Sometimes the best way to spend your day is by cracking open a few cold beers with your friends and enjoying yourself. Whether it’s with a sizzling barbecue in your garden or at a thrilling game of baseball, a beer always goes down well.
However, some beers cost so much money, which can quench your thirst but drain your wallet. There’s no need to stress, there are plenty of cheap beers out there that will satisfy your craving for hops and suds, without breaking the bank.
OUR TOP PICK
One of the most well-known brands out there is Coors, with their light selection providing a refreshing beer inspired by the coldness of the Rocky Mountains.
With their slogan ‘Made to Chill’ presented throughout their product range, it’s no wonder why this cold beer is a fan favorite.
Pros
- Due to popular demand, this beer can be found at most bars and sporting venues.
- 0% fat for those who are watching their weight or dieting.
- Only 4.2% of alcohol is a lighter amount to ingest.
Cons
- Because of the bigger brand, the pricing can be slightly higher than smaller brands.
EDITORS CHOICE
Alternatively, Coors also does a slightly stronger lager to the Coors Light counterpart. With a slightly sweet taste, this bottled brew is largely popular in the state of Colorado and can be found very easily due to the size of Coors’ reputation.
Pros
- Stronger than Coors Light, making it a heavier alternative if you prefer stronger lagers.
- Very flavorful, making each sip as good as the last, with a slight fruity tone.
- True to the original Coors recipe that so many people originally enjoyed.
Cons
- Heavily carbonated, which some people may not prefer.
BEST VALUE
Originating from Belgium this wheat beer leaves a satisfying sour note in your mouth and quenches your thirst at the same time. With a wheaty lemon aftertaste, Hoegaarden White packs a punch with 4.9% alcohol levels.
Pros
- Cloud brew gives those wanting a stronger taste a nice drink.
- Uses banana-like esters and orange peels to create a sensational flavor.
- 4.9% alcohol gives the drinker a slightly stronger finish.
Cons
- This beer may cost a little bit more because it’s imported from Belgium.
RUNNER UP
A traditional pint from across the pond, this Irish stout gives a dark and stormy look to beer. With a chocolatey, caramel aftertaste you’ll feel like you’re in Dublin after one sip. Coming in at 4.2% alcohol strength, you’re offered a light brew with a strong finish.
Pros
- 4.2% isn’t too strong so you can drink moderately without feeling the effects straight away.
- Guinness isn’t bubbly so you get a smooth drink.
- Can contains a custom widget that releases nitrogen bubbles after opening, boosting the flavors.
Cons
- Strong flavors mean that those wanting a lighter drink may be better off looking elsewhere.
RUNNER UP
Six-time medal-winning brew, Goose Island’s IPA offers a hoppy and refreshing drink for beer loves looking for a strong aftertaste.
With citrus and grapefruit mixing with pine and floral notes, this strong beer from Illinois offers a balanced finish. Coming in at 5.9% alcohol, this pale ale is the strongest beer on the list so far.
Pros
- Brewed in Illinois, this local beer can be found in most stores
- Aiming for a down-the-middle finish, this IPA is neither too sweet, nor too sour for those wanting a fair drink.
- A rich aroma filled with citrus creates a pleasant experience.
Cons
- At 5.9%, this beer is a lot stronger than most lagers and light beers.
RUNNER UP
Wiseacre uses fresh American spring water from Memphis to help create a crisp, light-colored lager that leaves a hoppy taste on the tongue.
Low in bitterness with a flavor of bread and crackery malt, this lager comes in at 5.1% alcohol level to give you a strong beverage. This beer is locally sourced and available in most places around the country.
Pros
- Wiseacre believes that beer belongs in cans to protect the flavor, so they don’t use bottles.
- Sourced and brewed in the US means it’s easily accessible.
- Low in bitterness provides a light aftertaste for casual drinkers.
Cons
- Those who prefer their beer in bottles may want to look elsewhere.
RUNNER UP
First brewed in Minnesota in 1865, this light and hoppy beer comes in at 4.7% alcohol volume to give the drinker a middle-of-the-road finish.
In the Midwest, people have been drinking this brew for years, with all of its crisp and light flavors. Finishing with a lemon-like aftertaste gives drinkers a nice experience.
Pros
- Made in Wisconsin, this beer is largely available throughout the US.
- Hamm’s beer has a reputation for being largely affordable to their customers.
- There is 0% fat in this beer, making it lighter than many others on this list.
Cons
- There’s a slight metallic taste in the brew, much like German-style pilsners, which some people may not like.
RUNNER UP
Initially created in 1994, Tecate hails from the western borderland of Baja California in Mexico and provides a full-bodied lager with a refreshing, crisp flavor with a pleasant aftertaste.
The beer is often prepared with a lime wedge for extra flavor, or more traditionally with hot sauce and a dash of salt. However you like to enjoy your brew, this lager gives you multiple options.
Pros
- At 4.5%, this beer gives you a standard strength to your drink.
- Suitable for multiple ways of drinking, you have the option to experiment.
- On sites such as Drizly, this beer is easy to order online.
Cons
- Some people consider the smell a bit overwhelming, which can affect your experience.
RUNNER UP
Established in 1890, this long-serving lager has been a favorite throughout America for decades. This beverage was the official beer of the Boston Red Sox for over 30 years and has appeared in popular culture, such as in the movie Jaws.
Despite disappearing in the 80s briefly, the beer was brought back in 2005!
Pros
- With malt and grain, the beer provides a sweet, light finish full of flavor.
- A well-known brand, Narragansett has a reputation as a reliable beer brewer.
- Since moving to Rhode Island, Narragansett has been ranked in the top 50 breweries in the US.
Cons
- A dry aftertaste might deter those looking for a thirst-quenching beer.
RUNNER UP
Craft beers are getting more popular in modern brewing and it shows. Whirlpool is a modern take on beer with a crisp, fruity flavor. With a lower ABV compared to most craft ales, it still has citrusy notes that form a nice aftertaste.
Pros
- Brewed in New England, you’re bound to find it on US markets.
- The brewhouse is custom-built for whirlpool brewing.
- Night Shift is a very popular brand, so you know it’s a respectable option.
Cons
- Because of the popularity, availability may vary.
RUNNER UP
Coming straight out of Colorado, the canned beer has been a firm favorite since 2002 when it was first released. With tones of grapefruit and pine, this malty beer provides a rich aftertaste that has plenty of flavors.
Pros
- Strong flavors provide a great aftertaste.
- 4.6% of alcohol means that the beer isn’t too strong.
- Dale’s is a stalwart in the beer world, having the first craft beer to appear in a can, in 2002.
Cons
- The strong taste may seem overwhelming for those who prefer a light beer.
RUNNER UP
A massive favorite in the beer world, Budweiser’s light beer has 0% fat and has a light ABV with only 4.2%. Hoppy and crisp, this bubbly lager is suitable for most beer drinkers, whether you’re at a football game or you’re just craving a light refreshment after work.
Pros
- The size of the brand means that the availability of the product is huge.
- 0% fat provides a healthier option than other beers.
- Some bars may charge more because of the brand’s reputation.
Cons
- This beer is highly carbonated, which some people might not prefer.
Buyers’ Guide
When searching for your next cheap beer choice, the main thing you’re going to look for is price. However, there’s a fine balance between choosing a cheaper beer and finding a good quality product.
If you choose a beer that’s too cheap then you risk sacrificing some of the hoppy goodness that we all love about beer. Sometimes it helps if you find a brand of brewery that’s recognizable.
For example, seeing a brand like Coors or Budweiser can fill people with confidence of knowing what they’re buying, however, this risks paying more for an established brand.
Secondly, it’s useful to know what you like. For example, if you’re a fan of light, bubbly beers then you may not like a strong craft ale the same amount, or a stout like Guinness. Sometimes it helps to make little changes to your palate, rather than just throwing yourself into the deep end.
Sometimes it helps if the beer you’re looking at has lots of fruity tones that can help with a fresh aftertaste. The Whirlpool craft ale has lots of flavors to help balance out the strong taste that some may not be accustomed to.
It’s useful to remember that not all beers are online or in-person. Sometimes it takes a trip to your local store to find a hidden gem. On the other hand, if you’re used to physical shopping then it’s worth looking online for the hundreds of different brands at your fingertips.
Sometimes it takes a trip into the unknown to find your next beer. With breweries like Night Shift, you may find that discovering such a niche type of beer can take a bit of experimenting. The best thing to do sometimes is to look at reviews online.
There are plenty of forums on the web that allow people to log their findings and beer is a huge topic. You can usually search by brand and read what other people say about the product.
If you know that you don’t like certain features with certain beers, then you know which ones you’d like to avoid and which ones will suit your taste better.
Summary
There are plenty of beers out there and there are plenty of different places that will charge different prices. It can be a bit daunting, however, it’s a lot easier than you’d originally think. All it takes is a sense of adventure when trying new drinks.
With regards to keeping the price low, most websites will allow you to filter the products available by order of pricing. As mentioned before, it’s good to find the right balance between the quality of beer and low prices.
You don’t want to overcompensate for one at the expense of the other. After trying a few different types of beer, you’d recognize a pattern of the different features you like and don’t like about beer. Nobody’s expecting you to be a beer critic, just go with what you like best!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Cheapest 30 Pack Of Beer?
Coors Light, Bud Light, and Narragansett are all similar prices when it comes to 30 packs of beer. All coming in at around $26, they rank among some of the best value-for-money 30 packs in the US market.
What Is The Most Popular Cheap Beer?
It comes as no surprise that brands such as Coors and Budweiser are high on the list of cheap beers in America. When these brands are as highly-respected as they are, they’re always going to have large popularity ratings and large availability.
What Is The #1 Beer In America?
As of April 2021, Bud Light is regarded as the most popular beer in the country, followed closely by Coors Light. Budweiser, similar to Bud Light, comes in at fourth behind Miller Lite.
I want to share with you all of my favorites, as well as share advice on picking certain alcohols and flavors.
I hope you enjoy my articles as much as I enjoyed researching them!
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