How to get alcohol delivered in Modesto, Stanislaus County during COVID-19 shutdowns
Be honest, how full is your recycling bin?
Are we talking multiple empty bottles of wine, assorted bottles of whiskey and gin, so many beer cans and anything else you’ve been drinking to help make it through this self-isolation period as we all collectively hide from the coronavirus at home? Well, you are not alone. Many of us lucky enough to ride out the COVID-19 outbreak in our comfortable houses have been turning to alcohol to help us get through this unprecedented challenge.
According to market research firm Nielsen, online alcohol sales rose by 387% for the week of April 11 in the United States. The week before that they had increased 441%. Now, obviously, we shouldn’t be turning to booze as our primary coping mechanism — and for those with alcoholism and other risk factors it’s imperative to get support and stay sober.
But for the rest of us, as long as it’s in moderation, an extra drink here or there is one of the many ways we’re finding to both soothe and entertain ourselves as the days drag into weeks, weeks into a month and so on and so forth.
If you’re anything like me, that means the bottles you bought back at the start of March when we started to seriously stress about this whole global pandemic thing are now empty or close to empty. So, what’s a self-quarantining person to do to get themselves some more top-shelf liquor — or bottom shelf, pick your poison there’s no judgment here — while maintaining proper social distance?
With the relaxation of the state’s ABC guidelines at the start of the crisis, most open restaurants with liquor licenses have been able to sell to-go cocktails and bottles of wine as part of their current curbside pickup orders.
Many local craft breweries are also still doing growler fills and to-go beer sales curbside as well, including all of our Stanislaus County artisan beer makers such as Dust Bowl Brewing Company in Turlock, Blaker Brewing in Ceres and Atwater, Last Call Brewing and Dying Breed Brewing in Oakdale, and Modesto’s Contentment Brewing Company, St. Stan’s Brewing Company and Persuasion Brewing. Salida-based hard cider maker Tapped Apple is also doing a drive-up growler service.
But, if say in a purely hypothetical scenario you find yourself at home on a Saturday and all the Hendrick’s gin is gone and you really want more but you also shouldn’t pop into your car and drive to the grocery store because that’s why the bottle is empty in the first place, I am here to help.
Which apps deliver alcohol in Modesto?
These services offer same-day delivery of alcohol to your door in the region. Proof of identification and age must be shown upon delivery.
Bauer’s: The Modesto-based restaurants Bauer’s Downtown Gastropub and Bauer’s 66 1/2 Skillet & Grill are both offering delivery for food and beverages (in addition to curbside pickup). Orders can be made for packs of beer, bottles of wine and sangria kits depending on the location. Deliveries are between 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday from the Gastropub and 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday from Skillet & Grill. Call 209-312-9558 or visit www.bauersdowntown.com.
Blaker Brewing: The Ceres-based craft beer maker is delivering its beer to your door (in addition to curbside fills at either its Ceres or Atwater taprooms). For home delivery a minimum of three packs (cans come in four-packs) must be ordered. Deliveries in Stanislaus or Merced counties are made from 7 to 3 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Call 209-585-4040 or visit www.blakerbrewing.com.
DoorDash: The app-based restaurant delivery service is allowing alcohol delivery from some restaurants (check to see if your favorite had alcohol on its menu). Delivery fees vary by restaurant, but are typically around $2 to $5. DoorDash will also pick up from BevMo! for a $4.99 delivery fee.
FoodJets: The Sacramento-based online food delivery service is allowing alcohol sales from select restaurants. Delivery fees start at $3.99 per restaurant.
Grubhub: The app-based delivery service is allowing alcohol delivery for some restaurants. Delivery fees vary by place, but are typically from $2 to $10 depending on order size.
Instacart: The app-based online grocery shopping and delivery service will fetch beer, wine and spirits. In the Modesto-area they will shop/deliver from Costco, BevMo!, Food 4 Less, FoodMaxx, Safeway, Save Mart, Smart & Final, Sprouts Farmers Market (beer and wine only) and Raley’s. Delivery fees start at $3.99 for orders over $35, or with Instacart Express annual membership (starting at $99) no delivery fees apply. Additional service fees of approximately 5% apply to all orders, plus an alcohol service fee depending on amount purchased (both are less for Instacart Express members).
Other online delivery platforms like Uber Eats, Postmates and Drizly (which does deliver to parts of Modesto and Turlock) allow some forms of alcohol delivery in different regions of the country, but same-day service does not appear to be widely available in the Central Valley currently. As always, these same-day services charge fees to both the restaurant and yourself to pay for this convenience. So if you are able to or comfortable with curbside pickup, it cuts out the middle man for all involved.
But, again, if you can’t risk the exposure or may have had a few too many already (drunk driving is still very much a crime and very much an issue in the Central Valley), these services offer a way to belly up to the bar in the comfort of your own home. And, last but not least, tip your delivery person extravagantly.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 2:29 PM.
