Just saw on BeerMenus that Proletariat is charging $16 for 8oz pours of three Bon Chien variants. To me that's fucking unreal. Is this a record in NYC? I guess some of those 5oz Torst prices have probably been competitive. Is $2/oz the new $1/oz (which I used to think was out of control a couple of short years ago, but is now becoming commonplace for higher ABV stuff)?
Yeah I'm sure you're right man. But still - seen all sorts of rare kegs that were relatively pricey in the city over the years, but this is really pushing it
Yep - Rare stuff and the transport costs. I was at Prol this past Monday night and I didn't realize they had a BFM take over going on with Jérôme Rebetez. I definitely had a little bit of sticker shock seeing those prices. But they were offering generous half pours, so no need to spend that much on a full glass.
Why not just set an opening bid for the whole keg and then see what the market will bear? Only half kidding here.
For Torst's bday this year most of the rare stuff was $10/5oz. Vanilla rye, yellow belly, barrel aged evil twin, 2009 de dolle. I hear you on the BFM prices. Beer Street is a sister bar to Proletariat and we avoided it tonight due to all the super pricey BFM.
Price did look "high," but I chose to think of the beers as a serious glass of wine. They spent years in in several different barrels and then spent some more time in barrels at the importer. You're paying for the process and complexity. Jerome is a friggin mad scientist.
You might be onto something. Looking at Beer Street's list, there's only one beer less than $1/oz (the local option)... and that's including the non-BFM beers. Proletariat's is pretty close to the same thing. BFM beers are really great but simply priced out of reach over here. Zymatore beers are all interesting, and I get that you're paying for the process, but it's value is questionable. Would you happily pay more money for a "Sympathy for the Devil" remix or would you be more pleased with the original song anyway? I guess it's a matter of preference.
I guess it is possible to price these more... accessibly The Bon chien grand cru in sparkling wine barrels is on at a couple of places right now Torst - 5oz for $10 (obviously) but Bar great Harry - 12oz for $12 (with an option for a smaller pour that's marginally less cost effective) BGH and the other bars run by those guys tend to have the best prices in the city. BGH had mex cake bottles that were priced less than some stores
But when you put down your glass at Torst, it's on marble. If wood is good enough for you, then by all means go to BGH, but just know that it's not optimal. (Also, glass stems at Torst are taller... just sayin')
