Obviously some people are viewing it as a top product, where I eat it costs $7.50 for a 24oz can, that's teetering on Stone prices. Are you telling me people think it's shitty but are spending more on it than a lot of beers which are superior? I work at a store that sells it, and can tell you from selling dozens of 24oz cans a day there are plenty of people absolutely don't think of it as a shitty beer.
Hipsters made PBR popular only because they considered it shitty. That's it. If you are seeing price inflation, it's because the restaurant or store realizes that they can sell it at inflated prices to stupid hipsters. Or simply that supply is being stretched more because of stupid hipsters. Nothing more.
No one thinks of it as any other class than domestic macrobrew. There's an argument to be made that it is better than Bud or Miller or whatever, but no one thinks it is any better class of beer.
Also, beer prices have been increasing steadily over the years due to seasonal and long-term hops shortages. I'd like to see the price of a 24oz Stone at that very same place that is charging $7.50 for 24oz PBR.
Around here, PBR is about $3 for draft, which is the cheapest you can find for any beer.