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

[honreth]

I have to second that $7 is rather pricy for a 6.5% pint.

Our new brewery in Columbia SC has a tap room, I believe their pints are $4+tx.

I was drinking Skullpin IPA for $2/pt last night

MC

Are you referencing the "Keg Cowboy" by chance?

I don't mind paying for a good beer but if the beer is crap I would be offended by a high price tag. I don't mean if I don't like it but if everyone who tries it says it's crap then price needs to fall... And you shouldn't make that beer for sale until you get it better.

 

[LandoLincoln]

That's not what I'm saying at all. If it sucks, I'm certainly not going to buy it no matter the ABV. $7/pint is fair for a GOOD higher gravity beer. $7/pint is TOO MUCH for a middle of the road ABV beer no matter how good it is. I won't buy Ballast Point Sculpin because it's 17.99 a six pack here. I know it's delicious because a friend gave me a 22oz once. But I won't buy it myself. No way. Too many other good beers out there for a decent price.

Way to put words in my mouth, though.

You just said, "$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 don't care how good it is, I ain't buying it." That means you don't care how good it is.

However, if it were an IIPA or an imperial stout or a barleywine, which are all beers that are high gravity / high alcohol beers, THEN you'd buy it.

So you care more about the alcohol percentage than the taste. "You don't care how good it is, you ain't buying it."

 

[gr8shandini]

That's going to be *really* pretty when an out-of-town'er ethnic person sees that they are paying more than the local in-town'er.

MC

Not sure what "ethnic" has to do with it, but the other fella said that they're selling a club card that entitles you to the discount, so it's not strictly for locals.

I've seen a few places that found cool ways to take care of their regulars. My favorite was this little tap room in Albuquerque that let folks keep their favorite drinking vessel on the wall and charged a flat rate regardless of how big it was. There were a couple of guys being a ******* about it by using a pitcher, but most had some pretty elaborate glasses or steins. So that place was both keeping the locals happy and getting some free decoration out of it.

 

[hogwash]

You just said, "$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 don't care how good it is, I ain't buying it." That means you don't care how good it is.

However, if it were an IIPA or an imperial stout or a barleywine, which are all beers that are high gravity / high alcohol beers, THEN you'd buy it.

So you care more about the alcohol percentage than the taste. "You don't care how good it is, you ain't buying it."

Oh my god! You're right! I DO care more about the alcohol percentage than I do the taste! :fro:

 

[hogwash]

So for what it's worth, I went to Blue Mountain last night and their flagship strong pale ale is 5.9% and 60 IBUs...$4 a pint. They have a Double IPA right now that is 8.1% and 68 IBUs...$5.50 a pint. They have a saison that was brewed with locally grown and malted grain, 7.2% (iirc), can't remember IBUs...$4.50 a pint. Their Bourbon Barrell Stout is 10%, 80 IBUs or something...$6 for 10.5oz which works out to more than $9 a pint but is a massive wonderfully delicious barrel aged beer. Etc., etc.

$7 is too much for a pint of 6.5% IPA.

PS. It was dollar off night last night so my bill for 2 beers (the Double and the pale ale) was $8.18.

 

[Frige]

I dont get all worked up over a couple of bucks on a night out. I figure my time and fuel to get there is worth more than that. Hey if you should ever find yourself down in Conroe TX Southern Star has free beer on sat afternoons, and its good too.

 

[GrogNerd]

So for what it's worth, I went to Blue Mountain last night and their flagship strong pale ale is 5.9% and 60 IBUs...$4 a pint. They have a Double IPA right now that is 8.1% and 68 IBUs...$5.50 a pint. They have a saison that was brewed with locally grown and malted grain, 7.2% (iirc), can't remember IBUs...$4.50 a pint. Their Bourbon Barrell Stout is 10%, 80 IBUs or something...$6 for 10.5oz which works out to more than $9 a pint but is a massive wonderfully delicious barrel aged beer. Etc., etc.

$7 is too much for a pint of 6.5% IPA.

PS. It was dollar off night last night so my bill for 2 beers (the Double and the pale ale) was $8.18.

wish I lived closer to the Brew Ridge Trail

although, locally I do like Lost Rhino Faceplant IPA and Icebreaker IIPA, but Icebreaker is seasonal

and Sweetwater Tavern makes a real tasty Midnight Rider dark IPA, but again... seasonal

 

[Indytruks138]

You also may have to take into account how many bbls they are making at the new place. If they are doing 500 bbls a year they have to charge a lot more to stay afloat. I'd pay the $7 to try it, it might be the best beer in the local market and you'll never know.

 

[Bazaar]

So for what it's worth, I went to Blue Mountain last night and their flagship strong pale ale is 5.9% and 60 IBUs...$4 a pint. They have a Double IPA right now that is 8.1% and 68 IBUs...$5.50 a pint. They have a saison that was brewed with locally grown and malted grain, 7.2% (iirc), can't remember IBUs...$4.50 a pint. Their Bourbon Barrell Stout is 10%, 80 IBUs or something...$6 for 10.5oz which works out to more than $9 a pint but is a massive wonderfully delicious barrel aged beer. Etc., etc.

$7 is too much for a pint of 6.5% IPA.

PS. It was dollar off night last night so my bill for 2 beers (the Double and the pale ale) was $8.18.

You saved about five bucks. Awesome.

I know it's a rant, and all, but if you don't like the place, why not just avoid it altogether?

I would personally try that $7 IPA and see what all the fuss is about--if it's no good, at least I tried something new, and if it's awesome, what's five extra dollars on a night out?

Btw, where I'm living now, I'd pay quite a bit more than $17.99 for a six pack of Sculpin. It's great, and it's not available everywhere.

 

[bobmcstuff]

You guys don't know you're born. In the UK you can expect to pay at least £3 ($4.50ish) per half pint (imperial, just under 10 US OZ) in most craft beer places - generally more.

Even standard ~4% bitter in a normal pub is over £3 a full pint (just over 19 US oz) pretty much everywhere now.

Look on the bright side eh

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Are you referencing the "Keg Cowboy" by chance?

Keg Cowboy doesn't have $2 pints, that, I'm pretty sure.

The new brewery I was referring to is Conquest Brewing and their new tap room. (also NOT $2 pints).

MC

 

[dpatrickv]

It seems like we got some cheap a$$es on here...

IMO, 5 bucks is completely normal for a good beer, and 7 is not outrageous IMO for a small and new brewpub.

I may not go and spend 7 bucks all day long, but I will never turn down a beer because of price.(Ok, I did once when a place was charging 14 bucks for a 8oz pour of barrel aged rasputin.)

If I was so concerned about spending good money for good beer then I either would drink BMC or I would drink at home.

 

[hogwash]

You saved about five bucks. Awesome.

I know it's a rant, and all, but if you don't like the place, why not just avoid it altogether?

I would personally try that $7 IPA and see what all the fuss is about--if it's no good, at least I tried something new, and if it's awesome, what's five extra dollars on a night out?

Btw, where I'm living now, I'd pay quite a bit more than $17.99 for a six pack of Sculpin. It's great, and it's not available everywhere.

Ultimately, yeah, I'm just not going to go. Just a bored stay-at-home dad ranting, trying to be what my wife calls "hilariously indignant" about something that is really of no consequence to me unless everybody around starts to charge similarly. If that happens, I just start to brew more.

But one last word from me and I'm done. The guy and his employees are missing out. I would probably spend a good bit of money there if the prices were lower, and I'm a really good tipper. I know little ol' beer drinker me won't make a difference to him but I'll bet I'm not the only one that will avoid it because of the prices.

 

[gr8shandini]

. . . I know little ol' beer drinker me won't make a difference to him but I'll bet I'm not the only one that will avoid it because of the prices.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if I had my own place, I wouldn't want someone like you as a customer. Being a good tipper helps out his waitstaff, however, it doesn't do anything for the owners. You might buy a lot of beers, but if you're taking the space of someone willing to pay more, you're actually costing them money. Obviously, if the place is empty, it's a different story and he needs to adjust the prices accordingly.

Also, it helps to keep in mind how a lot of places get financed. No bank will give a loan for a restaurant, so you're looking at getting investors. The standard deal is that your investors get 100% of the profit until their initial investment is paid back and then they revert to a smaller equity share. So, right now this guy might need to charge 7 bucks a glass, but that may change once he pays back the nut.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Also, it helps to keep in mind how a lot of places get financed. No bank will give a loan for a restaurant, so you're looking at getting investors. The standard deal is that your investors get 100% of the profit until their initial investment is paid back and then they revert to a smaller equity share. So, right now this guy might need to charge 7 bucks a glass, but that may change once he pays back the nut.

If the market won't support the price, he may not have much to repay in a year.

We have a World-of-Beer here in Columbia, and within our brew club, the feeling is that the place is overpriced for the market. As such, very few of us are actually going there. $5.50 for a Sam Adams when you can get it for $3.50-4.00 next door is not all that appealing to me.

MC

 

[the_trout]

I don't know what a World-of-Beer is but I sure like the sound of it!

 

[Enoch52]

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

I was pouring for Yards, but I didn't make it over to Blue Mountain...wish I had!

 

[GrogNerd]

lots of beers I didn't get to, Yards was one of them

 

[devils4ever]

Here in NJ, that's not that expensive. My local brewpub charges $6/pint and $3.50/pint at Happy Hour. The beers are really average at best and I still consider them a ripoff at the HH prices. I only go because my friends like to hangout there on Friday.

 

[Jon73]

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.

Here in Southern Oregon, 5 seems to be the norm from any of our local nano/micros.

I could understand 7 for a bigger beer, as it would require more ingredients and would make it a "premier" beer. Something you'd have one of to cap your evening after drinking the $5 pints.

I can think of a half-dozen variables that could force them to charge that price, perhaps ask them? If it's a pub worth hanging out in then I would imagine they would be willing to share some information with their customers. Especially when approached with the thought of losing business because their price is too steep for the market.

 

[hogwash]

Don't take this the wrong way, but if I had my own place, I wouldn't want someone like you as a customer. Being a good tipper helps out his waitstaff, however, it doesn't do anything for the owners. You might buy a lot of beers, but if you're taking the space of someone willing to pay more, you're actually costing them money. Obviously, if the place is empty, it's a different story and he needs to adjust the prices accordingly.

Also, it helps to keep in mind how a lot of places get financed. No bank will give a loan for a restaurant, so you're looking at getting investors. The standard deal is that your investors get 100% of the profit until their initial investment is paid back and then they revert to a smaller equity share. So, right now this guy might need to charge 7 bucks a glass, but that may change once he pays back the nut.

Okay, I lied about not saying anymore. I see your points but I look at it like this: he will sell more at a lower (fair) price. While his profit may be lower per pint, I bet he would still make more money in the long run. More people would be inclined to try the beer and if it's good, they would tell others and they would go and they would tell others, etc. Blue Mountain in Afton, VA started small, charged and still charge fair prices and they now have 2 breweries, expanded the original one quite a bit, and are distributed in several states on the east coast. Quite the success story and they started at a time when you couldn't have just a tasting room in VA, you had to serve food too. I have been a customer since day one and will gladly tell anyone how great they are.

It will be interesting to see how it will pan out with this place. There's another brewery opening soon that's right around the corner from this one. I'm interested to see what he'll charge. And honestly, I probably will go to Redbeard sometime just to see what his beers are like. He offers 4, 8, & 16 oz. sizes which is kind of cool. I often want to sample several of a brewery's beers without drinking an entire pint of each but don't want to be one of those nerds with the tasting flight either.

 

[JoesInBoston]

Wait......$7 a pour is expensive? And where the heck is your farmers market that charges only $3/lb for tomatoes? I can't even get that price for grocery store tomatoes if they aren't on sale.

You don't even WANT to know what I paid for a local CSA Farm Share recently.....or that Mikkeller Struise Collaboration beer. Apparently, I need to move.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

. Apparently, I need to move.

Out of Boston? Obviously

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

I would support anybody "new", local, and something I haven't tried before for $7
You even stated hes at a 2 bbl. That's 60gal batches.
Grains, hops, rent, overhead. Small nanos like that usually don't post a profit till ATLEAST 1 year if not more.

saying something like...."I would never try it!! what if its horrible!?" Is VERY ignorant IMO, what happens when you try it and its the second coming of jesus??
They did sell half there stock in one weekend...

This scene is about sharing, giving, paying it forward and supporting local craft.
Don't be "that guy" who talks **** about something hes never had before!!

I often want to sample several of a brewery's beers without drinking an entire pint of each but don't want to be one of those nerds with the tasting flight either.

I guess im a nerd then!!
Why let others dictate what and how you want to experience the beer you drink??
If someone called me a nerd for getting a beer sampler I would laugh in his face!
I wish this practice was universal! How many times I wanna try 4-5brews on a menu but cant choke down 4-5 8%+ pints during dinner...

 

[hogwash]

"I would never try it!! what if its horrible!?" Is VERY ignorant IMO, what happens when you try it and its the second coming of jesus??

I don't recall saying that and, in fact, in my last post I took back what I said about not going there and said I probably will go in some time. And it won't be the second coming of Jesus, it's just a beer.

This scene is about sharing, giving, paying it forward and supporting local craft.

And he's supporting the local beer "scene" by raping our wallets?

P.S. Tasting flights are for tourists.

PPS. I've totally done tasting flights.

 

[dpatrickv]

I guess im a nerd then!!
Why let others dictate what and how you want to experience the beer you drink??
If someone called me a nerd for getting a beer sampler I would laugh in his face!
I wish this practice was universal! How many times I wanna try 4-5brews on a menu but cant choke down 4-5 8%+ pints during dinner...

This. I have ordered more samplers at places than I can recall and have no issue with it. I don't understand the whole calling somebody a "nerd" because they order the sampler trays.

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

I don't recall saying that and, in fact, in my last post I took back what I said about not going there and said I probably will go in some time.

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.

Was this not your first post of the thread...?

And it won't be the second coming of Jesus, it's just a beer.

Try telling that to people traveling 1,000s of miles to try pliny the younger...

And he's supporting the local beer "scene" by raping our wallets?

NO...YOUR supporting the beer scene by helping new local breweries/pubs stay open for business and boost the economy.

HE already helped the beer community by providing a new spot to "hang" at.

P.S. Tasting flights are for tourists.

PPS. I've totally done tasting flights.

This guy!!^^^

 

[evrose]

And he's supporting the local beer "scene" by raping our wallets?

So he's violently forcing the money out of your against your will?

Hyperbole much?

 

[CreamyGoodness]

Hey, ultimately what it comes down to is that there is nothing wrong with saying "the pints there are too expensive for me, there are other places I would rather go." If the owner asks why he hasnt seen you around you could even say just that, and it might get him to reconsider his pricing strategy (depending on his expenses). But the fact of the matter is the guy hasnt done anything other than try to make a profit, and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[ktblunden]

P.S. Tasting flights are for tourists.

Your forum name is apt. Unless I've had all of a brewery's offerings and know for a fact which ones I like best I only order tasters.