Sportservice, which handles concessions for the Milwaukee Brewers, announced this week that prices on many items will be increasing this year.

Here are some examples:  hot dogs will now set you back $3.25;  a jumbo dog will be $4.25 at the concession stand, $4.50 from a vendor;  brats will climb from $4.25 last year to $4.50 at a concession stand, $4.75 from a vendor; and peanuts will climb from last year's price of $3.75 to $4 at a concession stand, $4.25 from a vendor. 

Okay, okay, I know...let's cut to the chase.  How much is beer going to cost?  Here you go:   16-ounce and 24-ounce cups will cost $5.50 and $7.75, respectively.  In each case, it's an increase of $.25.  A 16-ounce plastic bottle of beer will now cost $6.50 at a concession stand, $6.75 from a vendor, while a 12-ounce import bottle will cost $6.00.

Are you as amazed as I am that people continue to pay these prices - particularly for beer?  For those of you that are not beer drinkers, that $7.75 price tag for a 24-ounce cup of beer is roughly the amount you would pay for a six pack at a liquor store.  When you stop and think about it, it's really unbelievable.

Oh well, all the more reason to tailgate before and after the game - right?