Slugger Field food, beer this season

[Robin Garr]

There was Browning's ESB on tap at the same spot as last year, main concourse behind home plate, alongside Shocktop. The price: $5 for what was described as a 14 oz cup, but realistically, is a 12 oz pour if allowing for a collar. Filled to the rim, 14 oz.

Was it still on the BACK of the PEANUT booth?

We brought our cup home and checked its size with a measuring cup. Exactly 12 ounces, filled to the brim.

However, we went last Thursday, and things could have changed.

Was it still on the BACK of the PEANUT booth?

We brought our cup home and checked its size with a measuring cup. Exactly 12 ounces, filled to the brim.

However, we went last Thursday, and things could have changed.

Nope, same deal all the way around: Peanut booth, and cup size. My home measuring cup has it at 12 oz just at the second rim, which MIGHT allow for another ounce or so, but seems intended as the visual pour line. Even with a collar of foam (which I appreciate), I kept spilling the beer. I'd prefer a larger cup accompanied by openly stated pour in ounces, quasi-English way. Spills less like that.

[Robin Garr]

Thanks for checking, Roger. I've got a little rant about it in this week's LEO, and if there'd been a change, I'd have given the editors a call.

Nope, same deal all the way around: Peanut booth,

I thought it a little outrageous that you couldn't even see the tap without walking around to the back, an area that most people might think reserved for booth personnel. On the front of the booth, only the anonymous "Specialty Beer $5" painted in yellow letters.

... and cup size. My home measuring cup has it at 12 oz just at the second rim, which MIGHT allow for another ounce or so, but seems intended as the visual pour line.

Mary measured it and reported to me, so it occurs to me that I don't know for certain how she measured. Probably second rim, based on a realistic appraisal of the serving I got.

Even with a collar of foam (which I appreciate), I kept spilling the beer. I'd prefer a larger cup accompanied by openly stated pour in ounces, quasi-English way. Spills less like that.

Yeah, same here. I liked the ESB, but frankly, for enjoyment at the ballgame I'd just as soon have their Helles or a wheat. Yeah, I know, I'm a wimp ...

Yeah, same here. I liked the ESB, but frankly, for enjoyment at the ballgame I'd just as soon have their Helles or a wheat. Yeah, I know, I'm a wimp ...

In fairness to Centerplate and other interested parties, it should be noted that there is an effort underway to expand the range of local craft choices. I believe the time has finally come, and I'm cautiously optimistic. CP is hip to the possibilities. That said, it's something I cannot and will not elaborate on at present.

Here and at Facebook, I'm canvassing consumer opinion about price points and pour sizes as a prelude to what I hope is a rosy future for craft at the ballpark. Just as in any business relationship, all the parties involved must be satisfied with the outcome (read: $): Brewer, wholesaler, concessionaire and consumer. Reality inside a ballpark or airport isn't exactly the same as outside, but it isn't all that much different in the end.

Robin: I was told last night that Helles was the preference, but was unavailable. If it's just one tap, then I think Helles (the Browning's version is quite good) is still a bad idea because there are already golden lagers everywhere. The only "dark" draft I saw is Amber Bock, and that's a retch-worthy "choice" if ever I contemplated one.

Ideally, having all local breweries in the park, with a stylistic selection across a range, is the preferred option for folks like me and you. Lighter styles to be sure, but not excluding something for my hop tooth.

$4.75 for Bud and Bud Light

$5 for a Browning's ESB is a steal.

I'd call it a fair price. I was drinking "craft" bottles at Outlook on Friday after the rainout - Bells, Avery, etc. They were going for $4. Or 33.33 cents an ounce.

I prefer 16 ounce pours at the ballpark and would probably be willing to pay $6.00. That's 37.5 cents an ounce.

I prefer 16 ounce pours at the ballpark and would probably be willing to pay $6.00. That's 37.5 cents an ounce.

The fact that two different concessionaires (Aramark, Centerplate) in two different ballparks (both AAA) had two different craft beers (Sun King in a can in Indy, Browning's on draft in Louisville) priced at 41/42 cents an ounce might be a good sign that it's the concessionaire industry standard, except that Sun King self-distributes (legal in Indiana), which cuts out one of the tiers. In which case, Aramark in Indy might well be, er, keeping a share for itself.

I prefer 16 ounce pours at the ballpark and would probably be willing to pay $6.00. That's 37.5 cents an ounce.

The fact that two different concessionaires (Aramark, Centerplate) in two different ballparks (both AAA) had two different craft beers (Sun King in a can in Indy, Browning's on draft in Louisville) priced at 41/42 cents an ounce might be a good sign that it's the concessionaire industry standard, except that Sun King self-distributes (legal in Indiana), which cuts out one of the tiers. In which case, Aramark in Indy might well be, er, keeping a share for itself.

You calling me cheap, Roger?

I often go to games and don't eat or drink anything, instead choosing to visit a local brewpub before or after the game. Not only am I cheap, but my attention span begins to go with the first ounce of beer I consume. I watch baseball pretty closely, so I end up frustrated when my attention span doesn't allow for such close attention. But that's neither here nor there...

I have to drink beer to make it through a ball game.

Courtesy of Timothy's e-mails, here is the official position. Bear in mind that the 14 oz measures closer to 12 oz:

"Brownings beers are considered an import/micro brew. It is a 14 ounce cup and the cost is $5.

For regular domestic beer, a 20 ounce is $4.75 and a small (14 oz.) is $3.50."

Just to let the world know: Browning's Helles is being poured at the kiosk behind home plate. As always, we love to serve you at Brownings, before , during, or after games! Thanks for the support.

Just to let the world know: Browning's Helles is being poured at the kiosk behind home plate. As always, we love to serve you at Brownings, before , during, or after games! Thanks for the support.

It was not being poured on Sunday night. Rather, Guillotine ESB was on tap. I was told that Helles had been requested, but ESB is what was received. Brian's Helles is very good, but is it really offering an alternative to craft lovers to have another golden lager on tap in the ballpark?

The ideal solution is out-of-the-bun, out-of-the-box and out-of-the-Bud innovative, but often respected and sometimes successful in a free market like America's: Choice. We need more than one, of different styles.

What a concept.

Paula, rest assured that we're pretty much always at Browning's before the games. Good work, and keep it up.