Beer Prices Beat Inflation

Every day, we read new headlines that talk about the effect of inflation on our way of life. In most cases, these reports are extremely true and are easy to see. Look no further than the cost of a gallon of gas these days.

Just a few short years ago you could fill your gas tank up and never think twice about breaking the bank. Hopping in your car and taking off for a weekend ride or just going to see friends never warranted a second thought. Now, if you are like me, you think twice when you make a trip into town because it costs too much to run all over the place.

The costs of food have also increased dramatically over the past five years. It was not uncommon to be able to go have a nice meal for $10 almost anywhere 5 years ago. Now, if you get an entrée, a drink and leave a tip you will be lucky to get out for under $15 dollars. It seems like nit picking to mention this but all of us have to eat and this adds up to a large number when you add it all together.

What made me think of all this was looking at the price of beer last weekend at the grocery store. There are few more important prices here in America than beer and that seems to be one place where we are beating the crap out of inflation. You can walk down your local beer aisle and the prices are basically the same as they were 10 years ago.

I know that when I graduated from college three years ago you could be a case of Busch Lite for $10.99 and guess what the price was last weekend, $10.99. That small statistic just slapped me in the face. Cars cost more, gas costs more, food costs more yet somehow beer stays the same price.

Apparently the people at Budweiser have found a way to keep their products at the same price over a long time period. Maybe we need to send Alan Greenspan to St. Louis to figure out just how the hell this can be done. If they could teach the government to keep from raising my taxes each year while still providing the same quality services that beer does, I would gladly throw in for the plane trip.

I know that I am not changing all of humanity here but I think this makes a valid point as to what could be done about rising prices. If nothing else maybe it will point out that not all things we enjoy have to cost more.