Best Wholesale Beer: Where To Buy In Bulk

There are a variety of options available for purchasing wholesale beer. Big Blue Beer Distributors in Brooklyn, New York, has been providing beer to the public and trade since 1992 and is the city's number one beer distributor. In Seattle, Downtown Spirits offers wholesale purchasing of wine, beer and spirits, and simplifies the process by consolidating vendors and invoicing. Wholesale beer can also be purchased from Sam's Club, Costco, and Trader Joe's.

Wholesale beer in New York City

There are several options for purchasing wholesale beer in New York City. Here is a list of distributors and retailers to consider:

New York Beverage

New York Beverage is one of the largest beverage service providers in New York City, offering both residential and commercial delivery. They carry a wide range of products, including beer, hard cider, hard seltzer, juices, sports drinks, and more. They have been in business since 1996 and are located in the Bronx. To place a wholesale order, you must call their Order Desk and provide a copy of your state liquor license. There is a 15-case minimum for wholesale orders delivered in Manhattan, and other minimum case amounts vary by location.

Big Blue Beer Distributors

Big Blue Beer Distributors has been providing beverages to New York City since 1992. They stock a large selection of craft, domestic, and imported beers, as well as other beverages like soda and water. Their 10,000-square-foot warehouse is located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and they deliver to Manhattan and select areas of Brooklyn and Queens. To set up a wholesale account, you must have a New York State Certificate of Authority number and a New York State beer/liquor license.

Union Beer Distributors

Union Beer Distributors serve Long Island and the Five Boroughs of New York. They offer a diverse portfolio of products, including craft beer, spirits, non-alcoholic drinks, water, soda, and energy drinks. Their website provides an extensive list of the brands they carry.

Manhattan Beer Distributors

Manhattan Beer Distributors is one of the leading beer and beverage distributors in New York City, with over 40 years of experience. They serve New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Their website provides information about their environmental initiatives and career opportunities, but specific details about their wholesale offerings are not readily available.

Other Options

Other options for wholesale beer in New York City include Ram Wholesale Beer Soda & Malta, Gun Hill Beer Distributors, and Brooklyn Beer & Soda. These retailers offer a good selection of beer at competitive prices, according to online reviews.

Wholesale beer in Seattle

If you're looking for wholesale beer in Seattle, there are several options to consider. Here is a list of places where you can find wholesale beer:

Downtown Spirits

Located at 1813 7th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, Downtown Spirits offers a wide range of beer, wine, and spirits. They provide a simplified purchasing process by consolidating vendors and invoicing, saving you time and effort. They also offer various payment methods, including Fintech, cash, check, and major credit cards.

Costco

Costco is a well-known retailer that offers a wide variety of products, including beer and other alcoholic beverages. They are known for their competitive prices, especially when purchasing in bulk. Costco offers its own Kirkland brand of microbrews at a great value, making it a cost-effective option for wholesale beer.

Total Wine and More

With locations in Bellevue and Renton, Total Wine and More is a large retailer specializing in alcoholic beverages. They offer a vast selection of commercial and craft beers, with competitive prices on 18 and 24-packs. Their liquor prices are also hard to beat, making them a one-stop shop for all your wholesale beer and liquor needs.

Fremont Avenue Cellars

Fremont Avenue Cellars is a local retailer that offers a great selection of beer, wine, and spirits at affordable prices. They provide a rewards program that earns you points on your purchases, and they are known for their excellent customer service. For bulk purchases, they can offer nice discounts, making them a great option for wholesale beer in Seattle.

Redhook

Redhook offers a unique deal on Mondays: buy one case of beer and get the second case at half price. This brings the total cost of 48 bottles of beer to a very reasonable $39.42.

Columbia Distributing

Columbia Distributing is a top beverage distributor in the Pacific Northwest, serving Oregon and Washington. They distribute a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including craft beer, cider, wine, and spirits. While they may not be a direct retailer, they can connect you with the right brands and retailers to meet your wholesale beer needs in the Seattle area.

These options provide a good starting point for purchasing wholesale beer in Seattle. Each retailer has its own unique offerings, so be sure to explore their websites or contact them directly for more information.

Wholesale beer at Costco

While Costco is known for its bulk food and household supplies, it also has an impressive selection of top-quality beers. The wholesale store carries a range of classic beers, lesser-known brands, and fun variety packs, ensuring there is something for everyone.

It is important to note that not all Costco locations offer alcoholic beverages, so it is recommended to check online reviews or call ahead to ensure that your local store carries beer.

• Stella Artois Premium Belgian: This classic brand has been around since 1366 and is known for its smooth, rich flavor with a subtle sweetness. A 24-pack from Costco typically costs around $34.
• Yuengling Lager: This recipe has been passed down for generations and features a distinct amber color and a medium-bodied flavor. A 24-pack of glass bottles is available at Costco for just over $26.
• New Belgium Variety Pack: This pack includes several seasonal beers, such as the Voodoo Ranger IPA and the Tartastic Raspberry Lime Ale. It has received five-star ratings from customers.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Sierra Pack: This pack includes a variety of refreshing flavors, with ABV ranging from 4.6% to 7.2%. The beers have a gorgeous light hazy gold color and a rich amber hue.
• Kona Brewing Company Big Wave Golden Ale: An ideal option for those looking to explore craft beers, this golden ale is simple, slightly dry, and refreshing. A 24-pack of cans is available at Costco for $32.
• Modelo Especial: This pilsner-style lager is a favorite among beer enthusiasts, known for its crisp and invigorating taste. A 24-pack from Costco typically costs around $40.
• Sweetwater Brewing Company Tacklebox: This variety pack includes a range of pale ales, from the classic 420 Extra Pale Ale to the hoppy H.A.Z.Y. IPA. A 24-pack of tall boys costs $35 at Costco.
• Warsteiner Premium Lager: This smooth and mild lager is a versatile option that pairs well with various foods. A 24-pack is available at Costco for around $27.
• Samuel Adams Winter Classics Craft Beer: A perfect choice for winter gatherings, this variety pack includes lagers, pale ales, and more. It features rich, full-bodied flavors, such as the Winter Lager, and festive options like the Holiday White Ale.
• Founders All Day IPA Cans: These session ales have a lower alcohol content and offer a well-balanced blend of hops and grains. A 15-can pack is available at Costco for $20.
• Sapporo Premium Beer: With an overall rating of 4.5 on Influenster, this lager is praised for its subtle flavor and versatility in pairing with different cuisines. A 24-pack typically costs around $29 at Costco.
• Lagunitas India Pale Ale: This IPA has a robust 4.4-star rating on Google and is known for its smooth, balanced flavor and delicious caramel malt taste.

In addition to these options, Costco also offers other beverages such as water, soda, juice, and milk alternatives.

Wholesale beer at Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's is a popular grocery chain that sells a wide variety of products, including beer. The store offers a range of beers under its private label, with options such as lagers, ales, stouts, and IPAs.

One of the unique features of shopping for beer at Trader Joe's is the ability to build your own six-pack. This means you can pick and choose different beers to create a customised selection, perfect for a fun tasting session.

Now, let's dive into some of the beers you can find at Trader Joe's and how they fare according to various reviews:

Boatswain Chocolate Stout

This stout is brewed with cocoa powder, but reviewers say it lacks a distinct chocolate flavour. With an ABV of 5.4%, it's not very strong, and it's also one of the cheapest beers on the market. While it may not impress in terms of taste, it's a good option if you're on a tight budget.

Boatswain American IPA

The Boatswain American IPA is described as "abundantly hoppy and respectably bitter." With a 6.4% ABV, it's slightly heavier. However, reviews suggest that it falls short of a typical IPA's flavour profile, with an overly malty taste. At its affordable price, it may leave you wondering if you should expect more.

Boatswain Double IPA

The Boatswain Double IPA has an ABV of 8.4%, making it a fairly strong beer. While it includes malt to balance the bitterness, reviewers find it overly sweet and unbalanced for an IPA. It has an aroma of caramel or burnt sugar, but the taste may not live up to expectations.

Trader José Premium Lager

This lager is similar to a Corona but doesn't quite hit the mark, according to reviewers. With a 5% ABV, it's a refreshing and mild beer. However, it has a slightly skunky smell, and reviewers find it only mediocre in taste.

Trader José Dark Lager

The Trader José Dark Lager has a surprising ABV of 5.3%, as dark beers are typically stronger. It's an American amber or red beer, and it's fairly well-received, with a rating of 3.3 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate. Reviewers describe it as sweeter and roaster than expected, giving it an overall rating of 5 out of 10.

Drive Thru Red Ale

The Drive Thru Red Ale is a quirky beer with a cute, colourful label. It's a dry-hopped red ale with a 7.2% ABV, giving it a slightly bitter, dry taste. It's well-received by reviewers, who praise its richness and sweet floral aftertaste. It has a rating of 3.37 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate.

Howling Gourds Pumpkin Ale

This seasonal beer is a pleasant surprise, with cinnamon and spice notes characteristic of the autumn season. It has an ABV of 6.6% and is well-liked by customers, especially those who enjoy pumpkin-flavoured beers.

Stockyard Oatmeal Stout

The Stockyard Oatmeal Stout is a long-time favourite at Trader Joe's, with notes of chocolate and coffee. It has a modest ABV of 5.2%, making it a good option for those who want a less intense beer. While some reviewers find it mild and roasty, true stout fans may prefer something with a stronger flavour profile.

Josephsbrau PLZNR Czech-Style Lager

This Czech-style lager has a sweet, toasted biscuit and bready flavour, with moderate carbonation. With a 5.4% ABV, it's not too heavy. While beer connoisseurs approve, casual drinkers may find it a bit boring.

Trader Joe's Vintage Spiced Ale

The Vintage Spiced Ale is an aged beer, with its flavours becoming more complex over time. It has a robust 9% ABV, making it a beer for enthusiasts and aficionados. It's received high ratings on BeerAdvocate and Untappd, with almost 990 ratings and an average of 3.8 out of 5.

Boatswain Hazy IPA

The Boatswain Hazy IPA is a popular choice, with complex notes of tropical fruit and citrus zest. It has a dry finish and a sweet, golden colour. At around $6 for a six-pack, it's a great value option, and it has a rating of 4 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate.

Simpler Times Lager

The Simpler Times Lager is a light lager with a medium strength of 6.2% ABV. It's easy to drink, full-flavoured, and well-balanced. At around $6 for a six-pack, it's a cheaper alternative to Bud Light. While some reviewers detect a slight metallic smell, others praise its light, sweet, bready aroma.

Josephsbrau Bavarian Style Hefeweizen

The Josephsbrau Hefeweizen is an unfiltered wheat beer with notes of citrus, bubblegum, clove, and banana. It has a sweet spot ABV of 5.3%. While some reviewers call it "simply a decent beer," it has earned high ratings on BeerAdvocate, with some finding it pleasantly surprising.

Wholesale beer online

If you're looking to buy wholesale beer online, there are several options available. Here are some places to consider:

Online Retailers

Big Blue Beer is a distributor and retailer in New York City that offers a wide selection of craft, domestic, and imported beers. They have been in business since 1992 and deliver to all areas of Manhattan and select areas of Brooklyn and Queens. To purchase beer from Big Blue Beer, you must have a New York State Certificate of Authority number and a beer/liquor license if you're buying beer.

Wholesale Clubs

Wholesale clubs like Sam's Club and Costco offer a wide variety of beer options at competitive prices. These clubs often have online stores where you can place your order and then pick it up from their location. They carry a range of domestic, imported, and craft beers, allowing you to find popular options like Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors, and Miller.

Local Retailers

Depending on your location, you may also find local retailers that offer wholesale beer purchases online. For example, Downtown Spirits in Seattle provides spirits and wine purchasing, simplifying the process by consolidating vendors and invoicing. They offer delivery services and have an online product assortment from which you can order.

Specialty Stores

Specialty stores like Total Wine can be a great option for buying beer in bulk. They often have knowledgeable staff to help with selection and offer returns on unopened bottles. They also provide convenient services like packaging your order for easy pickup and have an app for efficient ordering.

State-Specific Options

It's worth noting that some states, like Georgia, have specific laws pertaining to alcohol purchases. In certain states, you may be able to purchase alcohol from Costco without a membership, as the liquor store may have a separate entrance.

When buying wholesale beer online, be sure to check the legal requirements, such as the minimum age for purchasing alcohol, and any applicable licenses or permits needed.

Frequently asked questions