Beer prices going up?

http://www.freep.com/article/20140702/BUSINESS06/307020050/trucking-drivers-beer-prices-consumer

Reason #481364186 Michigan is going down the tubes

Winter, federal regulations, fuel costs....all things unique to Michigan.

Turtleneck wrote:Winter, federal regulations, fuel costs....all things unique to Michigan.

What about the stupid 10 cent deposit?

Sounds like we should, instead, just buy beer from our local taproom, amirite?

Freight prices are going up everywhere, not just beer. I know that trucks that used to cost about $5k from CA to OH, are up to around $7500 this year. CA has some very strict trucking regulations though, toughest in the US. Freight from FL to GA has gone up about 50% as well. 

This is part of the free market, if huge companies want to continuously beat others up, eventually the supply will dry up. I don't fault the drivers at all. Stricter regulations, mediocre money, stressful job, if they can make more, than good for them. People should be looking at retailers and the margins they are adding to staple items, like milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables and meats. Whatever price you see in the store, could most likely be cut by 25% and they would still make a profit.

Giant Moose wrote:
What about the stupid 10 cent deposit?

That has been around for a long time

And while you say dumb, that deposit bought so many lunches and dinners the day after a party.

Turtleneck wrote:Winter, federal regulations, fuel costs....all things unique to Michigan.

Illinois has the same things and beer is much cheaper there (outside of Chicago)

State excise tax on beer is marginally higher in Illinois than Michigan. I lived an hour outside of Chicago for quite some time, and do not remember being blown away by the affordability of beer. If it is cheaper, I do not think it is significantly cheaper.

Cosmo_Kramer wrote:http://www.freep.com/article/20140702/BUSINESS06/307020050/trucking-drivers-beer-prices-consumer

Reason #481364186 Michigan is going down the tubes

You have to deal with freight / transportation charges at your job?

The beer fairy doesn't get your favorite beer from the brewery to your favorite watering hole or retail shelf for free. A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds. A full keg weighs about 160 pounds and a standard 12 oz / 12 pack weighs about 10 pounds.

Shipping water by truck is expensive.