Craft beer and economic pressure

In this case, the most vulnerable are the ones who haven't adapted their way of life to this brave new world of higher prices. Make the tough decisions and adapt to the change. I've lived through the Great Hop Shortage of the late 2000's and saw the price of many Double IPA bombers jump from $4-5 to $7-9. I responded by buying less of it and looking for more bang-for-the-buck alternatives so I could indulge in a Hopsickle. Somehow that $9 for 22 ounces then is worse value than $24 of 4x16 oz Double IPA today.

 

Inquiring minds need to know this brewery!?!

 

Oh yeah I'm aware of the price differences. When I visit family back home in Pennsylvania there's a gigantic price difference that the TN alcohol tax doesn't make up for. However, the VERY local options back home will often sit at $14-15 for a 4x16 unless it's stupid, which those breweries don't really make.

I'm just confused when I see things like $36 4pks in stores back home, or something like $10 a can IPAs down here. I usually am ok with spending around $20 for a mixed 4pk and can get away with drinking more expensive craft in TN since it's much cheaper, and hunting for things since there's not the same insane gas tax. Back home, for multiple reasons, I drink significantly less, and the huge price increase is one of the reasons.

 

There are outliers in every market—I wouldn’t pay $36 for a 4-pack, and I live in one of the most expensive places in the country (I admit it cracks me up to hear people elsewhere complaining about high gas prices when they go north of $3—the average price for a gallon of unleaded here is about $4.30). But I think in most places you can also find good quality, affordable beer choices. As I said above, beer is a luxury, not a necessity—but as with just about anything else in that category, if the price is too high, don’t buy it.

 

All I know is that these last three to four years has me in 'bargain hunter' mode when it comes to craft beer. As a result, there are a bunch of beers that I used to buy on occasion that have crept out of my budget. For example - I don't know what's going on with a brewery like Boulevard - Tank 7 is a decent enough beer - circa 2021 a sixer cost $10.99/11.99, that same six pack is now $20.99. Now, I know the cost to do business has risen since then, that's no secret, but they haven't risen by 75%! No way I can justify paying 75% more for a beer 'just because'. There's several other examples too, especially on the import side (Samuel Smith is a big example in these parts too - went from $9.99/4pk to now 15.99!).
I'm getting down with the craft beers that still are $15-18/12 pack and yes you can still find good craft at these prices.

 

I'm gonna go ahead and guess Mortalis?

 

That's insane. I suppose I need to take a closer look, but Tank 7 is still ~$13 for a six pack here (same as other Smokestack beers). Sounds like your market / distributor is trying to repay some debts.

Tank 7, here, costs less than a local 4 pack of NE IPAs. While I've been drinking local beer from small breweries during KC Chiefs games, I may switch it up to Boulevard to simply save some money.

But to @Orca 's point, I live in a fairly (relative to the median / mean in the US) cost of living area, though that's changing as people discover what my area has to offer and we get more media attention from our latest NFL success.

 

Just checked Total Wine (prices there are probably about average)—Tank 7 is $17.99/6-pack in Seattle. More than I would have expected. You’re geographically a lot closer to Boulevard than @keithmurray or me, so that might be a factor—but then again, I don’t think I’ve noticed higher prices elsewhere for widely distributed PNW beers like Deschutes or Elysian. I’d guess it’s more likely that regional cost-of-living disparities are at play. They can charge more because people can/will pay more.

 

I hadn't considered looking up prices on Total Wine, but Tank 7 in either 6pck format (bottles or cans) are both $13.99 here. Less then if you catch a sale.

Allagash White is actually 50 cents cheaper for the same format in CT.

 

I just checked pricing at Total Wine in Seattle, KC, and Bridgeport, CT (Milford closest store) for 6-packs of Black Butte Porter and Elysian Space Dust. For science.

Black Butte
Seattle $9.99
Kansas City $8.99
Bridgeport N/A (probably not distributed)

Space Dust
Seattle $10.99
Kansas City $9.99
Bridgeport $13.99

So yeah, stuff is cheaper in some places than others. I spent a week in Missouri this summer taking care of family stuff and eating out was kind of like being in a different country compared to here. My family of three can easily go out to a not-super-fancy restaurant in Seattle and drop $100+. In fact I just picked up Korean takeout this weekend (my wife placed the order) and after tax and tip I think it was around $140. This was at a little hole in the wall joint in a strip mall.

 

Deschutes recently started distributing some of their beers here in Fairfield County and I can get a six pack of Black Butte Porter for $11.99.
I'm hoping we'll eventually see Obsidian Stout and Abyss.