Saving Money on Craft Beer?

Do you consider bulk = a case (e.g., 24 bottles/cans)? If so, then bulk is most definitely a "thing".

I recently started a thread/poll on this topic:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/do-you-buy-beer-by-the-case.659878/

Cheers!

 

My only suggestion is to purchase great quality at a solid price. For me, that means Founders, Sierra Nevada, Bells, and Lagunitas. I can purchase 4 & 6 packs of each from the local grocer for less than $10 which today seems like a bargain in the time of $16-$20+ 4 packs.

 

Most stores display 1-2 cases of 4- or 6-packs on the shelf of 'mainstay' beers. Ask if they will discount the beer if you purchase a case worth of it. If so, ask if they have the empty case box to make it official.

For seasonals or specialty beers maybe there isn't a case of that available. But if so, same as paragraph #1.

 

Go to a thrift store and buy an oversized trench coat and sew some extra pockets into the inside lining? Look scary and talk to yourself as you leave.

Alternately, ask the boss for a raise?

 

Agree with this here. The local brewery by me puts out $16-20 4 packs of mediocre beer. Better off buying the tried and true brands that are consistent such as Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams, Tröegs, etc. for half the price and more beer - 64 oz vs. 72 oz.

 

I don’t have any tips here, friend. As most others have mentioned, aside from attempting to buy bulk (which may likely have no impact on price whatsoever), this is an expensive hobby/habit depending on how you view your own consumption. The only thing I can say is that if you’re consistently going beyond your budget, it’s time to cut back. Cheers.

 

Yea I’m with @oldmankoch and @BeastOfTheNortheast I tend to almost only purchase those nationally or regionally available breweries. To my drinking preferences they both taste better and are cheaper. Win win.

 

Can't believe no one has suggested this yet: buy kegs.

 

I'm always looking the best bang for my buck. I usually can find high-quality 12-packs that cost about $15 each, or $1.25 per can. For example, I recently got these for a total of $60:

-Allagash White
-Jack's Abby Shipping Out of Boston
-Night Shift Whirlpool
-Anchor Steam Beer

 

No, the store will give you a price for a case, which will usually save you some bucks.

 

My major pecuniary flaw is that I enjoy variety and new beer. This forces me to buy beers in small quanties or 6-pack mixers most commonly. 6 pack mixers are usually not top shelf beers and I usually pay $12 a 6-pack ($2 per beer), which is often more than the beer costs in the 6 pack off the shelf. This mixer upcharge is a price I'm willing to pay for variety, but I recognize that I'd save a lot more buying beer more in bulk. Basically I'm paying more for beer than what it's listed on the shelf.

 

But then: need a kegarator (complete with CO2 setup, faucets, and lines), space to put it, a willingness to keep those lines and tap(s) clean, and be committed to 124 pints of the same beer.

 

Had a kegerator for years and ran into issues getting decent sixtels and quarter barrels in my area. If you pull the trigger, investigate what is available before pulling the trigger. Also, you're not really going to save much on sixtels.

 

Cheap beer? You can go Hamms 30 packs for $13 or High Life for $15-18.

I try to only go to one place every six weeks and buy only the beer on pallet sale. Yards, Neshaminy Creek And DFH mix packs were all in same for $26-28 a case last time I was there, all fresh, as well as 16x24 of Two Hearted for $37. This allows me to buy other things at a six or four pack and not crush the budget.

Best beer buy right now is Heady Topper. I was just in Stowe and for under $13 a four pack and 5 days old you can’t beat it.

I used to try to stay under $1 a beer but I’m around $1.25 now.

Enjoy

 

But that is a lot of gas money to get to Stowe from American Samoa (or SEPA for that matter). I do sometimes purchase a four-pack at my local (KoP) Wegmans but at 18 bucks those beers are pricey in my opinion.

Cheers!