It saddens me to have to be the one to announce the end of an era.

Lovers of cheap food and booze across the nation were instantly captivated when the Budweiser Brewing Company introduced its 24 oz. cans, grand in stature, almost comically so, and for sale at the astoundingly reasonable price of $0.99. The price was so good, in fact, that many suspected the company of trying to unload some wildly unpopular product on unsuspecting New Yorkers.

Inevitably, rumors of a markup began to arise. Most, including myself, disregarded this noise. However, a very reliable source on the inside recently informed me that the impeding price hike was no rumor. And Americans, yesterday, February 15, 2007, that price hike became a reality.

I apologize for failing to bring you this information sooner.

We will now have to come up with $1.49 to sip from one of these lovable, fast-warming, oversized cans. This baffling 50% markup is sure to have consumers panicked for months, and refrigerator displays nationwide will likely be reduced to wreckage as customers repeatedly return cans to where they found them after hearing the bad news at the register.

But there is good news from the higher end of the beer spectrum. Right under everyone's noses, the Beck's company has been selling a 24 oz. bottle for $1.99, which is, to date, the lowest price per ounce for which Beck's has ever been made available. Kudos to Big Champagne for stumbling upon this deal.

Another ray of sunshine comes from Dunkin' Donuts, which on January 29 introduced its delayed but formidable response to McDonald's McGriddle sandwich. It is called the New England Maple Cheddar sandwich, and it will be available until March 11. Food and drink researcher Big Champagne John Oliva is widely considered to be the foremost authority on this sandwich, so direct any queries or concerns his way. Perhaps he can be persuaded to share some of his opinions on this and other issues, such as the increasingly inconsistent quality of Dunkin' Donuts' famous coffee.

Thank you for bearing with us during this difficult time.