The only way to save money is to buy small beer formats in packs. Otherwise, you have to buy individual 500 ml or 473 ml beers or 4-packs. When you calculate the price of individual beers at a larger format, you pay 100% more than with a small 6 or 12-pack of beers. When you buy 4 packs, it's almost 80% more. What is frustrating is that the 355 ml format offers a limited choice of beers.
I’m 100% certain that it is and I trust your opinion. I guess what I was saying is if given the choice I don’t see a scenario where I’d buy that beer when the two compared were side by side. I have splurged for Schilling beers at times but it’s rare; those unique lager styles that aren’t really around, Vorhe being one, a standout beer I would probably purchase again if it returns down here.
I’ve never had beer from any of the breweries in your post (except SN) how would you compare Schilling to Tonewood in quality?
I personally do not get any extra enjoyment from Schillings lagers than I get from Tonewood’s. Others may disagree but if, for example I compare their flagship Czech Pils, I would actually give the nod to Tonewood’s. Like I stated above though the obscure lager styles Schilling sometimes sends down here are fun to try, delicious, and a lot of times without comparison due to style.
I discussed Alexandr in a past NBW post in a side-by-side. I thought is was good but nothing to write home about. https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-weekend-38.657313/#post-7229300 I have yet to drink Tonewood Focal Point so I can't specifically comment here. Cheers! P.S. Spoiler Alert: in an upcoming NBW post I will conduct a side-by-side tasting of two Von Trapp Bohemian/Czech Pilsners.
I struggle to find, even from local breweries theses days, a 4 pack (16oz) of IPAs for under $20. Craziest beer price I’ve seen lately was $120 for a single bottle of triple oaked deal with the devil. Was shocked when I saw it in the cooler and had to ask the price. Jaw dropped, so the guy said he would “give me a deal” and make it $100. Nice of him, but just a wild price.
When was the last time each of you had Alexandr? My opinion of it (it was never bad) skyrocketed in the last year or so. Not sure if they did anything different but when fresh this beer is right up there with my favorite New England Czech Pale Lager, The Standard from Notch. It's those two and everyone else, not even close for me.
I tried it once and that was 2021. I was 'leery' in making that one purchase since Schilling beer is very expensive (down here?). Frankly, I only decided to make that purchase since BAs rave about Schilling beer so I thought to myself: maybe it is worth the 'extra' money? Well, the answer for me was it isn't. I can purchase very high quality lagers (Pilsners) from local craft breweries at around 11 - 12 bucks for a six-pack (12 ounce cans). Schilling will not be getting any more of my money since, well, better beers available locally for way less money. And for completeness I have three batches of homebrewed Pilsners in my basement now: Bohemian Pilsner, 1896 Michelob and CAP. Cheers! P.S. If it makes you feel any better I did recently purchase a four-pack of Notch Disko Pilsner even though it was quite pricey (15 bucks) since you don't see Alsatian Pilsners on the shelves everyday. I will be discussing this beer in an upcoming NBW thread. Edit: Below is a post I made a couple/few years ago: I have discussed a number of Schilling beers in NBW threads: Alexandr: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-weekend-38.657313/#post-7229300 Georg: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-weekend-57.660906/#post-7327714 Konstantin: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-weekend-113.668977/#post-7609160 I thought those above beers were good, very good. My last purchase was Konstantin and my only beef is the price of these beers. From memory the four-pack of Konstantin was around 18 bucks. I recall having that four-pack in my hand and actually thinking of putting it back on the shelf due to its inflated price. That is likely my last purchase of Schilling beer; the beers are good-very good but not worthy of the prices being charged IMO.
4-5$ for a can of Schilling lager is a great deal in my area. My local craft retailer(gas station) sells Schilling for $22.99 a 4pack and Trillium for $32-36 a 4pack. The next closest Schilling retailer(grocery store) is 120 miles away and sells Schilling at $15-16 a 4pack.. which is an absolute bargain when comparing quality/value with other competitors.
Honestly it has probably been a year or two, I think last time was on tap at Blackback Pub on one of our summer trips. I did also just look at my review and rating, I'm +5.1% so I definitely enjoyed it, I'm also pretty certain that if I had it again soon, I'd have that same "wow" moment of enjoyment. I haven't tried The Standard from Notch, but if I come across it this summer when up in Vermont in August I will definitely give it a try ----------------------- Since were sharing favorites, here's mine...quite a few of those reviews are cause I couldn't help but send to people the amount of flavor and balance they packed into 3.8% is truly remarkable, and despite the picture it is now exclusively in 6 packs of 12 oz cans.
Dragons Milk D20 is a no-go for me at $50 a bottle. It was co-marketed with a Dungeons & Dragons theme and some D&D 50th Anniversary paraphernalia at an extra cost when it was introduced, but I'm not a D&D fan for that stuff to help sell it to me. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/335/722228/ https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/d20-dragons-milk-and-d-d-50th.678974/
You might want to ask your local beer retailers if they can get The Standard for you. My local Retail Beer Distributor has The Standard packs (12-pack). At the 2023 Logjammin' Lager Beer festival Chris Lohring was there pouring this beer. I discussed it in a NBW thread: "Notch Chris Lohring was there standing behind the booth. The beer they brought was The Standard Czech Pale Lager and it was served via a Lukr faucet. I enjoyed this beer (good - very good) but a tad too thin for my preferences. Just yesterday I purchased tickets for this year's Logjammin' event: Saturday June 7th. Some details from the internet: "Log Jammin’ – Human Robot Where: Philadelphia, PA When: June 7, 2025 Why You Can’t Miss It: BarrieHaus, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Cohesion, Fidens, Fox Farm, Goldfinger, Good Word, Marlow Artisanal Ales, Olfactory, Sacred Profane, Schilling, The Seed, Wooden Robot. Human Robot’s annual lagerbier fest, Log Jammin’, features some of the most incredible big-name lager makers from around the country." https://www.hopculture.com/cant-miss-beer-festivals-2025/#google_vignette Cheers!
Now I see what you guys are talking about. I have not been in the USA since 2017. Beer prices have exploded there. Here is the prospect from my local store here in Germany. These are for 20x500ml bottles.
