2023 Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report

The third annual Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Beer Shipping Report, presented by Sovos ShipCompliant and the Brewers Association, finds that consumer interest and enthusiasm for having their favorite brews shipped to their front doors has continued to grow. The report offers an in-depth analysis of a consumer poll and an economist’s review of the DtC beer shipping market.

The Sovos ShipCompliant/Harris Poll consumer survey finds that state laws are not keeping up with consumer demand. Nearly eight out of 10 (81%) regular craft beer drinkers have tried a beer while traveling that they wish they could purchase but it’s not available near their home. Additionally, 88% say there should be greater legal access to DtC beer shipping. However, as of March 2023, just 11 states and Washington, D.C. currently permit DtC beer shipping. (Regular craft beer drinkers are defined as those who drink craft beer at least once per month.)

Read the 2023 Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report now:

Missed revenue for states and craft brewers

The potential market scope for DtC beer has yet to reach its peak, but the numbers show that consumers are willing to spend the money for craft beer to be shipped directly to their residence. In fact, 72% of regular craft beer drinkers report they would spend $50 or more per month if they could, while 51% say they would spend $100 or more per month.

The survey revealed the following key takeaways:

DtC demand is growing. While regulation in the beer industry continues to hinder DtC growth, consumer intent and desire to make such purchases is on the rise. The want to purchase craft beer DtC has increased among regular craft beer drinkers from 54% in 2022 to 61% in 2023.
Increased interest for out-of-state brews. The majority of regular craft beer drinkers (79%) are likely to purchase craft beer via DtC shipping in the future, an increase from the 75% who said they would do so in 2022.
DtC shipping can lead to increased sales. Hear it straight from the source: 85% of regular craft beer drinkers say they would be likely to try a brewery’s latest beer if there were a DtC shipping option, with 82% saying they would be more likely to purchase more frequently from that brewery.

The Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report also profiles DtC craft beer drinker demographics. Download your complimentary copy of the report today for an in-depth look at the consumer and producer sides of this emerging market.

*THIS SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED ONLINE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY THE HARRIS POLL ON BEHALF OF SOVOS SHIPCOMPLIANT FROM JANUARY 3-5, 2023 AMONG 756 U.S. ADULTS AGES 21 AND OLDER, AMONG WHOM 568 DRINK CRAFT BEER AT LEAST ONCE PER MONTH. THE SAMPLING PRECISION OF HARRIS ONLINE POLLS IS MEASURED BY USING A BAYESIAN CREDIBLE INTERVAL. FOR THIS STUDY, THE SAMPLE DATA IS ACCURATE TO WITHING +/- 4.2 PERCENTAGE POINTS USING A 95% CONFIDENCE LEVEL. FOR COMPLETE SURVEY METHODOLOGY, INCLUDING WEIGHTING VARIABLES AND SUBGROUP SAMPLE SIZES, PLEASE CONTACT SOVOS SHIPCOMPLIANT AT HELLOSHIP@SOVOS.COM.