I'm really happy that great places like the Squirrel, Reef and Derby exist now in DC and that Paradiso and Church Key are bringing worlds of beer to us that had never been available. Back in the day, the Big Hunt and Brickskeller were about the only places to go for good beer.

We have good craft beers (Rogue, Great Divide, Bells, Brooklyn, etc) at Tryst and Open City in the $5-$6 range but it's not easy to keep the prices low given the costs. Charging $13 for Chimay doesn't even get the margin down where businesses are supposed to operate. It's also important to consider that some $10-$15 beers can be an exceptional value for the experience compared to wine and other things.

That being said, I'd still like to see more lower-ABV session beers and local options available which might help lower prices; but that might just be the nostalgic dream of a grumpy old man.

One suggestion would be for more bars to do flights or smaller pours of draft beers, and for the price to be commensurate with the volume. Not sure what it takes on the bar's end to do that economically (additional glassware, dishwashers, and bartenders with four hands...). We are sure there are strains that may outweigh the benefits, but we appreciate it when a place has that option--especially when we're in the mood to drink the higher-ABV beers you mentioned.

But it's bottle prices (not really drafts) at a few of the places we have visited recently that inspired today's post.

It's Amy from The Black Squirrel. First off, thanks Sarah for the mention. We really appreciate it. And Tammy & Bruce, I hear ya on the expensive beer. Even some of the American craft beer is getting incredibly expensive--so much so that we can't carry some brands I'd really like to. My take on it is that the craft beer scene is skewing toward more high ABV beer than in the past, and that makes for a more expensive beer. Nevertheless, we are able to get some great beer from Bear Republic, Abita, Bell's & Avery that can be really reasonably priced. I'll look for some more...and I'm always open to suggestions.

Of course Happy Hour is an option and there are some good ones, but the crowds at the best places can make it hard to participate. (BTW, Pizzeria Paradiso's HH is Tuesday and Wednesday only. Trust us, we know!!!)