How much would you pay for SA Utopias?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by mythaeus, Jul 24, 2013.

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  1. mythaeus

    mythaeus Pooh-Bah (2,074) Jul 22, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I haven't sought after the Utopias long enough to know its rareness and prices. I saw a 10th Anniversary bottle in a small town in MD for $350 and WAS considering it. Then when I read up on it, it seems at some point they were retailed for $115 and then $200 so I decided to wait.

    How much would you pay for a Utopias now? How would you go about looking for it? What's the release frequency from SA? Would you pay over $300 for "a beer"?

    Thanks,
    Al
     
  2. LeeMarvin

    LeeMarvin Zealot (630) Jan 15, 2005 Massachusetts

    I've tried it and enjoyed it. I respect SA, and feel that it's a product worthy of reverence, but I've never personally felt inclined to lay out the money for the stuff. Occasional tastes at beer fests are enough for me.
     
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  3. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't think I'd ever pay more than $20 for a beer (and even that is massively pushing it. The most expensive bottle I have bought in the last year has probably been a $10 Saison Dupont, ha!), so paying the $115 you say you have heard Utopias go for is completely out of the question (let alone the $300 you saw it for).

    Fortunately, I was lucky enough to try Utopias at a beer fest last fall. Pours of it were at no extra cost and were part of the price of admission/experience. I got in line and got a chance to try it. It was excellent. I was expecting to be let down, but I was really impressed. As impressed as I was, I would never buy a bottle of it. One pour of it was enough for me to enjoy. I couldn't see myself sitting around taking nips off of that instead of a kick ass bottle of bourbon that I could get for way cheaper.

    For what it's worth, around these parts I have seen it on occasion for anywhere between $175 and $225.
     
  4. Thehuntmaster

    Thehuntmaster Initiate (0) Sep 2, 2009 South Africa

    Well since I only have about $50 right now I guess no more than that :/

    Taste wise though, it is totally worth $300!
     
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  5. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    6 bucks for a 5 oz pour, is all I would pay. I would love to just have a taste to try it. other than that I could care less.:grinning:
     
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  6. mythaeus

    mythaeus Pooh-Bah (2,074) Jul 22, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thank you all for your thoughts. If I can find one for $200 or less, I'll probably pick one up. I do enjoy sharing exotic beers with friends. I'd love to have an opportunity to try it otherwise, but that will depend on a lot of luck, I think.

    Al
     
  7. TheCrowsNest

    TheCrowsNest Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2010 California

    It's my understanding that the huge price somewhat reduces the rarity. The stores I've talked to about it are only allocated 1 or 2 bottles when it's released (I think it comes out every other year...), but those 2 bottles will sit on the shelf for a long time before someone ponies up the dough.
     
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  8. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    well I would not care about reviewing or even ticking it, but I love to have an opinion on it. being its all subjective though, it would just be for my info.
     
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  9. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    At least for me, beer is beverage like any other. So it's not as if I enjoy a great glass of beer any more than I do a great glass of wine or a great glass of small batch bourbon or single malt scotch. So assuming this is an opportunity cost issue, the question then become whether I'd prefer to spend $300 for 500 ml. bottle of Utopias, or $300 on a great bottle of wine, bourbon or whiskey.

    Looks like that bottle of Utopia is going to sit on the shelf a bit longer...
     
  10. mark14580

    mark14580 Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2011 New York

    split it with a bunch of friends. I think it's absolutely fantastic.
     
  11. VictorWisc

    VictorWisc Maven (1,379) Jan 2, 2013 Massachusetts

    Just saw an in-state store post it at $169. Why would anyone pay $300 for it other than for bragging rights?
     
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  12. mythaeus

    mythaeus Pooh-Bah (2,074) Jul 22, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    This is actually my plan if it was going to be more than $200. I know a few friends who would go into it with me.

    Al
     
  13. meb3476

    meb3476 Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2013 Massachusetts

    ZERO...the same I'd pay for any of theirs beers
     
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  14. Duhast500

    Duhast500 Pooh-Bah (1,597) Nov 14, 2007 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah

    I think it depends on how much of a dent it will put in your bundget. If $300 will put you way back then I would pass. I think you can get a better deal somewhere else.
     
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  15. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    25 oz. bottle of Samuel Adams Utopias = $210 or $8.40 per oz.
    25 oz. bottle of Jack Daniels Single Barrel = $55 or $2.20 per oz.

    Although I'd like to try a sample of Utopias some time, as far as buying an entire bottle, I think it's a no-brainer.
     
  16. mythaeus

    mythaeus Pooh-Bah (2,074) Jul 22, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Can you tell me the name of the store and its location? I have a friend in Boston that may be able to pick it up for me. It absolutely has nothing to do with "bragging rights". I'm on the quest for the top 250 beers on BeerAdvocate and that just happened to "appear out of nowhere" if you will. I just didn't know if it's worth it.

    Al
     
  17. tectactoe

    tectactoe Pooh-Bah (2,386) Mar 20, 2012 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader


    Irrelevant, not everyone likes straight whiskey.
     
  18. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    I do so it's not irrelevant to me. And you don't have to drink it straight either. Besides, the post was how much would you pay for SA Utopias, not does everyone like straight whiskey.
     
  19. semibaked

    semibaked Pooh-Bah (1,897) Mar 27, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Right now I would pay about $10 for one, I am mad broke right now, but payday is tomorrow, I usually see them go for $150 to $300.

    I bought an 2011 for $150 and thought it was well worth it.
     
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  20. Dreizhen

    Dreizhen Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2013 District of Columbia

    Like the others who brought up other nice forms of alcohol, I'd have to consider how much nice Scotch, absinthe, or Port I could get for the same cost. I might drop $60 in a three way split with my best friends for a special occasion, but I probably would need a few drinks in me, too...

    The occasional taste is enough.
     
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