Comments on: The Cost of the Beer: Hops http://thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/11/08/the-cost-of-the-beer-hops/ We love beer, we thank heaven. Begrudgingly, we admit we are not the authority on all things "beer," but we know our fair share. Enjoy the good brew with us; correct us where we're wrong. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:48:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The Cost of Beer: Inflation | Thank Heaven for Beer http://thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/11/08/the-cost-of-the-beer-hops/comment-page-1/#comment-67234 The Cost of Beer: Inflation | Thank Heaven for Beer Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:21:21 +0000 http://thankheavenforbeer.com/?p=3595#comment-67234 [...] the higher price of craft beer over macro beer, Mike has written three fantastic articles on Hops, Grain and Yeast.  In an intentional, and hopefully not boring, deviation from the ingredient [...] [...] the higher price of craft beer over macro beer, Mike has written three fantastic articles on Hops, Grain and Yeast.  In an intentional, and hopefully not boring, deviation from the ingredient [...]

]]> By: beer_scientist http://thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/11/08/the-cost-of-the-beer-hops/comment-page-1/#comment-51101 beer_scientist Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:23:50 +0000 http://thankheavenforbeer.com/?p=3595#comment-51101 @Simply-Agreed. A badly made craft beer isn't really crafted in any real sense of the word. It is an ongoing series, so thanks for not stealing thunder. I really do wish that most people cared more about quality. I've often used analogies like spam vs. filet or geo metro vs. a Corvette to draw the difference. When people are interested in a particular car, food, or whatever, I've found it helpful to use their taste in that to talk about beer...sometimes it works well. I do wish more breweries would utilize coops to bulk purchase. As I've said, and you've reiterated, purchasing power is huge. Maybe region cooperatives would be a nice way to structure something like this. Craft beer will never truly compete on prices simply because they make a better products. But I would like to see a leveling of the field for prices. @Jim. It would be nice to see a larger body help the craft beer scene in this way. Whatever else people think about Sam Adams, they helped craft brewers out a few years back when they sold them hops during a scarce period (I think AB bought up a bunch of hops). There is still a way to go for the craft industry. @Simply-Agreed. A badly made craft beer isn’t really crafted in any real sense of the word. It is an ongoing series, so thanks for not stealing thunder. I really do wish that most people cared more about quality. I’ve often used analogies like spam vs. filet or geo metro vs. a Corvette to draw the difference. When people are interested in a particular car, food, or whatever, I’ve found it helpful to use their taste in that to talk about beer…sometimes it works well.

I do wish more breweries would utilize coops to bulk purchase. As I’ve said, and you’ve reiterated, purchasing power is huge. Maybe region cooperatives would be a nice way to structure something like this. Craft beer will never truly compete on prices simply because they make a better products. But I would like to see a leveling of the field for prices.

@Jim. It would be nice to see a larger body help the craft beer scene in this way. Whatever else people think about Sam Adams, they helped craft brewers out a few years back when they sold them hops during a scarce period (I think AB bought up a bunch of hops). There is still a way to go for the craft industry.

]]> By: Jim http://thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/11/08/the-cost-of-the-beer-hops/comment-page-1/#comment-51058 Jim Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:55:43 +0000 http://thankheavenforbeer.com/?p=3595#comment-51058 I'm surprised that the Craft Brewer's Association or another body doesn't offer small brewers the opportunity to combine their purchasing power for brewing staples like hops, grains, etc. I know everyone uses different stuff, but there should still be savings avaialble as well as access to supplies when crops are scarce. I’m surprised that the Craft Brewer’s Association or another body doesn’t offer small brewers the opportunity to combine their purchasing power for brewing staples like hops, grains, etc. I know everyone uses different stuff, but there should still be savings avaialble as well as access to supplies when crops are scarce.

]]> By: Simply Beer http://thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/11/08/the-cost-of-the-beer-hops/comment-page-1/#comment-51014 Simply Beer Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:34:17 +0000 http://thankheavenforbeer.com/?p=3595#comment-51014 Both hops and grains are big factors and there are many more which come into play. Since this appears to be an ongoing series, I won't steal any thunder. Purchasing power is the biggest problem that any small manufacturer faces, not only in beer. I believe many breweries belong to coops to help reduce that burden of bulk buying. As with anything that is crafted vs mas produced it is going to be more expensive. But the people who want quality vs cheap, the cost becomes less of a deciding factor (unless your taking Utopias or something like that...) where as the satisfying nature of the produce helps determine the viability of that product. Craft beer that sucks isn't going to have much viability as one that is amazing. Both hops and grains are big factors and there are many more which come into play. Since this appears to be an ongoing series, I won’t steal any thunder.

Purchasing power is the biggest problem that any small manufacturer faces, not only in beer. I believe many breweries belong to coops to help reduce that burden of bulk buying.

As with anything that is crafted vs mas produced it is going to be more expensive. But the people who want quality vs cheap, the cost becomes less of a deciding factor (unless your taking Utopias or something like that…) where as the satisfying nature of the produce helps determine the viability of that product. Craft beer that sucks isn’t going to have much viability as one that is amazing.

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