\r\n\r\n![\"Toha24](\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/TOHA24_Great-Clubs-Beer-of-the-Month-Club_Nicole-Doster_02_SSedit.jpg?fit=700,1024\")
\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nHer box included three bottles of each of the following: Geary's Brewery Original Pale Ale, Geary's Brewery Maine's Summer Ale, The Shed Brewery Co. Mountain Ale and The UFO Beer Company White Ale. It also came with a copy of the beer club's monthly publication, \"Beer Expeditions,\" detailing information about all of the breweries featured within the box. It's one of the better newsletters we've seen, complete with a charming article and prompt to mail in your beer ratings.\r\n\r\n\"The 12-pack was perfect for entertaining. I invited some friends over to help taste test. The group enjoyed the UFO White Ale the best as it tasted like a fancier Blue Moon\u2014light with hints of orange peel. It was perfect for a summer afternoon,\" she says. \"I was definitely tickled by the old-school printed newsletter that came with the box. It was full of tasting notes, descriptions of the breweries and interesting facts about beer. It was really fun to read as we drank through the box. It even had a place to rate the beer on color, clarity, head, smell, taste and aftertaste, which helped us pick apart why we liked each beer.\"\r\n\r\nThat said, the box arrived with two beers from the same brewery, so expect to see a few familiar brands here and there on your tasting journey. However, given that this is one of the better value boxes on the list, we don't mind. In fact, that's part of what makes this box so intriguing. It's like taking a beer tour without leaving the couch!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best Customizable\" product_name=\"Beer Drop\" pros=\"Choose from eight beer types\" pros1=\"Choice of three, four or five unique beers per box\" pros2=\"Options to swap or skip any box contents\" pros3=\"Comes with two of each beer\" pros4=\"Affordable per-can price\" cons=\"Swapping out picks changes the cost\" cons1=\"$18 shipping on each box\" image=\"2041742\" image_credit=\"MARY HENN\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Beer Drop\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beerdrop.com%2F%23plans\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Beer Drop\" \/]\r\n\r\nThose who prefer sticking to just a few brew types can still enjoy the beer club experience with Beer Drop<\/a>. First, fill out a beer profile by choosing three types of beer from eight different categories, including options like Belgian beers, light beers, malty beers and popular picks. Then choose from 6, 8 or 10 beers in each shipment. The per-can price lowers with larger shipments, though the rather pricey $18 shipping fee remains the same.\r\n![\"Toha24](\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/TOHA24_Beer-Drop_Mary-Henn_04_SSedit.jpg?fit=700,1024\")
<\/div>\r\n\"There were four 12-ounce cans (two sours and two wheats) and two 16-ounce cans (two porters),\" says editor and tester Mary Henn<\/a>, who tried the box. She chose sour, fruity and dark beers for her profile. \"The Blackbeary Wheat from Long Trail is an American wheat ale with a hint of blackberry. It was light in color and very refreshing. It was my favorite and great for summertime.\"\r\n\r\nWhile she enjoyed the picks and didn't identify any duds, she wishes the subscription included more surprising flavors by default. \"There was an ad for a cookie porter that sounded great, but wasn't included in my box. I was expecting more unique\/fun flavors. I also would have loved to get six different beers instead of just three flavors\u2014but I guess two of each is nice if you're tasting with a partner,\" she notes.\r\n\r\nBeer Drop differs from other club options (like many cheese of the month clubs<\/a>) in that it sends a preview of each box for your approval prior to shipping out. At that point, each subscriber gets the option to skip or swap out any beer in their box for a different flavor, which they can personally choose from the expansive Beer Drop catalog. However, keep in mind that swapping out flavors adds to the price of the box, which is already steep thanks to the higher shipping cost.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best for Hop Lovers\" product_name=\"Hop-Heads Beer Club\" pros=\"Three flavors and 12 beers per box\" pros1=\"Perfect for hoppy beer fans\" pros2=\"Beer descriptions with pairings, ingredients and flavor profiles\" pros3=\"Easy way to enjoy non-local breweries\" pros4=\"Secure shipping\" cons=\"On the pricey side\" image=\"2041750\" image_credit=\"PAMELA BONDURAN\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Beer Month Club\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beermonthclub.com%2Fthe-hop-heads-beer-club\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Beer Month Club\" \/]\r\n\r\nEnjoy the bitter side of beer? You will go bananas for the Hop Heads beer club<\/a>. It's ideal for those who prefer a hearty IPA to lights or sours. Each monthly shipment delivers 12 hand-crafted, hoppy beers in three different flavors from U.S. craft microbreweries and international breweries. There's also a newsletter that details additional information about each brew.\r\n![\"Toha24](\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/TOHA24_Hop-Heads-Beer-Club_Pamela-Bondurant_06_SSedit.jpg?fit=700,1024\")
<\/div>\r\n\"This would be a great gift for someone who is just developing an interest in beer and\/or brewing,\" says tester Pamela Bondurant. \"The newsletter gave a great description of the flavor profiles of each of the three beers, such as 'floral tones and a light dash of piney herbaceousness.' The packaging was secured really well using molded cardboard to hold both the base and the tops of the bottles and cans.\"\r\n\r\nThe newsletter is a nice touch, and it gets pretty in-depth about each inclusion. It outlines the beer style, serving temps, alcohol by volume, International Bittering Units (IBUS), suggested glassware, strains of the malts used and the types of hops. Background information on the microbrewery is also given, along with taste descriptions and recommended pairings.\r\n\r\n\"The beers were somehow appealing the way they were placed in packaging, and I was eager to see the flavors,\" says Pamela. \"The canned beer lined in the middle of the bottles was a nice touch.\" Overall, she gives it a thumbs up for those who appreciate a good, hoppy option. \"I'm thinking it might appeal to young professionals who are trying to expand their palette and beer education. It also appeals to an older crowd because microbreweries exploded when that age bracket was in their 20s, and IPAs and hoppy beers were especially popular.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best for Gifting\" product_name=\"Craft Beer Club\" pros=\"Four flavors and 12 beers per box\" pros1=\"Lots of variety\" pros2=\"Comes with an informative pamphlet\" pros3=\"Ability to upgrade to 24-pack\" pros4=\"Upscale look and feel\" cons=\"Some beers arrived damaged\" cons1=\"On the pricey side\" image=\"2041748\" image_credit=\"NICOLE DOSTER\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Craft Beer Club\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcraftbeerclub.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-craft-beer-club%3Fselling_plan%3D689660920125\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Craft Beer Club\" \/]\r\n\r\nFor a giftable experience, turn to the Original Craft Beer Club<\/a>. While one of the pricier beer of the month club options, the sheer variety in each box\u2014along with the sleek, informative newsletter\u2014make it a great pick for almost any brew head. Our box came with four beers from two different breweries, along with a duplicate can of each flavor for two-person taste testing.\r\n![\"Toha24](\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/TOHA24_Craft-Beer-Club_Nicole-Doster_08_SSedit.jpg?fit=700,1024\")
<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n\"The box included 12 craft beers from two featured breweries, Texas Leaguer Brewing and Roughtail Brewing Co. of Oklahoma City. I liked that there was a lot of diversity in the beers that were featured in this delivery,\" says Nicole, who tested the subscription. While Nicole opted for the 12-pack with four different flavors, there's also the option to upgrade to a 24-pack.\r\n\r\n\"You have everything from a super-hoppy IPA to a sour to a rich and smooth bock. While some of the IPAs were a little hoppier than I'd prefer, I appreciated that I got to try a little bit of everything. I fell in love with the strawberry lemon sour, which was a big surprise!\"\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, this was also the only beer club of the month with an \"explosive\" surprise in store for us. Whether it was the Florida heat or a rocky shipping trip, two of the beers burst open prior to arrival. Because the packaging was about on par with the other beer clubs we tried, we chalked this up to a one-time issue\u2014but it's worth noting, especially for the rather high price point.\r\n\r\n\"The pamphlet included in this box felt more premium than the Great Clubs box but had less information and character. I felt like this was less of a 'club' and more of a gift,\" says Nicole. \"However, (sans beer explosion) I would not mind this as a gift!\"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best for Brewing Enthusiasts\" product_name=\"City Brew Tours\" pros=\"Eight different beers per box\" pros1=\"Includes a guided tasting sheet, postcard and a local visitor\u2019s guide\" pros2=\"Each box focuses on a different U.S. region\" pros3=\"Discount on City Brew Tours tickets\" pros4=\"Interactive zoom call with brewers each month\" cons=\"Only contains one can of each flavor\" image=\"2041767\" image_credit=\"EMILY WAY\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"City Brew Tours\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/shop.citybrewtours.com\/product\/city-brew-box\/\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on City Brew Tours\" \/]\r\n\r\nThe City Brew Tours club<\/a>\u00a0really is a club, complete with its own monthly\u00a0podcast<\/a> for die-hard brewski fans. While the main arm of the business focuses on in-person tours, long-distance beer lovers can still enjoy tasting and learning about bespoke breweries across the nation with the monthly beer box. Each iteration of this beer of the month club introduces subscribers to eight different beers, each hailing from four breweries in a single city. It really feels like taking a boozy tour of a new city each month!\r\n\r\nThe City Brew Tours staff hand-curates each selection and includes a detailed printout containing information about the tasting notes and breweries chosen, plus a little about the featured city. Inclusions range from sours to IPAs and everything in between, so it's an ideal subscription for those who appreciate beers of all kinds. While only one of each type of beer comes in the box, that means that you get to enjoy eight different beers, instead of only two or three flavors each month. It's the ideal option for the solo taste tester.\r\n\r\nWhile the beers are great, the club's biggest appeal is the monthly, subscriber-only interactive Zoom call tasting featuring guest speakers, brewing experts and fellow beer enthusiasts. It's a great way to connect with other brewers, gain insight and discuss flavors and new brew methods. Additionally, each subscription comes with a discount on City Brew Tours tickets in case you ever get the itch to join in person.\r\n\r\nMy box arrived filled to the brim with brews from Pittsburgh. The insert with an overview of the city, facts about Pittsburgh brewing and info about each beer was incredibly enlightening and a great introduction to what the city offers. My favorite was Brew Gentlemen's Mexican coffee, which was a deep and java-rich experience. It was also cool to have access to the tasting notes and enjoy two brews from each brewery\u2014not to mention all the one-on-one insight gleaned from the Zoom call.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhat To Look for When Choosing a Beer of the Month Club<\/h2>\r\nWhile some may purchase a beer subscription for themselves to explore new flavors, others might consider snagging one as a gift for a beer lover in their life. When choosing a beer of the month club, it's important to consider the recipient. Folks who enjoy a variety of flavors might do well with a club that offers many different brews in each box. On the other hand, those who are a bit pickier may prefer a box that focuses on one type (i.e., pilsners or IPAs) or comes with customization options.\r\n\r\nAccording to Vice President of Strategy and Chief Economist for the Brewers Association Bart Watson, there's no wrong way to enjoy a beer club. That said, one big obstacle is shipping.\r\n\r\n\"What are you looking to learn more about or taste by region, style, brewery, etc.? Pick something that's going to make you excited every month,\" he says. \"One note is that many breweries will be limited in their ability to offer beer-of-the-month clubs directly to consumers based on DtC laws, which is why the Brewers Association is working at the Federal and State levels to make it easier for breweries to ship directly to customers, just like wineries can in the vast majority of states.\"\r\n\r\nIf you're hunting down a beer of the month club subscription as a gift, think about the presentation. Some beer clubs arrive with a wealth of information on the brewing process and featured breweries. Many others offer bonuses like monthly classes. Alternately, some beer subscriptions emphasize sourcing exotic options rather than focusing on gift-ready packaging and in-depth info. These are typically for folks who are simply interested in taste testing rather than the entire brewing process.\r\n
\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nHer box included three bottles of each of the following: Geary's Brewery Original Pale Ale, Geary's Brewery Maine's Summer Ale, The Shed Brewery Co. Mountain Ale and The UFO Beer Company White Ale. It also came with a copy of the beer club's monthly publication, \"Beer Expeditions,\" detailing information about all of the breweries featured within the box. It's one of the better newsletters we've seen, complete with a charming article and prompt to mail in your beer ratings.\r\n\r\n\"The 12-pack was perfect for entertaining. I invited some friends over to help taste test. The group enjoyed the UFO White Ale the best as it tasted like a fancier Blue Moon\u2014light with hints of orange peel. It was perfect for a summer afternoon,\" she says. \"I was definitely tickled by the old-school printed newsletter that came with the box. It was full of tasting notes, descriptions of the breweries and interesting facts about beer. It was really fun to read as we drank through the box. It even had a place to rate the beer on color, clarity, head, smell, taste and aftertaste, which helped us pick apart why we liked each beer.\"\r\n\r\nThat said, the box arrived with two beers from the same brewery, so expect to see a few familiar brands here and there on your tasting journey. However, given that this is one of the better value boxes on the list, we don't mind. In fact, that's part of what makes this box so intriguing. It's like taking a beer tour without leaving the couch!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best Customizable\" product_name=\"Beer Drop\" pros=\"Choose from eight beer types\" pros1=\"Choice of three, four or five unique beers per box\" pros2=\"Options to swap or skip any box contents\" pros3=\"Comes with two of each beer\" pros4=\"Affordable per-can price\" cons=\"Swapping out picks changes the cost\" cons1=\"$18 shipping on each box\" image=\"2041742\" image_credit=\"MARY HENN\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Beer Drop\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beerdrop.com%2F%23plans\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Beer Drop\" \/]\r\n\r\nThose who prefer sticking to just a few brew types can still enjoy the beer club experience with Beer Drop<\/a>. First, fill out a beer profile by choosing three types of beer from eight different categories, including options like Belgian beers, light beers, malty beers and popular picks. Then choose from 6, 8 or 10 beers in each shipment. The per-can price lowers with larger shipments, though the rather pricey $18 shipping fee remains the same.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\"There were four 12-ounce cans (two sours and two wheats) and two 16-ounce cans (two porters),\" says editor and tester Mary Henn<\/a>, who tried the box. She chose sour, fruity and dark beers for her profile. \"The Blackbeary Wheat from Long Trail is an American wheat ale with a hint of blackberry. It was light in color and very refreshing. It was my favorite and great for summertime.\"\r\n\r\nWhile she enjoyed the picks and didn't identify any duds, she wishes the subscription included more surprising flavors by default. \"There was an ad for a cookie porter that sounded great, but wasn't included in my box. I was expecting more unique\/fun flavors. I also would have loved to get six different beers instead of just three flavors\u2014but I guess two of each is nice if you're tasting with a partner,\" she notes.\r\n\r\nBeer Drop differs from other club options (like many cheese of the month clubs<\/a>) in that it sends a preview of each box for your approval prior to shipping out. At that point, each subscriber gets the option to skip or swap out any beer in their box for a different flavor, which they can personally choose from the expansive Beer Drop catalog. However, keep in mind that swapping out flavors adds to the price of the box, which is already steep thanks to the higher shipping cost.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best for Hop Lovers\" product_name=\"Hop-Heads Beer Club\" pros=\"Three flavors and 12 beers per box\" pros1=\"Perfect for hoppy beer fans\" pros2=\"Beer descriptions with pairings, ingredients and flavor profiles\" pros3=\"Easy way to enjoy non-local breweries\" pros4=\"Secure shipping\" cons=\"On the pricey side\" image=\"2041750\" image_credit=\"PAMELA BONDURAN\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Beer Month Club\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beermonthclub.com%2Fthe-hop-heads-beer-club\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Beer Month Club\" \/]\r\n\r\nEnjoy the bitter side of beer? You will go bananas for the Hop Heads beer club<\/a>. It's ideal for those who prefer a hearty IPA to lights or sours. Each monthly shipment delivers 12 hand-crafted, hoppy beers in three different flavors from U.S. craft microbreweries and international breweries. There's also a newsletter that details additional information about each brew.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\"This would be a great gift for someone who is just developing an interest in beer and\/or brewing,\" says tester Pamela Bondurant. \"The newsletter gave a great description of the flavor profiles of each of the three beers, such as 'floral tones and a light dash of piney herbaceousness.' The packaging was secured really well using molded cardboard to hold both the base and the tops of the bottles and cans.\"\r\n\r\nThe newsletter is a nice touch, and it gets pretty in-depth about each inclusion. It outlines the beer style, serving temps, alcohol by volume, International Bittering Units (IBUS), suggested glassware, strains of the malts used and the types of hops. Background information on the microbrewery is also given, along with taste descriptions and recommended pairings.\r\n\r\n\"The beers were somehow appealing the way they were placed in packaging, and I was eager to see the flavors,\" says Pamela. \"The canned beer lined in the middle of the bottles was a nice touch.\" Overall, she gives it a thumbs up for those who appreciate a good, hoppy option. \"I'm thinking it might appeal to young professionals who are trying to expand their palette and beer education. It also appeals to an older crowd because microbreweries exploded when that age bracket was in their 20s, and IPAs and hoppy beers were especially popular.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best for Gifting\" product_name=\"Craft Beer Club\" pros=\"Four flavors and 12 beers per box\" pros1=\"Lots of variety\" pros2=\"Comes with an informative pamphlet\" pros3=\"Ability to upgrade to 24-pack\" pros4=\"Upscale look and feel\" cons=\"Some beers arrived damaged\" cons1=\"On the pricey side\" image=\"2041748\" image_credit=\"NICOLE DOSTER\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Craft Beer Club\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcraftbeerclub.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-craft-beer-club%3Fselling_plan%3D689660920125\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Craft Beer Club\" \/]\r\n\r\nFor a giftable experience, turn to the Original Craft Beer Club<\/a>. While one of the pricier beer of the month club options, the sheer variety in each box\u2014along with the sleek, informative newsletter\u2014make it a great pick for almost any brew head. Our box came with four beers from two different breweries, along with a duplicate can of each flavor for two-person taste testing.\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n\"The box included 12 craft beers from two featured breweries, Texas Leaguer Brewing and Roughtail Brewing Co. of Oklahoma City. I liked that there was a lot of diversity in the beers that were featured in this delivery,\" says Nicole, who tested the subscription. While Nicole opted for the 12-pack with four different flavors, there's also the option to upgrade to a 24-pack.\r\n\r\n\"You have everything from a super-hoppy IPA to a sour to a rich and smooth bock. While some of the IPAs were a little hoppier than I'd prefer, I appreciated that I got to try a little bit of everything. I fell in love with the strawberry lemon sour, which was a big surprise!\"\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, this was also the only beer club of the month with an \"explosive\" surprise in store for us. Whether it was the Florida heat or a rocky shipping trip, two of the beers burst open prior to arrival. Because the packaging was about on par with the other beer clubs we tried, we chalked this up to a one-time issue\u2014but it's worth noting, especially for the rather high price point.\r\n\r\n\"The pamphlet included in this box felt more premium than the Great Clubs box but had less information and character. I felt like this was less of a 'club' and more of a gift,\" says Nicole. \"However, (sans beer explosion) I would not mind this as a gift!\"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best for Brewing Enthusiasts\" product_name=\"City Brew Tours\" pros=\"Eight different beers per box\" pros1=\"Includes a guided tasting sheet, postcard and a local visitor\u2019s guide\" pros2=\"Each box focuses on a different U.S. region\" pros3=\"Discount on City Brew Tours tickets\" pros4=\"Interactive zoom call with brewers each month\" cons=\"Only contains one can of each flavor\" image=\"2041767\" image_credit=\"EMILY WAY\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"City Brew Tours\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/shop.citybrewtours.com\/product\/city-brew-box\/\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on City Brew Tours\" \/]\r\n\r\nThe City Brew Tours club<\/a>\u00a0really is a club, complete with its own monthly\u00a0podcast<\/a> for die-hard brewski fans. While the main arm of the business focuses on in-person tours, long-distance beer lovers can still enjoy tasting and learning about bespoke breweries across the nation with the monthly beer box. Each iteration of this beer of the month club introduces subscribers to eight different beers, each hailing from four breweries in a single city. It really feels like taking a boozy tour of a new city each month!\r\n\r\nThe City Brew Tours staff hand-curates each selection and includes a detailed printout containing information about the tasting notes and breweries chosen, plus a little about the featured city. Inclusions range from sours to IPAs and everything in between, so it's an ideal subscription for those who appreciate beers of all kinds. While only one of each type of beer comes in the box, that means that you get to enjoy eight different beers, instead of only two or three flavors each month. It's the ideal option for the solo taste tester.\r\n\r\nWhile the beers are great, the club's biggest appeal is the monthly, subscriber-only interactive Zoom call tasting featuring guest speakers, brewing experts and fellow beer enthusiasts. It's a great way to connect with other brewers, gain insight and discuss flavors and new brew methods. Additionally, each subscription comes with a discount on City Brew Tours tickets in case you ever get the itch to join in person.\r\n\r\nMy box arrived filled to the brim with brews from Pittsburgh. The insert with an overview of the city, facts about Pittsburgh brewing and info about each beer was incredibly enlightening and a great introduction to what the city offers. My favorite was Brew Gentlemen's Mexican coffee, which was a deep and java-rich experience. It was also cool to have access to the tasting notes and enjoy two brews from each brewery\u2014not to mention all the one-on-one insight gleaned from the Zoom call.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n