Wineries, breweries, cideries, distilleries and the restaurants and bars that handcraft our favorite drinks are feeling the immediate effects of the novel coronavirus hitting the nation.
With the ordered shutdown of restaurants, bars and tasting rooms across multiple states, the ability to head to your favorite winery for a tasting or to grab a pint with your friends is not a reality, and our makers are suffering. And while many of these changes apply more to the West Coast, there is an increasing number of craft beverage makers and small businesses across the country feeling the impact of COVID-19.
Luckily, there are still ways you can help, whether you’re obsessed with the Cabernet from your local winery or you were planning a trip focused around tasting. Going to a tasting room or trying a brewery’s latest release from the tap aren’t the only ways to support our local beverage makers. And businesses have been getting creative to make sure you’re still able to get what you want. To inspire how you might be able to help keep the craft beverage industry going, we’ve put together a few ideas.
(If you are a producer or retailer, let us know your updated hours and offers HERE. We are starting a running tab to share with readers.)
Order for delivery or pick up.
Many local tasting rooms operate as brewpubs or serve up delicious charcuterie boards or flatbreads to offer as the perfect wine pairing. And while we can’t sit back and relax on a tasting room patio, we can still get a beverage (and maybe even a snack) in our hands. Check with your local favorites to see if they’ve adopted the same idea many have: delivery from the tasting room straight to your door, or curbside pickup for food and beverages. Grab a burger, fries and a crowler — then leave a big tip.
Buy online.
Online ordering has been available with most wineries for years. Nothing has changed here, although some wineries may have added the option recently in response to current events. Check out winery specials for free shipping or case discounts to stock up on your favorites. Many local makers are even offering free one-day shipping to get that bottle to you even quicker.
Purchase a gift certificate.
Just because you can’t head to tasting rooms with your friends right now, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to once this storm passes. Support a local favorite by buying a gift card or a tasting certificate now and show them the love. They’ll be thrilled to know you’ll be heading back in soon.
Plan a future tasting getaway.
If you’ve been wanting to do a beer or wine tour of the Willamette Valley, a Seattle bar crawl or just try out the latest tasting room in your area, set your sights on it in a few months. Life has slowed down a bit for many of us. Using the time to plan (or reschedule) an awesome trip will serve as the perfect distraction.
Become a club member.
Most wineries, cideries and bottle shops offer wine clubs, while many breweries have a mug clubs and distilleries proffering cask programs. If you have the means, opt to support your makers in that way, signing up now so you’re ready to reap the benefits once they reopen.
Score tickets to a future event.
Large area events not only support local communities, but it’s a great way to support regional producers. Depending on how the event is set up, the beverage makers get a kickback for the number of tastings they hand out as they introduce craft beverage lovers to a new product. Once life is back to normal, they’ll need the support more than ever. Consider buying tickets for the events planned in the fall that are already doing pre-sales to continue showing the love.
