Prairie, You're Killin' Me!

...Vanilla Ascension. It's next level.

But by the time Chase, et al are forced to lower their prices..everyone will have already gotten paid

 

And if they ever lower their prices, people will still bitch because of the gouging.

 

I thought Pirate Noir was pretty amazing. And Apple Brandy Noir. And Okie. And Flare. And Funky Gold Amarillo. And Gold on tap. And Bomb on tap, but not in the bottle. The list of very good beers they make is similarly long.

Obviously, their prices are absurd and I've had my own problems with them, but IMO, they make much better beer than almost every brewery in Texas. Much better. I just don't typically have more than one or two of any given beer.

Do people get mad at Avery too? I'd drink a lot of Uncle Jacob's if I felt like I could afford it (and it wouldn't kill me).

 

Funny when talking prices, I'll gladly pay $25 for a bomber of Deschutes Abyss Cognac or Rye, and I'll complain about a 12oz Prairie Okie for $12.99. My deciding factor is how much I enjoy the brewery and pedigree of previous products from them. I really like Deschutes products...I am a fan! As for Prairie, I've tried most of their products, and am just not a fan for the majority of their beers. A few are great (Apple Brandy Noir specifically), but most are just "meh" for me!

 

Couldn't disagree more. I've never been blown away by a Prairie beer. Now Jester King, Karbach, Community, Real Ale, Lone Pint...yeah.

 

I love their beers but quit buying cuz of cost. Like OP said, quality beers on shelf for more oz/buck

 

Oh man, you've either got one of the most unique palates on earth, or you're an incredible homer. Either of which is cool with me, but as an objective observer, there is no way you can put Karbach and Real Ale on par with Prairie... maybe their best offerings could make it into the Prairie lineup, but top to bottom its just different leagues.

 

A homer? For the five breweries I mentioned? We don't have to agree, but don't bother trying to label it. Prairie is overrated and I promise I'm not the only one who thinks that way.

 

I'm cool with that. I don't think the greater beer community on average agrees with that (not even remotely), but that doesn't matter to your taste buds.
I was actually surprised by the volume of anti-Prairie feedback on this thread. I wasn't too high on them when Bomb first came to Texas. I thought it was really overrated/overpriced, but I've been amazed by a number of their beers since. They're definitely overpriced, but I'd stack up quite a few of their beers with any national beer that people think is world class. To me, even their 2nd tier beers are better than 90% of what comes out of Texas. I think all those breweries you mention make some great stuff, but besides JK and maybe Community, they don't have a ton of different, really great beers. If Community bottled more stuff, I'd surely be forced to put them up at the top. I haven't had a chance to visit their taproom.

EDIT: I'd also put Live Oak into the category of making a lot of top notch stuff. They just don't make "whale-ish" styles, so people don't go so nuts over them.

 

I will buy the occasional bottle of PA, just if it lights my fire, usually a one beer night when I do (with cigar). On the other hand the value with them comes when you can find it on tap. HEB over on I10 and bunker hill had PA Bomb for like $11 for 32oz growler and my local one at Vintage Park had it last week had it for $14.99. I have seen the 12oz bottles for 8.99 so break down
bottle 8.99 - $.75 an an ounce
growler $10.99 - $.35 an ounce
growler $14.99 - $47 an ounce
So this is where I justify growlers for beer. This is where you get your bang for the buck

 

That would be well and good, except Shelton doesn't distribute Prairie to Texas. Favorite Brands does. Shelton distributes Prairie everywhere except Oklahoma, Texas, and I think Arkansas.

 

I've given up on growlers until the prices come down. I can't see paying "Bar" prices for a take home and I"m supplying the packaging.

 

Didn't mean to offend you with the label, just thought it was interesting you included some pretty average Texas breweries in that list.

 

I agree Praire makes great stuff, but I think Real Ale and Karbach are definitely on the same level with, for example, Real Ale's Mysterium Verum series and Karbachs FUN/BBH series. Not to mention their regular lineup (e.g., Devil's Backbone). Aside from Vanilla Noir, I tend to skip over Prairie due to the price point - too many times I've enjoyed the beer but didn't think it was worth the price. Just my two cents.

 

I'm clearly an outlier here, but I don't think Prairie makes a lot of great varieties. A few are fantastic, but I've disliked more than I've liked.

As for those that I've enjoyed, I still don't think they were worth the price.

 

I think both of you make valid points. The Karbach/Real Ale comparisons are a stretch because most of their products are not "artisan", albeit excellent. If you are comparing the Mysterium Verums and BBHs to Prairie, that is one thing, but you just can't compare a blonde or pilsner with Prairie ales.

 

Looks like we think alike. I will say that not all Mysteriums and not all FUN beers have been stellar. The agave trippel comes to mind...

 

I pretty much have the same feeling. I'll often just find it on tap and try it there rather than hunting down a bottle. It's often cheaper per ounce than the packaged product. Plus you don't have to play the beer hunting game, which is getting increasingly difficult/time consuming.

 

See I feel that putting "artisan" on your labels and charging too much for it adds a certain stench to the whole thing. I'm not sure how Prairie is more "artisan" than Real Ale or Karbach. They add more adjuncts?

If I'm coming off as offended or harsh, I don't mean to. I know we're all speaking our opinion here.

 

No offense. And I feel that Real Ale and Karbach are not average at all. And actually charge decent prices. I can get RA Black Quad for $5 a bomber. I believe that beer is equally as good as anything Prairie charges $9-$12 for a 12oz bottle.