Is all "bomber" packaging a rip off?

Most, yes.

 

No, that seems to bethe avg. price for stores all around central MD. I've seen it for $6.99 at a few places from time to time at the low end. It's the MD sin taxes on beer to thank!

 

I'm noticing a regional theme here - many people from California/Washington seem to feel that bombers are reasonably priced and readily available for $4-5. I can tell you definitively that on the East coast, that is just flat out not what we have available. Hop Stoopid and Lagunitas Stout are $5 here, but I literally cannot think of another bomber in that price range.

On the East coast, the going rate for a bomber of decent but not amazing beer is $8-10, and many of the same beers are available in $12 six packs. We also have a plethora of mediocre bombers in the $10-15 range that are not available in six packs. With that pricing structure, I would imagine many of you West coasters would have to agree that bombers do not usually make economic sense. Likewise, if I could buy high quality beer in $4-5 bombers, I probably would.

 

Is there a flat tax on a bottle or something? Hop Stoopid collects dust on grocery store shelves here at $4.99/22oz.

 

Is it Hoppin' Frog? Then yes.

 

I dislike bombers more for the amount of beer, when it's a beer that is not something you'd want a lot of, than the price. An expensive beer tends to be an expensive beer, regardless of bottle size. I just find it annoying when I'm drinking a bomber-only beer that's drinkable for about 12oz worth, but then there's 10 more ounces that I'd rather not drink (a style I'm not wild about, the beer is mediocre, etc).

 

That's why I feel very lucky to live where I do!

 

I was dismayed in PA recently finding "decent, not amazing" beer in bombers at brewpubs for $8-10. Quarts of Yuengling at $3 from a bar become very acceptable. Bombers start at around $2.50 (Pyramid, Portland Brewing) in Oregon.

 

Not if it's a Lagunitas bomber.

 

I buy a lot of bombers, and like to drink them, but almost all are too expensive except for these. Agree 100%.

 

Depends...biggest question is whether or not the beer is available in other formats. If it isn't then like anything else the beer is worth whatever you (or any other person) is willing to pay for it.

 

For the most part, I have no issues with paying the price of a bomber (I think the most I've spent to date is $22 on Founder's Bolt Cutter, which a buddy drank after a 6 pack of Bud Light when I wasn't even present lol).

However, I saw some pricing the other day that just irked me. Forget the 6pk vs. bomber argument as this was a 12oz bottle vs. 22oz bomber. The store my wife and I frequent was charging $3.49 for 12oz bottles of Enjoy By 7-4-15 and $8.99 for 22oz bottles of Enjoy By 7-4-15.

I can understand paying more money, regardless of format, for a world class (or even excellent) beer. What I will NEVER understand is how I can buy 2 more ounces of beer for $2 less of the exact same beer when buying 12oz bottles individually vs. buying bombers . I agree the bomber looks cool (and I bought one as it was the only option other than 1 12oz bottle), but it seems rather silly.

 

Per your description, California is the same as the East Coast. I live in the Bay Area and just spent a week in San Diego. Also, I just came back from Washington (Seattle). They do have better prices, but I picked up a FW Stickee Monkey for $16.

Obviously, if you can get 4 or 6 packs, they make more sense economically. However, there is a limitation of space in your refrigerator.

 

Pretty much. Even $5 bombers aren't a good deal, once you do the math.

 

Yes, yes it is.

 

Short answer, "yes"

Long answer, I think bombers were the craft solution to, "How do we get people to buy this shit?" Let's face it, most beer drinkers, even craft drinkers, don't visit this website. This website is for craft extremists. Bombers were (still are?) the method to get something new in someone's mouth/belly without requiring a huge commitment to 4 or 6 beers.

 

Any bomber will note on the label that it contains 22 ounces of beer.

If it only contains 21 ounces, or less, yes, it's a ripoff.

 

It's not fair to say that a $20 22oz is the same as $60 6pk... "Begs the question" fallacy.

I'm also curious if conversely people think "this $9.99 6pk ought to be available in $3.33 bombers too!"

 

Math equations show it is not a good bargain, but however the "head space" is significantly different in the bombers vs 6pks so I often feel I taste a difference in the flavor of some beers. Certainly most people would agree that fresh draft keg poured beer is superior in taste to 12oz bottles, but so are many of the big bottles, magnums in particular. IMHO.

 

Some beers would never be sold as a 6 pack. They are bottled as 22 oz bombers because it allows the brewer to sell the bottle at all, because a $60 6 pack is not viable. On the other hand, I prefer a 6 pack in most situations, so if both formats are available, I'd pick the 6 pack any day.