Originally Posted by Blindjimme (Post 1216796)

Well put. I'm guilty of buying to try, but not as regular rotation. Cuts into my cigar funds too.

Originally Posted by kaisersozei (Post 1216781)

As much as I love craft beer, particularly the stuff that DFH, Bell's, Avery and Founders are putting out these days, I really have to draw the line at dropping $24 on a 4pack of beer. I've never had KBS, and based on its A+ BA score I'm sure it's good stuff. But that's a lot of dough to put down for a beer.

I guess I have the luxury of crafting my own stuff, so maybe I'm a little biased, but my concern is that all this uber-premium brewing is just going to jack the price of other craft beers across the board. Just a few years ago, you could get DFH 60, Bell's Three Hearted and Sierra Nevada Torpedo in my area for $6 or so. Now they're all at $9/6pk, and many brewers are beginning to package their stuff in the 4pk format. Jefferson's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout & Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stouts are other good examples. Where does it stop? Ingredient-wise, there isn't that much more going into a breakfast stout than in a standard variety stout--I appreciate the additional aging some of these beers are getting, but I'm not sure it's worth a $2-3/bottle premium.

/rant /:2

Originally Posted by ODLS1 (Post 1217059)

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.

Originally Posted by Salvelinus (Post 1217108)

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.

Originally Posted by kaisersozei (Post 1218300)

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. :tu

Originally Posted by ODLS1 (Post 1218430)

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.

Originally Posted by Cort (Post 1219711)

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ket_42735_.jpg

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

Originally Posted by St. Lou Stu (Post 1220926)

heh, heh... you like ol chub in the can

Originally Posted by smitdavi (Post 1226612)

Stocked up on some more Bells Hopslam. The fridge is packed with 6 6packs now :D

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox (Post 1226238)

Summerfest is one of my favorites for the summer:tu

Originally Posted by awsmith4 (Post 1227004)

Nice pick ups lately

No pic but yesterday I picked up:

Avery Maharajah
Cantillon Rosé De Gambrinus
Lost Abbey Carnavale

Originally Posted by kaisersozei (Post 1227130)

:tu One of my favorite Avery brews, close second is duganA.

Originally Posted by kaisersozei (Post 1226908)

I'm surprised you can still find it, nice score

Originally Posted by kaisersozei (Post 1226908)

I'm surprised you can still find it, nice score

Originally Posted by newcigarz (Post 1230658)

Originally Posted by Jbailey (Post 1231693)

Great pick ups Eric!

Originally Posted by Cort (Post 1232406)

Originally Posted by GTS21 (Post 1230653)

Picked up some Kate the Great, Black Tuesday, Struise Double Black and Sexual Chocolate

Originally Posted by newcigarz (Post 1232409)

Our labels for the Avery look totally different.

Originally Posted by kaisersozei (Post 1232975)

Indeed they do. :hm I never noticed that about your label, Tony--I'm accustomed to seeing Gary's style in my area.

Originally Posted by cobra03 (Post 1233127)

Picked up some DFH Squall IPA :dr

Originally Posted by landhoney (Post 1233180)

Gotta' thank Tony for finding that Marron locally, even though the guy is limiting us to one bottle a piece:rolleyes:;). This one is going into the 'cellar' for hopefully the suggested five years (says "up to five years"). Now we just need to find some more so I can try it............:su