Cheapest Beers: Bargain Brews For The Budget-Conscious

Whether you're stocking up for a party or just looking for a good deal, finding cheap beer is always a satisfying endeavour. While the cheapest option might not always be the best-tasting, it's still possible to find inexpensive beers that are both drinkable and widely available. In this discussion, we will explore some of the most affordable beers on the market, offering a guide to help you make the most of your beer budget. From well-known brands to hidden gems, we will analyse factors such as taste, accessibility, and, of course, price, to determine which beers offer the best bang for your buck.

Cheapest Beer Characteristics

Natural Ice

If you're looking for a cheap beer, you might want to consider Natural Ice, otherwise known as Natty Ice. With an ABV of 5.9%, it's a strong option for those looking to get drunk without breaking the bank.

Natty Ice is produced by Anheuser-Busch and undergoes their exclusive ice-brewing process, which involves taking the beer to a temperature below freezing, leading to the formation of ice crystals and a rich, smooth taste. It's known for its signature clean finish and is best served ice-cold.

Natty Ice has a reputation as a "cheap college beer", and you might find its taste a little syrupy or skunky. However, it's a popular choice for those looking for an affordable drink, and it's easy to find, with a 30-pack costing around $18.66 on average.

So, if you're looking to save some money without compromising on the alcohol content, Natural Ice could be a good option. Just remember to drink it ice-cold, as the name suggests!

Trader Joe's Simpler Times Lager

Simpler Times Lager is described as having a robust, yeasty flavour. Its taste is said to be overwhelming and has been compared to bread. Some people dislike the beer, describing it as "undrinkable", "nasty", and "horrible". However, others seem to enjoy it, with one person commenting that it is "fine" and another that it is "OK". It has been described as a "college beer", perhaps due to its low price of $7.49 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans.

Simpler Times Lager has been compared to Budweiser, an American lager that is widely available across the US. Budweiser has a slightly lower ABV of 5% and is described as having a "simple", "light", and "watered-down" flavour. It is also inexpensive, although its price varies depending on the store and quantity purchased.

So, if you're looking for a cheap lager and are a fan of strong, yeasty flavours, Trader Joe's Simpler Times Lager could be the beer for you. However, if you prefer something lighter and smoother, you might want to opt for Budweiser or another similar lager.

Walmart's beer selection

Walmart offers a wide range of beers to choose from, including domestic and imported options, as well as craft beers and seasonal varieties. Here's an overview of Walmart's beer selection:

Domestic Beers:

Walmart carries a variety of popular domestic beers, including Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Natural Light. These beers are typically available in packs of 12, 24, or 30, with prices ranging from around $6.98 for a 15-pack of Milwaukee's Best Ice Lager to $24.48 for a 30-pack of Bud Light. Walmart also offers light beers such as Michelob ULTRA and Busch Light, with prices starting at $12.27 for a 12-pack.

Imported Beers:

For those who enjoy imported beers, Walmart offers options like Corona Extra, Heineken, and Stella Artois. These beers are often available in packs of 6, 12, or 18, with prices starting at $9.27 for a 6-pack of Heineken. Modelo Especial, a popular Mexican lager, is also available in packs of 6, 12, or 24, with prices starting at $9.73 for the 6-pack.

Craft Beers:

Walmart's selection of craft beers includes IPAs such as Founders Brewing All Day IPA, Goose Island IPA, and Lagunitas IPA. These craft beers are typically offered in 6-packs or 15-packs, with prices starting at $8.48 for a 6-pack of Lost Forty Rockhound IPA.

Seasonal Beers:

Walmart also offers seasonal beers with flavors to match the different seasons. For example, pumpkin and apple beers in the fall, floral beers in spring, and fruity beers like berries for summer.

In addition to the above, Walmart provides a range of hard seltzers, non-alcoholic beers, and beer variety packs for those who want to explore different options.

Total Wine's beer selection

Total Wine & More has a wide selection of beers available, including craft beers, American-style lagers, and IPAs. The website allows customers to filter their search by specialty styles, variety packs and gift sets, seasonal and special releases, and more.

Some of the beers available at Total Wine & More include:

• Heineken Silver 6-pack bottles
• Modelo Especial 12-pack bottles
• Founders All Day IPA 15-pack cans
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 12-pack bottles or cans
• Founders Backwoods Bastard 4-pack bottles
• Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA 6-pack bottles
• Lagunitas A Little Sumpin Sumpin 12-pack cans
• Stone IPA (India Pale Ale) 12-pack cans
• Bell's Two Hearted Ale 12-pack cans
• Samuel Adams Boston Lager 12-pack bottles

In addition to their extensive selection of beers, Total Wine & More also offers hard seltzers, spiked lemonade, and sparkling tequila and bourbon.

The prices of the beers vary, and it is always a good idea to check the website or your local store for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Cheap beers at bars and restaurants

The price of a beer at a bar or restaurant is determined by several factors, including the type of beer, its popularity, and the type of establishment. Generally, the markup on beer is between 200-300%, but this can vary depending on the specifics of each beer and how it is served. Bottled and canned beers usually have the lowest profit margin due to the extra packaging costs, while draft beers have a higher profit margin as they are bought in bulk, making each pour cheaper.

Draft beer

When it comes to draft beer, the general cost-per-ounce is 40 to 45% less than canned or bottled beer. The profit margin for draft beer is about 80%, and establishments should aim for a liquor cost of 20% to 30%. This means that if you pay $1 wholesale for a beer, it should be sold for around $3.35 to $5.

Bottled and canned beer

For bottled and canned beer, the profit margin should be around 75%, resulting in a pour cost of about 25%. This means that a $1 wholesale beer bottle should be sold for around $3.35 to $5.

Craft beer

The pricing of craft beer depends on its wholesale price, supply, demand, and competitive pricing. If the wholesale price is high, multiply it by 2 so that the retail price is not too off-putting for customers. If the wholesale price is low, you can multiply it by 2.5 or even 3. The target pour cost for craft beer is between 20-26%, with a profit margin of 74-80%.

Examples of cheap beers

• Rudy's Red at Rudy's Bar & Grill in New York City
• PBR at B-Side Bar in New York City
• Beer at Jeremy's Ale House in New York City
• Beer at 7B Horseshoe Bar in New York City
• Beer at Antler Beer and Wine Dispensary in New York City
• Beer at Welcome to the Johnsons in New York City
• Beer at The Magnet Theater in New York City
• Beer at The Late Late in New York City
• Beer at The Library in New York City
• Beer at O'Hara's Restaurant & Pub in New York City
• Beer at Off the Wagon in New York City
• Coors Light
• Keystone Light
• Natty Light
• Bud Light
• Miller Lite
• Rainier
• Busch Light
• Budweiser

Frequently asked questions