Kosmo from The Soap Boxers passed an interesting link my way yesterday. I already had a post in mind for today, but it is Friday and a post about beer clearly takes precedent. The news that Kosmo sent me was about a Idaho Hockey Fans Suing CenturyLink Arena Over Beer Prices.

I know what you are thinking… it’s about time that someone did something about the price of beer at sporting events! Unfortunately, we aren’t making any headway there. The lawsuit is about the stadium selling a large beer at $7 and a regular beer at $4… which are exactly the same size, just different shape cups. They put together this video demonstrating the rip-off:

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That’s bush-league of CenturyLink to scam people on their beer. Because of the video, CenturyLink has been pressured to make change. Here’s what they are doing according to the story.

“CenturyLink officials announced a short time later that the company would purchase new cups for the large beers that would hold 24 ounces instead of the previous 20 ounces for a bigger difference in size.”

Problem solved, right? Well, not exactly.

Typically buying in bulk nabs you are lower unit price. This won’t be the case at CenturyLink and it won’t even be close. You get the first 20 ounces for $4, but when you pay $3 more you only get another 4 ounces? The small size gives you 5 ounces for your dollar while the large size gives you less than 3.5 ounces for your dollar.

Give me two small beers. I’ll gladly pay the extra buck for 16 more ounces of beer.

[Update: I read another article that clarifies that the small size is 16 ounces giving you 4 ounces for your dollar. The new 24 ounce large size at $7 still won’t give you the same value though.]

I’ve noticed the disparity on the pricing of beer at stadiums before. Usually when the smaller beer is a better value, it is really, really close to the point that is hardly worth mentioning.

Next time you are at a sporting event take a look and do a little math. You might be rewarded with a little extra nectar of the Gods.