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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
- No Stupid Questions Wednesday – ask anything about beer
- 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 Craft Beer: An Experiment in Expectations
As the craft beer community continues to flourish, so does the allure of high-end, limited-edition brews. Just the other night, I found myself at a local bottle shop, where I made a surprising splurge. I invested $47 in a single bottle of barrel-aged imperial stout, which had been aged in bourbon barrels for an impressive 18 months, enriched with Madagascar vanilla and Ecuadorian cacao. The shopkeeper spoke so enthusiastically about it that I felt compelled to make the purchase, convinced it was a rare gem worthy of my attention and wallet.
Once home, I took great care to prepare for the tasting ritual. I chilled the beer to perfection, selected the appropriate glassware, and let the experience unfold slowly. But as I sipped on what was heralded as a luxurious concoction, I found myself grappling with conflicting sentiments. While the beer had a delightful flavor profile reminiscent of rich chocolate with a bourbon finish, it didn’t quite deliver the transcendental experience I had envisioned. In fact, it left me questioning whether it was truly worth the hefty price tag.
Regretfully, I began to realize that I had been swept up in the hype. The bottle had been marketed as if it were liquid gold, boasting claims of award-winning craftsmanship and nuanced flavors. With the social pressure to appreciate it fully, I found myself sharing glossy photos and grand descriptions on platforms like Untappd and Instagram, trying to convince not only others but also myself that it was absolutely worth every cent.
This experience has led me to reflect on how often we place value on beer based on its narrative or price, rather than the actual drinking experience. I’m left wondering: Is it common for beer enthusiasts to fall into this trap? What is the most you have ever shelled out for a single beer, and did it truly live up to its cost? Share your own experiences—the thrill of discovery, the letdown of reality, and the moments when a craft brew genuinely exceeded expectations.