Beer Prices/quality ratio?

Larry, does Notch Brewing provide good value? And what about Jack’s Abby?

Cheers!

 

Notch is $9ish/6pk, JA $9-12/4pk (500mL bottles). JA prices are usually closer to the higher end of that range.

 

I haven't bought much Notch brewing because they are all session beers and I already feel like i'm getting ripped off if I have a beer with a watery after taste (which in my opinion All day IPA has). Jack's abby brewing 4 packs are in the reasonable range, they are 9.99 for 4 16.9 oz bottles. The singles start getting expensive at around $5 for a 16.9 oz Double IPA for Baltic Porter but they usually are a very quality beer.

 

Have you had the opportunity to drink Notch Cerne Pivo? Is so, what is your opinion on this beer?

Cheers!

 

This is why I like to buy beer by the case or sixtel. $14 for 6 beers or $40 for a case of 24. Which makes more sense financially? And I know someone will say "I LIKE TO DRINK MORE THAN ONE FLAVOR OF BEER" which i'll do every now and then going to a mix-a-six shop that has low prices on seasonals/year-rounds. (not talking super-limited stuff)

 

Nope, sorry. Also, that particular beer, like all of Notch's one-off beers, was only available in bombers, priced at about $4.50. Like jagerholic, it's tough to convince myself to buy "session" beer when I can buy "real" beer for the same price. If they ever got the price down to something like $12/12pk or so I might consider them more often.

 

Thanks for your input.

I am also not a fan of bombers. About the only beer I buy in a bomber is Victory Helios (since I can get that beer for less than 4 bucks).

I really, really wish that breweries would just package their beers in 12 ounce formats (or at least in 12 ounce formats and larger formats so we have a choice).

Apparently there are enough beer consumers who are willing the pay the bomber prices?

Cheers!

 

The guy who runs Notch is pretty sensitive to this. The reason he does bombers for the one-off SKUs is because (he claims--and I'm inclined to believe him) it's the only way he can get them on the shelf due to stores limited space for 6pks.

 

I picked up a 6er of SN Torpedo on sale yesterday for $6.97. All local 6ers range from $6-10.

 

Wow...beaten to the punch multiple times...danged work anyway! Those answers already posted are right on the mark. I have yet to try any Notch brews - for a while they were pretty spotty around my neck of the woods, but recently they have a pretty big "shelf presence" and more consistent availability. Really odd since they are about two hours north of me...and come to think of it I haven't seen anything but 22 ouncers - strange.

Jack's Abby - it is almost unfair to ask me since I am really like their beers. Looking at that "value proposition" can get a little blurry sometimes. The four packs (if my math is right about $0.15 an ounce) seems good to me for beers I consistently like. Singles can get a bit adventuresome depending on the store - I think I paid $4.99 for their Maibock so that is pushing it a bit, I forget what Kiwi was. Only real disappointment so far was their Schwarzbier at $4.99, but I am not a big fan of the style. Like I said, nobody twisted my arm to buy it so no complaints. But if I look at the regular line with Hoponious, Smoke and Dagger, etc. that come in fours it's OK. The "occasionals" that come in singles - a bit iffy but I buy them anyway.

I think things like this get into the "subjective value" pretty quickly. I mean, people spend big bucks on Cantillon (or sours or whatever style) and do so regularly because they love the brews. The personal value to someone who loves Cantillon is high - to me who hasn't had one it seems upside down. Not sure if I am explaining myself well on that thought - I just think there's different ways to conceptualize value. My wife drives a Lexus - to me it is a nice vehicle and the value proposition (features for the buck) is so-so; to her it is a different story because she feels safe, secure, and confident driving it so to her those feelings add to the value and when momma's happy, peace in the valley

I do think the OP's point has truth. There are a lot of "meh" beers out there with a premium price tag that isn't justifiable in terms of that quality/price ratio however it is defined. The whole pricing deal is pretty fascinating anyway - I know how it works in my business, but I don't think it is quite the same for beer and wine where there's other mysterious factors involved.

 

That is a really good point on shelf space and product facings. I know we have to pay "slotting allowances" to get our products on grocery store shelves and it is millions every year to maintain our "turf". Often wondered if alcoholic beverages follow the same model. Maybe not since proliferation is so, well, prolific. But there's still a limited amount of shelf space available, so that makes perfect sense from Notch's perspective. Larger format, smaller footprint versus not getting it in store at all.

 

the expensive bombers is where I tread lightly. I remember years ago when $5-$6 for a 24oz was the threshold, but now that seems cheap. paying over $10 for a 24 oz just seems wrong to me, unless I know it is something outstanding. It took me a long time just to come around to buying a bomber of Speedway Stout that was staring at me every week at the bottle shop.

I always check reviews before trying something out for $10 just because there are dozens of beers I would be happy with and really do not feel like making a mistake just to experiment. Luckily I have a lot of bottle shops around that rotate taps daily so I am able to try a lot of different things before I commit to 6pks or bombers in the stores.

 

“ ..paying over $10 for a 24 oz just seems wrong to me”

I hear you! I can buy a lot of high quality craft six-packs for 10 bucks.

Cheers!

 

I live on the Eastern Shore. I hardly see any six packs over $12. There has, however, been a noticeable price increase just about everywhere the last few months (maybe just temporary for summer?). But, most of what I am seeing is certainly slightly higher prices for any good beer not produced locally, with a few overpriced ones mixed in. You should be able to get a good case of most beers for ~$40 around here.

Although, I must add, I see by far a higher fluctation in price of the better 4pks (even local DFH)

 

Ommegang and Unibroue make great beers and are solid values for Belgian style brew. Weihenstephaner, Ayinger, et al are reasonably priced and 2.99 for Vitus is one of the best values period. Stone bombers and sixers, Lagunitas, SN, Bell's; I usually keep something like Sierra Nevada in cans for everyday drinking and it fits nicely in my can rack and doesn't take up too much space and sprinkle in more expensive, heralded beers in between to make them last longer.

 

Yes on Vitus and the 6 packs of Weihnstephaner Hefe. Both are fantastic and well priced. German beers in the store always intimidated/confused me and for years I just stayed away because I didnt want to buy an overpriced Pilsner. A german beer bar opened up in Portland a few years back and really opened my eyes to some great beers that are very well priced compared to a lot of domestic craft beers.

 

I will agree that there are states and stores where prices are higher either because of taxes, charging what the market will bear or outright gouging. However, I do believe that as the price goes up, in most cases, the quality of the beer goes up. For example, here in NY, a $9.99 sixpack of pretty much anything other than a Sierra Nevada product will most likely disappoint me. For another $2, I'll probably get something I enjoy throughly. And on the higher end, a $17.99 or above sixpack or a $12.99 or above 4 pack usually stays on the shelf since there is plenty of beer below that price point that is throughly enjoyable. I say usually since I will buy the more expensive stuff for special occasions.

 

We had a real issue with keeping up with demand, and certain areas of the state suffered. We use 5 regional wholesalers in MA, and were only able to keep steady supply to our Boston and North Shore wholesalers, and even that was a struggle. At this point, most are back in full stock. Our 22oz format is only available in Boston and North of Boston, and we have cut way back on them, putting most of our limited / one-offs in draft due to demand, as well as a very crowded 22oz market. Year round six packs are statewide.

 

Well I am in SEMass and all I have seen are 22's, but I haven't looked much recently. Will make a point to check it out on my next shopping trip.

 

Originally 22s were in your area, but we stopped shipping 22s there in the fall of 2012.