And while jvandub is right about the vodka thing (Kettle One or Ciroc are best bets) you also have to watch out for some wines, too. We always wondered why wines would occasionally bring on a reaction, and it turns out that some yeast blends are germinated on a gluten base. After they are harvested and used to ferment other spirits, they transfer the gluten they were grown on. It takes some getting used to and isn't an easy thing to live with--good luck!

One reason for the increase in beer prices is, farmers have been increasing corn production for use as ethanol. Because of this, production of hops, and barley has decreased making those commities more expensive. We apparently have two choices, cleaner fuels or cheaper beer.

I say screw the enviorment.

I have yet to find a good alcohol deal other than the Kirkland vodka at Costco. All the beer "deals" are about .50-1 dollar more expensive than the local store.

@picardia:

One bottle?! My goodness, that's just a starter kit. When i'm in the mood, one bottle of wine would be a joke.

@silyolpooh:

They could give that away for free and I still wouldn't want it. Bleck!

@failurate:

You nailed it right on the head.

@Lucky_Strike-001:

$18 a 12 pack for even Sam Adams is high, but Sam Adams in an overpriced beer to begine with. It's a little over $8 a six pack in my neck of the wodds, and can bet it's near the same in your area. They sell their beer for about $2 more than it's worth.

@SigmundTheSeaMonster:

Sam Adams. Now there is a good beer, but it's time they bring the price down. They're no longer a Micro-Brew or Craft Beer. There is no reason for their beer to cost just the same as DogFishHead or likes of.

I can no longer afford craft beers and micro brews. I can barely afford Bud Light. I've had to move on to cheap rum. $14 a half gallon or $16 for a 24 pack. What would you choose?

@GirlCat: I haven't been able to find any of the two buck Chuck (though it's admittedly three here) in ages. People have been tearing through the cheaper wines at TJ's and even the cheap vodka. It has been making the prospects of sangria a lot less thrifty.

@grumpygirl: Sounds like it's time for you to experience the joys of cider!

Yeah plenty of beers are made with rice. Check it yo! I believe Budweiser is too? I may be mistaken, it may just mostly be rice. You can also drink vodka, watch out for a lot are made with grain, not potatoes. Try Monopolova it's potato and not too spendy.

I got you both beat- I buy the alcohol, and pour it straight down the urinal.

Cuts out the middleman.

I've been brewing for a year now and it's fun as hell, not to mention really satisfying when you open a bottle of something good and say, "Hey, I made this."

So yeah, just as the American craft brewery movement's started to really take off, the market's decided to go and kick it in the nuts. Pisses me off.

a manifestation of Calvinist guilt over both the present failures of the economy and its prior excesses. A deliberate effort to deny oneself pleasure.

Clearly a statement created by a corporate shill earning $40k/year with a philosophy degree.

How about, booze is merely a luxury people can't afford. No guilt involved. Why drop $20 at the bar on Friday night when it can be better served toward rent or utility bills?

@rpm773: Actually, I thought I read something a month or so ago that said that sales on hard liquer were actually increasing.

I don't see how people are getting through this without drinking.

Though I've cut back expenses and calories this year, I still buy about one bottle of wine per week. We're not talking Chateau Rothschild, though.

I'm not drinking every night, and when I do drink, I'm not typically getting tanked, but I've definitely increased the drinking as the economy tanks. And I'm pretty sure there's a direct correlation to that.

@JiminyChristmas: I work in a distribution center that distributes booze. And cheap vodka is doing a-okay! As are some lower-end beers and wines.

I work for a Big Box/Pharmacy that also sells booze (I don't work for the retail side). Anyway, cheap vodka sales? Doin' just fiiiine.

Maybe people are just going for the cheaper stuff instead of the pricy import or microbrew.

I'd be interested to see how the volume is impacted, and if more people are hanging out at bars (the article references take-home sales), since misery loves company.

@bohemian: OTOH, some of us have substantially increased our drinking since the election...but apparently we're not quite making up the difference.

Give me my Yeungling...Light...cause I don't need to get fat while drunk and depressed....(hic).

12 pack PBR or PBR light. $5.97 in VA.

However, Philadelphia Beer Week is fast approaching. So I'm planning on splurging then.

although lately, i've been drinking a lot of don julio blanco (tequila). i dunno how the guy does it, but he's selling 1.75ml bottles for $50. everywhere else, that's the price for the 750ml.

can't pass up that deal!

@slater:
I always found that the best part of making your own beer is the satisfaction of getting drunk on your own creation.

@b.k. & Helldog:
What is Mr. Taco? It sounds like I'm missing out here in Madison, WI.

Well, at my grocery store (Giant), Heineken is $10 a 6-pack. I'd start with that as the problem.

People don't drink out as much during recessions, they don't eat out, so they buy their wine and booze for home consumption. When two bottles of beer at a bar costs the same as a six-pack at home, drinking at home is a good way to tighten the metaphorical belt. Yes, some segments are down (wine over $50 is pretty slow right now, for example), but overall, we're pretty busy in the liquor business.

Looks to me like the drop is on a par with the "purchased meals" (restaurant and takeout, presumably) drop, so it's probably part of a larger cutback behavior.

Finding your local microbrew store, about $70, and some extra space will set you up with the basics.

(No, srsly, notable decline in grocery bills since I got pregnant. Hadn't realized quite how much we spent on alcohol!)

Her theory is that people tend not to eliminate petty luxuries even in tough times. People might skip going out to dinner but will pick up a couple bottles of wine instead. Also, a lot of drinkers are intensely brand-loyal and as a result don't trade down to save money.

@b.k.: When Mr. Taco used to have three tacos for $1.89, I used to crush nine of them at one sitting. And yes, while their taco sauce might not have been hot or super-flavorful, it was somehow perfect.

$18!!!!! After discount!

Ya think ?

As a fellow Okie, I agree. Beer prices have also risen over time. I always buy the good stuff anyway, but these days, I brew at home. If you're in the OKC area, there's a good brewing store on thirty-something and Penn.

I don't affect this stat at all; I drink my alcohol before I leave the store.