As you are probably aware, there are lots and lots of monthly subscription boxes out there – from monthly cat gift boxes through to make-up and bath-bomb boxes. So, it makes sense that there’s a monthly beer box. Beer52 is my first experience of a beer box like this, and it’s quite an interesting offering; Certainly more than just a crate of random beers.
For a start, the whole thing is designed as a ‘discovery club’ more than a crate ‘o beer, and that’s fair, it feels themed and deliberate, specifically featuring a wider variety of beers than you’d normally find in your local supermarket. It’s also complete with a couple of bar snacks, and there’s also a brilliant magazine all about craft beers, and brewing on the whole. Much like a Nat Geo, New Scientist, or any of the other specialist, serial magazines it’s a perfect little casual read if you want to learn more about the specialist subject that it is built around. It’s also good coffee table decor.
I was really happy with the selection of beers included. In total there were eight, which makes the crate pretty good value for money considering it comes in at £24 – which is £3 a beer before you even consider delivery, snack and the included magazine. Regardless of value for money, though, it was a solid selection. I tend to dip into the craft beer and independent section when I do shop for beer, and only a couple of the beers were immediately familiar. This is due in large part to there being no repetition of brewery in the crate; familiar names like Five Points, Tempest Brewing and Tiny Rebel did make it in, but for every brand that you do have a middling familiarity with there was another you didn’t.
If you’ve browsed the Beer52 store then you’ll notice that they’ve very much embraced the modern IPA movement, which was definitely reflected in the selection. But, there were – much to my delight – a few stouts in there, including 71 Brewing’s Heart of Blackness and a very nice Oatmeal Stout.
Of course, nobody should be blasting their way through the Beer52 subscription crate in one go, it’s most definitely enjoyed spread out over time – if you crash your way through it then you’ll not have time to savour the mango/pineapple notes of CLWB Tropica, or the sour-mash scented (but fruity tasting) Vermont Sessions.
I’ve no doubt that this is a perfect gift for somebody who enjoys dipping into the odd beer; an uncle, aunt, parent or grandparent, and was certainly glad to dip into it for a month. The magazine was quite interesting too, and extremely well produced – although I don’t often find myself sitting with much spare time to read such things.
One big, final note, however. We did need to actually phone up in order to cancel the subscription, which feels a little bit awkward in 2020, however otherwise it was a really enjoyable experience and a great way to try out a few new varieties of beer.
You can sign up for a subscription on their website.
This looks like a great subscription to send a beer lover as a gift. I can think of a few people who would really enjoy getting this in the mail for sure.
It had such a good variety!
I don’t know of anything like this here (although I am definitely going to look into it for my husband). However, there is a ‘digital beer fest’ being held this year and you could order the festival box to be delivered anywhere in the province. The box included an assortment of different craft beers from different breweries along with some ‘swag’ like stickers, coozies, coasters, etc. The ‘festival’ is this weekend and my husband and I are pretty excited about it!
Oh wow, that sounds like such a good way to bring festivals home during this time!