Cheap Beer, Big Taste: Best Budget Brews

There are many cheap beers on the market, and sometimes a cold, inexpensive beer is all you need. While the craft beer market is growing, the cheap beer market is dominated by big brands that are easy to find anywhere in the country. These include Bud Light, Miller Lite, Budweiser, Coors Light, Busch, Miller High Life, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Rolling Rock, Coors Banquet, and Michelob Ultra. The average price of a 30-pack of these beers ranges from $18.66 to $26.55. However, prices will vary depending on location and retailer.

Cheap beers with the best value

Cheap beers are a great option when you want a beer without breaking the bank. While the term "cheap beer" may bring to mind mass-produced lagers, the market has expanded in recent years to include craft brewers offering light lagers at affordable prices.

Miller High Life

Miller High Life, also known as "The Champagne of Beers," is a popular and affordable option. It has a bubbly, light, and refreshing taste, making it perfect for celebrations or everyday enjoyment. It often ranks high on lists of cheapest beers and is widely available across the country.

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, is a classic cheap beer that is widely available and recognized for its unmistakable can. It has a long history, dating back to its start in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1844. PBR offers good traditional beer flavours and is a consistent choice, making it a go-to for many.

Budweiser and Bud Light

Budweiser, often referred to as the "King of Beers," is a well-known and widely distributed beer found in over 70 countries. It has a crisp, refreshing taste and is a good option when you want something cheap and familiar. Bud Light, its lighter counterpart, is the number-one-selling beer in the US and offers a similar experience with slightly fewer calories.

Coors Light

Coors Light is another popular choice for those seeking a cheap and refreshing beer. It has a crisp and refreshing taste with only 102 calories, making it a good option for those conscious about their calorie intake.

Natural Ice (Natty Ice)

Natural Ice, or Natty Ice, is a cheap beer that offers excellent value. With an ABV of 5.9%, it has a higher alcohol content than most "cheap beers" while still being affordable. It's a good option for those looking for a stronger beer without breaking the bank.

Yuengling

Yuengling is a popular choice, especially on the East Coast of the US. It is slightly more expensive than some of the other options but is still considered affordable. It has a bready flavour with a slight hop bitterness, making it a nice upgrade from the typical mass-produced lagers.

Hamm's

Hamm's is a cheap beer that has gained a strong following, particularly in the Midwest. It stands out for its crisp flavour, light body, and malty complexity, which is often lacking in other macro lagers. Blind taste tests have ranked Hamm's highly for both flavour and affordability.

Narragansett Lager

Narragansett Lager, also known as 'Gansett, has a rich history and strong following, especially in New England. After disappearing from shelves in the early 1980s, it was revived in 2005 and has since regained its former glory. It's a smooth beer with a strong malt backbone and a clean finish.

Stroh's American Lager

Stroh's American Lager is a lighter, easy-drinking lager with a decent amount of hop flavour and a clean finish. It's a good choice for those who want a beer that's not too heavy or bitter.

Keystone

Keystone is one of Molson-Coors' younger beers, born in 1989. It prides itself on being the opposite of bitter, offering a smooth and slightly sweet taste. It's an inoffensive option that can please a variety of drinkers.

Tecate Original Mexican Lager

Tecate is a versatile Mexican lager that can be enjoyed alone or with a lime wedge. It has a refreshing finish with a whisper of bitter hops, making it a crisp and clean choice.

Genesee (Genny)

Genesee, or Genny, is a beer that has satisfied upstate New York beer drinkers for 140 years and can now be found in most states. It has a devoted fan base and offers a unique cheap beer experience.

These beers offer a combination of flavour, affordability, and wide availability, making them excellent choices when you're looking for a bargain.

Cheap beers with the highest ABV

Cheap beers with a high ABV can be a great option for those looking for an affordable drink without compromising on the alcohol content. While the cheapest beers may not always be the strongest, there are certainly some options that offer a good balance of price and ABV. Here are some cheap beers with the highest ABV that you can consider:

Miller High Life

Miller High Life, often referred to as the "champagne of beers," is a great choice for those seeking a cheap beer with a relatively high ABV. With an ABV of 5.5%, it is one of the cheapest beers with the highest alcohol content on the market. You can often find it for around $5 for a six-pack, making it an excellent option for those on a budget. It has a crisp, refreshing taste and is perfect for parties and get-togethers.

Bud Light Platinum

If you're looking for something a bit stronger, Bud Light Platinum is a good option. With an ABV of 6%, it's stronger than the regular Bud Light, which has an ABV of 4.2%. The higher ABV gives it a smoother taste, making it a great choice for those who prefer lighter beers. While it's not the cheapest option, it won't break the bank either.

Steel Reserve

With an ABV of 8.1%, Steel Reserve is one of the strongest cheap beers available. It's a full-bodied lager with a rich and smooth taste. It's best enjoyed on a hot summer day, as it goes down easily. Steel Reserve is also available in a higher ABV version, but the price increases accordingly.

Natural Ice

Natural Ice, or Natty Ice, is another cheap beer with a high ABV. With an ABV of 5.9%, it's one of the strongest beers in the Anheuser-Busch portfolio. It has a refreshing, crisp, and clean finish that is unique to this beer. It's available in cans and bottles, and you can also find a reduced-calorie version. Natty Ice is a great option for those who want a strong, yet affordable beer.

Olde English 800

Olde English 800 is a malt liquor with an ABV that can range from 5.9% to 8.0%, depending on the version. It has a long history, dating back to the 1940s, and has undergone several rebrandings. Despite some controversy over whether malt liquors are considered beers, Olde English 800 received a gold medal in the American Style Specialty Lager category in 1997. It's a good option for those seeking a cheap, strong beer with a beer-like taste.

Hurricane High Gravity Lager

Hurricane High Gravity Lager, also known as Hurricane High Gravity Malt Liquor, is another cheap beer with a high ABV. It has an ABV of 8.1%, putting it in the same league as other strong, affordable beers. This beer is produced by Anheuser-Busch and is a popular choice for budget-conscious drinkers.

In addition to the beers mentioned above, there are several other cheap beers with decent ABV levels, such as Molson Canadian 67, Hamm's Beer American Style, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Colt 45, and King Cobra. These beers offer a range of ABV levels and are known for their rich taste and smooth finish.

Cheap beers with the best taste

Cheap beers are a great way to enjoy a beverage without breaking the bank. While some cheap beers are known for their watered-down taste, others have managed to strike a balance between affordability and flavour. Here are some of the best cheap beers with the best taste:

Hamm's

Hamm's has long been a favourite in the Midwest, and it's slowly gaining popularity in the rest of the country. In blind taste tests, Hamm's came out on top for flavour and affordability when compared to other macro lager competitors. It has a crisp flavour, light body, and a malty complexity that is often lost in the macro market.

Yuengling

Yuengling has a cult following on the East Coast, and for good reason. Their light lager is a cut above other mass-produced lagers, with a full flavour profile that includes malt and caramel notes. It's a great option when you want something a little nicer than your typical cheap beer.

Coors Banquet

Coors Banquet is a dive bar favourite, especially in Colorado. It stands out for its lively carbonation and slight sweetness. It's so beloved by Coloradans that another brewery in the state released a copycat beer in 2016.

Narragansett

Narragansett has a rich history, having been featured in the movie Jaws and served as the official beer of the Boston Red Sox for over 30 years. After disappearing from shelves in the early 1980s, it was brought back in 2005 and has since regained its former glory. It's a smooth beer with a strong malt backbone and a clean finish.

Miller High Life

Nicknamed "The Champagne of Beers", Miller High Life is a well-known and widely available cheap beer option. It's light and bubbly, making it perfect for celebrating without breaking the bank.

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, is a classic cheap beer that's widely available across the country. It's known for its distinctive can and is often a go-to choice for those looking for an easy-drinking, traditional beer.

So, the next time you're looking for a cheap beer that doesn't compromise on taste, consider giving one of these options a try!

Cheap beers that are widely available

Cheap beers are widely available, and they are perfect for filling the cooler at your next barbecue or get-together. Here are some of the cheap beers that are easily available in the market:

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

Pabst Blue Ribbon, commonly known as PBR, is one of the cheapest beers available. It has a distinctive can and is still one of the cheapest beers you can buy, with a 6-pack costing around $5 and a 12-pack costing less than $12. It is widely available and a popular choice for those looking for an affordable beer.

Miller High Life

Miller High Life, also known as the "Champagne of Beers," is another affordable option. It has a bubbly, light, and refreshing taste and is often chosen for celebrations. A 30-pack can be found for around $20, making it a great value option.

Budweiser and Bud Light

"The King of Beers," Budweiser, is available in over 70 countries and offers a crisp, refreshing taste. A 30-pack of Budweiser typically costs around $23. Bud Light, its counterpart, is also widely available and often chosen for sporting events and gatherings.

Coors Light and Coors Banquet

Coors Light is a popular choice for those looking for a crisp and refreshing beer with low calories. It pairs well with orange juice for a beermosa. Coors Banquet, on the other hand, has a slightly higher ABV and a more robust flavour and body. Both beers are usually priced the same, with a 30-pack costing around $23.

Natural Ice (Natty Ice)

Natural Ice, or Natty Ice, is a great option if you're looking for a higher ABV at a low price. With an ABV of 5.9%, it offers more alcohol content than your typical "cheap beer." A 30-pack can be found for around $19, making it a very affordable option.

Other Honourable Mentions

Other cheap beers that are widely available include:

• Keystone: A smooth and inoffensive beer that tilts towards the sweeter side.
• Stroh's American Lager: A lighter lager with a decent amount of hop flavour and a clean finish.
• Busch Light: Anheuser-Busch's second most popular brand, known for its easy-drinking nature and fun association with saying "Buschhhhh" when opening a can.
• Genny (Genesee Brewery): A beer that has inspired a peculiar devotion in its fans and can be found in most states.
• Yuengling: A popular choice on the East Coast, known for its full flavour and slight hop bitterness.
• Narragansett Lager: A smooth beer with a strong malt backbone and a clean finish, which has a rich history and is the official beer of the Boston Red Sox.

Cheap beers for specific US states

While the price of beer varies across the US, there are some states that offer cheaper beer than others. If you're looking for inexpensive beer, here are some specific US states to consider:

Illinois

Illinois has the cheapest beer in the country, with an average price of $16.43 per case. So, if you're looking to save some money on your beer, Illinois is the place to go.

New York

New York is also known for its relatively low beer prices. While the average price of a case of beer in the state is around $16.72, you can find even lower prices in certain parts of the state.

North Carolina and South Carolina

These two states tie for the third cheapest place to buy beer, with an average cost of $17.30 for a case. So, if you're in the southern US and looking for a bargain, North Carolina and South Carolina are great options.

Kansas

Kansas rounds out the top five cheapest states for buying beer, with an average case costing around $17.30.

Now, let's talk about some specific cheap beer options that are widely available across the US:

Natural Ice (Natty Ice)

Natty Ice is a popular and affordable option, often associated with high school parties and college students. It has a higher ABV of 5.9%, which is a great value for its price.

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, is another classic, affordable choice. With its distinctive can and a long history dating back to 1844, it's a go-to cheap beer for many.

Miller High Life

Nicknamed "The Champagne of Beers," Miller High Life offers a bubbly, light, and refreshing drinking experience at a very reasonable price.

Rolling Rock

With its distinctive green can or bottle, Rolling Rock is another inexpensive lager option. It was first brewed in 1939 and continues to be a popular, affordable choice.

Busch

Busch is Anheuser-Busch's second most popular beer brand, known for its accessibility and affordability. It's a great choice for sitting around a campfire and sharing stories with friends.

Remember, prices may vary depending on the specific location and retailer, but these states and beer options will generally provide you with some excellent cheap beer choices.

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