We've talked about CSAs for fish, coffee and even desserts, but here is a new one: a CSA for beer!
San Francisco's Brewlab is a group of home-brewers who make their beers available to the public. As a Brewlab member, you receive an assorted pack of 6 or 12 craft beers made by Brewlab brewers about every five weeks. In order to remain legal, the CSA is donation-based, to cover the cost of brewers' supplies.
The beers brewed thus far cover a range of styles, from an India black ale to a bourbon-oaked IPA. A writer at CHOW sampled some of the beers and had this to say:
A few were punishingly hop-loaded for my taste; several were well balanced; and at least one—a Belgian yeast pale ale—was so good I'd pay to drink it again. Creative names, like Randy Savage Lite, are a bonus.
If you're lucky enough to live within San Francisco city limits, Brewlab will also deliver your beer to you.
• Check it out: Brewlab
• Read more: San Francisco’s First “Beer CSA” at CHOW
Would you join a beer CSA if one popped up in your neighborhood?
Related: Beer Brewing for Apartment Dwellers: Brooklyn Brew Shop's Smaller, More Accessible 1-Gallon Beer Kit
(Image: Emma Christensen)
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Sign me up! Great idea.
There are also a few vineyard CSAs out there too, in face I just joined one.
My CSA in Brooklyn has a beer option. I didn't go for it this year, maybe next. I've heard great things.
My coworker run one of these. For $5 a bottle plus a $5 deposit we get a big bottle of home-brew every other week. He runs it at cost to make it legal as well. It's an excellent arrangement for all involved. We get delicious, cheap beer, he gets the cost of his home brewing covered.