Does price matter?

People sweating out 2-3$ differences between six-packs still blows my mind. Without a doubt, beer is one of this country's most affordable luxuries. When I can walk into the bottle shop and get a Westmalle triple, six-pack of Sculpin, a Roch 10 and have a pint of Wick Weed Freak of nature IIPA and walk out for under 40$--now that's living. All superior and even close top of style representatives.

Invoking the 5000$ bottle analogy is ridiculous. In reference to the OPs poll--doubt that rationale falls under anyone's "favorites."

 

This is where my decision making process is put to the test. I was at the beer store yesterday, I wanted a good wood aged HG brew. I seen both Weyerbacher's Insanity and DFH's Palo Santo Marron, both for 15.99. After a few moments I grabbed Palo Santo. The reason? I enjoy a 12% brew for 15.99 instead of an 11.1% brew. I let my alcoholism usually guide my wallet's expense.

 

Wow. Never see beer coupons around here, nice.

 

Beer prices are not going up, Its the value of your money going down.

 

Southern Tier sixers are $9.99 around here, and are a pretty damn good value. That Helles is surprisingly legit(!!!) and it might just be getting slept on. As did the Grand Arbor and Tier de Garde. I'm loving what they've been doing lately.

 

This poll is too broad and should specify a prices for a specific format. Because if you're talking about more expensive bombers or some 4-packs, then I think price is a bigger factor in people's purchases. If you're only comparing 6-pack or 12-pack prices for standard 12oz bottles/cans then I doubt most people are sweating the $1-$3 difference in price. That's pocket change for most people... a single coffee at Starbucks could cost more than that.

 

I always will purchase 1 beer regardless of cost. After I have one it when cost comes into play. It's got to really blow me away for me to put a lot of cash down on the next one.

 

The difference between a bomber, 22, and a 750 ml, 25.4, is basically a sample tasting pour.

 

The cost impact of barrel aging, different yeast strains that take some risk to them, bottle conditioning and opening a brewery near los angeles less than a decade ago have a big impact on the overall price point of their beer.

 

I generally purchase sixers in the $8-10 price range with no qualms. I will purchase bombers in the $7-10 range maybe once a week, at most. Every once in a while, a long while, I'll splurge on a bomber above $10. I'm pretty ashamed of the amount of money I spend on beer each week. Price does matter, and I'm definitely not a whale hunter. Oh, and the proverbial shot at Rogue -- I refuse to pay their prices. Absolutely stupid price point, Rogue.

 

Two words for me, Ten Fidy...can not get over the price of a 4 pack of cans, especially when I can grab a six of Old Chub or 4 pack pint cans of Old Chub Nitro. But I know Ten Fidy has plenty of buyers & I love Old Chub...if Ten Fidy was a four pack of pints for that price I'd be more likely to buy more often.

 

It still changes the equation.

 

Price is rarely a factor, but saddens me that people buy up stuff like Heady Topper just to bring it down to wherever and make a huge profit...

 

It has next to nothing to do with why Bruery beers are expensive.

Case in point, I can get Trade Winds Tripel there summer seasonal for around $9.99 to $11.99 depending on retail store. But I am never going to find Tart of Darkness for less $22.99. They could put the latter in a 22 ounce bottle and it will still hit $20 likely.

 

$8 to $15 for a bomber is not problem. When it starts getting higher than that I usually pause. If I am stocking up, most will be in the $8 - $15 range and I might buy one or two more than that. At those price points I can find plenty of craft beer to fill up my shopping cart.

 

I'm a bargain shopper, I generally stick to the "normal" stuff - IPAs, etc where the prices stay around $10 for a six pack or under $20 for a 12. Having said that my local bottle store often has good stuff on the make your own six pack shelf so I still get to pick up imperials and other more expensive stuff. I will occasionally splurge on a bomber of Ommegang, a four pack of something like Bigfoot, or the Southern Tier Super Pack.

I was on vacation last week in Tampa and I did drop $22 on a bomber of a local RIS brewed by Cigar City and Coppertail, probably the most I ever spent on beer but it was worth it and went well with the hand rolled churchills me and my cousin had.

 

You completely missed the point of my initial post. You are arguing a point I wasnt making.

 

I sadly have to admit... NO!! I will try anything... ONCE.... Regardless of price. if i deem it worth it i will pay what ever the going rate is to have said beer again.. with 1 provision.. (..going rate to me means if every bottle shop has it for roughly the same price... give or take a $1) I will buy it if i want it. If i find a good beer that i want but is obviously marked up. I will inform the shop owner, this is going for x amount at most places, this is why I'm not buying this here. Maybe douchy but so be it.. with that being said if i like it and its a avrage price... im in price be damned.. to break it down simply.... price is not a factor.. but i wont get reaped either

 

The recent wave of local 16 oz. cans of high quality IIPA have steered me away from the pricey bombers I used to seek out.
The ultra fresh cans that are delivered consistently every week offer the best combination of price/value for my money.

 

If the quality is there, then I don't mind. There are some mediocre to really bad beers brewed in SoCal that are stupid expensive and collects dust on shelves.