Best Beer Buying Options For You

There are many options for purchasing beer, whether it be in-store or online. BevMo, Target, and Bi-Rite are some examples of stores that sell beer, wine, and liquor. If you are looking to buy beer online, you can try Craftshack, which offers a wide variety of craft beers, or Uber Eats, which can handle all your alcohol delivery needs.

Online beer delivery services

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects beer enthusiasts with smaller, craft-centric bottle shops. It offers a simple way to explore unique craft beers, such as the El Segundo Broken Skull IPA and the Urban Roots Barrel Aged Coconut Almond Chocolate Moustache Imperial Stout. CraftShack works directly with small bottle shops to fulfil orders and offers flat-rate shipping to most states in the US.

Untappd Shop

Untappd, the world's largest social media craft beer networking app, has launched its own e-commerce platform. The Untappd Shop offers a rotating selection of over 250 beers, collaborating with top breweries to bring exclusive bundles and highly-rated beers to its customers. The app-based platform makes it easy to discover and purchase craft beers from the comfort of your home.

Oznr

Oznr is a unique app-based platform that allows breweries to release new beers digitally and create excitement through pre-sales, waitlists, and raffles. Breweries can also offer direct-to-door shipping to customers, providing a convenient way to access their favourite beers. Oznr is available in select cities and continues to expand its reach.

Tavour

Tavour is a subscription-based service that allows customers to fill up a box with a rotating selection of beers over time before shipping it out. It offers a great way to experiment with different beers without leaving home, but it only allows orders by the box rather than individual purchases. Tavour ships to most states in the US and constantly updates its shipping range.

Brewvana

Brewvana is an online beer box and homebrew supply retailer that curates craft beer selections from across America. Its Brews Less Traveled Beer Club takes subscribers on a journey to a new American city each month, hand-selecting local brews from independent breweries. Brewvana also offers holiday-themed beer boxes for special occasions.

Half Time

Half Time is a New York-based e-commerce site that offers one of the largest selections of beer and cider, including some of the country's best craft beers. Customers can order as little as a single can or as much as a case, with shipping available to select zip codes across many states. Half Time also features Beer & Cider of the Month Clubs for those looking to explore new options regularly.

Local breweries

Another option is to use apps like BeerMenus, which has over 7.3 million users and provides information about nearby breweries and their beer selections. Similarly, the CraftBeer website offers a "Breweries Near Me" feature, allowing you to search by state or city to find local craft breweries, including brew pubs, microbreweries, and nano breweries.

Once you've found some local breweries, you can visit their websites or social media pages to learn more about their offerings and any special releases or collaborations they have coming up. Many breweries also provide contact information, so you can reach out with any questions or to find out about distribution options if you're looking to purchase their beer.

Some popular local breweries with unique offerings include Local Brewing Co., which has a range of creative beers like the "I Don't Give A Graham" golden stout, brewed with Teddy Grahams and cacao nibs, and the "Mezcal Red" California Common lager, aged with oak chips soaked in mezcal.

By exploring these local breweries and their unique craft beers, you can discover new flavors, support independent businesses, and become a part of the vibrant craft beer community.

Supermarkets

Know What You're Buying: Understanding the basics of beer styles and your personal preferences is essential. Lagers, for instance, are the most common type found in supermarkets, while IPAs and pale ales are hop-forward options that should be consumed fresh.

Check the Dates: Always look for the "bottled on" or "best by" dates on the beer cans or bottles. Avoid IPAs and pale ales that are more than a month old, and try not to buy beer that is within two months of its "best by" date.

Chill Out: As a rule of thumb, never purchase an IPA that has been stored at room temperature. Hop oils, responsible for the fruity and piney flavours in beer, lose their potency when stored warm. Respect the IPA and keep it chilled!

Mix-a-Six Caution: While creating your own six-pack from a mix-and-match selection may seem appealing, beware! These single bottles often have a questionable shelf life and may not be stored in the fridge, resulting in inconsistent and possibly stale beer.

Go with the Flow: In a supermarket, it's best to stick with national brands and large craft breweries. These beers have higher sales volumes, ensuring a constant supply of fresh stock. You might be surprised to find that your local pharmacy or supermarket chain could be a better option for a fresh six-pack than your neighbourhood bottle shop.

Weirdos Beware: Avoid the temptation of those quirky-sounding beers. The raspberry peanut butter porter that's been sitting on the shelf for months might be better left untouched. Stick to the classics like lagers, stouts, Belgians, and well-treated hoppy ales.

Chat with the Beer Guru: Don't hesitate to strike up a conversation with the person in charge of the beer section. They might have insider knowledge about shipment dates, exciting new arrivals, and even a secret stash of the good stuff for curious customers.

Trustworthy Chains: When in doubt, remember that some supermarket chains like Whole Foods have built a reputation for their impressive beer selections. They often have strong relationships with local breweries and distributors, offering you a chance to discover new releases and local favourites.

So, the next time you're strolling the supermarket aisles, keep these tips in mind, and you'll be well on your way to enjoying a refreshing and tasty beer!

Specialist beer shops

If you're a beer connoisseur, then seeking out a specialist beer shop will be well worth the effort. These stores offer a wide and often eclectic selection of beers, with many focusing on independent craft beers, both local and international.

These stores often have strong relationships with local breweries, meaning they can offer exclusive or hard-to-find releases, and their stock tends to be highly varied, with new and exciting options always available. You'll be able to find limited-edition beers, seasonal brews, and small-batch releases that you won't typically see in mainstream stores. Some shops may even offer their own unique blends or collaborations with local breweries, giving you the chance to sample something truly special.

The staff in these shops are often beer enthusiasts themselves and can provide excellent recommendations tailored to your tastes. They can guide you towards new discoveries and often have a deep understanding of the brewing process, ingredients, and the stories behind the beers they sell. Many shops also host events, such as tastings, meet-the-brewer evenings, and beer-and-food pairing sessions, providing a great opportunity to learn more about beer and connect with other enthusiasts.

Bars

If you're looking to buy some beer at a bar, there are a few ways to find one near you. You can try searching for bars in your local area using online resources such as BeerMenus, which has over 7.3 million users, or Beer for Driving, which helps you locate bars that serve non-alcoholic beer. Alternatively, you could try searching for specific bars, such as JG Melon in New York, which is known for its beer and burgers.

When it comes to the types of beer available, bars often divide their liquor into three tiers based on quality: well, call, and top shelf. Well liquor is the cheapest option and is used when a customer doesn't specify a brand. Call liquor has higher name recognition and quality and, therefore, a higher price. Finally, top-shelf liquor, also known as premium, is the most expensive and usually displayed to attract customers.

Some bars, such as brewpubs and brewery taps, produce their own alcohol, offering a personalized experience.

Frequently asked questions