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What Kind of Beers are in a Beer-of-the-Month Club?

Tuesday, March 19th

What Kind of Beers Are in a Beer-of-the-Month Club?

Who doesn't like beer? Throughout the world, the golden brew is revered by many, some of whom consider themselves to be true connoisseurs of the libation.

It is that universal love of beer that has helped to spark one of the most popular kind of clubs today - beer-of-the-month clubs.

These clubs were established to help bring a variety of beer right to the doorsteps of those who most love it. If you are a lover of all things beer, beer-of-the-month clubs are an ideal way to sample new brands and flavors in the comfort of your own home.

But what kinds of beer can one expect to find in a beer-of-the-month club? To answer that question, we must first explain how beer is classified. Beer is categorized by the type of yeast used during the fermentation process. Beers fall into one of two categories: ales or lagers. An ale beer is one that was made using top-fermenting yeast. A lager is made with bottom-fermenting yeast. Using different kinds of yeast will provide different looks, tastes and characteristics of beer.

There are three kinds of ales: brown, porter and stout. Brown ale has a copper-hue and a very mild flavor. Porter ales also are mild-tasting, and often are described as resembling the taste of chocolate. Stout ale is so dark in color that it almost appears black. This ale has an intense barley flavor combined with a hop taste.

There are four kinds of lagers: American Style Pale Lager, Pilsner Lager, Light Lager and Dark Lager. The first two are mass-produced types of beer which are known for their lightness in color. Pilsners tend to be less bitter but stronger in taste as compared with a pale lager. Light lagers have less barley and hops, which make them both lower in calories and alcohol content. Dark lagers are nearly black in color, and possess a full-bodied taste from the use of roasted barley and hops in the brewing process.

The kinds of beer found in beer-of-the-month clubs depends on the level of membership selected. Most clubs offer three categories with three very unique selections included in each. They are:

  • Basic. This option includes beer mass-produced in the United States through large breweries, as well as those made by micro-breweries. These are very basic, plain beers. This option runs between $25 and $35 a month, plus shipping and handling fees. It can be a great option for someone who enjoys the kinds of tap and bottled beers commonly found at the local pub.
  • Domestic/Foreign Beers. This medium-priced option provides beer that is produced by microbreweries and large distributors both in the United States and internationally. If you enjoy trying new things, this option provides both domestic and foreign selections from which to sample. This option is generally more expensive, and can run between $40 and $60 a month, plus shipping and handling.
  • "Rare" Beers. True beer connoisseurs would love this option, as it provides rare brands of beer not found within the United States. This option provides limited-release products with bold and exciting flavors that are sure to please the palate. While it is the most creatively-prepared selection, it also can be the most expensive at $45-70 a month plus shipping costs.

If you're unsure which option is best for you, the best solution would be to select a short-term membership with the option you think you would most enjoy. Once that term expires, if you find you'd like to try something a little bolder, you can always renew your membership and select a different option.

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Beer Club FAQ

Most beer clubs run somewhere between $30 and $45 per delivery, before shipping. The cost of shipping is also something to consider when looking at the total price. Many companies charge a flat rate fee for each delivery, while others provide free shipping to customers. Beer club shoppers will find the option to pay for the entirety of the club up front or be charged at each delivery.
The frequency of beer club deliveries depends on you. Some beer club memberships offer a ton of flexibility in term options. Choose from monthly, every other month, seasonal or quarterly deliveries depending on your needs and budget.
Most Beer Club memberships stand behind their products. But, due to State laws, alcohol sales are generally non-refundable. If a package arrives damaged or all together missing it's typically standard market practice to replace or refund for those particular problems. Please read the fine print before choosing a Beer Club membership.
Beer clubs can be a great gift for the beer lovers in your life and those hard to shop for family members. Imagine delicious, hard to find and unique, beers arriving each month to your gift recipient. Beer clubs can also make a wonderful business gift for your special client.
Depending on the club and the specific sourced brewery selected you may receive bottled beer, canned beer or both. That is typically determined by the brewery the club has partnered with.
Beer clubs source their beers from domestic and internal breweries - it often depends on the company you decide to go with. Companies look for hard to find and unique, delicious beer selections that are sure to impress even the hardest to please palate.
Each beer club will specifically identify what is included with membership deliveries. Most can anticipate 12 to 24 beers, a newsletter or tasting notes explaining where the beer was brewed, and, even perhaps, a bottle opener for fun.
Delivering alcohol does often come with a price tag. Many clubs charge a flat fee around $15 for each delivery while others cover the cost for members. Any associated shipping cost really depends on the specific club that is chosen but we hope this gives you a general idea.
While in the past, bottles were superior to cans, these days brewers have optimized their materials such that cans no longer impart a metallic taste. In addition, cans protect beer from the sun more efficiently, and are therefore less susceptible to skunking. While there may be nothing more satisfying than the pop of a freshly-opened bottle of beer, they're technically no longer the optimal beer medium; at the very least, you don't need to worry about cans included in your shipment.
Most beer clubs range between $40-$55 per month with shipping included. If it costs more than that, there better be a good reason.
Most beer clubs let you choose how many months you pay in advance, likely due to the fact that beer clubs are often gifted. If you end up loving your club however, you can choose to enable auto-renewal. A club for which an ongoing subscription is the only option is likely not the best club for you.
The good beer clubs give you all the information you need about previously chosen beers and their selection process; some of the best show you everything they've ever shipped. In short, be sure to check their past offerings before subscribing to a beer club.
All of the clubs featured here offer to replace any shipments that are damaged in transit. While it is undoubtedly a pain if it happens, you won't need to worry about getting ripped off.
Yes! ...sometimes. Some of the clubs on our list specifically curate high-quality beers that can be cellared, and allowed to mature for a number of years. As a general rule of thumb, darker beers age better, and if they can be aged, the informative guide included in most shipments will let you know. For most beers, however, they'll keep fresh for about two years if refrigerated.

Compare Beer Clubs

Select any 2 Beer Clubs to compare them head to head

best-beer-clubs
  • U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club
  • Hops Head Beer Club
  • City Brew Tours
  • U.S. and International Variety Beer Club
  • Rare Beer Club
  • International Beer Club
  • Beer Drop
  • Amazing Clubs
  • Beer of the Month Club
  • The Original Craft Beer Club
U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs Hops Head Beer Club U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs City Brew Tours U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs U.S. and International Variety Beer Club U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs Rare Beer Club U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs International Beer Club U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs Beer Drop U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs Amazing Clubs U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs Beer of the Month Club U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club vs The Original Craft Beer Club Hops Head Beer Club vs City Brew Tours Hops Head Beer Club vs U.S. and International Variety Beer Club Hops Head Beer Club vs Rare Beer Club Hops Head Beer Club vs International Beer Club Hops Head Beer Club vs Beer Drop Hops Head Beer Club vs Amazing Clubs Hops Head Beer Club vs Beer of the Month Club Hops Head Beer Club vs The Original Craft Beer Club City Brew Tours vs U.S. and International Variety Beer Club City Brew Tours vs Rare Beer Club City Brew Tours vs International Beer Club City Brew Tours vs Beer Drop City Brew Tours vs Amazing Clubs City Brew Tours vs Beer of the Month Club City Brew Tours vs The Original Craft Beer Club U.S. and International Variety Beer Club vs Rare Beer Club U.S. and International Variety Beer Club vs International Beer Club U.S. and International Variety Beer Club vs Beer Drop U.S. and International Variety Beer Club vs Amazing Clubs U.S. and International Variety Beer Club vs Beer of the Month Club U.S. and International Variety Beer Club vs The Original Craft Beer Club Rare Beer Club vs International Beer Club Rare Beer Club vs Beer Drop Rare Beer Club vs Amazing Clubs Rare Beer Club vs Beer of the Month Club Rare Beer Club vs The Original Craft Beer Club International Beer Club vs Beer Drop International Beer Club vs Amazing Clubs International Beer Club vs Beer of the Month Club International Beer Club vs The Original Craft Beer Club Beer Drop vs Amazing Clubs Beer Drop vs Beer of the Month Club Beer Drop vs The Original Craft Beer Club Amazing Clubs vs Beer of the Month Club Amazing Clubs vs The Original Craft Beer Club Beer of the Month Club vs The Original Craft Beer Club
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