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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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The High Cost of Craft Beer: A Personal Reflection
In the world of craft beer, there are moments when the allure of a bottle can lead us to make extravagant purchases. Recently, I found myself in one such scenario, where a single bottle of barrel-aged imperial stout set me back a staggering $47. This particular brew had been aged for 18 months in bourbon barrels and was infused with Madagascar vanilla and Ecuadorian cacao, making its presentation all the more enticing.
The clerk at the bottle shop touted it as “liquid gold,” highlighting the brewery’s accolades, including a GABF gold medal and “meticulous attention to barrel selection.” Excited by these claims, I didn’t hesitate to make the purchase, feeling that I was about to experience something truly exceptional.
Upon returning home, I took great care in preparing the perfect environment for tasting this expensive brew. I chilled it to perfection and selected the appropriate glassware, savoring the anticipation. However, when I finally tasted it, my initial excitement quickly waned. While the stout had pleasant flavors reminiscent of rich chocolate and bourbon, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t worth the hefty price tag. I could easily have purchased a quality bottle of bourbon for the same amount, which would have undoubtedly provided better value.
Despite my initial disappointment, I found myself trying to convince myself of the beer’s greatness, even posting glamorous photos on Untappd, Facebook, and Instagram. I described a “complex flavor profile” and “exceptional barrel character,” but deep down, I knew I was merely justifying an extravagant purchase.
This experience coaxed me to reflect on how easily we can get swept up in the hype surrounding limited-edition beers. The higher the price tag, the more we associate it with superior quality, sometimes overlooking our own palate preferences.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation, paying a premium for a beer only to be left wanting? What was your most extravagant beer purchase, and did it live up to the cost? I’d love to hear your stories!