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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 Price of Indulgence: Is it Worth Splurging on Craft Beer?
Craft beer enthusiasts often find themselves navigating a delicate balance between quality and cost. Last night, I took the plunge and shelled out $47 for a bottle of barrel-aged imperial stout that was touted as a premium experience—a beer that had spent 18 months in bourbon barrels alongside Madagascar vanilla and Ecuadorian cacao. The bottle shop clerk seemed genuinely excited about it, praising the brewery’s legacy, which includes a prestigious GABF gold medal, and emphasizing the painstaking care taken in selecting the barrels. It felt like I was purchasing a piece of liquid artistry.
Eager to dive into this experience, I rushed home, chilled the bottle to perfection, and used my finest glassware. I savored each sip, anticipating a taste that would justify the hefty price tag. However, the reality was a little different. While the beer was enjoyable—rich and chocolatey with a hint of bourbon—it tasted more like an expensive chocolate milk than the transformative experience I had been led to believe. Sure, it was tasty, but it didn’t quite reach the heights that $47 would typically command. For that price, I couldn’t help but think how many quality bottles of bourbon I could have purchased instead.
What struck me the most was my instinctive desire to convince myself of the beer’s greatness after spending so much. I shared photos and descriptions of its “complex flavor profile” and “exceptional barrel character” on platforms like Untappd, Facebook, and Instagram, all the while trying to validate my extravagant purchase. The whole ordeal made me reflect on the power of marketing and the allure of luxury items; I got swept up in the hype, allowing the price to influence my expectations.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a single beer, and did it inspire the same level of excitement—or disappointment? Share your experiences in the comments below; I’d love to hear how others have navigated this intersection of craft beer and indulgence!