Best "Cheap" Beer? (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

I know articles like this get ripped and I usually defend them but this one is ridiculous. Sierra Nevada and Burial on a "cheap beer" list against Budweiser?

Who Makes the Best Cheap Beer in America? The Experts Weigh In | Gear Patrol

From Miller High Life and Coors Banquet to Narragansett and Rainier, these are the cheap American beers that beer experts from across the country love most.

www.gearpatrol.com

 

[Desert_Power]

Narragansett always a solid choice.

 

[zamboni]

Seems like there's definitely different levels of "cheap" here. I personally would have included Yuengling for the Northeast.

 

[belljr]

Seems like there's definitely different levels of "cheap" here. I personally would have included Yuengling for the Northeast.

The new flight I enjoy as a light beer

 

[3C's]

Narragansett Lager and Lagunitas (fairly cheap).

Also, odd that I find out at the very end of a "random" article that Tasha Dixon is a brewer at Ardent now. She used to be a beertender/taproom manager elsewhere, so cool on her for taking on a new career.

 

[3C's]

Seems like there's definitely different levels of "cheap" here. I personally would have included Yuengling for the Northeast.

Sure, but it's not good so it can't be best cheap beer. It's just cheap beer.

 

[Zow]

Seems like there's definitely different levels of "cheap" here. I personally would have included Yuengling for the Northeast.

Yuengling definitely first came to mind for me but I'd note that it's only "cheap" in the northeast whereas there's usually a significant markup across the rest of the country.

My votes on this, without having looked at the article and just going off what I've enjoyed in my life, would be:

Amstel Light
Premium Grain Belt
Rolling Rock

 

[ChiefD]

Miller Lite is the house wine at my house.

 

[Zow]

Wait, Sierra Nevada and Anchor Steam qualify? I'd definitely have them on my list.

Also, shocked to learn that Gennessee Cream Ale is still made. I gotta find one of these. This way my dad's beer of choice when I was a kid (though he rarely drank) and, as it should be, was my first sip of beer.

 

[Zow]

Miller Lite is the house wine at my house.

Yeah, that honestly makes sense. It's not my personal preference but of the mass-produced light beers it's probably the most consistent and easy-drinking.

 

[Zow]

Still getting through the article. Wren House and Odell count?? These would easily get my vote.

 

[Wildcat]

Sierrra Nevada PA is in my top 5 of favorite go-to beers. Bought a 12 pack yesterday for $20. Not a cheap beer IMO and shouldn't be in the same category as Bud and the like.

Edit: Looking at how they defined "cheap" isn't by cost or by blandness. It is more of a go-to type beer definition. Maybe they needed a different word than "cheap".

 

[Zow]

Sierrra Nevada PA is in my top 5 of favorite go-to beers. Bought a 12 pack yesterday for $20. Not a cheap beer IMO and shouldn't be in the same category as Bud and the like.

Edit: Looking at how they defined "cheap" isn't by cost or by blandness. It is more of a go-to type beer definition. Maybe they needed a different word than "cheap".

Agreed. The "cheap" part confused me as I was assuming like a dollar per beer or something.

In other words, they're treating it like a "session" type beer - i.e. a lower ABV that one can have several of throughout a warm summer day or something.

 

[Gally]

Such an odd list that has a handful that are far from "cheap" beer.

I will say the best "cheap beer" name of the list has to be Frio Light

 

[wlwiles]

Does Shiner Bock count?

 

[Gally]

Does Shiner Bock count?

I like Shiner but not sure if it is "cheap" outside of Texas.

 

[General Malaise]

I think pFreim Pilsner is terrific as are many of their offerings. But you aren't getting a six-pack of pFreim for less than $9.99 and that's ONLY if they're on sale. They'll generally run $10.99 to $11.99 for a six-pack at Trader Joes or Fred Meyer. Rainier is the unironic hipster beer du jour in the PNW and it's.....fine. Drinkable on a hot day at the river if they're ice cold, but I'm not ordering one at a bar. And I think a six-pack here is $5.99 if that.

“While the obvious choice would be Rainier, and the contrarian choice would be Oly – I’m going with a beer that’s actually brewed in the PNW: pFriem Pilsner. It’s widely available in supermarkets, it’s often fresh, it’s relatively affordable, AND it’s a two-time GABF award-winning recipe. On the surface, it’s snappy, clean, and refreshing. But underneath is a quality malt bill, a well-executed fermentation and a carefully balanced hop presence all the way through.” — Steve Luke, head brewer & founder at Cloudburst Brewing

 

[General Malaise]

Does Shiner Bock count?

I like Shiner but not sure if it is "cheap" outside of Texas.

It's not. I guffawed when I first saw it in the Portland area for like $12.99.

 

[Wildcat]

The article's definition of cheap is misleading:

"The guidelines are loose: “cheap” isn’t an exact term, but in this case describes beer you typically buy by the case, something with which you’d fill a cooler, and without a second thought. Nothing precious. These beers are meant to be drunk with friends."

A case is typically a pack of 24, and some of these can only be bought in packs of 12, such as Sierra Nevada.

 

[belljr]

If it's not sold in the 30 pack it's not cheap lol

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The article's definition of cheap is misleading:

"The guidelines are loose: “cheap” isn’t an exact term, but in this case describes beer you typically buy by the case, something with which you’d fill a cooler, and without a second thought. Nothing precious. These beers are meant to be drunk with friends."

A case is typically a pack of 24, and some of these can only be bought in packs of 12, such as Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Nevada sells their pale ale and Celebration in cases. My wife gave up beer a few years ago but SNPA used to be the only beer she would drink. I used to buy a case for $25 which I would consider "cheap" although I'm sure the price has gone up as with everything else over the past few years.

 

[Jaysus]

30 packs of Naturdays are my go-to when I am bringing the cheap beer.

 

[Gally]

In college we were at the local supermarket and they had a pallet of beer that was $0.97 a six pack. It was white can with BEER in black letters. The store manager was trying to offload the entire pallet and said he would make a deal with us. We bought a six pack to go try it out and it was so bad it wasn't even worth spending $0.97 a six pack on it.

Now that is cheap beer.

 

[Lehigh98]

High Life, pretty cheap for the champagne of beers.
Plus there's an option to buy them in ponies, easy call.

 

[need2know]

Miller Lite is the house wine at my house.

i love miller lite. its the only lite beer i can drink. have always hated bud, coors, etc.
i get the occasional IPA but miller lite is always my go to. drinking more bourbon/whiskey these days then beer though

 

[Major]

Lone Star Beer easily wins for me. Also pairs well with a shot of Jameson. I consider cheap beer those that cost less than industry norms like Bud, Miller, Coors, etc.

 

[ChiefD]

If it's not sold in the 30 pack it's not cheap lol

Costco sells Miller Lite in 36 packs here in KC. For the same price as the 30 pack at the liquor store.

 

[Drunken knight]

pacifico, corona, coors light for me.

i'll keep kona longboard lager as an inexpensive choice during the summer

 

[General Malaise]

Lone Star Beer easily wins for me. Also pairs well with a shot of Jameson. I consider cheap beer those that cost less than industry norms like Bud, Miller, Coors, etc.

Do not recommend Frito Pie washed down by Lone Star beer, however. I made a lot of people at a Bob Schneider show mad at me.

 

[General Malaise]

An ode to Stroh's belongs in here somewhere. "My car was made in Detroit and by God, my beer will be too".

 

[Gally]

i'll keep kona longboard lager as an inexpensive choice during the summer

I like the Big Wave version of Kona better than the longboard lager

 

[Gally]

Miller Lite is the house wine at my house.

i love miller lite. its the only lite beer i can drink. have always hated bud, coors, etc.
i get the occasional IPA but miller lite is always my go to. drinking more bourbon/whiskey these days then beer though

.......but what about Keystone Light? I mean they have those specially lined cans that keep you from getting bitter beer face

 

[Gally]

Don't forget about Lucky Lager.....I mean, it may only be 11 oz's but you do get a nice riddle to figure out on the cap

 

[Desert_Power]

Does Shiner Bock count?

I like Shiner but not sure if it is "cheap" outside of Texas.

Back when I was in college there was a place that priced their pitchers in line with Bud products. Definitely a good deal with their BOGO pizza Thursdays.

 

[Fat Nick]

Seems like there's definitely different levels of "cheap" here. I personally would have included Yuengling for the Northeast.

Oh how I miss the days of $0.50 drafts mid-week in State College PA...

 

[the moops]

If it's not sold in the 30 pack it's not cheap lol

Yea this is pretty accurate. Also Yuengling is garbage. Not particularly cheap and not good.

High Life is a good answer. Hamms. PBR

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

Seems like there's definitely different levels of "cheap" here. I personally would have included Yuengling for the Northeast.

Oh how I miss the days of $0.50 drafts mid-week in State College PA...

I went to college a long time ago - but we could get a 12 pack of Goebel DELIVERED to our dorm room for $2.50+.50 tip. We also bought cases of returnables (.75 returnable fee per case) of Braumeister or Yacht Club for $5.50.

none of these beers are made any more.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I know articles like this get ripped and I usually defend them but this one. Sierra Nevada and Burial on a "cheap beer" list against Budweiser?

Who Makes the Best Cheap Beer in America? The Experts Weigh In | Gear Patrol

From Miller High Life and Coors Banquet to Narragansett and Rainier, these are the cheap American beers that beer experts from across the country love most.

www.gearpatrol.com

Innertube isn't cheap but it is a very good simple lager. I guess it's probably cheaper than the Burial IPAs, if that's what they mean.

 

[Wildcat]

The article's definition of cheap is misleading:

"The guidelines are loose: “cheap” isn’t an exact term, but in this case describes beer you typically buy by the case, something with which you’d fill a cooler, and without a second thought. Nothing precious. These beers are meant to be drunk with friends."

A case is typically a pack of 24, and some of these can only be bought in packs of 12, such as Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Nevada sells their pale ale and Celebration in cases. My wife gave up beer a few years ago but SNPA used to be the only beer she would drink. I used to buy a case for $25 which I would consider "cheap" although I'm sure the price has gone up as with everything else over the past few years.

Didn't know. Location? We can only get 12's here in Nebraska.

 

[Zow]

In college we were at the local supermarket and they had a pallet of beer that was $0.97 a six pack. It was white can with BEER in black letters. The store manager was trying to offload the entire pallet and said he would make a deal with us. We bought a six pack to go try it out and it was so bad it wasn't even worth spending $0.97 a six pack on it.

Now that is cheap beer.

In the early 2000s, the Gluek brewing company in rural Minnesota made an ice beer so terrible (Hackstein Ice) it sold for $3.97 for a case (24-pack). We would play this game where four of us would watch a movie and we had to finish the case (so a six-pack to each guy). The guy who couldn't finish his six by the end of the movie would have to buy the next case.

That stuff was truly wretched though the cheapest beer I've ever seen. Made Natural Ice taste like the nectar of gods.

 

[titusbramble]

In college we were at the local supermarket and they had a pallet of beer that was $0.97 a six pack. It was white can with BEER in black letters. The store manager was trying to offload the entire pallet and said he would make a deal with us. We bought a six pack to go try it out and it was so bad it wasn't even worth spending $0.97 a six pack on it.

Now that is cheap beer.

Sounds like the equivalent of Germany's 5.0, except that's actually drinkable

Also I shudder to think what the mentioned up thread Amstel Light tastes like, the normal version is not great in the first place

 

[BassNBrew]

Sierrra Nevada PA is in my top 5 of favorite go-to beers. Bought a 12 pack yesterday for $20. Not a cheap beer IMO and shouldn't be in the same category as Bud and the like.

Edit: Looking at how they defined "cheap" isn't by cost or by blandness. It is more of a go-to type beer definition. Maybe they needed a different word than "cheap".

12 pack of Sierra products are on sale for $15.99 every other week at our local harris Teeter. Given that it's 7-9% abv, it's basically like getting a case.

 

[Courtjester]

I love my Coors Light and I drink wayyy too much of it. But then again, I tend to like the "idea" of drinking beer without the whole getting drunk aspect.

It doesn't help that the Safeway by me always has great coupons on the 12 pack bottles. They are 14.99, but if you buy two, you get them for 11.99 each, but in their digital app they offer $6 off on top of that. My Kings Soopers has a very similar deal, but it applies to 18 packs. My wife just doesn't appreciate how much money I save this family due to my beer coupon efforts.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

An ode to Stroh's belongs in here somewhere. "My car was made in Detroit and by God, my beer will be too".

From the land of sky-blue waters...

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Best cheap beer I would say Miller Lite.


But had you asked me during any summer of the 90s when we spent every summer night drinking I would have said “Beast Light” (Milwaukee Best Lite). Coming in under $9 for a case it was the clear choice for this aspiring college dropout.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I lost a bet and had to shotgun a Hamm's Genuine Draft in college. I've met few beers I wouldnt drink, but it was genuinely horrible. I'm pretty sure there were tears involved and perhaps a near-vomit experience. And I don't think I was even drunk when I started. It was so bad I think in retrospect it may have gone bad. A mass-produced beer shouldn't be able to be THAT awful.

It does NOT get my vote.

 

[Drunken knight]

i'll keep kona longboard lager as an inexpensive choice during the summer

I like the Big Wave version of Kona better than the longboard lager

variety makes the world go around

 

[Ron Swanson]

In college we were at the local supermarket and they had a pallet of beer that was $0.97 a six pack. It was white can with BEER in black letters. The store manager was trying to offload the entire pallet and said he would make a deal with us. We bought a six pack to go try it out and it was so bad it wasn't even worth spending $0.97 a six pack on it.

Now that is cheap beer.

My brother and I ran into a similar deal with a local liquor store selling off all their stock of a TGI Friday's private labeled beer. They had a regular and a light. We weren't as smart as you and bought it all before tasting it. Wretched beer. We didn't quite have a whole pallet but it was enough 24 pack bottle cases to make two stacks floor to ceiling in our apartment.

 

[Northern Voice]

Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold is the same price as Bud Light/Coors Light etc... in my parts, I don't know if that holds true in the States but it would probably get my vote.

Does anyone drink Blue Light in the States (outside of Buffalo)? I'd probably go with it or Miller Lite of the big "North American" macros. Both are more in the traditional crispy pilsner mold which I like, than the Buds and Coors of the world which just feel like lighter versions of heavy lagers IMO.

Amstel Light is solid too but not widely available up here.

 

[Al Czervik]

Does anyone drink Blue Light in the States (outside of Buffalo)?

Was going to mention Blue Light. Definitely a go to for me. Very popular in the Detroit area too, but we are like you guys where Canada is like one of our surrounding suburbs.