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Introduction
Two decades ago, beer drinkers would kill to be in the position we’re in today. In 2026, craft beer will be bigger than ever. And while it’s been a bumpy road the past half-decade, the tap lists and shelves are stocked with more variety than ever. Across the globe, there are now more craft breweries than ever before.
And yet, there can always be too much of a good thing. With the endless options comes plenty of noise. With all the different one-off releases, seasonal offerings, and specialty barrel-aged stouts, it’s harder than ever to find the right beer. Even worse, freshness issues are the result of far too many options on the shelves.
Bottle shops and brewery tasting rooms are always solid options, but curated beer clubs or subscriptions might actually offer the best value for beer drinkers these days. Having experts curate for you while also controlling the quality of the product takes the guesswork out of the equation and solves nearly all of these problems. But which one is best?
Decision Shortcut: Which Craft Beer Subscription Should You Choose?
Want the best all-around option for discovering new craft beer? BeerDrop offers the most flexibility for discovering new craft beer
Shopping for a gift for a beer lover? GiveThemBeer makes gifting easy and approachable.
Prefer classic craft beer styles? Craft Beer Club is one of the original craft beer clubs.
Why Great-Tasting Craft Beer Is Hard to Find
The explosion of craft beer has created a paradox: more choice than ever, yet fewer truly great experiences. Thousands of breweries across the US and other beer markets produce an overwhelming number of releases, but there’s not enough thoughtful curation to put the right beer in the right glass.
Freshness has also become a major issue. With so many different beers on the shelf, many of them sit for months and months past their peak freshness. This is an especially big problem with IPAs.
Breweries themselves can sometimes contribute to the problem. To catch buzz on social media, brewers will often chase after “hype” with one New England IPA offering after another. Many of these one-offs lack originality or balance, making the product suffer. Too much “new” can be a bad thing.
Limited rotation plays a role as well. Many bottle shops and liquor stores have geographical limitations, meaning consumers only have access to local or regional breweries. At the same time, variety is becoming rarer. While Hazy IPAs are certainly great, it’s frustrating for a taproom to have 5 different versions while ignoring other styles. Plenty of beloved beer styles and brands have gone by the wayside, unfortunately.
The Best Craft Beer Subscriptions & Gifts
Craft beer subscriptions offer the best of both worlds in terms of product variety and convenience. But which one is right for you? We looked at several popular programs. Here’s what we found.
🥇 Best Overall for Craft Beer Discovery — BeerDrop
If you want ample control over what beers you get, BeerDrop puts you in the driver’s seat. You get to choose up to 5 different beer styles for your monthly box.
BeerDrop sources brews from a wide range of breweries. They’ve worked with over 200 producers and also insist on curating a variety of styles. Flexible plans make it easy for you to start and stop, and you can choose your own beer each month.
The well-curated online store allows you to add your favorites to your shipment, making this ideal for those already into craft beer. It’s also a great way for beginners to sample different beer styles.
What BeerDrop Offers
- Access to beer from 200+ independent breweries
- A focus on small-batch, limited, and flagship releases
- Beers selected from highly rated breweries across the U.S.
- Personalized drops based on your taste preferences
- Ability to add, swap, or remove beers at any time
- Option to choose your own beers or let BeerDrop curate
- Skip a month whenever you want
- No long-term commitments or lock-ins
- Emphasis on classic styles, new finds, and harder-to-find beers
👉 Check out current BeerDrop subscription options here
🎁 Best Craft Beer Boxes for Gifting — GiveThemBeer
If you’re looking for the best gift for the beer lover in your life, look no further than GiveThemBeer. The name says it all, and this platform allows you to send them a beer gift basket.
The simple gifting process makes it easy to customize the box to your loved one. The beers will be approachable but high-quality, making this ideal for beginners. While you have less control over styles, GiveThemBeer has a proven track record for quality.
Other gift baskets are available, including snacks and spirits, and boxes can be tailored to specific occasions, including birthdays and holidays. It’s not just craft beer either—you’ll be able to include a few mass-produced lagers in case IPAs aren’t their thing.
What GiveThemBeer Offers
- Curated craft beer gift baskets designed for easy gifting
- Mixes of approachable, top-rated beers from popular breweries
- Options that may include snacks or small accessories
- Pre-built gift bundles for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions
- Ability to add a personal message with each order
- Simple checkout with no ongoing subscription required
👉 See current GiveThemBeer gift options here
🍺 Best for Classic Craft Beer Fans — Original Craft Beer Club
This one is the OG, and not just because it’s in the name. For decades, the Original Craft Beer Club has been turning curious drinkers into full-fledged craft beer nerds with their expertly picked boxes full of the best beer available.
They have a long-standing reputation for impeccable taste and customer service. Familiar favorites and traditional styles are always on offer, but buzzy styles like Hazy IPA and pastry stouts are also included.
The selections can be predictable, but so is the quality. Different themed boxes are available, including Hazy IPA collections or seasonal boxes, and you can also customize your box. Quality control is unparalleled, and you know a brewery produces quality beer if it’s included in this subscription.
What Craft Beer Club Offers
- Monthly delivery of 12 or 24 beers, depending on the plan
- Four beer styles per shipment, with multiples of each
- Beers from two small U.S. breweries in every box
- A rotating mix of classic and seasonal craft styles
- A newsletter with tasting notes and brewery background
- Option to add a personal message for gifting
👉 View current Craft Beer Club subscription options here
How They Stack Up
| Feature / Benefit | BeerDrop | GiveThemBeer | Craft Beer Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Ongoing subscription | One-off beer gifts | Ongoing subscription |
| Best For | Discovery & customization | Gifting & approachable selections | Classic craft beer fans |
| Customization | Fully customizable (styles you like) | Limited control over specific styles | Some customization available |
| Geographical Reach | Wide (global breweries) | Wide (includes mass-market options) | Wide (traditional U.S. breweries) |
| Ideal For Beginners? | Yes (learning curve) | Yes (easy-drinking beers) | Yes (classic styles) |
| Ideal For Enthusiasts? | Yes (control & variety) | Moderate | Yes (traditional selection) |
| Style Variety | Very high | Moderate | Moderate to high |
| Gift Options | Gift cards available | Pre-built gift baskets | Gift subscriptions available |
| Subscription Flexibility | Start, stop, or skip anytime | Not a subscription | Themed boxes & some customization |
| Quality Vetting | Curated selection of breweries | Curated for broad appeal | Long-standing reputation for quality |
| Focus | Exploration & discovery | Convenience & gifting | Classic, traditional, and seasonal beers |
| Best Feature | Control over what you receive | Simple gifting process | Legacy reputation & consistency |
How to Get More Enjoyment From Discovering Craft Beer
Being intentional about trying new styles is the best way to unlock the true strength of craft beer. Variety was what made craft beer what it is today, so don’t limit yourself to simply trying new Hazy IPAs or stouts.
Hype doesn’t always mean better. Avoid strictly chasing the newest and flashiest beers, as these recipes often aren’t fully perfected. Trying one at the taproom is great, but don’t fall into buying 6-packs you don’t know will taste good.
Freshness is key. Paying attention to best-by dates when possible will save you from disappointment—you won’t want to buy a year-old IPA.
Don’t limit yourself geographically either. Exploring breweries outside your region is the best way to enjoy new drinking experiences. If you’re traveling, research new breweries to check out. One major benefit of subscriptions is that they will send you beers from all over.
Final Thoughts — Finding Great Craft Beer Is About Curation, Not Luck
Too much choice can make it difficult to find the right beer, so trusting the expert might be your best option. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life or want to explore beyond your local scene, subscriptions can go a long way. Of course, buying local is never a bad thing.
Where do you usually find great craft beer? Let us know in the comments.
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