Americans Have Forgotten How To Get Cheap Alcohol

[FarCenter]

Sometimes the easiest ways to save are right under our noses––and even then we still can't manage to sniff them out.

While the price of hitting up bars and restaurants for a nightcap has risen nearly 80 percent over the last 30 years, Americans have spent less on store-bought spirits and doubled their alcohol spending outside the home, according to the latest findings in NPR's Graphing America series.

You can blame inflation and rising alcohol costs for most of the trend. Spirits saw a 9.7 percent price jump in 2011 and beer wasn't far behind at 9.5 percent, according to the Consumer Price Index.

Still, it's a wonder consumers haven't sought out more affordable drinking options at home. Store-bought booze has seen a 39 percent drop in prices since 1982 and yet it makes up 16 percent less of our alcohol spending these days, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-america-shops-for-alcohol-2012-6

[mysuzuki2]

1. I agree 100%. It is MUCH cheaper to drink at home.

plus you can do it in your underwear while scratching yourself. Try doing that in one of your fancy clubs.

[Drunken Irishman]

2. I enjoy drinking at home...

But it's better with people and bars are where the people are at nowadays. However, I'll happily take a house party or house get-together with friends over going to a bar. Less noisy. Less annoying. More relaxing.

[FarCenter]

3. BYOB restaurants are a great option

[hunter]

4. It's almost absurdly easy to MAKE cheap alcohol.

Nothing more than a large pot, a stove, some two liter pop bottles, yeast, and something to ferment: fruit juice, ginger & sugar, barley, corn meal, potatoes...

[backscatter712]

5. Sounds like "Pruno", aka prison hooch!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruno

"Vomit-flavored wine cooler." YUMMY!

[surrealAmerican]

6. It's even easier if ...

... you start with unpasteurized apple cider. It pretty much takes care of itself.

[xfundy]

7. There's a strong need to be around others, to have conversations

and maybe make new friends or dates. Restaurant/Bar owners know this, and charge an outrageous premium for it.

Gay establishments, however, have been decimated, mostly due to the internet, resulting in a great loss to the community in terms of going out for the same reasons as everyone else, but in a safe environment.

[csziggy]

9. Bring back cocktail parties, then

That's how people used to socialize and drink together. Invite a crowd of people, have an open bar and some simple hors d'oeuvres, put some good music on. People used to rotate at each other's homes so one couple or person is not stuck with the hassle and expense of hosting all the time.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

8. Homebrew beer = $0.80 per pint... 100 proof shine = $10/gallon

Doesn't get any better than that.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

10. $7.99 bottle of 100 proof vodka. Get a good 3, can't-remember-shit nights out of it. nt

[Prism]

11. Two buck chuck

Pre-drink before hitting the bar then get one beer to nurse for the evening. Voila. A night at the bar for five bucks.