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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
- 57/m: Love beer, but it doesn’t love me as much anymore
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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 Premium Brews: When Beer Becomes a Luxury
Have you ever splurged on a single beer, only to question whether it was truly worth the steep price? Recently, I found myself in a similar predicament, and it’s a story worth sharing.
Last night, I made what I thought would be a memorable purchase at a local bottle shop—a single bottle of barrel-aged imperial stout. Priced at an eye-popping $47, this brew had been maturing for 18 months in bourbon barrels, infused with vanilla from Madagascar and cacao from Ecuador. The shopkeeper hyped it up as though it were a rare delicacy, touting accolades like a gold medal from the Great American Beer Festival and emphasizing the brewery’s “meticulous attention to barrel selection.” The allure of a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” was too tempting to resist.
Eager to savor this highly talked-about stout, I brought it home with great anticipation. After chilling it to the perfect temperature and selecting just the right glassware, I took my time to enjoy each sip. However, despite the build-up, the flavor fell short of my expectations—it tasted more like a decadent chocolate milk with a bourbon finish. While it was pleasant to enjoy, I couldn’t help but think it lacked the wow factor that justified its hefty price tag. At that moment, I realized I could have purchased a quality bottle of bourbon for the same amount—an option that might have truly delivered an exceptional experience.
What struck me the most was the inner conflict that bit at me afterward. I wanted to convince myself that the stout was extraordinary because of the investment I had made. I found myself sharing lavish photos on Untappd, Facebook, and Instagram, referencing a “complex flavor profile” and “exceptional barrel character,” all in an effort to justify my extravagant purchase.
Reflecting on this experience, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had fallen victim to the hype surrounding premium pricing. The allure of spending more often leads us to believe that we are indulging in something truly special. I’m left questioning—has anyone else found themselves in a similar situation? How much have you spent on a single beer that genuinely lived up to the expectation set by its price? Let’s share our stories!