It appears that the buying craft beer from the internet thing is also taking off. I just ran across a California centric site that offers a new spin on buying by the name of Craft Beer Connect.
Instead of buying single beers or six-packs, you select a tier that either A) fits your price range and B) gives you access to the beers you want. This way you can gift to various types of people on your craft beer list and not over or underwhelm people.
They have a good selection of California brewers. Hangar 24, Figueroa Mountain and other stalwarts but nothing from L.A. producers like Eagle Rock or Golden Road yet. But if you have friends somewhere else and you want to turn them on to Golden State brews. This is a good selection including Rough Draft and Manzanita which I have not even tried (yet).
From looking over the list, the beer geek would get a bit of deal depending on shipping with the tier 2 if you could find 6 noteworthy beers. Tier 3 is a little better selection but the price per bottle goes up into the $8 a bottle range versus $6 for the Tier 2.
An interesting concept but I will still prefer Let’s Pour and Beer Jobber for sheer national selection.
Craft Beer Connect looks like a great site. I’m already a fan of Let’s Pour who offers a nice iPhone app as well. With BeerJobber.com shuttering it’s doors recently CBC should have a nice welcoming.