10 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Booze at Costco
Updated: Jul. 30, 2021
Shopping for alcohol at Costco can be an adventure! Here are some secrets to keep in mind when buying spirits from the warehouse retailer.
You don’t have to be a member to buy alcohol
Need to restock the home bar, but don’t have a Costco membership? No problem, in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas and Vermont. If you’re a resident, you’re welcome to purchase wine, beer and spirits from Costco without a club card.
World-famous distillers produce Kirkland spirits
You may be surprised to learn that famous distillers actually produce Costco’s store brand spirits. For example, Kirkland bourbon and rum are produced by Jim Beam in Kentucky. Grey Goose makes Kirkland vodka with the same water source as its name brand. And Kirkland tequila is made in the same distillery as the Cielo brand. It’s a small world, indeed!
Use Costco alcohol to make famous American cocktails.
Kirkland brand offers just about every type of booze
You can fully stock your bar with Kirkland products. That’s right! Costco’s store brand includes all kinds of spirits: vodka, scotch, whiskey, bourbon, rum, tequila and gin. You can even find Kirkland 100-calorie boozy ice pops that are perfect for pool parties.
By the way, this is what Kirkland brand was almost called.
The empty wine crates can be used as home decor
If you’re ever shopping for vino at Costco and noticed that one of the wooden wine crates is empty, you can take it home with you for the affordable price of $0.00.
Costco is the largest wine retailer in the nation
It’s no doubt that Costco shoppers love to stock up on the good stuff! In 2019, the company recorded a whopping $4.4 billion in alcohol sales, with wine making up about that—more than $2 billion. That officially makes Costco the largest wine seller in the U.S.
Here’s what happens if you drink a glass of wine every night.
The alcohol is nonrefundable
When it comes time to shop for Costco alcohol, shop wisely. Costco is well-known for its lenient return and exchange policy. However, in some states, alcohol is not included in this company-wide convention.
Warning: There are some consequences for returning products too often at Costco.
High-quality wine is sold at a bargain
According to many happy shoppers and The Daily Meal, most of the wine brands sold at Costco are typically priced anywhere between 10 and 20% less than other retailers! If you’re planning a fancy wine tasting and want to get the biggest bang for your buck, see what deals you can score at Costco.
Look for the discount symbol
While shopping for Costco alcohol, keep an eye out for an asterisk (*) in the upper right-hand corner of the sign on the shelf. The star symbol indicates that the product is on clearance. It may also mean that what’s on the floor is the last stock.
Learn more about the asterisk on Costco price tags.
The beer Advent calendars make wonderful stocking stuffers
Need a holiday gift for the beer enthusiast in your life? Costco sells beer Advent calendars that are absolutely perfect. Each day up until Christmas, beer lovers can enjoy a can of craft beer to brighten up the season.
Alcohol home delivery is legal in 11 states
Need a drink—but don’t want to leave your house? You may be in luck! More than 200 Costco locations in California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina and Ohio and Washington, D.C. offer same-day delivery through Instacart.
