S. (lower 48 states) but does not ship to PO boxes, APO/FPO addresses, or international addresses.
• Best Damn Beer Shop: The Best Damn Beer Shop is a brick-and-mortar store based in San Diego, offering same-day pickup for local customers. They also ship to select states, including 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.
• Drizly: Drizly is an online alcohol delivery service that picks up your order from local retailers and delivers it to your doorstep, usually within an hour. Drizly is no longer in service, but Uber Eats can handle all your alcohol delivery needs.
• Saucey: Saucey is similar to Drizly, offering quick, zero-fee delivery of beer, liquor, and mixers. However, the beer selection may be limited in certain areas.
• Minibar: Minibar offers a range of beer, ice, liquor, and mixers, with the delivery fees worked into the price. There is no delivery fee, but tipping is encouraged.
• FreshDirect: FreshDirect offers a wide range of beer, wine, and spirits, with a $5.99 delivery fee.
• Craft City: Craft City specializes in craft beers, with over 100 different brews available, including smaller brewery labels. FedEx ground shipping and an "Adult Signature Delivery Fee" of $3.00 apply.

When buying beer online, it's important to note that the laws of shipping alcohol can vary by state, so some retailers may not be able to ship to certain locations. Additionally, packages containing alcohol will need to be signed for by someone of legal drinking age.

Grocery stores

Licensed grocery stores in Ontario typically carry a range of beer options, from domestic to imported brands, catering to different tastes and preferences. You can find popular beer brands as well as craft beers from local breweries. The selection may vary depending on the specific store and its location, but most grocery stores aim to provide a diverse assortment to meet their customers' needs.

When visiting a grocery store to buy beer, it is important to keep in mind any age restrictions and local regulations regarding alcohol purchase and consumption. Most stores will require a valid ID to ensure that customers are of legal drinking age. Additionally, some stores may have quantity limits or specific operating hours for alcohol sales, so it is always a good idea to check the store's policies beforehand.

The availability of beer in grocery stores offers a more discreet option for those who prefer not to visit dedicated liquor stores. It also saves time by allowing customers to purchase their groceries and beer in a single trip. This convenience is particularly advantageous for those with busy schedules or those who simply want to stock up on beer while doing their regular grocery shopping.

In addition to beer, many grocery stores also offer a range of complementary products, such as snacks, cheeses, and other items that can enhance your drinking experience. Some stores may even provide discounts or special offers when purchasing beer and snacks together, making it a cost-effective option for hosting gatherings or simply enjoying a drink at home.

Liquor stores

If you're looking to buy beer from a liquor store, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can opt for a large chain retailer such as the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) in Ontario, Canada. The LCBO has a vast selection of foreign and domestic libations, including liquor, wine, and beer. They are a reliable option for purchasing alcoholic beverages. Alternatively, you can explore independent liquor stores, which often have unique selections and more personalised experiences. These stores are usually locally owned and operated, offering a diverse range of beer, wine, and spirits.

When it comes to independent liquor stores, you may come across stores like "The Beer Store" in Ontario, which is a privately owned chain of retail outlets specialising in beer. These stores are often owned by consortia of major breweries, offering a wide range of domestic and international beer options. Additionally, some regions have independent microbreweries that operate retail outlets at their brewery locations, allowing you to purchase beer directly from the source.

In recent years, there has been a trend towards expanding alcohol sales beyond traditional liquor stores. Licensed convenience stores, grocery stores, and big-box retailers are now authorised to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages in many places. This development increases accessibility and provides consumers with more options for purchasing alcoholic beverages. It's worth checking the regulations in your specific region to understand the full scope of alcohol sales in various retail outlets.

Lastly, when considering liquor stores, it's important to be mindful of the legal drinking age in your region. In the United States, for example, the legal drinking age is 21, and liquor stores cater to adults above this age. Remember to drink responsibly and follow the laws and regulations governing alcohol consumption in your area.

Frequently asked questions