It seems like everything can be delivered right to your front door these days. From Amazon drones with household goods, to razor blades and clothing, leaving the house seems to be pretty much optional outside of work. It stands to reason that beer would follow suit.
With Beer of the Month Club, you’ll get brews delivered right to your door and you can drink them at your leisure. Although you might be hesitant about somebody else doing your beer shopping for you, you might want to reconsider.
Keep reading to learn the top five pros and cons of Beer of the Month Club. That way you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you or not.
Pros
Beer is a good thing, so we’ll start with the pros of the service before we talk about the cons.
1. Home Delivery
Home delivery of beer is obviously excellent if you like drinking beer. In fact, it’s pretty great even if you just love to have beer on hand for friends, family and guests, but aren’t too fond of the stuff yourself.
For beer lovers, a home delivery is a bit like getting a holiday present each and every month. Sure, you paid for it, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel like a kid sneaking a peek at a gift when you spot the package on your doorstep.
2. Surprise!
One of the great things about beer clubs, at least for people who like this idea, is that you’ll never know exactly what’s going to be in your box. You could get the best stout you’ve ever had, or you could find a pilsner that pairs so well with food you wonder why you’ve never had it before!
For many people, the sheer surprise of getting new beers to try each month is more than worth it. Sure, you might get one you’ve tried before, but Beer of the Month Club is careful not to send people the same beer twice.
3. Variety
Going to the grocery or liquor store and picking out a bunch of new beer to try isn’t as easy as it sounds. You don’t know what’s good, you don’t know if you’ll like it, and you may not even have access to unique beer.
You’ll probably also have to buy six-packs or cases from your favorite beer-seller as well. With Beer of the Month Club, you get variety and a drinkable amount of beer so you can figure out what bottles you like and which ones you don’t.
4. Multiple Membership Types
A lot of people think that you just simply sign up for Beer of the Month Club and then you’ll get some beer on your door step. While that is true, there are actually different membership types you can pick depending on what you’re looking for in a beer delivery.
From U.S. microbrew package, U.S. and international packages, all international beers, and even rare and seasonal beer, there’s something for every beer lover to drool over at Beer of the Month Club.
5. You Can Order More
A lot of Beer of the Month Club reviews talk about only getting one of the same beer, and that if you really like it, you’re out of luck. The great thing about this club is that most beers can be ordered through the website if you really love them.
That way you can stock up on your favorites, but you won’t get more than a single bottle of something you’re not in love with.
Cons
Beer delivered to your home is great in theory, but in reality, you may experience some issues. They’re not all a deal-breaker, but for some, the cons are enough to keep them buying their suds in the traditional manner.
1. Cost
Beer of the Month Club probably won’t break the bank, but for some people, the cost just isn’t worth what you receive. Depending on the package you choose, you’ll be paying about $28 plus $15 for shipping and handling for the equivalent of 12 beers. Some packages can cost even more.
Most people don’t pay $45 to $75 for a 12 pack of beer. If you’re not interested in the surprise aspect or the fact that you’ll get beer from around the world to try, the cost may not be worth it for you.
2. No Choices
Many negative Beer of the Month Club reviews really focus on the fact that you don’t get a choice in what comes in your box. Yes, you can pick the rare beer, U.S. microbrew or international package, but you still really don’t get a say in what comes.
Even more than that, you won’t really get a choice when it comes to style and variety. You can request certain types be left out, but that’s really missing the whole point of the Beer of the Month Club.
If you need to make your own beer choices all the time, home delivery like this might not be for you.
3. You Might Not Like the Beer
In negative Beer of the Month Club reviews, one thing that many people harp on is that they don’t love every beer that they get. While you’re surely going to get a dud here and there – at least a dud to you specifically – the club does try to present quality beers that people usually enjoy.
Still, if you’re picky with beer or you only like one or two varieties, there’s a good chance you won’t love the beer dropped at your door.
4. Shipping Problems
Most Beer of the Month Club reviews mention that deliveries are relatively prompt and come when they’re supposed to. The shipping problems here often have more to do with the person receiving the beer rather than the company.
That’s because all packages have to be signed for by an adult of legal drinking age or nothing will be left at your door. For busy people and individuals who can’t be home when packages are generally delivered, this could result in the need to find an alternate shipping address. Some may even need to go out of their way to pick up their beer each month.
If you live in an apartment, you might even find those attempted delivery stickers on your mailbox or front gate. More than a couple of attempted deliveries and you might have to pay a fee if pickup isn’t an option for you.
5. Delivery Issues
Beer of the Month Club reviews often state the company won’t deliver to Hawaii, Utah and Alaska. The company also notes that shipping to Texas and Massachusetts presents unique challenges, which can throw off delivery times by a week or two, depending on when you order.
Most Beer of the Month Club reviews do state that beer arrives on time, however. Just realize that you may have some issues if you live in Hawaii, Utah, Alaska, Texas or Massachusetts. Otherwise, delivery seems reliable and on-the-nose according to most people.
Beer of the Month Club: Yes or No?
The pros and cons are here, so it really depends on you. If you love variety, trying new beers and the cost won’t hurt you, it’s pretty much a no-brainer.
