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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
- My wife found out our favorite Gin for martinis was discontinued. I think we are good for a while…
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- Botanist with Trader Joe’s Lemon and Elderflower Soda
- I’m one of the worlds leading buyers of craft gin in the world and a international spirit judge AMA
- I’m blown away…. By how let down I am by this Gin.
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The Price of Liquid Gold: A Reflection on an Expensive Beer Experience
As a beer enthusiast, there’s a certain thrill that comes from the hunt for unique brews. However, that excitement can sometimes lead us down a path of questionable financial decisions. Recently, I found myself in just such a situation.
Last night, I made a rather indulgent purchase—a single bottle of barrel-aged imperial stout priced at an astonishing $47. This particular brew boasted an impressive pedigree: aged for 18 months in bourbon barrels and infused with Madagascar vanilla and Ecuadorian cacao. The words of the bottle shop employee ringing in my ears, I couldn’t resist. He touted it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” and spoke of the brewery as a GABF gold medal winner known for their precision in barrel selection.
Caught up in the hype, I made the purchase without hesitation. Once home, I took great care to prepare for the tasting—chilled it appropriately and selected the perfect glassware to enhance the experience. I savored each sip, hoping for a complex melody of flavors. What I found, however, was a brew that, while enjoyable, tasted more like rich chocolate milk with a hint of bourbon. Good? Yes. Worth the $47 price tag? Not even close. For that amount, I could have procured a quality bottle of bourbon!
What struck me most was the undeniable urge to convince myself that the experience was extraordinary simply because of the investment. I shared photos and notes on Untappd, Facebook, and Instagram, extolling the beer’s “complex flavor profile” and “exceptional barrel character.” In reality, I was trying to rationalize my decision and elevate it beyond what it truly was.
This made me reflect: it’s all too easy to let the hype and the hefty price tag influence our perceptions. Have any of you found yourself in a similar predicament, paying a steep price for a beer only to feel let down? What has been your most extravagant beer purchase, and did it live up to the hype? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below. Let’s all learn from our adventures in beer!