[markaberrant]

I mostly stick to the draught selections when I'm at a specialty beer bar and leave the bottles for purchase at the store, like mdixon says.  It's partly the big "service" mark-up on bottles and partly the fact that I can get the bottled version whenever, but not so much with draught.

This is exactly what I do too.  When I hit a beer bar, I want to sample fresh local draft or cask.  I know I can get their overpriced bottles at a shop for much cheaper and enjoy them at home another time.

As craft beer continues to grow (which is indeed a good thing, but resultant changes are inevitable), I ultimately see homebrewing as the great equalizer in keeping beer a beverage for the "common man" so to speak.  It really is a return to the roots of brewing when each household made their own.  What is cooler than that?  It is no different than any artisan food or craft, if you put your mind to it, you can usually do it better and cheaper yourself.

[beerocd]

I ultimately see homebrewing as the great equalizer in keeping beer a beverage for the "common man" so to speak.

The common man doesn't brew. He's too lazy. (IMHO)

And to the cost point, Schlitz and Budweiser product at $9/sixer is what's out of line. That's just one example, there's others.  I guess the low end stuff being so expensive is more what irks me more than the high gravity, specialty, brewed by monk kinda stuff.

[markaberrant]

I ultimately see homebrewing as the great equalizer in keeping beer a beverage for the "common man" so to speak.

The common man doesn't brew. He's too lazy. (IMHO)

And to the cost point, Schlitz and Budweiser product at $9/sixer is what's out of line. That's just one example, there's others.  I guess the low end stuff being so expensive is more what irks me more than the high gravity, specialty, brewed by monk kinda stuff.

Notice I used quotes around common man?  You think $9/sixer is expensive?  In Canada, the cheapest garbage 6-pack is $10, stuff like Bud is $12, and craft 6-packs range anywhere from $12-21 for basic standard offerings.

[beerocd]

Notice I used quotes around common man?  You think $9/sixer is expensive?  In Canada, the cheapest garbage 6-pack is $10, stuff like Bud is $12, and craft 6-packs range anywhere from $12-21 for basic standard offerings.

Sorry, that was lost on me.
I went over to a coworkers house for dinner once from Detroit into Windsor and to be nice I thought I'd pop for some beer. It was just under $50US for 1 twelve and one sixer. Don't even remember what it was - nothing I could buy here around Chicago. And the beer was nothing special, drinkable but not memorable.

[uthristy]

My question is how much better can a $25 beer be than a $3 beer? Like how much better can a $500 bottle of wine be better than a $20 bottle?

LOL, grab a 1997 bottle westy 12 (13e) vs a fresh bottle, you'll know how much better

[MDixon]

I missed the wine part of the discussion. I've actually never had over a $150 bottle of wine and most of the time don't get crazy excited, but have had $75-100 (at restaurants) bottles which have excelled. My wife had a 1984 bottle of Dom Perignon which we opened a few years ago that was freakin fantastic. Not sure what that would go for if sold, but it would probably be in the $200-300 range at a store and $500 at a restaurant.

[The Professor]

...It was just under $50US for 1 twelve and one sixer. Don't even remember what it was - nothing I could buy here around Chicago. And the beer was nothing special, drinkable but not memorable.

This is what I'm finding to be the case more and more with commercial beer in general, especially in the last few years with the proliferation of smaller brewers;  the price lately seems to be disproportionate to what the product actually delivers.  Some of the new beers out there are actually pretty good, and I am all for supporting a locally made or artisanal product (if it's good)...but seeing the now ubiquitous 4-packs going for upwards of $10-12 is becoming a bit cringeworthy.    Kind of like what Starbucks has managed to accomplish with its overpriced and generally overdone coffee.   

That said, I guess  that I really should tip my hat to anyone who can produce a product that the public wants and is willing to pay a bit too much for. 
It's part of the American Dream, I suppose.

I agree with the observation that homebrewing isn't for everyone, and for many who do brew at home it isn't even about saving money. 
But I'm sure glad that  I've stuck with it all these years because I'm getting the beer I like and saving a load of money.

[markaberrant]

The Professor makes a point that I have been harping on for awhile:  a lot of the "premium" craft beers being sold at premium prices simply do not meet expectations.  It is these products, especially those where it is the premium "packaging" that accounts for the bulk of the cost, that really irk me.  In the wine world you always hear statements such as "price and quality do not necessarily go hand and hand," and while that may be true, it is nothing short of frustrating.

I have no problem paying good money (but not outrageous money) for well made beers that require expensive ingredients or long term aging in the brewery.  I just paid $22/750ml for a case of La Trou de Diable La Buteuse - a 10% belgian strong golden with brett and aged in Applejack barrels.  It is a truly incredible beer, very unique and worth every penny.  It is not an everyday beer, but something I am very happy to have in my cellar.  By the way, $22/bottle was the wholesale price.  I would assume a beer bar would charge upwards of $75/bottle.

[Thirsty_Monk]

Just to put you on the price track with six packs.
There is about $3 dollars in packaging.

So put it into perspective If you pay $8 a six pack how much is brewer getting for his/her beer?
$8 - packaging ($3) - retailer ( about 30%) - distributor ( about 30%).
This translate to $1.5 - $2 that is for brewer.
Now subtract rent,
ingredience,
electricity,
water,
natural gas,
brewing equipment.
insurance,
Licensing and permits.

Did I forget anything else?
Ah yes labor.

I am not defending $15 a four pack.
I would never buy it.
Just think about it.

[thirsty]

I am not defending $15 a four pack.
I would never buy it.
Just think about it.

The secret is to convince other people to buy it!

It's the Starbucks business plan. Charge $3.00 for a 50 cent cup of coffee!

See also: the current trend of selling really small cupcakes for really big dollars

[johnf]

I am not defending $15 a four pack.
I would never buy it.
Just think about it.

The secret is to convince other people to buy it!

It's the Starbucks business plan. Charge $3.00 for a 50 cent cup of coffee!

See also: the current trend of selling really small cupcakes for really big dollars

That's apples and oranges. Nobody is selling espresso drinks for 50 cents. That doesn't mean an espresso drink at starbucks is better than a cup of coffee at the donut shop but they aren't the same thing.

[resto3]

"Now I have have a Belgian Black Ale to bottle!!"
I had a very nice Brooklyn Cuvee Noir on tap the other day.  Yours similar?

I've had the Cuvee Noir at th Brewery on Saturday and it was good but I like the Sorachi Ace better whic was also being offered as well as the Locals.

My Belgian Black Ale is similar but not exactly the same.  I'll be beter able to tell you after it's been carbed and chilled.

Cheers!

[MDixon]

Thirsty, that markup due to the three tier system is EXACTLY why most North Carolina breweries have a tasting room/bar. They can ship out their kegs and have the beer on tap somewhere for $5 a pint or sell them in house for $4 per pint. They make a ton more selling them at home and the consumer actually perceives it as a better deal (which it is).

What I believe is crazy is most of us would put a price on a single 12 ounce bottle of beer from a store at $3-4, yet we will easily cough up $8-10 for a bomber which is only 22 ounces.

[dannyjed]

These high prices for beer are turning more people toward homebrewing   At least you can use this excuse when you buy your next piece of brewing equipment  

[beerocd]

Just to put you on the price track with six packs.
There is about $3 dollars in packaging.

So put it into perspective If you pay $8 a six pack how much is brewer getting for his/her beer?
$8 - packaging ($3) - retailer ( about 30%) - distributor ( about 30%).
This translate to $1.5 - $2 that is for brewer.

$2 per 72oz - out of what sized batch? Maybe that's not so horrible either.
Depends how you look at it. It's the middleman that's the problem.
The three tier system is pretty mafioso, and there's no way out.