The Price of Craft Beer: A Cautionary Tale

As a beer enthusiast, I genuinely appreciate the artistry that goes into crafting a remarkable brew. I have no qualms about spending a reasonable amount for quality beer, but I do wish to avoid the surprise of an inflated bill that can dampen the experience.

Recently, I took a lovely woman I’ve been chatting with out for drinks, eager to enjoy some quality time together. Upon arriving at the bar, I noticed that they had Dogfish Head Positive Contact on tap—a choice I considered a real treat. I asked the bartender for his opinion, and he kindly offered me a sample, suggesting it may not suit everyone’s palate. I was impressed and ordered a glass. To my delight, she opted for one as well—great minds taste alike!

When the bartender served us our 8oz glasses, I anticipated a price tag of around $7 to $8 per drink. Imagine my surprise when the tab came and I saw each one was priced at $10! Despite putting up my best poker face to mask my shock, I found myself grappling with the sudden spike in expenses; I didn’t want to seem stingy on a date. Out of courtesy, I still left a generous tip. Though we later ordered three more beers at a more manageable $5 each, our final total of $43 felt excessive for just five beers.

The key takeaway from this experience is the importance of transparency regarding pricing. If I’m going to be charged a premium rate—especially $10 for an 8oz pour that I could buy in a larger 750mL bottle for just $15—I would greatly appreciate a heads-up. A simple mention like, “This one is priced a bit higher than usual, are you good with that?” could easily spare me the jarring “how did I just spend this much?” realization when it came time to settle the tab.

At the end of the day, I relish a well-crafted beer and am more than willing to pay for it. Just a little upfront communication from bartenders could undoubtedly enhance the overall experience. Thanks for reading, and cheers to more informed drinking adventures!