Online craft beer shop
Sell bottled and canned craft beer online, with mixed cases and subscriptions delivered by courier.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
5,349 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 47250 “Retail sale of beverages in specialised stores”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A website shop selling craft beer from independent breweries, packed at home or a small unit and sent by courier. You can offer mixed cases, themed boxes and monthly subscriptions.
Your first three steps
- Choose a niche, such as a region, a style or low and no alcohol beer
- Open trade accounts with several breweries and test courier packaging for glass
- Apply for a premises licence for where stock is stored and sold, then build a simple online shop
Who pays
Beer fans across the UK, gift buyers and some small local venues ordering by the case.
How it makes money
Mark-up on each case or box, plus delivery charges and repeat subscription orders.
Skills that help
- Knowing beer styles and breweries
- Online selling and basic marketing
- Packing and organising orders
- Writing product descriptions
Watch out for
- Alcohol sold online still needs a premises licence and a personal licence holder, check with your local council
- Age verification at checkout and on delivery
- Breakages and courier costs for heavy glass, test packaging before launch
- Check your home insurance, lease or mortgage allows alcohol stock and business use
- Public liability and stock insurance, and consumer distance selling rules
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online craft beer shop
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online beer shop?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your opening stock, website, packaging and any storage space. Test your packaging before launch, as courier costs and breakages for heavy glass can add up.
How much can an online craft beer shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £8,000, depending on your range, marketing and whether you build subscriptions or sell to local venues. That is revenue, not profit. Hours start from around 12 a week.
What should I check before selling beer online?
Check with your local council, as alcohol sold online still needs a premises licence and a personal licence holder. Also check age verification at checkout and on delivery, consumer distance selling rules, insurance, and whether your home or lease allows alcohol stock.
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