Where to Buy Beer Online
By John on August 27, 2008 @ 6 PM (81 Comments)
We’ve all been frustrated at some point with the beers in our local market (Father Beer Love calls Shreveport/Bossier a vast “Stout Wasteland”). So what are your options if you who have a poor beer selection where you are or if you just want to find some good stuff that’s maybe not distributed in your area? Welcome to buying beer online!
Our beer pal Eli Shayotovich wrote an article many years ago on the top places to buy beer online. It was a great post that really opened my eyes on how to get beer online – unfortunately it’s no longer available.
So we decided to go ahead and put together a list of where to buy beer online based on our own experiences. I know I didn’t have a lot of knowledge on this before Eli’s article, and searching online really didn’t produce a ton of helpful links, so hopefully this can help you get started and save you a little time like Eli did for me. This list was last updated in August 2010, so everything should be fairly current. It’s worth noting that I’m not talking about “beer of the month club” sites, rather these are sites that you can go to and purchase exactly the beers you want.
Domestic:
- Brewforia – Decent selection (maybe around 350 beers) but check out the line up: Hair of the Dog, Great Divide, Lagunitas, Avery, Lost Abbey, Deschutes, Bear Republic, Stone and the hard to find Alaskan Smoked Porter. Online beer ordering, a good blog. Wow. Based in Meridian, Idaho, where they operate a retail store.
- Bierkraft – a really good selection, online beer ordering, reputable site. Probably between 400 and 500 beers available online. Based in Brooklyn, New York, where they operate a retail store as well.
- BevMo! – A really respectable selection (well over 1,000 beers) with online beer ordering, real-time inventory and a lots of good photos. Based in Concord, California and they operate over 100 stores on the West Coast in California and Arizona.
- BottleTrek – About 500 beers to choose from and a pretty wide-ranging selection across the styles. Kind of hard to find certain beers on the site, but they’ve got good beer taste. Unlike most others on this list they don’t have a physical storefront, they just ship online. Based near Eugene, Oregon.
- Shoppers Vineyard – It’s primarily a wine shop, but as we know there’s a lot of good wine shops that also do beer. Around 400 to 500 beers to choose from with online ordering. Based in Clifton, New Jersey, where they operate a retail store.
- Binny’s Beverage Depot – Good selection of beers (they bought out Sam’s Wine), but you can only get some of the beers online (some are marked “in-store only”). Based near Chicago, Illinois, where they operate 20+ stores.
- John’s Grocery – About 700 beers to order and a really great Belgian selection (about 125 beers). The site is kind of hard to navigate and it’s a little wonky as they publish the beer list and prices online but you can’t order online. You have to call them to order and they’ll only ship to select states. Based in Iowa City, Iowa.
- Archer Liquors – Mixed selection including Three Floyds, Hoppin’ Frog, Bell’s, Founder’s, Dogfish Head, Stone, Great Divide, Lagunitas and Bear Republic, but lots listed that you can’t buy. No online ordering either, you have to email them very specific directions. Based in Chicago, Illinois.
International (Belgian):
- BelgianShop – Exactly what you think it would be – focuses on Belgian beers with a great selection of stuff you’ve never heard of. About 700 beers total. Expensive, but worth it. Online beer ordering and they ship globally. Based in Verviers, Belgium.
- BeerBoxx – Very nice site focusing on only Belgian beers, with over 800 in stock. In addition to individual beers you can order themed beer boxes – such as a box of tripel, a box of trappist or a box of Gueuze. May be the best designed beer site we’ve seen. Online ordering with worldwide shipping. Based in Antwerp, Belgium.
- Beer Planet – Almost 1,000 Belgian beers to choose from. It’s not the prettiest site but the selection is immense. Online ordering and worldwide shipping. Based in Brussels, Belgium.
The BeerFathers’ personal favorite? It’s the BelgianShop where you can get some great Trappist Belgian beers and the appropriate glassware to fully enjoy it like it was meant to be enjoyed. Their selection is mind blowing – you can even find the rare Westvleteren Abt 12, as well as stuff from Rochefort, St. Bernardus, Abbaye des Rocs, Hoegaardens you won’t find in the US, Belgian cheeses and a lot more. They actually ship from Belgium though, so your shipping and handling may be a tiny bit more than a standard order from say, Amazon.com.
A warning to those who read this: don’t come crying to us when you drop hundreds of dollars on your online beer orders, because, well, we’ve done the same thing.
And if you’re trying to find a beer to buy online and aren’t having any luck just leave a comment for us below and we’ll do our best to help you locate it. Please tell us where you are and we may be able to find somewhere local to get it.
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Another great place for your Belgian Beer Orders is http://www.TheBelgianBeerShop.com
Im looking to buy plain miller beer. where can i get it?
Diane – Plain Miller Beer was a short lived experiment by Miller in the late 90′s – it went from about 1996 to 1998. Failed miserably. You can no longer by just plain Miller like you can plain Budweiser or plain Coors.
I’m looking to purchase the entire collection of Fuller’s vintage ales beginning from 1997 to current. I can’t seem to find them at all and I can’t seem to find any sort of online auction or warehouse. Any help would be greatly appreciated. my e-mail is burnzee_stephen@yahoo.com, thanks!
I am looking to buy Iron City Golden tall cans for the SuperBowl. Any ideas wher to find?
Iron City’s site offers a beer finder at this page that may help you out: http://www.ironcitybrewingcompany.com/tabid/68/Default.aspx
Im looking for Pabst Blue Ribbon Light. I can get PBR regular, but they stopped selling the light. Looking for an online source that can ship to Tennessee.
Thanks
It looks like Sam’s Wine online has PBR light in cans/bottles – may be on backorder though it says. http://www.samswine.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SamsWine-Site/default/Search-Show?q=pabst&=x
Anyone know where I can buy Leon Negra in the US?
Dan – from what I’ve seen Leon Negra is usually only available in Yucatan down in Mexico. I haven’t seen any of the online shops carrying it. Their Negra Modelo, Modelo, Corona and Pacifico Clara is pretty much all I see them shipping up into the states. Anyone else here know of any place to find the Leon Negra?
Hope someone can help, I’m looking for Tuborg Gold. They sell it in Canada, and I live in California. Thanks, John
John – Tuborg Gold is made by Carlsberg over in Denmark – it’s sold in the US under the name Tuborg Premium Lager. I see you can order their cans online from John’s Grocery in Iowa:
http://www.johnsgrocery.com/Departments/Beer/browse.cfm?action=browse&method=prodname&arg=T
Or at the Beer Store in Australia:
http://www.beerstore.com.au/detail.asp?beerID=267
Well I called Johns grocery for Tuborg premium lager and they no longer carry it……. any other ideas? Now I’m on a mission to find it, without flying to Denmark. Thanks
John – all the other places I find online are overseas, like the other link I posted to the Australian site. You may try contacting Tuborg directly through the contact form on their site – they may be able to point you to some US distribution:
http://www.tuborg.co.uk/Contact.aspx
Good luck in your beer quest!
Where can I buy Frankenmuth Dark online or by New York City?
Sorry Mark, but the Frankenmuth Brewery went out of business. From what I can see they went out of business around the end of 2006.
See here:
http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers/frankenmuth-brewery/3660/
And their old web site:
http://www.frankenmuthbrewery.com
Which says “The Frankenmuth Brewery will be closed from November 5th, 2006 for a period of 8 to 10 weeks.” It’s now 2009 and they still have that message, which means they likely are closed for good. Sorry man!
looking for Kona Pipeline Porter. the only site i found is hi-time wine cellars and the shipping is pricey. any help?
I’m looking for Old Style in the Chicago Cubs bottles (with the ivy that changes with the beer temp). Any one know how I can purchase it?
Pete – the only place I’ve seen the Old Style bottles is eBay, but they’re being sold as empties. Link to an auction/buy it now here:
http://tinyurl.com/c3m5od
I’m sure you’ve seen that too – I’ve not found any resources for getting these bottles full, but it seems like the value is in the bottles more than the content of the bottles. Good luck!
Hi. just moved to Alberta, Canada from Texas. I’m used to my Miller Lite and unfortunately can’t buy it up here. Is there anyway to buy this online? Where? would someone please help me out !!!
thanks,
nicole
where can I get Simpatico beer from Mexico its back in the states but who knows where ?
Where I can buy (online) Estrella Damm Inedit beer bottle that can be delivered to Puerto Rico.
Do you know where I can find either in shop or online, a bottle or two of “Old Engine Oil?” I’m finding it very difficult to find somewhere that will be able to delivier to the UK.
Thanx.
Looking For; Bud Ice Light / cans.. I been drinking this beer for 10 yrs. Can no longer find it in cans.
I was recently in Alaska and found a great beer. Alaskan Summer, but I can’t find a websight that sells that. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks
after a Trip back to Buffalo NY I am now looking for Labatts 50 in the Los Angeles area or Online, any ideas?
I was recently in France and tried a beer called Desperados. Does anyone know where I can buy this in the US or online that will ship to the US?
is there anywhere to find black star golden lager? it’s out of production now, but i was hopeing to find somewhere that still had a few cases laying around. any ideas?
Anyone know of where to get Lone Star beer on line? Or even in the state of Virginia? Many thanks in advance…
yesssssssss, I have found Westy 12 at http://shop.belgianshop.com .
I hope to recieve the 4 bottles that I have purchased before next WE. mmmmmmmmm
Yesssssss
Anyone know where i can get some Ithaca Apricot Wheat? I live in Chicago…
Where can i find Molson XXX online
I’m looking to buy Port Royal from Honduras, w/o having to go to Honduras. Been searching everywhere to no avail – any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Hi,
any ideas whe i can buy original Tuborg Beer online? The italian Tuborg is well. It must be not Danmark, but it dont can be Germany. The Tuborg is all over the world my favor, bat in Germany ist it a “German Beer” with taste like all the other german beers only. (brewed by the “Deutsches Reinheitsgebot”.
Hope anyone can helpt to get it.
Michael
Where can I find Balentime beer in N.J. or any where online.
I am looking for Two Dogs Lemon Brew Beer. I can not find it anywhere. I have tried to have it ordered to local liquor stores but they are unable in Oklahoma. I have bought it in Texas. Please let me know lilmama110@hotmail.com
Does anyone know of a website where I could buy BeerTender (DraughtKeg) minikegs? Currently, they only sell Heineken/Heineken Light where I live. I know in other places in the U.S. they sell New Castle in this type of mini keg, and many other brands such as Amstel and Murphy’s Irish Red are available in Europe.
If anyone knew of a site online where I could order any of these, I would be forever grateful.
Randy – you can get Lone Star beer online from Biggie Liquor. This should link directly to the Lone Star page:
http://biggieliquors.com/product_detail.asp?id=9491
I WANT TO KNOW WHERE WE CAN PICK UP SOME SIMPATICO BEER-I LIVE IN SO. CAL. AND HAVEN’T FOUND IT HERE BUT AM STILL SEARCHING-THANKS
Larry – I’m not quite sure where to get it in Southern California. A few options though:
Email them at info@simpaticobeer.com and see if they can help you locate a distributor.
Direct message them on Twitter – http://twitter.com/simpaticobeer
I found one post from someone online who said that Tesco sold it – I’m guessing they meant Tesco Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, which is in Southern California. You can find one near you and visit to see if they do carry it: http://www.freshandeasy.com/WhereWeAre.aspx
Good luck finding it!
Does anyone know a website that sells Sol 40 oz. and ships to canada?
Where can i get molson’s old style pilsner shipped to NY
Pat – for Old Style Pilsner I found this email address – they may be able to get you more info: thebunny@oldstylepilsner.com
I’m looking for Old Hawling Bastard, by Blue Point Brewery NY. I’m told that it’s seasonal, and discontinued till December but, if that be true, someone somewhere must have some left in stock. Any ideas ?
Eonj – your best bet would be to call them and see if they could put you in touch with any of their local distributors that could hook you up – 631-475-6944.
I did find one online you may try calling – BierKraft in Brooklyn – whose site says they can sell it online – 718-230-7600 or http://bierkraft.com/browseproducts/Bluepoint-Old-Howling-Bastard-25oz.html
Also try Linwood Wine and Liquor in New Jersey – 201-944-5504 or http://www.linwoodwineco.com/r/products/bluepoint-brewing-company-old-howling-bastard
Good luck finding it!
I am trying to find an online dealer whee I can purchase Heilemans old style You cannot find it within 500 miles of here and thats too far to drive for a brew
Glenn – I didn’t see any online dealers that had it in their inventory in my quick search, but try calling John’s Grocery in Iowa City – 319-337-2183. I don’t see it on their web site but I see Heileman’s in a lot of places in Iowa.
Also, try getting in touch with the beer company (Old Style Beer) directly – oldstyle@oldstylebeer.com or 1-800-935-BEER and maybe they can hook you up or tell you who can hook you up. They’re also on Facebook if you want to talk to them that way:
http://www.facebook.com/ThinkLocalDrinkLocal
Cheers!
I live in Chicago area and am looking to buy Creemore, either locally or online.
Paul – I didn’t see it on any of the traditional online stores I looked at. I suggest you contact Creemore Springs – they’re up in Ontario, Canada – and ask them about their distribution down to the Chicago Land area. Toll-free: 1-800-267-2240; Email: thefolks@creemoresprings.com
I am looking for Simpatico Beer, can’t seem to find it anywhere, any ideas?
Laurie – you probably need to contact Simpatico directly – email them at info@simpaticobeer.com and see if they can help you locate a distributor. You can also direct message them on Twitter – http://twitter.com/simpaticobeer and see if you get a response. Make sure you tell them where you’re at!
Okay I need some Rainier beer for a gift.
How can I get it sent to me?
Nancy – you probably need to contact Rainer. First try their beer locator tool on their web site and see if there’s anything close by (you didn’t say where you’re at):
http://rainier-beer.com/locator/
You may have to verify your age first to get access to the site. If you don’t have any luck there call their toll-free number: 1-800-935-BEER or email them at products@pabst.com (Rainier is contract brewed by Pabst Brewing Company, which contract brews lots of other beers such as Pearl, Lone Star and others). Good luck!
John, any idea where I can find Star beer of Ghana? I have a friend from there with a birthday coming up, and all he talks about is his old time brew! Any thoughts?
Richie – this is going to be a tough one. To get a Ghana beer here may be next to impossible. From what I’ve found it’s rare to see it export out of the country. A few ideas:
1) Contact Guinness Ghana Breweries, who makes the beer in Africa:
Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd.
tel. +233-21-400 649
fax. +233-21-400 673
2) Find someone who has rated it on Beer Advocate or Rate Beer and get in touch with them and see if they’d be willing to do a beer exchange with you:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/15908/35985
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/star-lager-ghana/35467/
3) I found one place in the US that has it – Ghana Cafe in Washington, D.C.:
http://www.ghanacafe.com/beers.asp
Their contact info:
1336 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005.
Telephone: (202) 387-3845
Email: anthonyopare@hotmail.com
Maybe you’re near DC? If not contact them and see what they can do for you.
Good luck Richie!
I’m live in Las Vegas and my girlfriend is from the mid-west. She loves Labatt Blue Light. I can’t find it anywhere here. I’ve looked online and can’t find anybody that will ship it here. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
I am from Buffalo NY but live in Raleigh NC, where can I get Labatt blue light down here?
Anyone know where I can order ANY of the FLENSBURGER biers from? I’m looking for any of the beers, or glassware with the brewery logo??? Also that will ship to Canada
May I have your opinion as to where I may find, online, schlafly reserve barleywine ?
Does anyone know where I can get Heileman’s Old Style online? I live in Ohio and the only time I can find it in stores is when I’m in Chicago.
Nick – see our answer number 47. above – that’s in response to someone else asking about Heileman’s Old Style. Good luck!
I like a fresh zima in the morning. Anyone know where I can find those? I heard they are very rare and imported from the mountains of Tibet.
If you are look for Australian craft beer try http://www.beercratel.com.au
i want to know where i can buy heilemans old style beer online, because they dont sell it in alabama….
Joe – see our answer number 47 above – that’s in response to someone else asking about Heileman’s Old Style. Good luck!
Anyone know if Indio beer is available in the US market? Had it in Cabo San Lucas and it was awesome!
I’m looking to find Blue Point Lager. Thanks. Would love to buy it locally in Raleigh, NC.
Mandy – I’ve not seen Blue Point or their Toasted Lager in North Carolina, but that doesn’t mean it’s not here. Try contacting Blue Point directly to see if they can let you know who might be distributing down here or online:
http://twitter.com/BluePointBrewer
http://www.facebook.com/BluePointBrewery
Phone: 631-475-6944
You can also get it online here:
http://www.bierkraft.com/bluepointtoastedlagersixpoint12oz.aspx
Mark – haven’t found much in the way of getting Indio beer here in the States. This article says as much:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/356743
You can try contacting them directly but they look to really only speak Spanish:
http://twitter.com/cervezaindio
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cerveza-Indio/32127271213
http://www.indio.com.mx/contacto
Good luck!
i live in richmond va. i am looking to buy schaefer beer and private stock beer online,. where can i find it online to buy?
Ingrid – I couldn’t find either beer for sale online. But in Virginia you may be able to find Schaefer – get in touch with Blue Ridge Beverage Company’s Waynesboro, VA warehouse – 540-941-3730 (or visit their site at http://blueridgebeverage.com/). It’s listed as the Virginia distributor on Schaefer’s web site. You can also contact Schaefer directly for more info – 1-800-935-BEER or http://www.schaefer-beer.com/
For Private Stock I’m not sure if it’s still produced. Can’t find it online at all. Supposedly Pabst was brewing it, but I couldn’t find it anywhere on their site. I also read that MillerCoors was doing the brewing for it, but it’s not listed on their web site: http://www.millercoors.com/news/facts-and-resources/miller-coors-brands.aspx
Anyone know a source of European 5L/4L Draughtkegs for the Beertender system? Besides Heineken and Newcastle…looking for Goesser, Zipfer, some of the other ones that are available in Europe…
I can not find any place on line that sells Zonker Stout(Snake River Brewing).Can anyone help me?This is the best dark beer I have ever tasted.I received it in my beer of the month club and no one in New York carries it.
Shawn – I didn’t see any Zonker Stout available in any of the online stores, but you might be able to find a local distributor if you call Snake River Brewing directly – 307.739.BEER (2337)
Hi,
For the past week I have been calling different distributors trying to find Brahma beer. I first drank this beer at a Brazilian restuarant and really enjoyed it. I can’t believe it is so difficult to find such a great beer. I don’t mind ordering it online, but if I can find it locally I would prefer to put the money into the local economy.
Thanks,
Jose M
Where can I find Oechsner Beer (German)?
where can i buy 10% bear beer ? i tried it in malaysia nd loved it
Hey I hope you can help!! Where can I find Old Style to be shipped?
Didn’t see any of the online shops with Oechsner Mike. You might try contacting the brewery – http://www.oechsner.de/kontakt.html – but it’s all in German.
Whitney. We’ve not found anywhere online yet, but see our answer number 47 above – that’s in response to someone else asking about Heileman’s Old Style and there’s some contact info. Good luck! If you find out anything please post a reply here as it’s requested often.
Shaun not sure which beer you’re talking about. There’s a Bear Beer in Denmark, but it’s under 5%. There’s lots of Bear Republic beer but that’s American. I did find another blog that mentions Bear Beer in Malaysia though – http://beerbeer.org/?p=3633 – you might contact them to see if they can help you out. Good luck!