ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Good variety of domestic microbrews and no repeats on beer selections ever
- Most flexible membership of any beer club and no minimum membership requirements
- Newsletter is interesting and educational
- All past beer selections archived on their website
- Easy online ordering. Unlike other beer clubs, the first shipment can be delivered within 7-10 days
- Only club that includes bonus gifts in the first shipment to ongoing new members and gift givers
- Good, responsive customer service team
Cons
- No control over which craft beers you receive and only domestic varieties available
- Can't reorder beers you like online at this time
- Offer free gift notification by email but charge $2.99 to send notification by traditional mail. Other clubs allow you print a card yourself to send or offer free gift notification regardless of whether it is sent by email or traditional mail
- Free shipping is only available within the continental US, excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
- Does not ship to Utah or Wisconsin
Key Features
Products
Beer experts at the Original Craft Beer Club travel around the continental US to hand-select a variety of premium beers from small production, independently or family owned microbreweries. Each shipment will have a mix of light to dark beers that are seasonal and freshly brewed.
Quantity
There is no minimum membership requirement. Each shipment will include 12 or 24 standard size bottles (or occasionally cans) of 4 different styles of beer from 2 separate domestic breweries.
Membership Options
Membership features very flexible ordering and delivery scheduling. All customers will choose between 1 - 12 shipments or an open-ended ongoing membership, between 12- and 24-bottles of craft beer in your shipment, and whether they want to receive deliveries on a monthly, bimonthly or quarterly basis. There are no monthly dues, and you can cancel your membership at any time without incurring any cancellation fees.
Cost per Beer
Craft Beer Club offers discounted rates if you have an open-ended membership (5% off shipments), if you purchase 24 bottles in each shipment or if you commit to a total of twelve shipments. If you order less than twelve 12-bottle shipments, it averages out to about $3.15 per beer, but, if you order 12 shipments, the cost decreases to $2.97 per beer. If you order less than twelve 24-beer shipments, it averages out to about $2.99 per beer, but, if you order 12 shipments, the cost decreases to $2.68 per beer. (Shipping costs are included in the prices listed.)
Newsletter
As part of your membership, The Original Craft Beer Club will include their monthly newsletter, The Micro Brew News, in each shipment. The newsletter will include background on the breweries, tasting notes on the different beers, suggestions for food pairings and fun beer trivia. The brew master or owner will also include one of their favorite recipes for you to try at home while enjoying their beers. Recent recipes include Crockpot Pulled Pork from the Matt Brewing Company in New York and some Smoked Fish Tacos with Caribbean Salsa from St. John Brewers in Virginia.
Bonus Gifts
New ongoing customers receive 3 complimentary gifts in their first shipment based on their membership. If you purchase a membership or gift between 2-5 shipments, you will receive a custom beer bottle opener. If you purchase between 6-11 shipments, you will receive the opener and an assortment of Gourmet Craft Roasted Nuts (four 16-ounce bags). If you purchase 12 shipments, you will receive the opener, nuts and a set of four 4.5-ounce craft beer tasting glasses. Customers who purchase 12 shipments also automatically save $25 on their order.
Recently Featured Beers
D.L. Geary Brewing Company in Maine (Pale Ale and Summer Ale), Pike Brewing Company in Washington (Pike IPA and Pike Naughty Nellie), Thirsty Dog Brewing Company in Ohio (Twisted Kilt and Labrador Lager), etc.
Gift Information
Craft Beer Club offers two ways to notify gift recipients. For free, you can email an online gift card or have "A gift from [name]" printed on the shipping label. For an additional $2.99, they will mail a gift announcement that will arrive in 5-7 business days.
Shipping Schedule
Craft Beer Club orders can be shipped monthly, every other month, or quarterly. The first shipment will arrive within 7-10 days, and then monthly shipments will arrive during the last week of every month (depending on location). Craft Beer Club strongly suggests shipping to a business address since an adult signature is required.
Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are unhappy with the service, you can cancel your membership at any time with no cancellation fees.
Reputation
While the Craft Beer Club doesn't have any consolidated customers reviews on independent (unbiased) websites, I did read a few very positive individual reviews on the club. Overall, it sounds like customers have been very pleased with the service and the quality and variety of the beers they received. My husband actually has a monthly membership for his office and loves it for an in-office happy hour. He said everyone is always really excited to try the new beers each month, and it has been a great way for his team to bond. While the complimentary gifts may seem small, they are especially convenient for an office environment because you get an opener, glasses and some salty snacks all in the first shipment. The only negative I can see about this club is that you aren't able to reorder beers that you like online. However, when we asked the Craft Beer Club team about it, they said they do take reorders by phone and can accommodate any requests depending on the stock at hand. So, if you like any of the beer varieties you receive, just be sure to follow up with them quickly and you can probably secure a few extras.
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