7 Alcohol Subscriptions To Break Lockdown Monotony

These internet alcohol subscriptions switch things up at home, or make exceptional gifts for someone else’s

In the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing guidelines have people ordering more things online than ever before. In just the couple of months since March, when most lockdowns outside of Asia and Italy began, according to sources like Digital Commerce 360, ecommerce shipments have increased by almost 50 percent.

This, naturally, includes alcohol, which, according to a recent Nielsen statistic, has been increasing in off-premise sales by around 29% every couple of weeks—and that number includes online alcohol delivery options. People in lockdown have turned to existing alcohol delivery services, but breweries and distilleries across the US are offering their own delivery and shipment options, especially since states like Virginia that once had laws prohibiting direct shipment will now allow them. For many, this is a great way to keep stocked with some favorite products, especially from small, independent producers—its certainly how I’ve kept myself in my favorite gin.

But for those of us with more exploratory drinking habits, this is a great time to look into alcohol subscription services and mystery boxes. They are plenty to choose from, and they’re shipped directly to consumers for safe quarantining. Plus many of these options make a point of highlighting independent and craft producers who don’t have the budget to pay for top ranking in popular delivery services, or might be missed in curbside liquor stores sales.

To inspire your next online alcohol purchase for yourself or as a gift for friends and loved ones, here is a roundup of some of the ones with quirkier options. They hardly scratch the surface of what’s available out there, so if none of them wet your whistle, be on the lookout for one that does. And if we didn’t include your favorite discoveries, please tell us about them in the comments!

Flaviar

Spirits, mixed

Flaviar is probably the most recognizable service on this list. While the spirits-focused subscription includes offerings in all major spirits categories, there’s definitely a slight bent toward the whiskey family. Each quarterly delivery includes a tasting box — 45ml bottles of 3 different spirits, a collectible coaster, and copious tasting notes — and a full bottle of choice (from a curated selection). For both tasting size and full bottles, Flaviar stocks a combination of craft and premium brands. The boxes aren’t cheap ($95 for a single, $300 for a year), but they also include full access to the online Flaviar community, access to Flaviar-exclusive bottles, notification of tasting events (for when we’re allowed to gather again), and more perks.

Orange Glou

Orange wine

Founded by natural wine sommelier and orange wine expert Doreen Winkler, Orange Glou is the world’s only subscription service focused solely on the ultra geeky orange wine category. Orange Glou is about as straightforward as a subscription box can be: each month you receive three ($105) or six ($195) bottles of orange wine personally curated by Winkler. But don’t confuse “straightforward” for “basic” — the wines come with detailed descriptions and tasting notes, vinification information, and food pairing suggestions.

Shots Box

Spirits, craft-focused

Shots Box is exactly what it sounds like: a monthly subscription box of shots. It stands out in that all of its boxes — whiskey, gin, liqueurs, vodka, and cocktails — feature only American craft brands. Each category Shots Box comes with 10 assorted mini-bottles: the Whiskey box is $49.99 a month, while the gin, vodka, and liqueurs boxes are $39.99. The cocktail kit box, also $39.99, includes everything required for that month’s cocktail: 4 mini-bottles, extracts/syrups, garnishes, a recipe card, and a measuring spoon. They also publish a blog and recipes, accessible to everyone.

Spirits Network

Spirits

Spirits Network is unique in that its primary offering isn’t an alcohol subscription box but a “new digital TV, mobile, and online shoppable entertainment” experience, of which a subscription plays a part. Spirits selections are curated by industry experts, led by Brandy Library’s Flavien Desoblin (who is also a regular judge in the NY International Spirits Competition.) The most basic offering, Explorer, is regularly $2.99 a month (though currently they’re offering one year free): it includes access to their full library of spirits-related entertainment, special shipping from the store, and access to special events and tastings (when we’re allowed). The Enthusiast level includes that, plus a premium full-sized bottle, a curated box of “specialty items” (things like glasses, bitters, and other accessories), and free shipping for $99 a month; Connoisseur level subscribers get the same, but a super-premium bottle in place of a premium one.

Beer Drop

Beer, craft-focused

BeerDrop is a beer subscription service that works with over 60 independent microbreweries to source the best releases each month and ship them to your doorstep. There are three subscription tiers available, each of which personalizes shipments based on your style preferences. The basic Beer Drop tier ($39.99 a month) gets you 10 servings of craft brew, 2 each from 5 different breweries. The Beer Drop Plus tier ($49.99) is the same, except up to two of the five styles can be upgraded to special/taproom-only releases, and you can make swaps to what you’re getting. At the Beer Drop Ultimate tier ($64.99/month), all five of your brews can be upgraded to special/taproom-only releases.

Craft Society

Beer, home brew

Started by the Craft a Brew homebrew supply company, Craft Society is a monthly homebrew subscription box. Each month you get a recipe and the ingredients for a totally unique beer — the recipes are made for Craft Society, and only Craft Society. Past recipes include hibiscus-lavender-rosehip saison and an imperial stout with chilis, coffee, and vanilla. There are four tiers. The first two include ingredients for one-gallon batches: Apprentice, for first-time homebrewers who need equipment (first box, which includes accessories, is $90, $20 thereafter); Journeyman, for brewers with equipment (first $60, $20 thereafter). Five-gallon batch tiers follow the same need-equipment/have-equipment pattern.

SaloonBox

Cocktails

For the hands-on and cocktail fans among us, there’s SaloonBox. For between $49 and $53 a month, depending on how many months you opt for, you’ll get all the ingredients you need to craft 2 servings each of 2 different cocktails. This includes craft spirits not commonly available in smaller sizes (though note that SaloonBox will sometimes ship alcohol separately from the rest of the ingredients). You can buy individual boxes, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months; there is no month-to-month automatic renewal option. There is currently no swap out option, but past boxes remain on sale individually while supplies last.

Beer, Spirits, WineAndrew TobiaMay 29, 2020orange wine, giftsComment