Bruery Options in NC

When it comes down to a couple bucks difference, its more than likely going to be the retailer or the distributor that is the reason for that difference. In my store we have Trade Wind Tripel going for $8.99 and LFDM going for $9.99. Not sure what the availability of the Bruery beers at in your area is but that could be a reason for the mark up as well. It seems that you have beers (for the average in my area, GA) marked up higher than average and some marked below average so it pretty much balances it out.
How much are your Jolly Pumpkin beers going for? We have them around $9.99 for most of their offerings. Jolly Pumpkin is also from Michigan as well. Most of our local beers are cheaper than if you got them outside the state (Terrapin and Sweetwater)

 

JP is around $11-12 for La Roja. Anything seasonal is $14-15.

 

Interesting. I've been to stores all across WNC (and a few in the Piedmont) and likewise around Richmond, VA since I travel there a lot. I don't think I've ever seen a Bruery beer for under double digits. Though I've read reports of Oude Tart and Tart of Darkness being ~$18 in CA while they're $23 in Asheville and Richmond. Ingles here carry LFDM for $6-7 for a 750 with them possibly being slightly higher at smaller stores. Unless there was a recent price hike in the beer, I've never seen it for $10 except as a 4-pack. The only beers of theirs that seem to hit the double digit mark are ones like the 17th Anniversary Reserve or that weird cherry one that you're supposed to serve heated.

 

I actually have no issue affording the Bruery beers, I just think they price their beers in such a way that the value isn't there. A buddy of mine was commenting not long ago, "Every Bruery beer I've had is fine - a solid B - but I can get a better version for less."

 

Sorry for the late reply, but just now noticed this post. I'm by no means wealthy, but I'm not averse to paying more than $10 for a beer if the quality is there. I bought a full case of KBS two years ago and buy as much as I can every year. I've bought half a case of ORF, Event Horizon, Lindley Park, and Curmudgeon's Better Half at ~$15 per bottle. I can't make those sort of purchases often, but I can make them. That being said, I always consider price in making purchases--especially repeat purchases. If the quality doesn't match the price, then its value is pretty low to me.

To be fair, if they brought back Mischief Gone Wild and sold it for $15-20 through their distribution, I'd buy the hell out of it. That was probably the best extra I've ever received in a trade.