Buying for the ABV?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by WankelEngine, Mar 10, 2013.

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  1. WankelEngine

    WankelEngine Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2011 Illinois

    Lately I've found myself short on funds. Not can't-pay-the-bills short, but more like can't-afford-the-nicest-beers-all-the-time short. As such, I seem to find myself focusing on higher ABV beers when I do go to the shop in order to get more "bang for my buck". For some reason it's very hard to justify buying even a 6 pack of lower ABV beer (I've had my eye on All Day IPA), but I can easily bring myself to buy an alcoholic bomber. For example, I just bought a 22 of Stone Smoked Oak Old Guardian for $7.

    Do any other BAs out there find themselves using higher alcohol content to justify spending more for craft beers?
     
    #1 WankelEngine, Mar 10, 2013
  2. standardcherry

    standardcherry Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2011 Massachusetts

    If you count by ounces bombers are generally a lot more expensive than six packs.
     
    #2 standardcherry, Mar 10, 2013
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  3. WankelEngine

    WankelEngine Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2011 Illinois

    That's true, but somehow for me, the alcohol content and the generally high quality makes it easier to justify. And I've also grabbed a few high ABV 4 and 6 packs recently. Old Rasputin and the like.
     
    #3 WankelEngine, Mar 10, 2013
  4. WankelEngine

    WankelEngine Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2011 Illinois

    I also just grabbed a 750 of Curieux for $10.99. More than I've been spending recently, but I also know that's a hell of a deal for that bottle. Even so, the 11% alcohol content made the purchase easier to stomach.
     
    #4 WankelEngine, Mar 10, 2013
  5. standardcherry

    standardcherry Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2011 Massachusetts

    Burton Baton and Palo Santo Marron are both excellent high ABV beers available in 4 packs. My store had them at $12 a 4 pack and you get more than twice as many ounces than from a bomber. I highly recommend those.
     
    #5 standardcherry, Mar 10, 2013
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  6. WankelEngine

    WankelEngine Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2011 Illinois

    I love me some Palo Santo Marron. Now that you mention it, that'll probably be one of my next purchases.
     
    #6 WankelEngine, Mar 10, 2013
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  7. terrapinfan88

    terrapinfan88 Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2009 Virginia

    If you REALY wanna save scratch, buy the six packs. Price per ounce my friend:wink: All Day is nice a little prickly in the mouth feel but oh so wonderful. If I were LESS frugal I'D just pour it on the floor in my house/car so I could smell it all day!
     
    #7 terrapinfan88, Mar 10, 2013
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  8. Northlax3

    Northlax3 Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2012 New Jersey

    For me, it depends on the situation for what I am buying.

    Am I going to hang out with friends and I'm not driving? If so, I'm buying higher ABV. Beers like Flying Dog's Double Dog or Victory Golden Monkey come to mind.

    Am I staying in and relaxing with a few servings after work? If so, I tend to get lower ABV (or stick with homebrew)

    Special Occasion? higher abv WHALEZ BRO. Things like the Curieux you mentioned, FW BA stuff, BCBS variations, Bitches Brew, and aged beers.
     
    #8 Northlax3, Mar 10, 2013
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  9. Danny1217

    Danny1217 Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2011 Florida

    I find that Old Chub is great for getting drunk off of craft beer at a moderate price. SN Torpedo is a good one too.
     
    #9 Danny1217, Mar 10, 2013
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  10. AleWatcher

    AleWatcher Initiate (0) Jan 25, 2009 Illinois

    If I'm buying something strictly for high ABV so I can get wasted-- whiskey.
     
    #10 AleWatcher, Mar 10, 2013
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  11. WankelEngine

    WankelEngine Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2011 Illinois

    I also tend to keep a decent bottle of liquor about for the sole purpose of intoxication. But I do appreciate the side effects of drinking a good, strong beer.
     
    #11 WankelEngine, Mar 10, 2013
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  12. bnuno

    bnuno Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2011 California

    Even when when I'm looking for a good session beer I find it hard to pay the same amount for a lower abv vs higher abv. I love north coast, old raspy and thelonious monk are great choices at great prices. And i love the 4 pack option
     
    #12 bnuno, Mar 10, 2013
  13. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    taste/aroma/mouthfeel > ABV
     
    #13 Orca, Mar 10, 2013
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  14. Premo88

    Premo88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,670) Jun 6, 2010 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    not for ABV, no ...

    I am keeping tabs on price per ounce, mainly to find my favorite cheaper beers for when I want/need to go cheap.

    Bombers are more expensive by the few pennies per ounce, but how you consume a 4- or 6-pack could effect the price per session ... if that makes sense.

    I say that because for $3.99+tax, I can buy a bomber of Arrogant Bastard, spend a good hour or two nursing it and feeling pretty good about it all by the end. I've not bought Arrogant Bastard in pack form yet, but when I do, I'll be very curious to see how I end up preferring to consume it (12 oz. at a time? 24 oz. at a time? go for three bottles because I can?)
     
    #14 Premo88, Mar 10, 2013
  15. SerialTicker

    SerialTicker Pooh-Bah (2,851) Jun 18, 2012 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah

    ABV doesn't matter that much to me. It's taste.

    And since All Day IPA is really a "light" beer, I don't care for it. Personally, I find it lacking in every aspect... not just that, but $10 for a six-pack? No thanks.
     
    #15 SerialTicker, Mar 10, 2013
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  16. YogiBeer

    YogiBeer Initiate (0) May 10, 2012 Illinois

    If it was 6 bucks a sixer, I would buy it once a week.
     
    #16 YogiBeer, Mar 10, 2013
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  17. WankelEngine

    WankelEngine Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2011 Illinois

    I really like All Day IPA. I think it's got the best hop aroma for a light beer I've ever had. And, unlike Lagunitas Daytime, it's got good hop flavor, too. I generally prefer "real" IPAs, but for a lawnmower beer, it can't be beat.
     
    #17 WankelEngine, Mar 10, 2013
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  18. grrrah

    grrrah Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2009 California

    Skip the 22's and go straight to the 40's.

    :wink:
     
    #18 grrrah, Mar 10, 2013
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  19. davey101

    davey101 Pooh-Bah (2,360) Apr 14, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah

    It's $11 by me and I found it to be excellent, but one of my qualifications of a session beer is not one that costs more than SN Torpedo.....
     
    #19 davey101, Mar 10, 2013
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  20. kingofhop

    kingofhop Initiate (0) May 9, 2010 Oklahoma
    In Memoriam

    I'm alternating shots of Elijah Craig 12 yr old 94 proof w/ gulps of Torpedo. I'm just tryin' to stay awake long enough to change my clocks.
     
    #20 kingofhop, Mar 10, 2013
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