11 best beer and cider subscription boxes delivered to your door 

The arrival of a semi-mysterious package is always a joy, particularly when it involves booze.

And while discerning drinkers are still able to get their fix at shops and supermarkets, these outlets simply can’t beat the reach of specialists who make it their business to search high and low for new and exciting beverages.

There are myriad online subscription services offering regular drop-offs to your door; and with them the chance to discover fantastic products, often from small, independent or far-flung producers which you may not have otherwise come across.

How we tested

We’ve worked our way through a wide range of beer and cider subscription services, weighing up the quality and variety of products in each; value for money; ability to customise; and uniqueness of offering. In our list you’ll find everything from no-frills boxes that do what they say on the tin to selections of the rare and luxurious, and everything in between.

Most work on a rolling basis with no strings attached – you can cancel your subscription up to a few days before payment – and many are P&P-free. Always check the small print before signing up so you’re aware of the level of commitment.

Read more:

• 10 best German beers to try: From lagers to pilsners
• 13 best tequilas that are made for sipping not slamming
• 11 best alcohol-free beers to rival the real thing

Sadly, there’s a dearth of subscription services that include both beer and cider – so currently you must pick one or the other. Suppliers, take note. With that said, all that’s left to ask is: “What’s in the box?”

The best beer and cider subscription boxes for 2021 are:

• Best overall – Fetch cider club: £39.99, Fetchthedrinks.com
• Best customisable box – Craft Metropolis craft beer club: £36, Craftmetropolis.co.uk
• Best for global brews – Honest brew beer subscription: £22.90, Honestbrew.co.uk
• Best for elevating your beer game – Beer Merchants premium club: £65, Beer-merchants-club.myshopify.com
• Best for craft beer connoisseurs – Beer52 craft beer discovery club: £24, Beer52.com
• Best for rich, high-alcohol brews – Imperial beer club: £12, Imperialbeerclub.com
• Best for alcohol-free beers – Dry Drinker six month mixed styles beer box: £19.99, Drydrinker.com
• Best craft cider box – Crafty Nectar discovery box: £28.50, Craftynectar.com
• Best for nibbles – Borough Box craft beer and snack gift subscription: £34.99, Fodabox.com
• Best for live tastastingtng sessions – BeerBods beer club: £24, Beerbods.co.uk
• Best box that gives back – Brewgooder beer club: £20, Brewgooder.com