Growler fill $

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Indybier, Oct 13, 2012.

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  1. Indybier

    Indybier Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2011 Illinois

    Sorry if this topic has reached ad naseum, but, if a growler fill is at or more $$ what a bar or restaurant charges for a full pint, when does it become silly to buy the fill? Considering the bar and/or restaurant charge at such high markups already, other than the opportunity to drink the beer, why aren't growler fills much less? It has to be the cheapest form for a brewery to maintain, ie: no glass, can, or labels?

    We know we're getting killed by a bar/restaurant w/markup. Where's the love from the brewer?

    I'm talking the fills at $15+ (plus tax).

    Let the *don't drink it..more for us willing blokes w/bottomless pockets* commence.
     
    #1 Indybier, Oct 13, 2012
  2. rundownhouse

    rundownhouse Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2005 Tennessee

    I'm confused about why the brewer has any control over how much an account charges for a growler fill.
     
    #2 rundownhouse, Oct 13, 2012
    BeerKangaroo, GrindFatherBob, BBThunderbolt and 2 others like this.
  3. Giantspace

    Giantspace Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Around here the 64oz fills cost more than a six pack of the same beer and you need to drink pretty quick once you open it. I still buy growlers sometimes but not too often. I would think a 64oz growler would be less than a six pack of the same beer.

    Enjoy
     
    #3 Giantspace, Oct 13, 2012
  4. sandiego67

    sandiego67 Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2008 California

    A pint is 16 oz. Growlers are usually 64oz. The cost comparison should be the cost between 4 pints vs. 1 growler.
     
    #4 sandiego67, Oct 13, 2012
    Casedogg43 likes this.
  5. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Around here pints are generally around $5 and growlers about $10-12. You're saving $6-10 by drinking at home.
     
    #5 BBThunderbolt, Oct 13, 2012
  6. Indybier

    Indybier Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2011 Illinois

    That's exactly my comparison. So, with a pint usually being in the $4-5 range at a bar/restaurant and imposing a very big markup w/generally greater overhead, are the breweries who are essentially charging the same per pint w/$15.00 growler fills getting an even bigger markup?

    Again, the growler fill has got to be the most economical way to transfer the product...why aren't the prices reflective of that?
     
    #6 Indybier, Oct 13, 2012
  7. Czar_chasm

    Czar_chasm Initiate (0) Jun 20, 2012 Michigan

    last growler I paid $28 for... (plus $4 for the actually growler)
     
    #7 Czar_chasm, Oct 13, 2012
  8. Indybier

    Indybier Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2011 Illinois

    Maybe this depends on your proximity. $15.00+ growlers are becoming the norm near me and I'm just not understanding this versus bar prices.
     
    #8 Indybier, Oct 13, 2012
  9. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What's your over the bar price for a pint? Even at $5 a pint, you're saving $5 by taking it home instead of drinking it at the bar.
     
    #9 BBThunderbolt, Oct 13, 2012
  10. sandiego67

    sandiego67 Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2008 California

    Price Elasticity of Demand.
     
    #10 sandiego67, Oct 13, 2012
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  11. Indybier

    Indybier Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2011 Illinois

    What is the markup on a $5.00 pint? I've also paid $20.00 for a growler re-fill.

    My point is: Bar and restaurant markups have been tolerated as a price you pay as a necessary evil and just dealt with. Growler re-fills should have a rock-bottom cost overhead to the brewer and reflected on it's transferrable cost to the buyer. Anything else puts them in the *head-scratching* category and maybe even moreso when customers start doing the math.
     
    #11 Indybier, Oct 13, 2012
  12. Indybier

    Indybier Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2011 Illinois

    Sure. And like a guy w/a bad hand in a big stakes game...I'm out.
     
    #12 Indybier, Oct 13, 2012
  13. sandiego67

    sandiego67 Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2008 California

    I agree but as someone above pointed out, you are getting a 25% discount from the retail price (assuming that pints are priced at $5 and 64oz growlers are priced at $15).
     
    #13 sandiego67, Oct 13, 2012
  14. Casedogg43

    Casedogg43 Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2012 Indiana

    Really depends on what's in the Growler.
    If it's CBS or BCBS this time of year, then $20 is a bargain.

    If it's $20 for Magic Hat #8, well you are taking one up the poop shoot!

    A $10-$10 growler of solid beer is always OK with me.

    But I will say, I am spoiled by Sun Kings $6.50, all day growler fills of Osiris Pale Ale.
    And $5 on friday........Please!
     
    #14 Casedogg43, Oct 13, 2012
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  15. Indybier

    Indybier Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2011 Illinois

    Yes, a $10-12 growler is where my logic lies, too.

    What is a pint of decent beer in your area?
     
    #15 Indybier, Oct 14, 2012
  16. Casedogg43

    Casedogg43 Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2012 Indiana

    $5 pint for good stuff. Three Floyd's standards and 8% and less.

    Down the street we can get some 20 oz Artic Panzer + 4 samples for $8! Love that place!
     
    #16 Casedogg43, Oct 14, 2012
  17. pinkgrenade

    pinkgrenade Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2011 California

    depends on the beer!

    i would imagine going to the brewery would be cheaper than getting a fill anywhere else. in ca obviously we have no choice, but i can see where maybe the price would start being marked up to something questionable when its reached the 3rd party
     
    #17 pinkgrenade, Oct 15, 2012
  18. loki993

    loki993 Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2009 Michigan

    2 guesses but I bet Ill only need one.....
     
    #18 loki993, Oct 15, 2012
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  19. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    Go to work at a bar. Then you'll understand why a pint costs so much more than a growler.
    First hint: you drink the pint while sitting in the bar. You take your growler home.
     
    #19 otispdriftwood, Oct 15, 2012
  20. Czar_chasm

    Czar_chasm Initiate (0) Jun 20, 2012 Michigan

    Go for it!
     
    #20 Czar_chasm, Oct 15, 2012
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