63% of American adults over 18 say they drink alcohol. Drinking is a huge part of our culture, and it’s very likely you’re familiar with the different types of adult beverages available. Yet, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re great at buying alcohol.

You might’ve formed a bad habit early on that’s wasted a huge chunk of money! Or you might be new to drinking and want to get things right from the get-go.

Either way, read on for six common alcohol-buying mistakes so you can avoid making them.

1. Thinking Cans Are Lower Quality

We know that canned beer has a bad reputation. Think of any frat party, and you’ll conjure up images of young men chugging and crushing canned beer as if it were water.

However, craft beer creators have started using cans over glass bottles, and for good reason. Not only are they more lightweight and easier to transport, but they also block out light, which can degrade the alcohol inside.

2. Not Buying Mixed Cases

You might like sticking to the tried and true alcohols, but buying whole cases that are homogenous is a huge mistake.

Nowadays, many retailers and outlets allow you to mix and match six-packs at discounted prices, so why not give some new beers a try? You might just discover a new favorite!

3. Not Checking the Expiration Date

As with everything consumable, you need to check the expiration date. But beer expiration date checks go beyond whether or not the purchase date falls before the expiration one.

It’s inevitable that flavor profiles change with age, but the speed will depend on which type of beer you’re drinking. The hoppier the drink (such as with an IPA), the more oils, which results in the beer breaking down quicker. So if you like hoppy beers, aim for packages that are only a month out or less from the production dates.

4. Not Buying in Bulk

While beer’s more sensitive to time, liquor practically lasts forever. So if you know you really like a type of vodka or rum, and there’s a good deal going on, grab as many bottles as you can!

When comparing alcohol prices, there’s no doubt that buying in bulk will pay off. Purchasing at a warehouse store such as Costco or Sam’s Club is a good idea. You’ll then have plenty of alcohol for parties too.

5. Not Investing

Most people buy alcohol to drink, so you might not have even known that you can invest in it. The reality is, you can invest in quality alcohol through sources like elitewineandwhisky.com.

If you already have a portfolio and investments in other assets, it doesn’t hurt to diversify. This can put you in a world of elite alcohol collectors as well.

6. Not Asking for a Sample

Like to frequent bars or craft beer stores? Then you might be able to buy growlers to bring home.

You can ask the employee to describe the beers to you, and you might know you like a certain beer style. But you never know if it’s not what you expect or if it’s not up to your expectations.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a sample! Most places will be more than happy to assist you in the perfect beer purchase.

Don’t Make These Alcohol Buying Mistakes

It’s very easy to make alcohol buying mistakes. But now that you’ve learned about some common ones, you can save yourself a little bit of trouble and embarrassment. Plus, you’ll open doors to new opportunities and become a wine, liquor, or beer connoisseur.

Now that you’ve upped your alcohol shopping strategy, keep reading our blog page for more life tips.