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When Should You Give a Beer of the Month Club?

Tuesday, March 19th

When Should You Give a Beer of the Month Club?

If you're not a beer lover yourself, but you know someone who is, there is no better gift than the gift of ale. But rather than just plopping down a case of the old standard from the local beer distributor, why not consider a custom plan from a beer-of-the-month club?

Beer-of-the-month clubs are fast becoming a popular choice for those who enjoy beer, and welcome trying new flavors and brands in the comfort of their own homes. For monthly fees ranging between $35 and $70 a month, domestic, micro-brewed and even exotic beers will be delivered directly to your doorstep. It can make a great gift for a friend or loved one.

But how do you know whether giving a beer-of-the-month membership is a good decision? Suppose you know nothing about beer except that your best friend loves to drink it. Should you risk getting him a beer-of-the-month club membership as a surprise gift? You can, so long as you follow a few simple guidelines.

First and foremost, you'll need to know what kind of beer the intended recipient likes to drink. If they are a regular, run-of-the-mill kind of beer drinker, who prefers whatever brand is on tap or available at the local distributor, then they probably will be satisfied with a basic or "original" membership. Packages of this nature tend to be the least expensive out there, and feature samples from microbreweries across the United States. They run from $25 to $35 a month, plus shipping and handling costs. Most clubs which offer this kind of package allow for membership lengths as little as three months, which may be a good option if you are still unsure that the recipient will like your choice of beer.

If the person for whom you are purchasing the membership prefers beer with a more exotic look and taste, then you may want to explore purchasing a membership that features domestic and international varieties, or a "rare" beer club. A membership for a domestic/international club can cost around $35-50 a month, plus shipping and handling. It features the best brands from domestic and international microbreweries, making it a very popular option. If the gift is for someone who likes no-frills beer - but also might like the occasional new taste - this plan would be ideal.

The third and final option offered by most beer-of-the month clubs is strictly of a "rare" or "international" variety. Creatively-prepared and full of surprises, these are hard-core brands not readily available in the United States. A true beer connoisseur would love this kind of membership.

Once you've decided on the kind of beer you wish to give as a gift, the final step is to choose a membership length that is affordable for you. The mid-range plans tend to be the most popular, but with the additional shipping costs, it can be upwards of $100 a month. If this is not in your budget, then choosing a shorter-length plan or the basic plan may be a better option. Most clubs allow memberships as short as three-months, which may be ideal for gift-givers.

Lastly, make sure to check reviews for any club you consider using. Many clubs are members of the Better Business Bureau, providing an extra layer of protection for customers should there be a dispute in services.

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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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