How much is that beer?

The other day the wife and I were at Melt in Lakewood and sat at the bar for dinner. We noticed they had Duvel Green on tap and mentioned it to the bartender. I told him that the Bier Market had it for a short time, but ran out of it. He told me that they would probably have it for a long time since they are charging $7 a pint for it. He did not sell much and said that it was too expensive for their place. Which brings me to my thought--how much is too much for a beer?

Beer prices have been going up in our area both on tap and in bottles. Browsing the beverage store aisles I have put off trying some new beers because they are too expensive. I find it hard to justify spending more for one 12 oz bottle than it would cost me for a six-pack or two of a good local microbrew. I mean how good can the beer actually be?

Don't get me wrong. I am not averse to spending a premium price for a premium product. I am a single malt fan after all. I just don't see the point of paying extra for a product that is not that much better if at all than what I can get for significantly less. If I am paying more, such as with single malts, than I want to taste the difference. With some of the premium beers I have tried I have to admit I can't taste that much difference.

I will continue to sample as many different beers as I can in the future. I am a beer lover to say the least. I will have to say though that I will continue to be a bit selective in which ones I try. Charge what I think is too much and I will have to pass. What that actual price point is? I am still trying to figure that out.

Oh and in case you were wondering I did not buy the Duvel. I did not think the $7 price was out of line for a Belgian beer and I would have paid it but was not in the mood for a Belgian that day. Let's be honest--spending $12 for a good glass of wine or single malt is worth it so why would I balk at paying only $7 for a beer?