I love microbrews, and am a bit dismayed at the recent trend by microbreweries to produce 4-packs of beer. They usually go for around $10 at the retailer, which works out to $15 for a 6-pack. I generally set a $10 limit on a 6-pack, so I have never purchased one of these 4-packs.
Has the 4-pack been a successful marketing ploy? I guess I’m just amazed that people actually buy these things.
Are you talking about microbrews that have a higher alcohol content and usually come in 22(or more) ounce bottles?
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society.
I dunno. I pay around $10 for a 6 pck from a commercial brewery (name brand, like Blue Moon, Dos Equis, etc, but not microbrew). $10/4 seems like a fair price for something made without those economies of scale.
I’d probably buy a 4 pack. The annoying thing about a 6 pack is if you don’t like what you bought, you still have 5 left.
No. 4-packs containing 12-ounce bottles.
I pay $8 for a four pack of Boddington’s.
I would LOVE to pay that for a 6 pack.
I takes what I can gets though…
I like beer, but I don’t drink much of it. I have a six pack of Grolsch in the fridge right now, which I bought in November. There are four bottles left, and I haven’t had any alcohol from any other source.
So yeah, I’d buy a four pack, and be happy about it. Beer doesn’t get better with age.
I’ve paid $10 for a 4-pack of Sam Adams doublebock, it’s that good, but I wouldn’t do it on a regular basis. I’m with you that it looks like a trend.
My local grocery that usually only carries a few non-mega-brews has recently started carrying some nice Abby ales in the large bottles, around $10 each. I want to encourage them to carry the good stuff but have a hard time spending 10 bucks on what amounts to 2 beers.
I’d buy a 4 pack, sure. Sometimes I’ll see a micro-brew that I want to have a sample of and not feel commited to like I would if I had to buy an entire case ($50+ maybe). Chances are I’ll like it, but if not, having only three leftovers wouldn’t seem like the waste 5 would if I didn’t, I guess. And $2.50-$3 for a good craft beer is a pretty good deal around here.
Grolsch won’t, but a lot of high-alcohol beers will, up to about 5 years or so.
Almost all of the craft four packs are “big” beers. Double IPAs, imperial stout, dopple bocks, barleywine, and Belgians. They’re not just more alcohol, but more flavor, and a lot more ingredients were needed for these. The four pack exists to keep the price under $20. I don’t buy the pricey ones often - like St. Bernardus Abt. 12, but I know I’m not getting ripped off when I do. Founders Breakfast Stout is a four pack that I buy often and Duvel too.
It depends on the beer. Sometimes it’s worth it, sometimes not. Any of the Surly 4 packs (16 oz cans) is worth it.
Some of the craft beers have pretty high ABV’s as well, so a 4 pack of 12 oz bottles with a 10% (or more) ABV is the same bang for the buck as 8 regulars beers. Those kinds of heavy, high end, high ABV brews are for sipping, not soaking down. They’re not what you want for a back yard barbecue, but they’re good to sip after dinner while you’re watching House or something.
Since we haven’t had a beer thread in a while, I’m going to create a little side-bar discussion.
Boulevard Brewery is putting out some of its Smokestack Series in 4-packs. If you see Tank 7, get it. It’s currently my absolute favorite beer. I was lucky enough to have it on tap when I was back home in Kansas City for Christmas, it’s really remarkable. (For that matter, keep an eye out in your liquor store for the Smokestack Series display - they’re sold in 750ml bottles, and very much worth trying. I’ve really enjoyed Tank 7, Double-Wide IPA, Celebration Ale and Long Strange Tripel. There’s a saison out there, but I haven’t tried it (yet).
Comparing your general light american lager to a dark ale is like comparing a wine cooler to Cabernet or Merlot.
They are totally different beverages, for totally different purposes. The craft beers have a lot more ingredients, and time, put into making them.
I would no more enjoy a good maduro cigar with a Coors light than I would chug a Belgian ale to quench my thirst in the middle of July.
I occasionally buy 4-packs of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout for $22 or so. Definitely worth it because it is not a session beer.
So, when are politicians going to start looking for votes from Joe Fourpack? 
Holy shit - I think you just coined Sarah Palin’s next snide sarcastic soundbite insult.