Are bombers REALLY that pricey?

Bombers are a wise deal per ounce than 4 or 6 packs, but I do agree we're still getting a good deal. World class beer is usually still affordable compared to wine. I just don't like that they double the price per ounce because of format.

 

All depends on your comparison. Like you noted, wine can go waaay higher than beer usually does. Most people are comparing it to beer in other size containers, though, and the 22oz format tends to have the highest $/oz in those comparisons. Some beers are only offered in 22oz, but if it's offered in 12oz or 16oz too, those are generally a significantly lower cost per ounce.

 

I just saw a bottle Charles Shaw for over three dollars the other day. Wine prices are out of control.

 

Ehh, unfair comparison. What about whiskey? Or tequila? You're paying a lot more per ounce for those than beer.

What about buying a sports car vs. an economy car? You'll pay more for the former up front and in maintenance. They both still get you from A to B, and give a different experience, and yet one is decidedly more expensive.

But to get to your point specifically about beer, bombers are generally always higher in cost/ounce than their 4 or 6 pack format twins. The other bonus is 4 or 6 packs can be split up by the store, so a consumer is only buying 12oz at once, which seems to be preferable for more experimental or "out there" beers like Thick Mint or a S'Mores beer.

Folks are buying their 4 packs of KBS for $20. So for $1 to $2 more, they're buying 48 ounces instead of 22 ounces. That's $0.42/ounce vs. $0.81/ounce (going with the $18 figure). Even if we jump the price of the 4 pack up to $25, that's still $0.52/ounce.

 

Without question bombers are more expensive than 6-packs but as someone who buys wine for my wife when I buy beer for me, bombers of "good" beer are still more affordable than bottles of "good" wine.

 

Not only are bombers generally more expensive per ounce than other bottle/can sizes, since I generally drink alone at home, I'm committing to drinking it in one sitting so it doesn't go flat. This is particularly an issue since most of the beers I like are higher ABV. A high ABV bomber can be the equivalent of a "typical" 4.2 ABV 6-pack. So, just to try a beer that is only available in bombers, I'm going to get gouged and bombered!

Not all bombers are expensive though. Lagunitas, Anderson Valley, Zipline, and Central Waters are typically pretty reasonable. I've paid under $5 for Lagunitas bombers, so that comes out pretty cheap per ounce.

 

Buy a bottle capper and buy bottles. If you do not want to finish it, it will still be pretty decent the next day !

 

Man, is this ever my little soap box. I have been lobbying for beer for decades, knowing as a teenager that Lowenbrau was better than Budweiser. My learning curve to loving beverages from everywhere happened quickly AND over time, Still.. Great parents, good education, travel. and an idyllic youth made me come down to earth. I worked in bars, eateries, traveled widely......Fast forward to a career in beer and wine and knowing that great beer was an amazing value relative to wine. I am a real wine person. I sold great beer like great wine and I believe that American beer can be a great value as food-worthy as wine. Ciders, distillates, odd tinctures/botanicals. hard sodas, and other imaginings are all fair game worth real exploration.

 

Sometimes I think that bombers are the perfect platform to try a new beer without the expense and hassle of having 5 left over beers you might not like. So values in the eye of the beholder. I saw a bottle of Moylans Hop Craick at the beer store and about fell out, I've had it in tap and it's not worth $15.

 

In my opinion, for the most part, yes.

 

I have a decent stopper with a lever, and that seals real well. Still, if I drink half of the bomber, it will go somewhat flat even sealed well. I usually end up drinking it an hour or two later, depending on ABV, and it is fine.

 

Why pay more ? Unless the bomber is the only format available

 

OP, within the beer world, yes they are pricey.

 

I think a capper does a much better job. You may have some limited oxidation but I have never had a beer go even slightly flat using a capper. Maybe the key is to pour what you want and cap right away.

 

I am convinced the only real reason people complain about $20 KBS bombers is because of the 4 pack price. If KBS was ONLY available in bombers, I see far fewer people complaining. People compare The two price points to each other far more than they do KBS Bomber price to other Bomber price (which is the best comparison IMO in terms of whether it is "worth it"). Just my 2 cents.

 

All comes down to what your budget is. For me I would prefer buying two quality 4/6 packs versus 1 bomber at around the same price.

 

How is a bomber of KBS compared to a bomber of a different beer a better comparison of worth than comparing expensive KBS to cheaper KBS?

 

Wine doesn't come in bombers (22 oz format). The vast majority of wine is sold in 750 mL bottles and are always in bottles primarily identified in mL. Also 750 mL > 22 oz.