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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
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- Dissecting The Beer Menu – An Irish Pub & Layered Brews
- Headed to Asheville – looking for top breweries to get German style in cans / bottles
- Does anyone else feel guilty drinking beer alone because it’s supposed to be a social experience?
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The Price of Perception: When an Expensive Beer Falls Short
Have you ever found yourself shelling out a small fortune for a single beer, only to question if it was worth every penny? This past evening, I experienced a moment that many craft beer enthusiasts can relate to, as I dropped $47 on a bottle of barrel-aged imperial stout. This particular brew had been aged for a remarkable 18 months in bourbon barrels, enriched with Madagascar vanilla and Ecuadorian cacao.
The staff at the bottle shop extolled its virtues, describing it as “liquid gold.” They touted the brewery’s prestigious GABF gold medal, emphasizing their precise barrel selection and claiming that this would be a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Enticed by the impressive pedigree, I purchased the bottle without hesitation.
Once I returned home, I ensured the beer was perfectly chilled and selected a refined glass to enhance the tasting. I wanted to savor every nuanced flavor. However, upon taking my first sip, I found the experience a bit underwhelming. While it was undeniably rich and enjoyable—like an upscale chocolate milk with a lingering bourbon finish—I couldn’t shake the feeling that it simply didn’t justify the exorbitant price tag. In hindsight, I could have opted for a respectable bottle of bourbon for the same cost.
Adding to my disillusionment was the urge to convince myself of the beer’s greatness simply because of how much I had invested in it. I posted photographs to Untappd, Facebook, and Instagram, enthusiastically sharing notes about its “complex flavor profile” and “exceptional barrel character.” Deep down, I realized I was merely trying to validate my purchase.
Reflecting on this experience, it became clear that I had fallen prey to the allure of hype. The high price point led me to believe it had to be something extraordinary. Have you ever found yourself in a similar predicament? What’s the most you’ve spent on a beer that truly exceeded your expectations? Share your experiences in the comments, as we explore the intriguing relationship between price and perceived quality in the world of craft beverages.