If the alternative is not having it onboard at all, and the traditionally available alcohol is still free, I don't have a problem with it. (Not that I would necessarily pay for it.)
I actually think the exact opposite. The marginal profit made from peddling these "premium" drinks in economy wouldn't be worth the damage to the brand.
As United is slowly learning, perspective and customer experience is important. Branding the First Class cabin as "premium", then telling the "premium" customers that the "premium" beverages are not included in their experience....
If their business model can't sustain offering these to their front cabins, they should just stop carrying them.
**Added. Out of curiosity, I just checked United.com for the specifics. I guess it can be construed as ambiguous, but it doesn't exclude the premium offerings from being complimentary in the Premium Cabins.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...s/default.aspx
Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverage selections vary by flight and cabin. Alcoholic beverages are complimentary in premium cabins on all flights.