Local Craft Beer: Where To Buy The Best Brews

If you're looking to buy local craft beer, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can visit a local craft beer store or a taproom/bottle shop. These stores often have a wide selection of craft beers to choose from, and you can taste different varieties before making a purchase. Additionally, many cities have craft beer bars that offer a variety of options on tap. If you're unable to find a suitable option nearby, you can also explore online options. Several websites offer craft beer delivery services, allowing you to order from the comfort of your home. Some popular options include Craftshack, Beer Merchants, Pure Project, and Total Wine & More. These websites offer a range of craft beers, and some even provide next-day delivery. Lastly, you can also consider brewery memberships or services that ship beer directly to your location, although these options tend to be more expensive.

Local craft beer delivery services

There are several craft beer delivery services that will bring local craft beer straight to your doorstep.

Craftshack is a craft beer delivery service that offers speedy delivery and a wide range of craft beer options, including IPAs, stouts, and sour beers. They also offer cocktail kits, wine, and spirits.

Tavour is another craft beer delivery service that provides unique craft beers that you may not be able to find locally. They offer a constantly evolving selection of beers from top breweries across the country, including highly-rated IPAs, stouts, and sours.

Craft City is a website where you can buy craft beer online and have it delivered to your home. They offer a variety of beer bundles, as well as spirits, whiskey, tequila, vodka, and gin.

Beer Merchants is a UK-based website that offers craft beer and real ale delivered to your door. They have a range of Christmas cases and easy drinking packs, as well as a taproom and bottle shop in Hackney Wick, London.

Pure Project is a website where you can buy craft beer online, but their beer shipping is currently limited to California. They offer a range of IPA, pale ale, and sour ale options, with beer shipments sent out each Thursday for next-day delivery.

With these delivery services, you can easily explore and enjoy a variety of local craft beers from the comfort of your home.

Buying local craft beer online

Local Delivery Services:

When you need beer delivered quickly, local delivery services are a great option. These services, such as Drizly, Saucey, and Minibar, will bring your order to your doorstep, usually within an hour, for a small surcharge. This is ideal if you want your beer in a hurry, but it can be more expensive than other options.

Online Retailers:

If you have more time to spare or are looking for a specific craft beer that you can't find locally, online retailers are a good choice. Popular options include FreshDirect, which offers a wide range of domestic and craft beers with a $5.99 delivery fee, and Craft City, which specializes in microbrews and smaller brewery labels, charging FedEx ground shipping fees. Another option is Craft Shack, which carries the latest releases from craft breweries and offers a diverse range of craft beers with shipping fees depending on your location and order size.

Subscription-Based Clubs:

Subscription-based beer clubs are perfect if you want to explore new craft beers and discover different breweries. Beer of the Month Club, for example, sends you four different beers from two lightly distributed US microbreweries each month for $29.95, plus shipping. Tavour is a unique app-based subscription service that releases two new beers per day, allowing you to customize your box and delivery frequency. Craft Beer Kings offers a monthly case of 12 pint-sized cans tailored to your preferred beer style for $99.

Legal Considerations:

When buying craft beer online, it's important to consider the legal restrictions in your area. In the US, for example, beer shipping regulations vary by state, with some states prohibiting direct beer shipments altogether. Be sure to check the shipping policies of the website or app you're using to ensure they can deliver to your location.

Additional Tips:

• Compare prices and selection across different platforms to find the best deals and the most diverse range of craft beers.
• Sign up for newsletters or create accounts to stay up-to-date with the latest releases, exclusive deals, and promotions.
• Don't forget to tip your delivery driver!

Apps for finding local craft beer

There are many apps available to help you find and learn about local craft beer. Here are some of the best ones:

Untappd

Untappd is a comprehensive app with a range of features. It is often described as a combination of Facebook and Yelp for beer. It has a large number of reviews, ratings, and social tools. You can use it to check in to new bars and breweries, rate beers, see what your friends are drinking, and get recommendations. It also has a feature that allows you to track the beers you have tried and discover new ones based on your past ratings. Untappd has a simple user interface and is available for free on iOS and Android, with a subscription option also available.

Taphunter

Taphunter is a top-rated app that helps you find local bars, restaurants, tasting rooms, and bottle shops, and see what is currently on tap. It also provides information about the local craft beer scene, events at venues, and the ABV and IBU of each beer. You can get notifications when new beers are available. Taphunter is free and available on both iOS and Android.

Oznr

Oznr is a great app for craft beer lovers, as it allows you to pre-order new and limited-release craft beers from breweries, distilleries, and retailers across the US. You can also use the app to purchase tickets to craft beer festivals and enrol in memberships to access benefits like private sales and early event access. Oznr is free and available on iOS and Android.

Drizly

Drizly is a beer delivery app that allows you to order craft beer, wine, and spirits from local stores. It has a wide selection of new and well-known beers, and delivers your order in an hour or less. Drizly is free and available on iOS and Android, but it is not available in all locations.

Barly

Barly is a minimalistic app that helps you find local bars, see what's on tap, and discover beers that match your taste. You can customise your personal beer palate and rate beers, and the app will recommend new ones based on your preferences. Barly has good coverage of local craft beer bars and is especially useful at bars with huge tap lists.

BJCP Styles

BJCP Styles is an educational app based on the Beer Judge Certification Program guidelines. It provides detailed information about dozens of beer varieties, including typical aroma, flavour, and mouthfeel. It is ideal for those who want to learn more about the qualities of beer, mead, and cider, or those interested in becoming beer judges or home brewers. The app is free and available on iOS.

Local breweries and taprooms

If you're looking to buy local craft beer, your best bet is to head to your local breweries and taprooms. These spots are passionate about their brews and will offer you a unique drinking experience.

Finding Local Breweries and Taprooms

To find the nearest breweries and taprooms, use an online map, like the one on Untappd, which shows every brewery in a given area. You can also try a simple Google Maps search for "brewery" or "taproom" near your location. Another option is to ask around in beer-focused online communities, such as the r/CraftBeer subreddit, for recommendations specific to your region.

Visiting Local Breweries and Taprooms

Once you've located a few nearby breweries and taprooms, it's time to pay them a visit. You'll often find a range of unique, locally-brewed craft beers on tap, as well as the opportunity to chat with knowledgeable staff and like-minded locals. Many breweries and taprooms also offer tours and tastings, providing an insight into the art of brewing and the history of the brewery.

Example Local Brewery and Taproom: Beer Merchants Tap, Hackney Wick, London

For an example of the kind of experience you can expect at a local taproom, look no further than Beer Merchants Tap in Hackney Wick, East London. With 20 keg taps and 2 cask pumps, Beer Merchants serves up a rotating selection of craft beers from some of the world's best breweries. It's also a great spot to grab a cheese or meat platter, making it the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening with friends.

Local bottle shops

Tapping into Local Knowledge

Bottle shop staff are usually very knowledgeable about their products and can offer recommendations tailored to your tastes. They can guide you through their selection, helping you choose from different styles, such as IPAs, stouts, and lagers, and even suggest food pairings.

Discovering Hidden Gems

Tasting and Enjoying In-Store

Some bottle shops even double as taprooms, like the Beer Merchants Tap in Hackney Wick, London. Here, you can sample a variety of craft beers on tap, enjoy a pint of your favourite, or fill a growler to take home. Many shops also offer tasting flights, which are a fun way to explore different beers and find new favourites.

Building a Community

Bottle shops are fantastic places to meet fellow craft beer enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for recommendations or just want to chat about your latest discovery, these shops often attract a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about beer.

Supporting Local Businesses

By shopping at local bottle shops, you're directly supporting small businesses in your community. This support helps keep these businesses running and ensures that you have a reliable source of unique and interesting craft beers right in your neighbourhood.

So, if you're looking to buy local craft beer, be sure to check out the bottle shops in your area. You'll be greeted by a treasure trove of delicious options and might just find your new favourite brew!

Frequently asked questions