The Beer Thread - what are you drinking?

I have no idea what you just said. I see that there were words, and they formed sentences, but I'm not sure what they mean when you put them in that specific order.

"People spend more money on some things than I would spend on those things. They're just showing off, because they really know that those things are only worth as much as I value them. If they only spent as much as I would on those things, they would be better people."

I put a bit of effort into not saying that. Not just not sounding like that, but not saying that.

Yes, there is such a thing as inverse snobbery - various kinds of it, in fact - but that doesn't mean that "aficionado" type consumption isn't frequently very exploitative, or that a "try to bargain hunt" rule isn't a workable corrective against that exploitative tendency. And a flexible one, since one's definition of "try to bargain hunt" can be tailored to one's own economic circumstances

EDIT: Also, *rude gesture*

Sorry. That's what it read as, but if that's not what you meant, I apologize for putting words in your mouth.

I'm not really sure how it's exploitative. I'd actually appreciate some more info on that; I don't see what's wrong with "people who really like something spend a lot on a super-rare version of it," especially if little independent businesses are being supported that way. If that's actually hurting someone, I'd like to know! And I kinda wish you'd said that first, because it really did sound like "I am a better person because I buy less expensive beer," which is just...silly.

I...uh. Guess I'm less sorry? But not a whole lot less. I thought you were trying to be snide, but if you meant it earnestly and sincerely and all that, I don't like to imply ill-will that wasn't intended.

I'm sorry, it's like you're doubling down on your judging now.

It's one thing to say "I don't understand how anyone can pay more than x for y." It's a stupid thing to say, but at least it's not judgmental. I don't "get" wargame figurines, but I get that other people do and don't slam them for 'wasting' their money on their hobby. But you're saying that "People who pay more than x for y are probably being exploited," and "There is a way to have y experience and still pay less than x."

And I'd say that's utter bullshit, because a lot of the beers I'm willing to put a premium do not have a parallel at a lower price point. There's stuff that is similar, but it's not even in the same ballpark. And I've drank enough stuff blind to actually be able to say that with confidence.

So if you're not trying to sound like you're slamming people who enjoy and seek out premium products, uh...try again?

I'm a big fan of their IPA (the Total Domination) . I'm also a big fan of their 22oz bottles.

This seasonal was a huge hit with my friend who drink heavier beers -

Has anyone tried that beer that comes in a green bottle shaped like a happy Buddha? I bought one just to put on the kitchen windowsill--it looks happy, and sparkles in the sunlight!--but I actually have no idea what it tastes like, or even what kind of beer it is. If it's secretly delicious, I might as well drink it and refill the bottle with water.

People who spend shittons of money on products of dubious quality (beer is a substance best consumed while still on the yeast and you filtered bottled beer fanciers can suck it) are snobs is, I think, the point.

I like a good commercial beer as much as the next guy, but IMHO there is nothing as good as a freshly made ale or a nicely lagered beer I made myself ***, especially a beer in a bottle stored who knows how for who knows how long in a warehouse somewhere.

*** I no longer actually make my own beer, but I did for many years, and during those many years the only beer I found anywhere as good or better than my own came straight from various craft breweries and brew-pubs, on tap and not from a bottle.

Shove off. This is the beer thread, not the douchecanoe thread.

Err, who gives a shit about virtue? There's deliciousness to be had, why not enjoy it (if you can afford to).

Oh, and as far as your homebrewing, let's suppose you made some damn fine beer.

Have you had this beer?

Have you had this beer?

Have you had this beer?


How about these?





The beers you made were better than those beers, objectively?

Then please open a brewpub and put your mash tun where your mouth is.

That was where I came from with the belated "also FU" edit, as I did feel like exactly what I was trying to avoid saying (and/or sound like I was saying) was basically what was being put in my mouth there. But, at any rate, sorry to have intensified it while you were about to say that.

The version of the dynamic that most people are familiar with - familiar enough that I didn't want to use it as analogy, for fear of seeming dismissive - is audiophiles and their desire to have extremely high quality minor components that non-audiophiles see as absurdly expensive, diminishing-returns prestige goods. And it's a tricky subject because probably a ton of audiophiles are great people getting excellent bargains on excellent stereo equipment, and making a generalization about audiophiles or audiophiledom, even by analogy, is sloppy.

I didn't want to say, after people spoke about it admiringly, that Utopia beer seemed to me like the Monster Cable of beer drinking. So I said, essentially, that price-capping a product like beer - where a fantastic world class artisanal serving has traditionally cost less than 10 bucks - has, as an advantage, the effect of short-circuiting an ostentatious-consumption escalator dynamic

Since the cartoon version of Jason T you're responding to has already let slip the dogs of war civility-wise, hopefully my being an intolerably snobby poor has already been costed into the tone of the conversation.

That's the other bottle that she got for me. I'll give that one a try tonight.

Now you're comparing us to idiots who can't understand basic physics. Thanks, I guess?

You can't compare a 27% ABV beer that undergoes complex fermentations, various types of barrel aging, and a blending process reminiscent of solera methods to beers that are brewed, bottled, and off to market in less than 2 months.

I personally think Utopias is overpriced for what it delivers, and my personal threshhold for it would be a price well under the $100 mark per bottle - But I don't begrudge anyone who appreciates it and can afford that cost. To do so would be a selfish exercise to make me feel good about my spending habits and taste, and I don't need to fluff my own ego like that.

And if you wanna go toe-to-toe about income, I'll wager I'm in the bottom 10% of this forum as far as my W2 goes. I live frugally in many ways, so that I can spend a few bucks on beer. It's no different than if I was saving money to buy comic books or Beanie Babies or whatever arguably silly pasttime you can think of.

As far as the "short circuiting ostentatious yadda yadda" thing goes, I'm sure you would think it would equally ignorant if someone were to suggest that it's silly to spend more than $20 for a AAA game title or $50 for a pair of speakers. Just because your value metrics are different does not mean mine are defective or inferior.

TL;DR

Different strokes for different folks makes the world go round. Judging because you don't grok something doesn't.

This thread now makes me sad.

EDIT: No.

If it's incomparable to mortal beers... I dunno how to address that. Ordinary beers and the ordinary prices of ordinary beers don't seem like out of bounds benchmarks in a beer thread (any more than pricier beers ought to be out of bounds or sneered at (outside of people's imaginations). If you're insulted by a "monster cables" analogy, pick some kind of premium expensive audiophile equipment you're unsure of the value of, and use that as the analogy.

Yeah only other people with a different arbitrary cost cap are horrible and in this thread to fluff their ego by saying imaginary things. My arbitrary cost cap is similar to the traditional cost that a serving of beer has had for thousands of years. Yours is higher, but not ridiculously high. I obliquely referred to what I saw as a benefit of my cap, one that I fully realized was probably lower than those with A: more money or B: a different appreciation of different beverages. I can see how this has necessarily led to an angry exchange(?)

Here, Batboy. Let's get back on track.

Two-Hearted Ale, I just can't quit you. Om nom nom nom.

There is no way to make the point you're making without it sounding dismissive because it is inherently a dismissive point to make.

You are telling people that their perception of their tastes and enjoyment of their hobbies is wrong, and that you have a better value system.

You really cannot make that point without being an asshole, because it's a pretty rude thing to tell people.

Also, consider that people who aren't trying to be snobs probably don't really give a shit how their consumption and spending looks to people "on the outside of the system looking in". Their spending isn't about you. Nobody's buying a bottle of Utopias at you. You and your arbitrary value system don't even remotely enter into the decision, no matter how much effort you put into judging them from afar.


Stop digging yourself deeper already.

STOP IT. This is a thread for beer enjoyment, not beer-related flaming. Behave yourselves or I'll sic Lum on you.

I would very much like a beer right now, but it's cold outside and I don't want to drive to the beer store just now. Maybe tomorrow.

Dude. No.

You do not get to play the hanging-on-the-cross card right after saying this:

You're right. I'm done.

I will simply say that I had a Terrapin Liquid Bliss while watching the Pens game today and it was really good.

I didn't get to spend too much time drinking with such a short trip in Michigan. I did drink a 6-pack of Bell's Porter while I was there, however.

Man, I wish someone would buy a bottle of Utopias at me. Crossing my fingers for the next Secret Santa! XD

If I ever get really really mad at you, I'll ask your Secret Santa 2013 to send you PBR.

(Not really, I'm not that cruel. Hee.)

That's just evil.

Sorry, man, I think the mythical $10 cap might actually be my limit for buying a bottle of beer at you. Maybe I could be talked up to $20 if it's, like, a 750ml and it's really good or something.

Skinflint.

We'll make a deal: I'll change my tune the day a bottle of Eisbock shows up on my doorstep.

...

In deference to the wishes of Switchknitter and Muffin I'll not rebut what I saw as a re-strawmaning of the entirety of what I posted, but don't keep nodding back to it if you don't mind.

It was pretty clearly a joke. I'm not sure what the confusion is here.

I know I lol'd.

Yeah, but you're clearly just trying to butter me up so I'll buy you beer. You're crafty that way.

Handsome AND smart!

Yeah, yeah. Anyway, enough about how astonishingly awesome I am.

Tell us whether you managed to get an Eisbock. If so, I require an AAR.

Oh yeah. I got some. Bottles and had some on draught that day. There really aren't any words, hence the GIF post.

Fwiw I wouldn't buy Utopias again. I'm glad I have it and I enjoy the occasional glass, but it's definitely a once in a lifetime thing.

Out of curiosity, what's the price point where you'd consider buying a bottle, say, once every few years?

Yes! It is not great. Not bad but you are paying for the bottle not the beer. The bottle is awesome though.

Do you know they are better than my beers? No, you do not.

Green glass allows UV penetration, so you've just guaranteed that one is gonna be skunky. I wouldn't even bother drinking that one.