beer hauls

[ODLS1]

You all do realize the higher the alcohol the more malt is needed (for the beers we are talking about)? The hoppier the beer, the more hops used. The cost adds up. Then consider the cost of packaging, shipping, rising cost of everything these days, distribution, etc. It sucks but what can you do. I don't like it either, but I see where they are coming from.

Bourbon barrel beers are so expensive because bourbon barrels are so damn expensive these days. EVERYONE wants them - tons of breweries and other distilleries use them (American/Canadian/Scotch/Irish Whiskey all uses them, not solely of course). It use to be they couldn't get rid of them or you could buy them for like $15. Now they are over $100 per barrel, of course I'm sure breweries make deals to where it ends up being cheaper in bulk, but still, that ends up being a huge cost. If you're putting a big beer in it, you can only use that barrel once. You can use it again for a lighter style, then it's pretty much done.

[Salvelinus]

Originally Posted by ODLS1

You all do realize the higher the alcohol the more malt is needed (for the beers we are talking about)? The hoppier the beer, the more hops used. The cost adds up. Then consider the cost of packaging, shipping, rising cost of everything these days, distribution, etc. It sucks but what can you do. I don't like it either, but I see where they are coming from.

Bourbon barrel beers are so expensive because bourbon barrels are so damn expensive these days. EVERYONE wants them - tons of breweries and other distilleries use them (American/Canadian/Scotch/Irish Whiskey all uses them, not solely of course). It use to be they couldn't get rid of them or you could buy them for like $15. Now they are over $100 per barrel, of course I'm sure breweries make deals to where it ends up being cheaper in bulk, but still, that ends up being a huge cost. If you're putting a big beer in it, you can only use that barrel once. You can use it again for a lighter style, then it's pretty much done.

I definitely see this part of it, but I remember not too many years ago drinking imperial IPA's from the local brewpubs for $5-6 a pint, now it's $7-8/12oz.

The other thing you are getting at with the big beers is opportunity cost because of the length of the fermentation. If they are using a tank they could run more batches of a pale that sells well in the same amount of time it takes to put out the one big beer.

I get the cost of things, and I like supporting smaller local businesses even if it costs me more to do so, but I think the trendiness of beer drinking is afoot as well and I am not as big a fan of that.

[Blindjimme]

Sorry, but that's a pretty good pic from me

Coronado Brewing Idiot IPA ( a DIPA )
Ballast Big Eye IPA
Victory Old Horizontal Barleywine
Marin Brewing Old Dipsea Barleywine
Green Flash Barleywine
Bootlegger Brewing Rustic Rye IPA
Russian River Blind Pig x 2 (the daily limit, another trend I don't like)
Sierra Nevada Big Foot

Except for the Victory, a California verticle

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by Salvelinus

I definitely see this part of it, but I remember not too many years ago drinking imperial IPA's from the local brewpubs for $5-6 a pint, now it's $7-8/12oz.

The other thing you are getting at with the big beers is opportunity cost because of the length of the fermentation. If they are using a tank they could run more batches of a pale that sells well in the same amount of time it takes to put out the one big beer.

I get the cost of things, and I like supporting smaller local businesses even if it costs me more to do so, but I think the trendiness of beer drinking is afoot as well and I am not as big a fan of that.

Yes, I agree on all points, especially the last. I do appreciate the costs involved with brewing bigger beers, I'm just reluctant to pay the premium when I work the economics out to a 5 gallon batch.

That being said, I did luck in to a pub on Saturday that was serving Founders KBS draft at basically $1/oz. I figured, ah what the hell, so I bought one.

[ODLS1]

Originally Posted by kaisersozei

Yes, I agree on all points, especially the last. I do appreciate the costs involved with brewing bigger beers, I'm just reluctant to pay the premium when I work the economics out to a 5 gallon batch.

That being said, I did luck in to a pub on Saturday that was serving Founders KBS draft at basically $1/oz. I figured, ah what the hell, so I bought one.

Yea, but us homebrewers don't have the cost of running a brewery, taxes, packaging, shipping, distribution, etc, etc. While I love trying new beer, I can't afford to buy commercial beer much, which is just another factor in my homebrewing. I can make amazing beer, very cheap. Sorry if I come across in any bad way, I don't mean to, there's just a lot of things people don't consider in the cost. Inflation alone is a big factor. I've heard (just a rumor, so who knows) that Barley prices may go up for a few different reasons. Farmers can make more from other crops apparently, so they are switching. Again, that is heresay, I haven't looked into it. I sure hope not though..

[awsmith4]

$20 for a 4 pack of KBS vs. $10 a 22oz of numerous beers is not a bad deal. If KBS was a $10 bomber you would probably hear "Great price on such a great beer" even though it is more per ounce.

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by ODLS1

Yea, but us homebrewers don't have the cost of running a brewery, taxes, packaging, shipping, distribution, etc, etc. While I love trying new beer, I can't afford to buy commercial beer much, which is just another factor in my homebrewing. I can make amazing beer, very cheap. Sorry if I come across in any bad way, I don't mean to, there's just a lot of things people don't consider in the cost.

I agree 100%, you didn't come across bad at all. I think my own "nano-brewery economics" factors in to my purchase decisions probably more than it should. I certainly appreciate that DFH, Avery's & Goose Island have a lot more carrying costs than I do, and that comes out in the bottle prices. They're not necessarily unreasonable, it's just more than what it would cost ME to make what I consider to be equal quality product. I'll drop the cash from time to time, just to give my tastebuds a work out, but at $20/4pk, I really have to think long before pulling the trigger.

I think we're pretty much saying the same thing, so it's all good

[cort]

Can't get enough of the Oskar Blues lately. Maybe I just love the can??

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Cort

Can't get enough of the Oskar Blues lately. Maybe I just love the can??

I love it!!!