Craft Beer Buying: Best Places For Beer Enthusiasts

There are many options for buying craft beer online and having it delivered to your door. Some sites work directly with breweries and ship beer directly to customers, while others connect consumers with retailers or pick up beer at local stores for delivery. Beer fans can also rate and review beers on sites like Untappd and BeerAdvocate. In the US, shipping alcohol is subject to legal restrictions, so buying beer online may be challenging or impossible for people in certain states, such as Utah, Alabama, and Oklahoma. However, several platforms offer beer delivery services across the country, including Craft City, Craft Shack, Craft Beer Kings, and Best Damn Beer Shop.

Online craft beer delivery services

There are many online craft beer delivery services that will bring your favourite tipple straight to your door.

Craft Shack

Craft Shack offers speedy delivery on a wide range of craft beers, spirits, wines, and cocktail kits. They also offer gift baskets and boxes, including a West Coast Brewery Craft Beer Gift Box, which includes 12 must-have cans from the best breweries on the West Coast.

Half Time

Half Time boasts the largest selection of beer in the country, according to the Boston Globe. They also offer beer baskets and packs, apparel and accessories.

Best Damn Beer Shop

The Best Damn Beer Shop offers a wide range of craft beers, including imperial stouts, fruit sour ales, and dark ales. They also have a newsletter that subscribers can sign up to, to keep up to date with the latest brews, craft styles, and vintage beers.

Craft City

Craft City offers free ground shipping on orders over $399. They also have a mailing list that you can subscribe to, to receive updates and exclusive discounts on your favourite liquors.

Modern Times Beer

Modern Times Beer offers 30% off your first subscription shipment with the promo code COFFEEONREPEAT. They also offer free ground shipping on orders over $60, although this does not include beer or subscriptions.

Local craft beer shops

There are many local shops where you can buy craft beer, including microbreweries, nanobreweries, and brewpubs. Here are some options to consider:

Breweries

If you're looking for a unique craft beer experience, visiting a local brewery can be a great option. Breweries often offer a wide variety of craft beers, and you may even be able to take a tour and learn about the brewing process. Some popular breweries to consider include:

• Bottle Logic Brewing Co.
• Prairie Artisan Ales
• El Segundo Brewing Company
• Belching Beaver Brewery
• Black Hammer Brewing

Beer Shops

If you're looking for a wider selection or a specific type of craft beer, you may want to visit a dedicated beer shop. These shops often have knowledgeable staff who can help you find the perfect beer for your taste preferences. Some well-known beer shops include:

• CraftBeerKings.com
• Best Damn Beer Shop
• Craft Shack
• Craft City

Online Options

You can also buy craft beer online and have it delivered directly to your door. This option can be convenient if you don't have time to visit a physical store or if you're looking for a specific beer that may not be available locally. Many of the breweries and beer shops mentioned above also offer online ordering and delivery.

So, whether you're looking for a unique brewery experience, a wide selection at a dedicated beer shop, or the convenience of online ordering, there are plenty of local options to explore and enjoy when it comes to craft beer.

Craft beer apps

Craft beer lovers, rejoice! There are now many apps to help you find, choose, and learn about your favourite beverage. Whether you're looking to expand your beer knowledge, find new beers to try, or even brew your own, there's an app for that.

Untappd

Untappd is a social media app for craft beer drinkers, with over nine million registered users. It's a fun and easy-to-use way to keep track of your beer-drinking habits, see where your friends are drinking, and get recommendations.

BJCP Styles

The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) has created an app that's like an encyclopedia for beer lovers. It gives you a detailed rundown of almost all beer styles, with the most recent style database from the BJCP.

BeerMenus

This app features the tap and stock lists for your local bars and beer stores, so you can find out what's on offer near you. You can also create a list of beers you've tried and follow individual beers, so you know when they're back in stock.

Oznr

With the Oznr app, you can get first dibs on new beer releases from your favourite breweries. Breweries can release new offerings digitally and build excitement through pre-sales, waitlists, and raffles. You can also sign up for brewery bottle societies and membership clubs and stay up to date on discounts and deals.

Tavour

Tavour is another app that lets you choose which beers you want to be sent and which ones you don't. It features popular new styles from the hottest breweries.

Drizly

Drizly connects you with a local partner store, which will take your order and deliver it to your doorstep in an hour or less.

IBrewMaster

If you're a home brewer, iBrewMaster is the ultimate resource. It walks you through the entire brewing process and even lets you buy recipes.

Pairwise

Struggling to know what foods to pair with your beer? The Pairwise app has you covered. Just enter the dish or the beer you're trying to pair, add a few descriptors and taste profiles, and you'll get a personalised pairing recommendation.

NowTapped

NowTapped provides up-to-date lists of what's being poured at the nearest breweries, restaurants, and other craft beer venues—but it's only available in Australia.

Beer Buddy

Beer Buddy allows you to scan the barcode on any bottle of beer to retrieve vital stats and reviews. It's also integrated with various other platforms and databases, so you can access comprehensive information about different beers.

Saucey

Saucey offers on-demand 30-minute delivery or two-day maximum shipping, so you can get your favourite beer delivered to your door ASAP!

Craft City and Craft Shack

While not apps, Craft City and Craft Shack are online stores that offer craft beer delivery and have a wide variety of beers to choose from.

Craft beer clubs

Variety of Beers:

Exclusive and Handpicked Beers:

Beer clubs work closely with top breweries to bring you exclusive and limited-release craft beers. These beers are often handpicked by experts, ensuring that you receive high-quality and unique selections. Some clubs even offer customizable options, allowing you to choose the perfect beer club type that matches your tastes.

Beer Education:

Convenience and Flexibility:

Beer clubs offer the convenience of having craft beers delivered directly to your door. You can choose from different membership options, including monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly shipments. Some clubs also allow you to combine beer club memberships with other clubs, such as wine, cigar, or cheese clubs, for an even more diverse experience.

Community and Gifts:

Joining a craft beer club connects you with a community of like-minded beer enthusiasts. You can share your thoughts on different beers, discover new favourites, and even gift a beer club membership to a fellow beer lover. It's a great way to explore the world of craft beer with others who share your passion.

Craft beer by state

The availability of craft beer varies by state, and some states have restrictions on shipping alcohol. Here is a list of craft beer retailers and the states they ship to, as of 2024:

• Craft Shack: Flat-rate shipping to all lower 48 states. Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, military APO & FPO addresses, U.S. territories, or internationally.
• Untappd Shop: Ships to AK, CT, FL, GA, ID, IL, NE, NH, NY, ND, OR, PA, VA, and DC.
• Oznr: Available in select cities, including top-tier breweries in 3 Sons, Angry Chair, and Cerebral Brewing.
• Tavour: Shipping range varies, check with the company.
• Craft Beer Kings: Ships to most of the contiguous U.S. (lower 48 states). Does not ship to PO boxes, APO/FPO addresses, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or internationally.
• Best Damn Beer Shop: Minimum order of $40 and six bottles. Ships to 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.
• Half Time: Ships to 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, WI, and select zip codes in some states.
• Total Wine: Available in Wisconsin.

Frequently asked questions