Slugger Field food, beer this season

[Robin Garr]

The Bats are back! Opening Day was last night (er, opening night?) and we're going out tonight.

Naturally I'm curious about whether Centerplate Inc. will do anything to make the food better (yay!) or worse (boo!), not to mention developments on last year's burning issue about the single Brownings local brew tap, which seemed not only to be well hidden last year but sometimes moved around, perhaps a strategem to sell more Bud and Bud Light and less Browning's.

I'll report, but to start things off, did any of you get out there last night? Anything to report about food or brew?

I'll be there Saturday so I'll keep my eyes open. I'm not really a beer drinker so I usually don't notice the beer taps, but I will certainly pay more attention and report back any findings!

-Scott

[Robin Garr]

I'll be there Saturday so I'll keep my eyes open. I'm not really a beer drinker so I usually don't notice the beer taps, but I will certainly pay more attention and report back any findings!

-Scott

Well, talk to us about the food too, Scott! Any new dishes, price changes, improvements (or otherwise) in food quality ...

We're going Sunday, and as added enticement to report, our first Bats game of the year will come a day after visiting Indianapolis and taking in the Indians. I know that the relatively new Sun King brewery has beer in Victory Field in Indy. Since I'm interviewing Clay (owner) on Saturday, I'll try to see what SK had to go through to get its beer in the ballpark there.

I'm gonna try my best go tomorrow to see if this Chapman kid is the real deal. I'll be eating and drinking, so if I do go I'll give an update.

I didnt look around much tonight but I know they STILL havent added veggie dogs like half the ball parks out there carry these days. I noticed they had some pasta station (I cant recall if that was there last year) and somehow the Papa John's there is better than any Papa John's I've had anywhere but that doesnt say much.

Looking forward to my first game this season tonight! With Chapman as the starting pitcher it should be a full house. I hear people are actually coming DOWN from Cincy and Dayton to see this guy pitch.
I can't recall if the Reds have ever spent this much on a rookie pitcher EVER. It should be interesting
I'll be on the lookout for any new and interesting food developments..But I ain't expecting much.

Here's a look at good beer availability at Victory Field in Indianapolis:

http://hoosierbeergeek.blogspot.com/2010/04/update-hoosier-beer-and-baseball-geek.html

I'll try to take this approach and identify good beer by location within Slugger Field.

Rained out but they had a pasta station and a sandwich and salad shop serving panini style sandwiches made to order. As far as beer it appeared to be the same old same, bud, bud light and amber bock on tap. 'Beers of the world' with Becks, Heineken, Peroni and a couple others. Nothing too exciting from what I saw.

I'll be there again today for Thunder and we're going to Brownings after the game so if they have anything exciting(I haven't been since the renovation and menu revamp) I'll let you guys know.

Holy Crap the grill behind section 109 had veggie burgers. I was floored. It was just a gardenburger but still major points for that so I can have something that isnt a pretzel or pizza at the games now.

Of course the Kitzito lady is always around as a bonus.

We went to yesterday's game. The missus found the veggie burger, too, and was pleased. I opted for the big brat and note that no kraut is available, at least yet.

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.

At Victory Field in Indy on Saturday night, a 12 oz bottle of Upland Wheat was $5.50, and a 16 oz can of Sun King (poured into a plastic cup) was $6.50.

I have a few thoughts on this, but right now, I'm more interested in knowing what other craft beer drinkers think. What will you comfortably pay for a craft beer at the ballpark? I didn't have any problem with $6.50 for 16 oz of Sun King, and other people were buying, too.

I prefer draft beer, but cup size discrepancies always make it harder to judge value. But, assuming a 12 oz pour of the Browning's, the price of it and Sun King actually work out about the same: .42 cents and .41 cents per ounce. Naturally, wholesale prices are different, too.

Discuss?

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.

Discuss?

What is the price/sizes of the "lite" products? This might be a part of what is holding back craft beer at Slugger.
What would Slugger have to charge to make the same profit off a craft vs macro beer?

$5 seems more than fair for a craft beer at a ballpark. I figured the macros would be going for $5-$6.

$4.75 for Bud and Bud Light

I meant to survey macros, but I'm afraid to touch them for fear that it will rub off and I'l be tainted by association.

$4.75 for Bud and Bud Light

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