Growler fills: why pay more for less?

Discussion in 'Southwest' started by EyePeeAyBryan, Jun 21, 2013.

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  1. EyePeeAyBryan

    EyePeeAyBryan Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2011 Arizona
    Trader

    I was at Whole Foods in Tempe last night and an Odell Rep was there doing tastings. Free Odell, why not? Anyways, they had St. Lupulin and Double Pils for growler fills for $18, but it was thursday, which means $4 off. So, I went to check the price of a six-pack of Lupulin and it was only $9.99.

    What is the REAL advantage of paying the normal $18 price tag of 64oz (probably really 60oz) of beer in one large container versus just buying a sixer (72oz) for almost half the price? Is there an advantage? Bottles are more convenient, less expensive and can be kept for a much longer time (drink one bottle or all six whenver I choose).

    I've found myself buying growlers of beer lately and just now it's finally hit me, I'm actually paying much more for less. I guess I just need to stick to filling growlers with beer I cannot buy in sixers or fours...
     
    #1 EyePeeAyBryan, Jun 21, 2013
  2. socon67

    socon67 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,895) Jun 18, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I generally buy growlers for the stuff I can't get in a bottle, would rather have fresher than the bottles, or I use a 32 oz (or even a 16oz) fill if I really don't wan to buy the 6 pack. For me the growler is a convenient option.
     
    #2 socon67, Jun 21, 2013
  3. kmello69

    kmello69 Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2011 Texas

    I probably wouldnt buy a growler of something that was also readily available in bottles, unless I wanted it really fresh from the tap. I tend to get growlers of tap-only stuff (Live Oak Hef, ABW Einhorn, etc) and like to bring growlers to tastings.
     
    #3 kmello69, Jun 21, 2013
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  4. bccocx

    bccocx Pooh-Bah (1,576) Jan 13, 2007 Texas
    Pooh-Bah

    Was this thread moved to the SW forum from the general beer talk? Seems like a valid conversation for beer talk.
     
    #4 bccocx, Jun 21, 2013
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  5. HopAG

    HopAG Savant (1,137) Sep 22, 2012 Texas

    The curse of the Southwest Forums
     
    #5 HopAG, Jun 21, 2013
    Texas_Speed, mrkmrk, Daemose and 2 others like this.
  6. Hanzo

    Hanzo Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Virginia

    The only growlers I've bought were of beers that were draft only. Otherwise it really makes little to no sense to me.
     
    #6 Hanzo, Jun 21, 2013
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  7. EyePeeAyBryan

    EyePeeAyBryan Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2011 Arizona
    Trader

    Just put in here because I was kind of speaking more of Total Wine's in the Valley but definitely could be general for all.

    I wonder why stores like this fill growlers of beer they have in the cooler just 50 feet away, for a fraction of the price.

    I agree that buying growlers of something readily available is silly but shouldn't stores just stick to selling what the consumer cannot already buy locally? It seems like bars that do fill growlers won't let you fill them with stuff you cannot get easily around town, which makes no sense. I understand that these businesses don't want to upset potential customers who just want a pint or a 10oz pour. If I bring my growler, I've potentially killed that opportunity for 5-6 customers and that does makes sense. At the end of the day, money is money and whether I buy five pints or five people buy one pint, it's all the same.
     
    #7 EyePeeAyBryan, Jun 21, 2013
  8. EyePeeAyBryan

    EyePeeAyBryan Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2011 Arizona
    Trader

    Total Wine's, Whole Foods and bars in general in PHX.
     
    #8 EyePeeAyBryan, Jun 21, 2013
  9. Aleforme

    Aleforme Initiate (0) Nov 26, 2008 Washington

    Same here. I don't see a point in buying a growler of something I can buy in a bottle or can for much less.

    However, there are a few local breweries that have growlers specials on specifics days. Two Beers here in Seattle has $6 growlers on Tuesdays. That's a great deal!
     
    #9 Aleforme, Jun 21, 2013
  10. Heretic42

    Heretic42 Savant (1,118) Aug 31, 2011 Texas

    Every growler fill I've bought has been either unavailable in bottles or cheaper (per oz) than the bottled equivalent. The latter tends to come into play more often for bombers and 4-packs than 6-packs.
     
    #10 Heretic42, Jun 21, 2013
  11. aschwab

    aschwab Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2009 Texas

    In Austin....we can usually get growler fills for normal beer in the 11-16 range.

    That seems reasonable for a beer that I cannot get in a bottle. I do not see the point of getting that for something I can get a 6 pack for.
     
    #11 aschwab, Jun 21, 2013
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