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Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
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- What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a single beer and was it worth it?
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- What’s your favourite thing to do while drinking alone?
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The Costly Quest for Craft Beer: A Personal Reflection
When it comes to indulging in craft beer, many enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for what they believe will be an unforgettable experience. Recently, I found myself caught up in this very phenomenon, shelling out a staggering $47 for a single bottle of barrel-aged imperial stout. Hailing from a renowned brewery and described as having been aged in bourbon barrels for 18 months, enhanced with Madagascar vanilla and Ecuadorian cacao, it seemed like a steal—certainly, I was in for something extraordinary.
The bottle shop clerk touted the brew as “liquid gold,” drawing attention to the brewery’s impressive Gold Medal from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and highlighting its meticulous barrel selection process. With such endorsements, it was hard to resist making the purchase.
Once home, I made sure to properly chill the brew and select the right glassware to elevate the experience. I took my time to savor it, but as I took my first sip, I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed. Yes, it had a nice, creamy texture reminiscent of rich chocolate milk, rounded off with a bourbon-like aftertaste. However, for the price I had paid, it felt more like a good dessert rather than a truly exceptional craft beer. In hindsight, I couldn’t shake the thought that I could have invested in a solid bottle of actual bourbon for the same price.
What stung the most was my impulse to convince myself and others of the beer’s greatness, largely because of the hefty price tag. I took to social media, sharing photos and waxing poetic about its “complex flavor profile” and “exceptional barrel character,” all in an effort to validate my costly choice.
This experience left me wondering: how many of us have fallen victim to the allure of craft beer hype, allowing enthusiasm and price to cloud our judgment? I’m curious to hear from fellow beer aficionados. What’s the most you’ve ever invested in a single beer that genuinely lived up to its cost? Share your experiences—let’s explore the fine line between craft beer enthusiasm and inflated expectations.