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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.
Latest Posts
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- Does anyone else get treated like a beer snob for ordering literally anything that isn’t a macro lager?
- Is there a polite way to refuse a beer that’s being served in the wrong glassware without making everyone at the table uncomfortable?
- # What’s the most pretentious thing you’ve ever said about beer that you secretly didn’t understand yourself?
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The Price of Perception: My $47 Beer Experience
Have you ever splurged on a single bottle of beer, only to question if it was worth the price? Last night, I found myself in this very situation. I impulsively purchased a bottle of barrel-aged imperial stout for a staggering $47. This wasn’t just any beer; it was billed as a luxury item that had been aging in bourbon barrels for 18 months, infused with Madagascar vanilla and Ecuadorian cacao. The shopkeeper hailed it as “liquid gold,” highlighting the brewery’s accolades, including a GABF gold medal, and emphasized their “meticulous attention to barrel selection.”
Intrigued by the promises of a unique tasting experience, I couldn’t resist making the purchase. Once home, I chilled the beer to the ideal temperature and employed my finest glassware, eager to savor every drop. What followed was a moment of culinary anticipation quickly dampened by the realization that the brew tasted more like indulgent chocolate milk with a hint of bourbon. While it was enjoyable, it certainly didn’t warrant the lofty price tag or the notion that I could have purchased a fine bottle of bourbon for the same money.
As I sipped on my pricey beverage, I felt a peculiar pressure to justify my expenditure. I enthusiastically shared photos on Untappd, Facebook, and Instagram, praising its “complex flavor profile” and “exceptional barrel character,” all while wrestling with the notion that perhaps I had been swept up in the hype surrounding this product.
Have any of you found yourselves in a similar predicament, where the excitement and cost of a beer led you to expect something extraordinary? I’d love to hear your stories! What’s the most you have ever spent on a single beer, and did it live up to your expectations?