Oisin Foster
There are many options for buying beer online, from local delivery services to monthly subscriptions. Drizly, Saucey, and Minibar are good options for local delivery, while online retailers such as FreshDirect and Craft City offer a wider range of beers, including craft beers and microbrews. Subscription-based clubs like Beer of the Month Club, Tavour, and Craft Beer Kings are perfect for those who want to try new beers regularly. Additionally, marketplaces like CraftShack connect customers with smaller, family-owned bottle shops, offering a unique selection of beers, wines, and spirits.
What You'll Learn
Online retailers
FreshDirect
A $5.99 delivery fee will get you pretty much any beer you'd find at a well-stocked grocery store. While other sites don't charge delivery fees, they tend to be pricier upfront, so FreshDirect can be a fair deal.
Craft City
Craft City has an impressive inventory of over 100 different brews, including popular craft beers and smaller brewery labels. You'll have to pay FedEx ground shipping fees and a $3 "Adult Signature Delivery Fee".
Craft Shack
Craft Shack is an online retailer that is quick to carry craft breweries' latest launches and has an impressive core craft beer inventory of over 75 labels. Shipping ranges from $19.99 to $29.99 and depends on your location and the size of your order.
Beer of the Month Club
A Beer of the Month Club membership will cost you $29.95 per month (plus $15 for shipping and handling), and you'll get four different beers from two different "lightly distributed" US microbreweries. Each box includes three of each beer, which can help you decide whether you like them or not.
Tavour
Tavour is an app-based subscription service that releases two new beers per day, which you can claim and add to custom boxes. Shipping is $15 no matter how many beers you buy.
Craft Beer Kings
Craft Beer Kings lets you choose your favorite style of beer and sends you a case of 12 pint-sized cans for $99 a month. If your taste in beer defies categorization, they also offer mixed-style cases.
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Local delivery services
- Drizly – This well-known platform has a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, spirits, mixers, snacks, and party supplies. Drizly partners with local stores and offers speedy delivery, usually within 60 minutes. The delivery fee is typically between $4 and $6.
- Saucey – Saucey is similar to Drizly, offering beer, wine, and spirits, but it is available in fewer markets. It promises quick, zero-fee delivery, but the beer selection can be limited in certain areas.
- Minibar – Minibar provides a vast selection of beer, wine, spirits, mixers, snacks, and even CBD products. It offers competitive prices and free delivery on many items. Minibar services over 70 cities across 22 states.
- Craftshack – While Craftshack offers more than just beer, it is a great option for craft beer enthusiasts. It works with small, craft-centric bottle shops to deliver unique and hard-to-find beers. Craftshack offers flat-rate shipping to the lower 48 states.
- Swill – With the slogan "The Liquor Store In Your Pocket," Swill offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, spirits, energy drinks, and soft drinks. It provides both instant and scheduled deliveries, depending on your location.
Please remember to tip your delivery driver!
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Subscription-based clubs
Subscription-based beer clubs are a great way to try new beers and discover craft breweries without leaving your home. Here is a list of some of the best subscription-based beer clubs:
The Original Craft Beer Club
The Craft Beer Club is one of the most popular beer subscription boxes, sending monthly shipments of new and interesting craft beers from around the country. Each box contains 12 beers: three of each beer in four different styles from two different breweries. The Craft Beer Club is also affordable, with a subscription costing $47.95 per month, including shipping within the continental US.
Beer Drop
Beer Drop is a subscription service that offers a large, rotating selection of unique craft beers. You can select your favourite beer styles, and Beer Drop will use an algorithm to curate shipments based on your preferences. Each monthly box features six, eight, or ten cans selected from award-winning American craft breweries. Beer Drop's subscription starts at $33 per month, but shipping is not included.
Brewvana by City Brew Tours
Brewvana is perfect for those seeking outside-the-box brewing. The company's Brews Less Traveled Beer Club highlights a new "undiscovered" beer city each month, with eight different beers from four breweries in that city. Brewvana also offers interactive live streams and a drink-along podcast to enhance the tasting experience. The subscription costs $70 per month for six months prepaid, $75 per month for three months, or $80 for a standard monthly plan. Shipping is a flat rate of $5 across all plans.
The Hop-Heads Beer Club
The Hop-Heads Beer Club is ideal for those who love hoppy beers. Each month, you'll receive three different hop-centric beers, with four of each. The selection includes various styles, such as IPAs, hoppy pale ales, and red ales. The subscription starts at $42 per month, plus $16 for shipping.
The Rare Beer Club
The Rare Beer Club is a more exclusive option, featuring only two 750ml bottles of beer per month. Each month, you'll receive two separate styles of carefully chosen craft beer, with an emphasis on rare production techniques and ingredients. Beers may come from up-and-coming breweries worldwide, including Brazil, Japan, and Scandinavia. The subscription starts at $44 per month, plus $15 for shipping.
Beer of the Month Club
Beer of the Month Club offers a custom, tiered subscription service that lets you explore craft beers at a reasonable price. You can choose from two, three, four, six, or twelve-month plans, costing slightly over $50 per month, with free shipping included. Each shipment includes a dozen rare craft beers from two to three craft breweries, curated by an in-house tasting panel.
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Supermarkets
If you're looking for a basic case of domestic beer, a box of select microbrews, or a new subscription service, supermarkets have got you covered. You can also usually find a good range of imported beers, such as Corona Extra, Heineken, and Dos Equis.
When buying beer at a supermarket, it's important to check the dates. Look for the "bottled on" or "best by" date, and avoid IPAs or pale ales bottled more than a month ago. For other beers, don't buy anything within two months of its "best by" date. It's also a good idea to head to the refrigerated beer section for IPAs, pale ales, dry-hopped saisons, or anything else that's hoppy. This will ensure that the hop oils are still intact and you get the full flavor of the beer.
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Liquor stores
If you're looking to buy anything but beer, your best bet is to head to a liquor store near you. Here are some options to consider:
Local liquor stores
Depending on your location, you may have some great local liquor stores nearby that offer a wide range of spirits, liqueurs, wine, and more. For instance, Manchester Wine and Liquors in Greater Manchester, UK, is a well-known local store that offers fine wines, spirits, and beer, with staff providing excellent customer service and competitive pricing.
Online retailers
If you're unable to find what you're looking for at local liquor stores or prefer the convenience of shopping from home, there are numerous online retailers that specialise in liquor sales. These include:
- Total Wine & More: They offer a wide range of spirits, liqueurs, and wine, with various bottle sizes available.
- Craft City: This online retailer has an impressive inventory, including a wide range of craft beers from smaller brewery labels.
- Craft Shack: They offer a variety of craft beers, spirits, and cocktail kits, and are known for carrying the latest releases from craft breweries.
- FreshDirect: While they offer a range of beer, wine, and spirits, they also charge a $5.99 delivery fee.
Subscription-based services
If you're looking to explore new options and discover different liquors, subscription-based services could be a great option. These services typically send you a selection of liquors to try each month, allowing you to expand your palate. Some popular options include:
- Beer of the Month Club: For $29.95 per month, you'll receive four different beers from two different microbreweries, with three of each beer.
- Tavour: This app-based service releases two new beers per day, and you can claim the ones you want and build custom boxes.
- Craft Beer Kings: You can choose your favourite style of beer, and they'll send you a case of 12 pint-sized cans each month for $99.
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Frequently asked questions
Some online retailers that sell beer include CraftShack, Drizly, Saucey, Minibar, FreshDirect, Craft City, and Beer of the Month Club.
Some subscription-based clubs that sell beer include Beer of the Month Club, Tavour, Craft Beer Kings, Winc, and Craft Beer Club.
Yes, beer can typically be purchased at local liquor stores, supermarkets, and grocery stores. Sam's Club is a great option if you're looking for bulk beer cases and pallets.
It's important to check the "bottled on" or "best by" date to ensure freshness, especially for IPAs, pale ales, and other hoppy beers. Look for refrigerated options, as hop oils lose their potency at warm temperatures. Avoid mix-your-own six-packs, as these bottles may have been sitting on the shelf for a while.
Yes, it's important to check the specific laws and regulations regarding alcohol delivery in your state or region. For example, CraftShack does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or certain U.S. territories.
