Craft Beer: Where To Buy The Best Brews

There are a variety of options available for those looking to buy craft beer online. CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects customers with smaller, craft-centric bottleshops. Half Time is a virtual bottle shop offering one of the largest selections of beer and cider, with the option to order as little as a single can. The Best Damn Beer Shop is a brick-and-mortar store based in San Diego, offering same-day pickup for local customers and shipping to select states for those outside of California. For those looking for a subscription model, Tavour offers a service that allows customers to fill up a box over time before shipping it out. Craft Beer Kings also offers a monthly subscription service, with a wide selection of beers from breweries across the country.

Online craft beer delivery services

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects beer buyers with smaller, craft-centric bottle shops. It offers a simple way to get your craft beer fix, with unique beers like El Segundo Broken Skull IPA and Urban Roots Barrel Aged Coconut Almond Chocolate Moustache Imperial Stout. CraftShack has a small team of beer enthusiasts who work directly with small bottle shops to fulfil orders. The platform offers flat-rate shipping to all lower 48 states but is unable to ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international addresses.

Untappd Shop

Untappd, the world's largest social media craft beer networking app, has launched its own e-commerce platform. With over 250 beers, the Untappd Shop collaborates with some of the best breweries in the country, offering exclusive bundles in small quantities. The ever-changing lineup of individual beers, bundles, and beer boxes makes this online beer shop one of the most exciting options. 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 a bit different from other platforms as it doesn't ship beer directly. Instead, it's 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 to customers through the app. Oznr is available in select cities and is growing, adding top-tier breweries to its roster.

Tavour

Tavour is a subscription-based service that lets customers fill up their box with craft beers over time before shipping out the full package. It offers a great selection of constantly rotating beers, making it perfect for those who enjoy experimenting with different brews. Tavour ships to most states, but be sure to check their website for the most up-to-date information.

Brewvana

Brewvana is an online beer box and homebrew supply retailer that takes a unique approach by sending its team out to find craft beer gems from all corners of America. Their Brews Less Traveled Beer Club is a travelling beer box subscription that visits a new American city each month, curating local brews from independent breweries. Brewvana also offers holiday-themed beer boxes for special occasions like Hanukkah and the 12 Days of Christmas. They are unable to ship to certain states, including AL, AR, DE, IN, MD, MO, MS, NC, UT, VT, and WV, and do not ship internationally.

Half Time

Half Time is a virtual bottle shop based in New York, offering one of the largest selections of beer and cider around. You can order as little as a single can or as much as a case, with shipping available to most states. Half Time also offers Beer & Cider of the Month Clubs for those looking to explore a curated selection of craft beers.

Local breweries with their own apps

Craft beer has become increasingly popular, and many local breweries have developed their own apps to help customers restock their favourite beers and catch new drops. Here are some examples of local breweries with their own apps:

Untappd

Untappd is a social app that allows users to "check-in" to a new bar or brewery and rate each beer they drink. It also features local events and live tap lists at verified venues, so you know what's available each night. This app is perfect for beer lovers who want to read and post reviews. Untappd has over 11 million fans worldwide and recently launched its own e-commerce platform, the Untappd Shop, which offers exclusive beer bundles.

Oznr

Oznr is an app that allows breweries to release new offerings digitally and build excitement through pre-sales, waitlists, and raffles. Users can also sign up for brewery bottle societies, membership clubs, and receive alerts about discounts and news from their favourite breweries. Oznr is available in select cities and is adding more top-tier breweries to the app.

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects beer buyers with smaller, craft-centric bottleshops. Through the CraftShack app, customers can find unique beers from family-owned stores. CraftShack offers flat-rate shipping to all lower 48 states but is unable to ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or military addresses.

Brewvana

Brewvana is an online beer box and homebrew supply retailer that curates craft beer gems from all corners of America. Its Brews Less Travelled Beer Club is a subscription service that sends members a selection of craft beers from a new American city each month. Brewvana also offers holiday beer boxes for Hanukkah and Christmas. However, they do not ship to several states, including Alabama, Indiana, Maryland, and Utah.

Half Time

Half Time is a virtual bottle shop offering one of the largest selections of beer and cider. Based in New York, this e-commerce site allows customers to order as little as a single can or as much as a case, delivered right to their door. Half Time offers shipping to most states but only select zip codes in some.

These apps provide a convenient way for craft beer enthusiasts to discover and purchase beers from local breweries, often with exclusive deals and bundles.

Beer fans' sites like Untappd and BeerAdvocate

Beer fans can use sites like Untappd and BeerAdvocate to find new beers they'll love. Untappd is a social app that lets you keep a journal of the beers you've tried, discover new beers, and explore nearby popular bars, breweries, and beers. You can also follow businesses to get notifications when new beers are available. BeerAdvocate, on the other hand, seems to be preferred by more seasoned beer drinkers and those who are looking for in-depth reviews. It also has forums where beer enthusiasts can connect and discuss their favourite beers and breweries.

Untappd is often regarded as being more for the general public, with its simple rating system and social features. BeerAdvocate, meanwhile, is said to provide more accurate ratings and reviews that seasoned beer drinkers can trust when deciding whether a beer is worth buying. Untappd's ratings are often considered unreliable because they are skewed by fanboys, drunk users, and those who rate beers low simply because they don't like the style of beer.

BeerAdvocate used to be the go-to site for craft beer drinkers, but now it seems that most people have migrated to Untappd. BeerAdvocate's owners were also known to be egoistic and would ban users for minor reasons, which caused a mass exodus from the site. However, BeerAdvocate was sold to the parent company of Untappd, so the owners now have bosses and can't go off on people as much as they used to. The site is still fairly active, and its community is now considered to be pretty good.

In addition to Untappd and BeerAdvocate, beer fans also use Reddit's r/beer and r/CraftBeer communities to discuss and review beers and breweries.

Online marketplaces like CraftShack

One of the benefits of using CraftShack is its convenience and speed. With its user-friendly platform, you can easily browse and purchase products from the comfort of your home. CraftShack also offers speedy delivery, so you can get your craft beer fix without having to wait too long.

Another advantage of using CraftShack is the ability to discover and support small businesses and local communities. The marketplace sources its products from a network of local bottle shops, so you can explore craft beers from different regions and contribute to the growth of local businesses.

CraftShack provides detailed descriptions of its products, including style, ABV, and tasting notes. This information can help you make informed choices about the craft beers you purchase. The marketplace also offers a variety of beer styles, including IPAs, stouts, sours, porters, and more, ensuring that you can find something to suit your taste preferences.

In addition to craft beer, CraftShack offers a range of other alcoholic beverages. If you're looking for a gift or wanting to stock your home bar, you can explore their selection of wine, liquor, and cocktail kits. They also collaborate with celebrities and brands for exclusive beverage options.

By choosing CraftShack, you can trust that you're getting a convenient, reliable, and high-quality service. Their team of food and beverage experts and tech enthusiasts are passionate about craft products and committed to providing excellent customer service. So, whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or just looking to try something new, CraftShack is a great online destination for all your beverage needs.

Brick-and-mortar stores like Best Damn Beer Shop

If you're looking for a more traditional shopping experience, brick-and-mortar stores like Best Damn Beer Shop offer a great opportunity to browse and buy craft beer in person.

Best Damn Beer Shop is a highly-rated, dedicated craft beer store located in downtown San Diego, California. The shop boasts a 4-star rating on Yelp and offers a wide selection of craft beers, including imperial stouts, dark ales, strong ales, and more. With new arrivals regularly featured on their website, you can explore an ever-changing range of craft styles and vintage beers.

The physical store is open seven days a week, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM, providing ample opportunity for a visit. You'll find it at 1036 7th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. If you can't make it to the store, Best Damn Beer Shop also offers the convenience of takeout and delivery services, as well as in-store pickup for online orders.

To stay up-to-date with their latest offerings, you can subscribe to their newsletter on their website, bestdamnbeershop.com. The newsletter will keep you informed about exclusive deals, new arrivals, and all the latest brews and craft styles available at the shop.

With a mix-and-match option for orders, you can create your own 6-item bundle to qualify for shipping or in-store pickup. Whether you're a new or returning customer, you can easily create an account on their website to start shopping and take advantage of their subscription and savings options.

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