Breweries Enter Their Value Meal Era | VinePair

If there’s one thing to know about me, I’m a die-hard fan of happy hours and a good deal. $2 hot dogs and $4 beers till 6pm? I’ll be there when the doors open.

Brewery taprooms rarely had to entice drinkers with deals, though. Fresh IPAs, scented with the latest and greatest hops, were enough to get people through the door — no matter the cost.

But now, a dark cloak of financial unease covers all nooks and crannies of our economy and society. Costs are high for health care, steaks, and rent, compounded by widespread job layoffs and Arctic-like hiring freezes. And for some cash-strapped beer drinkers, a pint’s cold comfort can be too pricey.

To meet consumers’ crunched budgets, breweries are taking economic cues from fast-food and fast-casual restaurants and creating beer-driven value menus and meal deals. The goal is to deliver quality without cutting corners, enticing customers off their couches on traditionally quiet nights.

For VinePair, I took a look at how breweries are leveraging a nice price — looking at you, Von Ebert Brewing’s $3 20-ounce light lager — and deals, like Austin Street Brewery’s adult Happy Meal that combines a corndog, 12-ounce lager, and shot of bartender-beloved Fernet for $12. Hot dogs! They’re everywhere, like Tasty Beverage’s weekly deal for $2 hot dogs and no corkage fee on beer.

“Realistically, you could get a hot dog and a beer for less than $5,” says Johnny Belflower, the owner. “You can’t buy a sandwich and a drink for less than $5 at most fast-food places.”