Buying for the ABV?

Seriously. Torpedo is a good buy...always! And these tallboy cans are killer.

 

Agree, the cans are better. Do they somehow taste fresher to you, too?

 

Bourbon.

i can drink 1oz without opening up anything new.

 

No argument here.

 

Yeah, I get that way at times. Even on Friday I bought a bomber of something just under 7% then drank it and didn't even feel a buzz. So I become hesitant on spending even more on a few bombers that are around the same strength. Hitachino Nest Ginger Ale for 10.99 don't seem worth it where as if it were a 750 ml of Piraat or Gulden Draak or a number of other high power Belgians I'll go for it. Anchorage brewings Galaxy White IPA is over $15. So I'll see myself pick up a Sly Fox Ichor for $8 and drink that instead. I took a couple of weeks off too or even the workweek off but still?! I love indulging in the flavors of a multitude of craft beers, if not I'd just drink Vodka.

 

Great idea. You could brew a Belgian tripel pretty cheaply.

 

Firestone walker I believe makes mission street pale from Trader Joe's, Don't like it as much as all day but it is indeed 6 bucks.

 

I am just the opposite. I look for beers with the lowest abv. I recently switched from drinking Fuller's London Pride ( 4.7%) to Goose Island Honker's Ale ( 4.2%) as my every day beer. The lower abv only played a small part in my decision but it was part of it. I love to sit down and drink 3 or 4 beers in one session but I don't want to get drunk.

 

If you're drinking craft beer for the alcohol...

When cheap, I prefer less big, sessionable beers.

 

I'm generally not a fan of this approach but New Belgium Rampant is 8.5 % abv and comes in a six pack.

 

Been there done that! I'd like an app that takes into acct $/ABV with BA rating. It would save me a lot of time at the store. I guess could just use a calculator, but an app would be more fun.

 

($/TOZ) x 2BAR = Best Value
TOZ= Total oz
BAR= BA Rating

I think I need to account for bombers vs 4 or 6 pks. weighting 6 > 4 > bomber > 750ml > growler (5,4,3,2,1)

S($/TOZ) x 2BAR =
S= Size

 

Back in the day when I was just starting out drinking beer it was all about the ABV. Now, could care less as I don't drink to get any sort of buzz. Now it's more about the taste. Alcohol can at times add to that taste but I have found the lower alcohol content beers seem to be more balanced to me allowing the other flavors rise to the top.

 

The only time I buy for the ABV is if I am tailgating before a concert or a football game. In those situations I really don't to keep getting in line for the bathroom, so the stronger ABV stuff keeps the party going without the constant piss break. Usually my "tailgate beer" is Long Trail Double Bag.

 

I recommend that you pick up a case of Arithmetic.

Your $7 bomber of 11.4% barleywine is the same price per ABV-adjusted ounce as a $9.44 6-pack of 4.7% All Day IPA. If your goal is truly "bang for the buck", adjust accordingly.

When you think about buying a bomber, triple the price (and then add a little more) and ask yourself if you would pay that much for a 6-pack (or double it for a 4-pack). Does a $21 6-pack sound like a bargain for Old Guardian? Few bombers look as good when you apply arithmetic. By the way, the actual same-price-per-ounce cost of a sixer would be $21.91.

 

I know 4-packs aren't the most economical purchase but I've always found Brooklyn BCS to be a steal at $7.99/4pack when you take quality, abv, and price all into consideration.

 

The only time I buy for ABV is when my wife injects her nose into my drinking business and tells me I have a x bottle limit. She is not wise to how high these ABVs can go.

 

If Unibroue is available I always find some of their beers to top contenders for price/quality/ABV ratio. I can get a 4pk of Maudite a great choice.

 

I tend to find myself buying beers that are higher in ABV and in 4/6 pack format. I'd never buy bombers if my money was "tight", unless they were $4 Arrogant Bastards (and that price doesnt exist around me). Even then, that is a $12+ 6 pack of 7% ABV beer, not the most amazing deal. I can get 6 Two Hearted Ales (albeit not quite as good as AB) for $10 or $11.

For me, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Monster Ale are 2 of the best "bang for your buck" beers out there. A couple of scotch ales are also great values, Founders Dirty Bastard ($11/sixer, 8.5% ABV) and OB Old Chub ($9/sixer, 8% ABV). Not the most exciting beers, but definitely great examples of the style.

Other high abv beers that are really great values: Great Divide Hibernation, Lagunitas Brown Shugga and Sucks, SN Bigfoot and Narwhal, Weyerbacher Old Heathen.

 

Not at all. I buy beer because I want to try it.