Sharp Edge (Pittsburgh, Washington, Shiloh: appointed, live, prices)

[BrianTH]

Certain beer styles can reasonably be served in 10-12 oz portions, and in fact I prefer it that way for certain beers. High ABV is a rough proxy for those beer styles, but certanly there are still some (high ABV stouts, DIPAs, and such) that lend themselves more to pints.

As for pricing, that is ultimately a function of supply and demand, not just costs. And even considering just costs, you have to look at not just production costs but shipping costs, storage costs, and so on.

None of which is to deny that Sharp Edge is still a bit pricey by any measure (although I would again highly recommend their half-off Belgian draft happy hours--they are quite reasonable in price with that discount). But the lower-volume Belgians are generally going to cost more than most equivalent American brews almost everywhere in the United States.

[Mr. Mon]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

None of which is to deny that Sharp Edge is still a bit pricey by any measure (although I would again highly recommend their half-off Belgian draft happy hours--they are quite reasonable in price with that discount). But the lower-volume Belgians are generally going to cost more than most equivalent American brews almost everywhere in the United States.

You know they are overpriced if they can afford to sell Belgians at half price during happy hour. The Sharp Edge makes me so mad because of their pricing, but of course I always go back for a draft. I guess I'm just a glutton for sweet, sweet Belgian punishment.

I'd never buy bottles there, but their draft selection can't be beat. And I'm thrilled that they're Downtown.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mon

You know they are overpriced if they can afford to sell Belgians at half price during happy hour.

Well, yes and no. For all we know they take a loss on those beers, but find they make up for it with increased sales otherwise (e.g., outside happy hour, or in food, or so on). But regardless of the underlying economics, it definitely pays to hit them during happy hour.

The Sharp Edge makes me so mad because of their pricing, but of course I always go back for a draft. I guess I'm just a glutton for sweet, sweet Belgian punishment. I'd never buy bottles there, but their draft selection can't be beat.

Yeah, the bottomline for me is that sometimes I don't mind paying a little extra to have a great selection of Belgians available. I'd probably go more often if it was cheaper, but I assume that they know what they are doing as far as maximizing profits is concerned.

And I'm thrilled that they're Downtown.

Absolutely. I'm already trying to figure out how often we can arrange a babysitter so my wife and I can hit their happy hour after work before stumbling over to the EBA for a ride home. And it is definitely going to be a nice addition for visitors.

[fleetiebelle]

I don't disagree with what y'all are saying about the beers, but I would get married to Sharp Edge's Mediterranean nachos if that were legal.

[mckeesport_alum]

Stop by BBT on 29th & Sarah. Great draft selection and reasonable prices. Also my favorite place to watch a Pens game.

[Renaldo5000]

Originally Posted by mckeesport_alum

Stop by BBT on 29th & Sarah. Great draft selection and reasonable prices. Also my favorite place to watch a Pens game.

They have Chimay there! *drool*

[robrobrob]

I am surprise NuWaver hasn't mentioned it but there is a newer bottle shop in O'Hara called Beer Nutz. It seems as if everytime I go in there they have more taps.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

While I do agree that Sharp Edge does seem to have more of a "high class" vibe in their bars, I still believe that it doesn't justify the prices they charge. Like I had mentioned in the previous post, they're making good money by charging very high prices for what would be considered "special" beer for those that are only familiar with Bud, Miller, and Coors.

While pretty much all Belgians have higher ABV's than American Macros, it shouldn't amount to a higher price. It's not as if it takes a ton of cash to make a beer achieve a high ABV (it's just adding more fermentable sugars to the batch). These days you can pretty much go into any bar that has decent craft beer and get something that's from 7 to 11% ABV for a reasonable price. For example, I've been seeing Founders Breakfast Stout starting to pop up in various bars on tap and I've paid $4.50 for a pint and it's 8.3% ABV.

They don't have to justify the prices they charge to anyone but their own business model. The great thing about choices is that if you only want to pay $4.50 for Founders Breakfast stout, you've found the place to do it. If you want to pay for the ambiance, mature crowd and the more selective rotation offered by the Sharp, you can do that too. The different business models make both options available to the consumer, and for that I am grateful. Me personally, I love Smokin' Joes -- before 5pm. After that it's time to head elsewhere. And I'm glad there's some "elsewheres" out there to go to with a completely different vibe.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I am surprise NuWaver hasn't mentioned it but there is a newer bottle shop in O'Hara called Beer Nutz. It seems as if everytime I go in there they have more taps.

Somebody had mentioned that to me but I have not been there in a few months to see it. I last bought a case of beer there around Christmas and did not notice the bottle shop. I do not buy many cases, and that is what Beer Nutz was initially, a beer distubutor. It is interesting to see that they have taps. That is rare for a beer distrubutor. I guess they have to have a certain license for cases and another one for serving on premises? Maybe someone knows how this works. I'll swing buy there for a draft or two no doubt.

[Renaldo5000]

Originally Posted by Drover

Me personally, I love Smokin' Joes -- before 5pm. After that it's time to head elsewhere.

God forbid, you wouldn't want to act boorish with the female clientele.