Craft Beer Connoisseurs: Where To Buy Single Beers

There are several options for purchasing single craft beers, both in-store and online. Some stores allow customers to make their own six-pack, enabling them to buy individual bottles of beer. This option is available at Wegmans, Joe Canals, and various shops in Central Illinois, New Jersey, and Denver. Additionally, some retailers, like Trader Joe's, sell individual beers by dividing the cost of a six-pack by six. Online retailers such as Craftshack and Craft City also offer a diverse selection of craft beers for individual purchase.

'Make your own six-pack' stores

If you're looking to create your own six-pack of craft beer, there are a few options to consider.

BeerMenus

BeerMenus is a platform that allows you to find local businesses that offer the option to create your own six-pack. You can explore their website to see if there are any participating businesses near you. They offer a large assortment of similarly priced 16-oz. or less single microbrews and international beers, giving you a wide range of choices to customize your six-pack.

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online store that offers a "Singles In Stock" collection, allowing you to purchase individual craft beers. You can explore their selection and create your own six-pack by choosing from their variety of options. They offer speedy delivery, so you can get your customized six-pack delivered right to your doorstep.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More is another online retailer that offers a wide range of beer options, including variety packs and individual purchases. While they don't explicitly mention creating your own six-pack, you can purchase single beers from them and create your own customized assortment.

Local Specialty Beer Stores

In addition to online options, you may want to explore local specialty beer stores in your area. Some craft beer stores offer the option to create your own six-pack, allowing you to mix and match different beers to suit your tastes. These stores often have knowledgeable staff who can guide you in your selections and provide recommendations based on your preferences.

By utilizing these options, you can easily create your own six-pack of craft beers, giving you the freedom to explore different styles and find new favorites.

Local liquor laws

Texas:

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is the authoritative body that regulates alcohol in the state. Texas has complex alcohol laws that allow for local autonomy, with varying ordinances across counties, cities, or precincts, including the hours and types of sales permitted. The legal drinking age in Texas is 21, but there is an exception that allows parents or legal guardians to buy alcohol for their offspring if it is consumed in their presence.

The hours during which alcohol can be purchased vary depending on the day of the week and the type of retailer. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol sales start at 7 a.m. and end at midnight from Sunday to Friday, and on Saturdays, they extend until 1 a.m. On Sundays, alcohol sales are permitted from 10 a.m. to midnight. Grocery and convenience stores have the same hours for alcohol sales, while liquor stores have specific operational hours and are closed on Sundays and some public holidays.

California:

In California, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulates alcoholic beverages. The laws concerning the regulation of alcoholic beverages are broad and encompass situations in which alcoholic beverages are sold, including the sale of alcohol for consideration and allowing customers to bring their own alcohol. A license is required from the ABC if a business provides a place for people to bring their own alcoholic beverages to consume with a meal. The ABC offers two types of licenses: one for the sale or consumption of beer and wine, and the other for distilled spirits, beer, and wine.

Georgia:

In Georgia, the sale of alcoholic beverages is regulated by the Georgia Administrative Procedures Act and the Department of Revenue's Alcohol and Tobacco Division. The state has specific rules for retailers and retail consumption dealers of distilled spirits. Retailers are subject to restrictions on business hours, storage of inventory, and the types of products they can sell alongside alcoholic beverages. For example, retailers can only sell alcoholic beverages during specified hours, which vary depending on the day of the week and whether it is a Sunday. They are also required to keep their inventory of distilled spirits in a specific area of their licensed place of business. Additionally, retailers are limited in the types of products they can sell alongside alcoholic beverages, including cigarettes, bar supplies, and lottery tickets.

Online craft beer stores

There are a variety of online craft beer stores that offer a wide selection of craft beers, often with speedy delivery services. Some popular options include:

Craftshack

Craftshack is an online craft beer store that offers a wide range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, barley wine, and sour beers. They also offer cocktail kits, wine, and spirits. Craftshack provides speedy delivery and has a variety of highly-rated products.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More is another online retailer that offers a broad selection of craft beers, with a particular focus on variety packs and IPAs. They also have a range of hard seltzers, ciders, and spirits available for delivery.

Beer Boutique NYC

Beer Boutique NYC is based in Brooklyn, NY, and offers a range of craft beers for delivery. While they do not specify a delivery area, they do offer discounts through SMS.

Pure Project

Pure Project is a California-based craft beer brewery and online store. They offer a range of IPAs, blonde ales, stouts, and sour ales, with beer shipping available on Thursdays for next-day delivery within California.

These online craft beer stores provide convenient access to a diverse selection of craft beers, allowing customers to explore different styles and brands from the comfort of their homes.

Beer recipes

There are many beer recipes available online, and you can also purchase books with recipes. Here is a simple guide on how to create your own beer recipe:

• Start with What You Know: Begin with a beer style you are already familiar with, perhaps one that you have brewed before or one that you like to drink. You can use the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) style guidelines to look up the target beer style, which will give you a description of the style, how it tastes, and key ingredients used.
• Evaluate Existing Beer Recipes: Look at a few sample recipes and compare them to get an idea of the ingredients used and their quantities. You can use a spreadsheet to list the fermentables and the percentage of each, to help you understand the rough percentages needed to get the right balance, flavour and colour. You can do the same with hops and yeast.
• Build Your Homebrew Recipe: Using recipe software or an online calculator, start building your recipe. Compare it to the BJCP style guide and make adjustments until your recipe fits within the limits provided.
• Keep it Simple: When building your first recipe, aim for simplicity. Only add ingredients that serve a specific purpose, and avoid using too many varieties of grains and hops.
• Don't Overuse Specialty Malts: A typical grain bill should be mostly made up of base malt or base extract. Specialty malts can hurt fermentability and overwhelm a recipe's flavour, so be careful not to overuse them.
• Use Hops Efficiently: Consider a single boil addition to achieve the target bitterness level, and use steeped/whirlpool hops or dry hopping to add aroma for hoppy beers.
• Don't Overdo Techniques: Keep your first recipes simple, and use techniques that you are already familiar with. This will maximise your chance of success.
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Clone: This recipe has notes of Cascade hops, caramel and Willamette.
• Zombie Dust Clone: This recipe has a range of hops including Columbus, Simcoe, Centennial and Tomahawk/Zeus.
• Chocolate Vanilla Porter: This recipe includes cocoa powder, vanilla beans, and a range of malts including chocolate malt and caramel malt.
• Southern Tier Pumking Clone: This recipe includes pumpkin, honey, and vanilla beans.
• Apple Beer: This recipe includes apple juice, hops, barley malt, lemon zest, cinnamon and yeast.
• American Wheat: Commercial examples include Oberon and Blue Moon.
• Cream Ale: A simple, light-coloured beer with a bit more character than a light lager.
• Blonde Ale: Another simple, light-coloured beer with a bit more character than a cream ale.
• Amber Ale: A maltier, more caramel-forward beer with a slightly higher ABV.
• Stout: A roasty, coffee-flavoured beer that is not too difficult to brew.
• American Pale Ale: A good choice if you like hop bitterness.

Remember, brewing your own beer can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it may take some time and experimentation to find the recipes and techniques that work best for you.

In-store singles

If you're looking to buy single craft beers in-store, there are a few options to consider. Some stores, like Wegmans, allow you to make your own six-pack, giving you the freedom to choose individual beers without committing to a full pack. This is a great way to try new beers without the risk of buying a larger quantity that you may not enjoy. Additionally, certain shops, particularly those with a wide selection of craft beers, offer singles for purchase. These stores understand that customers may want to sample different beers without buying in bulk.

For instance, in Denver, Wallaby's Liquor Warehouse boasts an impressive range of single craft beers, with multiple refrigerated sections dedicated to this option. Similarly, in Central New Jersey, stores like Joe Canals and Spirts offer an extensive selection of single bottles, making it convenient for customers to purchase individual beers.

It's worth noting that some stores are willing to break down six-packs and sell individual beers upon request. However, this may not always be possible, depending on the store's policy and inventory management.

When it comes to buying single craft beers in-store, your best bet is to explore local options and ask about their specific offerings. Some stores may have dedicated sections for singles, while others may be open to accommodating special requests.

Frequently asked questions