On the hunt for wallet-friendly yet fantastic brews? You’re in luck.
Here, I’ve compiled a selection of the finest and most budget-friendly beers I’ve enjoyed savoring throughout my journey.
Find out what is the cheapest beer you can drink right now.
Top 20 Cheapest Beers To Drink
20. Pabst Blue Ribbon
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12 oz.) costs around $9.99 (Total Wine)
Calories: 142 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Despite having passed through different owners, Pabst Brewing Company still has the same brewing style, recipe, and taste as the first beer brewed in 1844.
“Sip happiness without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly beer gems.”- Liquor Laboratory
This beer also has an average alcohol volume and contains vital nutritional elements. This over-a-century unique taste is a good choice for delicious food pairings.
19. Natural Ice
Average Price Per Beer: 30-pack (12 oz.) costs around $18.99 (Total Wine)
Calories: 130 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 5.9% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
If you’re looking for a cheap beer that kicks, Natty Ice, with its 5.9% ABV, will hit you hard.
This accessible and popular cheap beer will give you the aroma and taste of premium American and imported hops, corn, malts, and booziness.
Read: Craft Beer & Draft Beer Compared
18. Miller Lite
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12 oz.) costs around $10.99 (Total Wine)
Calories: 96 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Miller Lite is a low-calorie, low-carb beer brewed explicitly to give you a taste.
It’s one of the contenders for the healthiest beer category, and yes, this one got the taste—a good choice for beer drinkers who also mind their health and wellness.
Read: Miller Lite vs Miller High Life
17. Michelob Amber Bock
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12 oz.) costs around $13.99 (Total Wine)
Calories: 152 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 5.1% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
This interesting bock beer is brewed by the iconic brand Anheuser-Busch, which also brewed Budweiser, Bud Ice, and Bud Light.
I was interested in it being brewed with 100% malt. The fact that this beer is hard to find is also why it’s worth a try.
Read: Types of IPA Beers
16. Hamm’s Beer
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12 oz.) costs around $9.88 (Total Wine)
Calories: 142 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.7 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
We recommend this as one of the best alternatives for high-end beers. This lager also has some qualities that are slightly comparable to the expensive ones.
15. Lone Star Beer
Average Price Per Beer: 6-pack (12 oz.) costs around $8.49 (Drizly)
Calories: 136 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Lone Star, the “National Beer of Texas,” ain’t just titled as it is without reason. [1] Contrary to its name Lone Star, this star brings people together, not just in Texas but across the states.
Want to know why? Well, give it a try and experience the Texas vibe yourself.
14. Milwaukee’s Best Ice
Average Price Per Beer: 30-pack (12 oz.) costs around $20.99 (Total Wine)
Calories: 148 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 5.9% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Since the original Milwaukee’s Best discontinued, this one became the go-to to its fans.
This has a moderate sweet malty, and low bitter hops profile with a strong 5.9% alcohol volume. It’s a tasty and cost-effective beer.
Read: How Many Beers is Equivalent To A Vodka Shot?
13. Miller High Life
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12 oz.) costs around $9.49 (Total Wine)
Calories: 140 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.6% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Miller High Life (MHL), aka the” Champagne of Beers,” is what our Dads and Dad’s friends considered their all-time favorite.
When we talk about High Life, we hear words like nostalgic, inexpensively good, consistent, etc. But whatever it is, we firmly believe this old-style beer is one of the best cheap beers.
12. Keystone Light
Average Price Per Beer: 30-pack (12 oz.) costs around $17.99 (Total Wine)
Calories: 101 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.1% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Keystone Light, crisp with light body cheap beer may not be the best, but it turns out not so bad after all.
Its bland and flavor-free taste is what other beer lovers want, especially those in college. People who don’t want to spend much on a drink should also try Keystone Light.
11. Natty Light
Average Price Per Beer: 18-pack (12 oz.) costs around $13.99 (Drizly)
Calories: 95 calories per 12 z. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.2 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Probably the most popular cheap beer in the US, Natty Light is often used in drinking games because it’s very cheap.
Among many beer brands, this light beer is mostly ranked lowest, but it’s a decent beer you won’t regret trying.
10. Yuengling Light Lager
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12 oz.) costs around $13.99 (Drizly)
Calories: 99 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 3.8% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
From America’s oldest brewery, Yuengling, this light lager prides itself on having the same taste as its flagship product. Low calorie but not low in taste- is what they say.
9. Honey Brown Lager
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12 oz.) costs around $12.99 (Drizly)
Calories: 154 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.5% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
This old friend with a new look is an award-winning lager by the World Beer Cup.
Brewed with pure clover honey, Honey Brown Lager is subtle and sweet with no preservatives or artificial flavors.
8. Coors Light
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12 oz.) costs around $10.49 (Total Wine)
Calories: 102 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.2 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Coors Light is one of the top beers in the cheapest beers category. It tastes good for a light beer.
The gimmicks like the cold activated can also add a positive effect on the drink. Overall, Coors Light is worth every penny.
7. Narragansett Lager
Average Price Per Beer: 6-pack (16 oz.) costs around $7.99 (Drizly)
Calories: 148 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 5 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Loved by skiers on the East Coast, this cheap beer has a crisp and malty taste on the front.
This heritage brand’s tagline: “Made on Honor, Sold on Merit,” gives a nostalgic vibe. This beer brand is worth seeking.
6. Coors Banquet
Average Price Per Beer: 6-pack (12 oz.) costs around $8.23 (Drizly)
Calories: 150 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 5 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
A classic grandpa thing, this bear brand, and its iconic old-style lager have survived the test of time and have been in the market for about a century and a half.
Contrary to the Coors Light, this banquet beer is flavorful (it has clear malty and citrusy notes). Coors Banquet is underrated – probably not the best beer, but it’s still worth a try.
5. Blue Moon Mango Wheat
Average Price Per Beer: 6-pack (12 oz.) costs around $10.88 (Drizly)
Calories: 175 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 5.4 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Most cheap beers are light lagers, but this is different. It’s a craft beer that is mango flavored with biscuity malt sweetness.
Some say it’s a girly beer, but don’t be deceived by its sweetness, as it also has a 5.4 % ABV, much higher than most light-style beer. Blue Moon is perfect for outings, especially in summer.
Read: How Long Can Beer Last In A Fridge?
4. Busch Light
Average Price Per Beer: 12-pack (12oz.) costs around $11.59 (Drizly)
Calories: 95 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.1% ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
If you’re a beer drinker looking for a low-calorie beer without giving up its true flavor, this might be the one. It’s a cheap beer but a quality one.
You can also check its other variations – Busch Beer, Busch Ice, and Busch Light apple; they’re also cheap, good, and worth.
3. Genesee Beer
Average Price Per Beer: 12 oz. bottle/can cost around 80 cents (Drizly)
Calories: 148 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.5 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
“Get me a Jenny” is a famous line among the fans of this 1878 classic American lager. Best served cold. This lager is a good budget-friendly option.
Read: Seven Brides Brewing Co Guide
2. Budweiser
Average Price Per Beer: 6-pack (12 oz.) costs around $9.99 (Drizly)
Calories: 145 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 5 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Budweiser, also known as “The King of Beers,” – this American lager is most popular across the states.
Not because it’s rich in flavor but because it has a close-to-nothing taste, which makes it a good beer. You have to taste it first to understand what it means.
1. Bud Light
Average Price Per Beer: 6-pack (12oz.) costs around $10.39 (Drizly)
Calories: 110 calories per 12 oz. serving
Alcohol Content: 4.2 % ABV
Why It’s Worth A Try:
Bud Light is probably the most popular cheap beer on the market [3].
“Beer makes you feel like you should feel without it.” – Charles Bukowski, American Poet
Like the king of beers, Budweiser, this also has a crisp flavor and is slightly sweet in the finish.
But what type of alcohol is in a Bud Light Seltzer?
FAQs
Can cheap beers get you drunk?
Yes, cheap or expensive beers can get you drunk. It’s not about the price but the alcohol content. [3] An average person of around 160 lbs. will likely get drunk on four cans (12oz.) of beer with 5 %ABV if they drink it in 1-2 hours.
Will the cheapest beer give you the worst hangover?
No, it’s not always the case. Most are likely light beers in the cheap beer category, and light beers don’t give the worst hangovers compared to dark ales.
But in some cases, cheap beers (compared to expensive ones) are only distilled a few times, making them more prone to impurities- another factor that can cause hangovers.
Where is the cheapest place to buy beer in the US?
Regarding scoring budget-friendly beer in the US, warehouse clubs like Costco often offer some of the lowest prices. With their bulk purchasing power, they frequently provide a wallet-friendly solution for stocking up on your favorite brews.
Which city has the cheapest beer?
Toledo takes the crown as the ultimate winner on the list of affordable beer destinations [4]. This city is a true champion when it comes to offering budget-friendly brews. With its wallet-friendly prices, Toledo ensures you can enjoy a satisfying pint without straining your finances.
What factors determine the price of beer?
The price of beer can be influenced by various factors including brand popularity, production costs, ingredients used, brewing techniques, taxes, import/export fees, and packaging.
Is cheaper beer of lower quality?
Not necessarily. While some cheaper beers may lack the complexity and refinement of higher-priced options, there are plenty of budget-friendly beers that offer excellent taste and quality.
Where can I find cheap beer?
Discount liquor stores, warehouse clubs, supermarkets, and certain online retailers often offer competitive prices on beer. Additionally, keep an eye out for sales, promotions, and bulk discounts which can further reduce the cost per unit.
What are some popular cheap beer brands?
Popular budget-friendly beer brands include Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR), Keystone Light, Natural Light, Busch, Miller High Life, and Genesee. These brands are known for offering affordable options without compromising too much on taste.
Are there any strategies for saving money on beer purchases?
Yes, there are several strategies you can employ to save money on beer. These include buying in bulk, opting for store brands or generics, choosing cans over bottles (as they are often cheaper), and taking advantage of loyalty programs or rewards offered by retailers.
How can I ensure I’m getting the best value for my money?
To ensure you’re getting the best value for your money, consider factors such as the price per ounce or per unit, the alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage, and personal taste preferences. Conducting taste tests or reading online reviews can also help you find affordable beers that suit your palate.
In A Nutshell
Well, let’s debunk a common misconception right off the bat – affordability doesn’t automatically mean compromising on taste. A diverse array of budget-friendly beers offer impressive flavors without breaking the bank.
In this thrifty league, Bud Light takes the crown. Its consistently refreshing taste and approachable pricing make it a shining example of a well-balanced and accessible brew.
References:
- https://www.loc.gov/item/2015630601/
- https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/hangovers/hangover-cure-and-prevention
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/business/bud-light-sales.html
- https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/most-expensive-us-cities-beer-ranked
