Pricing - macro vs. craft

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by otispdriftwood, Jan 30, 2013.

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  1. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    Recently, a local bar/restaurant increased their number of beer taps from maybe 8 to 35. When there were 8 taps, there were maybe two or three craft selections. Now, there are perhaps 8 macro taps [which include the faux craft Blue Moon & Shock Top] and the rest are craft beers. Interestingly, the owner has priced the macros at the same price point and glass size as the crafts. I haven't been there recently but I am friendly with the owner so I am going to ask him why. My opinion is that it's not a stretch to believe that the macro drinkers will either stop frequenting the place, try a craft since it's the same price or just drink their swill. I do believe there are frequent bar specials on the macros. But, as far as the restaurant goes, how many macro drinkers just order their favorite without checking a list since they pretty much know the establishment will have their favorite. Owner makes more on the macro swill, customer sitting at a restaurant table gets his macro beer but doesn't realize there are better options so everyone is happy.

    I'm certain there are other places like this out there. What are your thoughts and observations?
     
    #1 otispdriftwood, Jan 30, 2013
  2. tjensen3618

    tjensen3618 Maven (1,391) Mar 23, 2008 California

    "Better" depends on who is drinking the beer.
    Most macro drinkers do not think craft beers are better tasting and are fine paying the same price for what they consider to be the better beer.
     
    #2 tjensen3618, Jan 30, 2013
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  3. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    Some places here are doing this. I've inquired, and bartender has told me the Budweiser people are ticked and claim that they've never paid XYZ for a pint of Bud before (at a bar).

    I call it the F-you price, and I love it.
     
    #3 yemenmocha, Jan 30, 2013
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  4. BetterBeerPlz

    BetterBeerPlz Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2007 Arkansas

    I can't imagine the BMC drinkers coming back unless there is something else to draw them. Hopefully, they are not in the business plan. I like the idea and think it is funny. I agree that it could cause some BMC drinkers to try a craft.
     
    #4 BetterBeerPlz, Jan 30, 2013
  5. CraftBeerTastic

    CraftBeerTastic Initiate (0) Jun 22, 2011 Pennsylvania

    I personally can't image a craft beer price point lasting long on macro beer selections. The BMC swill-drinking crowd will just stop going there. I’ve found it’s either all or noting in my area when bars start offering craft beer selections. Having a lot of both on tap seems to be difficult and leads to stale kegs.
     
    #5 CraftBeerTastic, Jan 30, 2013
  6. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (2,084) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah

    Crap Lager is more expensive in a British pub than cask beer.
     
    #6 patto1ro, Jan 30, 2013
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  7. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia

    I think you got it with the thought that macro patrons probably won't jump to craft just cuz the price is the same. If so, good for craft, if not, good for the bar. If they don't like the prices and leave, more space for the folks who like craft/will pay the bar their margins
     
    #7 mcaulifww, Jan 30, 2013
  8. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I have never been to a beer bar where they charge the same price for BMC type beers as craft beers. I would guess that the BMC drinker would stop going there. Do you think that is the intention of the bar/restaurant owner? If he looking to ‘upscale’ his clientele?

    Cheers!
     
    #8 JackHorzempa, Jan 30, 2013
  9. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    This is exactly the mentality explained to me when I ask bar owners why they are charging the same for PBR or Bud Light as they do for craft pints.

    Basically, if I bust my ass trying to get all these great beers on tap and you order a PBR, you should pay asshole tax.
     
    #9 leedorham, Jan 30, 2013
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  10. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    That's my point about most macro drinkers. The use of "better" is from my point of view.
     
    #10 otispdriftwood, Jan 30, 2013
  11. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    Because the crap lager is imported maybe?
     
    #11 otispdriftwood, Jan 30, 2013
  12. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    Yes I believe he is. But it's also a restaurant where the bar is not in sight so the BMC drinker with his family will just go ahead and order what he knows.
     
    #12 otispdriftwood, Jan 30, 2013
  13. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah


    “ …BMC drinker with his family will just go ahead and order what he knows.”

    Please keep us informed on how this bar/restaurant ‘progresses’. I am not a BMC drinker (I only drink craft), but if I was a BMC drinker this is the conversation that would occur:

    Me: My god, did you see the price they charged for Bud Light.
    Wife: Don’t make a scene, please!?!
    Me: But I am getting ripped off!!
    Wife: But we had a nice dinner.
    Me: Well, I hope you really enjoyed it since this will be the last time we will be eating at this clip joint!

    Cheers!
     
    #13 JackHorzempa, Jan 30, 2013
  14. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    The only comment I have is that if you were a BMC drinker, I believe your grammar and spelling would not be as good.

    I don't drink any BMC or any other macros either. When I go to any restaurant or bar whether I've been there or not, I either ask for a beer list, check blackboards or just look at the tap handles to see what they've got on tap. Can you even imagine a BMC drinker doing that? Of course not, they just say "gimme a Bud Light" and that's it. That's what I mean by ordering what they know. And what makes you believe all BMC drinkers care what they pay for a beer? How many times have you seen people order bottles of Coors Light or Bud Light for $3 - $4 a pop in a bar when they can get an entire 30 pack for $15.
     
    #14 otispdriftwood, Jan 30, 2013
  15. Dennoman

    Dennoman Initiate (0) Aug 20, 2011 Belgium

    I think everyone that worries too much about pricing in the craft market doesn't contemplate the ideology behind it. Craftsmanship is all about maintaining a standard of quality regardless of price or consumer demand. The producer will only release the product when they feel it's good and ready, at a price they deem suitable. The true craftsman is a classic bohemian. Take most gueuze blenders for instance: they produce the champagne of the beer world, but still they'll probably die dirt poor.

    A lot of so-called "craft" brewers charge shit tons for a beer that's highly in demand, simply because they can. Hence, I don't consider the likes of Goose Island or Three Floyds to be craft brewers by definition. They're great breweries that make amazing beers, but they don't uphold the true craftsman's ideology towards pricing. Is that a bad thing? No. It means they can upscale their production and bring more quality beer to the perhaps previously lager-swilling masses. I've also never said it's wrong to make good money off of your efforts, but there is no way you can charge $40 for a "limited" to 10,000 (wtf) bottle and still call yourself a craft brewery.

    Consumers have become aware of this quality standard though, and I see an explosion in people wanting to pay significantly more for a high-quality product.

    Kudos to your local for making a craft lover's life a little easier on the wallet and harder on the liver :slight_smile:
     
    #15 Dennoman, Jan 30, 2013
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  16. 6packofbas

    6packofbas Initiate (0) Jan 9, 2013

    if i was a "bmc" drinker and got curious and checked out this thread; after reading this "craft" elitist bullshit I would lose all interest immediatley with wanting to be a beer advocate.
     
    #16 6packofbas, Jan 30, 2013
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  17. zach60614

    zach60614 Initiate (0) May 1, 2012 Illinois

    Way to go out on a limb there, so your opinion is that they will likely do one of the only 3 options they have. Nice.
     
    #17 zach60614, Jan 30, 2013
  18. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    So I take it you're not a BMC drinker? What is your take on this thread then?
     
    #18 leedorham, Jan 30, 2013
  19. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    Perhaps you wish to offer more options instead of/in addition to criticizing?
     
    #19 otispdriftwood, Jan 30, 2013
  20. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    Well, not only are you are reading this "craft" elitist bullshit but you are responding to it as well so join the club.
     
    #20 otispdriftwood, Jan 30, 2013
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