Explaining to others why we spend so much on beer

Coincidentally I just got asked this while buying a bottle of Surly Eight the other day. It was $23 for a bottle. I explained that people don't hesitate to spend twice that on a bottle of wine when they go out to a restaurant. I don't hesitate on beer purchases either.

I shared the bottle with a couple of friends so it came out to like 8/glass. That's not outrageous. Again, wine prices easily surpass that. Plus, we all truly appreciate 250mL of a high quality drink than 60 cans of Boxer that I could have bought for $23 instead.

 

Would you rather I spend the money on horses or hookers?

 

I've never been ask that question. If so, I would reply in a friendly way that might encourage them to give it a try. My friends mess with me about my "nasty tasting beer' but its all in good fun. A few of them will actually try a sample.

 

I have a $240 grill....my neighbor's grill cost $2500...I drive older used cars...some people drive BMWs etc...Target and Brooks Brothers both sell dress shirts...cost disparity for items of seemingly identical purpose is very common...

 

Non craft beer drinkers don't get it if you tell them that "beer is a hobby" so there's no use trying to explain and convinnce them.

 

I second that...

 

"Everyone has their own vices."
No one has responded negatively to it yet

 

Good point. As for me, I wish I had a $2500 grill and a BMW. Sadly, I cannot afford these items. However, quality and more expensive beer is, within reason, something I can afford. This is why I buy it.

 

I had an animal lover ask me that once...
I was like do you like dags?
dags?
yeah, dags. you like dags?
ahh dogs, sure.
well look at how much you spend at the vet for it if its sick, cant stop shitting, needs fancy food, etc.

 

According to my excel spreadsheet, this is actually not that BAD of a value.. About $1.50 per/standard 4.2% 12 oz. beer. At it's cheapest, we may be at 75 cents for the crap stuff.. At its highest we have something like Avery Uncle Jacob's Stout coming in at $3.22 per/standard 4.2% 12 oz. beer. Abyss and Southern Charred are the highest at or nearing $4.00. A rip off pint of Bud light at a restaurant comes in at $2.62 per/standard 4.2% 12 oz. beer. Don't discredit what you LIKE. Explain to them that they can kick rocks.

Even a standard pint of a local favorite on draft comes in at $1.60... Do the math, and feel better about yourself... That's what I do.

 

Pretty much the hobby answer that has been mentioned many times in this thread. If I want to be humble and self-deprecating, I say "I got nothing else at my age". If I want to be a braggart I say "I used to race motorcycles, this is waaay cheaper".

 

Everyone else I know spends way too much money on _________ to fret over my beer money. Ask no questions, receive no lies...

 

believe me, I have no regrets

 

Take note of the professional sports team logo on the offender's clothing and explain that there's a local high school team that plays the same sport, but the tickets are way cheaper.

 

I just avoid answering that question all together.

 

Love it when the cashier says "Wow, this must be a really good beer..." for a $10 12oz-er. I just say, "I like it." Haha.

 

The "everyone should have a hobby" line is usually my go-to. I'm not a car guy, I don't spend money on clothes, I don't particularly like to travel, I don't play golf... When it's your only vice, it's not so bad.

 

"First off, if you paid $18 for a case of PBR you paid too much. Just wait a few minutes, after I drink this good beer I'll pee you a river of PBR."

 

we never merged finances.... so my husband never needs to know
(we just split common expenses, and are responsible for our own bills)
no joint checking or credit cards - most brilliant idea ever

 

I'm a feeling a movie reference, here.