Rant - What the frig is up with overpriced pints at the brewpub?

Williams 728
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hogwash

hogwash

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So a small brewery, I think he's just 2bbl capacity, just recently opened in a town near me and he's charging $7 for a pint of his 6.5% IPA and doesn't even list the IBUs on the menu! What the heck man?!?! Did a unicorn puke a rainbow colored leprechaun into it or something? No thanks! I would have loved to support the place but there's no FREAKIN' WAY I'm going to pay that much for one damn pint of a possibly crappy IPA. Good luck though, hope that works out for you. Actually, I don't because I don't want others thinking they can get away with charging that much for a pint. Apparently they sold about half of the beer they had packaged on their opening weekend. Who are the numbnuts that are paying that much? Sheesh.

Just had to get that off my chest.

P.S. I know that's not high priced for DC or NY but this is a small town in the central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
 
So if he had listed the IBU, you'd be assured that it was a quality pint?

I've been looking into what it takes to start a brewpub, and it ain't cheap. After the initial capital costs, the #1 cost by far is employee salaries, so even if the rent is cheap, it's not like he doesn't have overhead. Plus, if he's just running a 2bbl system, he may not be buying in enough quantity to get much of a bulk discount on ingredients. If I ever pull the trigger and open a joint, that's exactly what I'd be charging - $5 for an average gravity beer and 7 for the higher gravity stuff.

Also, a big part of going to a bar is paying for the atmosphere. You don't think folks are chugging down Bud Lights at $4.50 a pop because it's a good price for beer, do you?
 
He is charging this much at the brewery.

No, the IBUs wouldn't assure me that it is a quality beer but it's de rigueur to include that info. I'm sure he uses brewing software, how hard is it to write that up there. Nobody is paying $4.50 for a Bud Light in this area. I can walk down the street from my house and pay $4.50 for a pint of Arrogant Bastard or Dale's or 2 Hearted (and that much for a tall, 20oz I think, during happy hour). $7 is totally acceptable for higher gravity beers. I would, and have paid that much for a IIPA or an Imp. Stout or barleywine. But this is an IPA, the ABV is 6.5% (oh yeah, he doesn't list the OG on the menu either!). I don't care how good it is, I ain't buying it. The market that is my wallet will not bear it.
 
I hear what you're saying. I love the idea of my local neighborhood brewery where I can get good beer for a reasonable price. So it's a bummer when it's not a good deal. I feel the same way about overpriced local produce at farmers markets.

My solution to both problems: I planted a garden and learned how to brew
 
part of living and doing business in a small town is being part of the community and doing right by them, even if it means leaving a couple of bucks on the table that you could have squeezed out of people

in this particular case, i think the issue is the 2bbl system. that is just too small. i can't imagine writing $7/pint into a business plan.
 
TyTanium said:
I hear what you're saying. I love the idea of my local neighborhood brewery where I can get good beer for a reasonable price. So it's a bummer when it's not a good deal. I feel the same way about overpriced local produce at farmers markets.

My solution to both problems: I planted a garden and learned how to brew
Click to expand...

Oh man, don't get me started on the farmer's market in the same town. $3/lb for tomatoes, I think it was last time I went. Again, no thanks.
 
progmac said:
part of living and doing business in a small town is being part of the community and doing right by them, even if it means leaving a couple of bucks on the table that you could have squeezed out of people

in this particular case, i think the issue is the 2bbl system. that is just too small. i can't imagine writing $7/pint into a business plan.
Click to expand...

I sort of see your point, but if selling your pints at $4 at a pop means that your supply sells out quickly (it already moved, the OP said, quickly at $7) and only a small number of residents in the community can partake, I think you have done a GREATER disservice to the community than if you charged $7.

In other news... Sweet. Onion. Chutney. Are you seeing this Finnair flight attendant ad??
 
MalFet said:
He sold half his stock in one weekend? Sounds like $7 wasn't charging enough!
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I should back up and say that it looks like from his facebook photos that he did a soft opening and wasn't charging anything, which is cool. And the FB page didn't say they "sold" half their stock on the opening weekend, more like "we served almost half." So I have to wonder how much was consumed that first night.
 
progmac said:
I typically pay $4-$7 for a draft in new york
Click to expand...

Me too. I've paid less than that as well (when you count in the buy-back). My point is, venues can and will charge whatever the customer of said venue is willing to pay. That's a good thing.

And this is coming from a "fricking Socialist!" (right CellarDweller?)
 
Here in Montana $5 is pushing it for a pint. The market is improving and a ton of micros are continually starting up but most folks still have a strong penchant for bud light. And if they want to get exotic, they go with bud light lime.
 
CreamyGoodness said:
Me too. I've paid less than that as well (when you count in the buy-back). My point is, venues can and will charge whatever the customer of said venue is willing to pay. That's a good thing.

And this is coming from a "fricking Socialist!" (right CellarDweller?)
Click to expand...
I wonder if anyone has sought the most expensive bottle of bud in new york. I'm guessing it wouldn't be that hard to find a $15 bottle.
 
progmac said:
I wonder if anyone has sought the most expensive bottle of bud in new york. I'm guessing it wouldn't be that hard to find a $15 bottle.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on that one. Probably in a hotel bar or, even more likely, high-end hotel room's mini-bar.
 
progmac said:
part of living and doing business in a small town is being part of the community and doing right by them, even if it means leaving a couple of bucks on the table that you could have squeezed out of people

in this particular case, i think the issue is the 2bbl system. that is just too small. i can't imagine writing $7/pint into a business plan.
Click to expand...

And part of supporting local business is spending a couple extra bucks over what you can get from the national chains. I don't think any of us can really say if it's a ripoff or a fair deal without seeing the joint and trying their beer.

As for the "it's just a 6.5% IPA" argument, that's still 20-30% more grain and probably twice the hops of, say, a 5% blonde ale. Also, if you live in a place where folks are used to drinking 4% BMCs, a higher price on a 6.5% beer will help discourage folks from overindulging. I know all of us can be trusted to down a couple of 8% beers and still keep sober enough to drive home, but this guy has to base his liability off of what the average Joe is likely to do.
 
gr8shandini said:
And part of supporting local business is spending a couple extra bucks over what you can get from the national chains. I don't think any of us can really say if it's a ripoff or a fair deal without seeing the joint and trying their beer.
Click to expand...
At least here, our neighborhood bars are no more expensive than national chains. In fact, the opposite.

I just thought about how I can get a microbrew at the ballpark for $8. Although that is 12oz, not a pint.
 
Unless you are at Disney World or a ballgame where you have no choice, $7 a pint is too much.

I wouldn't spend my money there.
 
Were you able to try the beer? I agree $7 is too much. I enjoy most of Cigar City's stuff and its usually $5.
 
BreezyBrew said:
Were you able to try the beer? I agree $7 is too much. I enjoy most of Cigar City's stuff and its usually $5.
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Haven't tried it. Would love to but they have priced themselves out of my range.

GrogNerd, Blue Mountain is where it's at. $7.99 I think for a GROWLER of the Full Nelson. Can't beat that with a big red stick and it's a great beer.
 
BTW, the brewery I'm talking about is called Redbeard Brewing Co. in Staunton, VA. They have a Black Rye IPA that is $7.50/pint :eek: and all of their 4-5.5% beers are $5/pint - which I still think is too much.
 
I would also like to come out in favor of the $3 tomato. While I cannot pay that kind of coin every day, the difference between some of the heirloom produce and the hothouse stuff you get at the grocery store is astounding. I get the really expensive tomatoes once every monthish.
 
hogwash said:
Haven't tried it. Would love to but they have priced themselves out of my range.

GrogNerd, Blue Mountain is where it's at. $7.99 I think for a GROWLER of the Full Nelson. Can't beat that with a big red stick and it's a great beer.
Click to expand...

that's what I'm saying... you are || <-- that close to Afton

and I just poured for Blue Mountain at the NoVA Brewfest here this past weekend. Full Nelson is indeed a yummy beer.
 
GrogNerd said:
that's what I'm saying... you are || <-- that close to Afton

and I just poured for Blue Mountain at the NoVA Brewfest here this past weekend. Full Nelson is indeed a yummy beer.
Click to expand...

Takes about 10 minutes to get there. They have a Double IPA on tap right now that is reaaaaaally good (and I'm pretty sure it's not $7/pint either even though it's over 8%). Hmmm, dollar off wednesdays...I think I know where I'm going tonight!
 
Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think the right price would be for a draft pint at an independent brew pub (assuming above average quality)? To me, 5 bucks is about right and 7 is slightly high, but it seems the consensus here is that 5 is too much and 7 is outrageous.

Also second the comment on the tomatoes. 3 bucks a pound is well worth it for the good stuff. The junk in the grocery store isn't even worth buying, in my opinion.
 
gr8shandini said:
Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think the right price would be for a draft pint at an independent brew pub (assuming above average quality)? To me, 5 bucks is about right and 7 is slightly high, but it seems the consensus here is that 5 is too much and 7 is outrageous.

Also second the comment on the tomatoes. 3 bucks a pound is well worth it for the good stuff. The junk in the grocery store isn't even worth buying, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Seriously, when's the last time anyone got the munchies at 9pm and sliced a grocery store tomato on a plate with a little salt and olive oil? :). I just did that two days ago with an heirloom.
 
gr8shandini said:
Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think the right price would be for a draft pint at an independent brew pub (assuming above average quality)? To me, 5 bucks is about right and 7 is slightly high, but it seems the consensus here is that 5 is too much and 7 is outrageous.

Also second the comment on the tomatoes. 3 bucks a pound is well worth it for the good stuff. The junk in the grocery store isn't even worth buying, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. I would pay 7 bucks for a really good beer and 5 seems right for above average. I live in an area with low cost of living and probably pay around 5 most places I go. Bomber prices are what kill me. Sometimes 8 bucks for a run of the mill beer.
 
I think that $5 even is a little high. I would be pretty excited about $4 pints, $4.50 is tolerable though and what you generally pay around here for a decent pint. But I'm speaking from where I sit, which is not a big city. And also I'm a cheapskate. :D
 
progmac said:
part of living and doing business in a small town is being part of the community and doing right by them, even if it means leaving a couple of bucks on the table that you could have squeezed out of people

in this particular case, i think the issue is the 2bbl system. that is just too small. i can't imagine writing $7/pint into a business plan.
Click to expand...

According to people who know a lot more about this than I do, they'll be out of business before they know it. Read this:

http://www.soundbrew.com/small.html

Especially points #3 and #4.
 
I guess $3/pound for good heirloom tomatoes is not bad. I used to get some pretty good ones at another farm market for like a dollar a pound though that was probably 10 years ago. They weren't heirloom but they were still better than grocery store "cardboard" tomatoes.

I've got Old Germans and Cherokee Purples in the garden this year.
 

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