Cheap beer is a tethering ground to walk on — sometimes we find a steal, and other times we are left with weird aftertastes in our mouths. At the end of the day, it all depends on your taste and expectations.
It is hard to find an extremely cheap beer that tastes exactly like a higher-price, high-quality one. However, for those with a tight budget and needing to freshen up, cheap beers are the ideal solution to our problems. And who doesn’t remember those college days when we would chug cans of lukewarm beer without a care for what they tasted like?
Now, at least, we have the common sense to chill them first.
So, what is the cheapest and tastiest beer you can drink?
Average Beer Prices
Average Beer Prices can vary depending on the state, the type of production, and the brand.
IPA and other artisanal beers are known for being more expensive since they work with more exclusive ingredients and production methods. However, we will explore the price of lager beer, the market’s most common type.
Because of different tax laws, each American state has its price for beer. Here you can find a graph showing how much each state charges for a 24-pack on average.
Also, the price of beer at a bar versus in a store is again drastically different. This happens mainly because bars tend to serve better quality beer, usually craft and local ones. And even for those that work with generic brands like Budweiser or Coors Light, they still charge more than the store price because they need to get some profit from the sale.
In the restaurant industry, the cost of each item sold can never surpass 30% of its final price. This means that if a bar buys a can of beer for $1, it needs to sell it for at least $3,33 to have a profit. For most bars, the average markup for beer is about 200% to 300%.
15 Best Cheap Beers in America
When looking for cheap beer, there are dozens of brands in the market, from small local ones to gigantic, nationwide companies.
To make life easier, here is a list of the top 15 cheap beers in the US. Many people have tested all of these famous brands, all attesting to the quality of the product regarding its price.
Alcohol Content: 4.1% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $9.99
Although there are better-quality beers in the market, Keystone Light pays off because of its affordability and light body. Because of its crispness, lack of intense flavors, and bland characteristics, it is famous among college students who are still learning to drink and might not like the robust taste of other beers.
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Average Price: 6-pack (12 oz.) for $10.39
This is probably the most famous cheap beer in America, consumed by college students, young adults, and people in other phases of their life who still prefer to drink good, cheap beer. It has a sweet finish, something unexpected in beer, with a crisp flavor.
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Average Price: 6-pack (12 oz.) for $9.99
Budweiser is a classic known as the “king of beers.” It is rich in flavor but, at the same time, pretty standard, which makes it perfect for those who just want to enjoy the typical taste of beer. Also one of the most famous beers in the US, widespread across all states and even internationally.
It is brewed from rice and barley, granting it a crisp and refreshing taste.
Alcohol Content: 4.1% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $11.59
Busch Light is a low-calorie beer that tastes exactly like a regular one – perfect for those who want to cut back on carbs and still enjoy the malty flavors of the drink. It is the perfect beer to drink with your friends, as it goes down easily without making you feel bloated or slow after a couple of cans. Burch also has many other varieties, all pretty cheap and worth it.
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Average Price: 6-pack (12 oz.) for $8.23
Coors Banquet has been on the market for over 150 years, so it is safe to say that it is one of the best cheap beers in America. Your grandpa has tried it at least a couple of times in his life, and he will attest that it still holds the same quality and flavor — that’s consistency right there.
What differentiates it from Coors Light is the flavourful mouthfeel of the Banquet. It is malty and with citrus notes at the end.
Alcohol Content: 4.6% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $10.99
Miller High Life is a popular choice among dads all over the country — and we know that dads have a sharp taste for good beer. It is also known as the “Champagne of Beers” because of its characteristic flavor.
This beer brings nostalgia to everyone who tries it since it has been around for so long, managing to keep consistency in taste and affordability. This is one of the best cheap beers in America, an old style that never gets old.
Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $11.99
Pabst Blue Ribbon, also known as PBR, has had the same recipe, style, and taste since it started in 1844. Although the ownership of the brand changed multiple times over the year, its reputation as one of the best cheap beers in America stayed intact.
It is also one of the tastiest cheap beers on the market, definitely worth a try at least once in your life.
Alcohol Content: 4.6% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $8.48
Rolling Rock is the perfect beer to freshen up on a hot summer day. Made from rice and corn, this is a light beverage that doesn’t have strong malty flavors, meaning it won’t fill you up as you’re chilling on your swimwear. It is also one of the cheapest ones on this list, popular among young people who are still getting used to the arts of alcohol.
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $14.99
Miller Lite is a low-carb and low-calorie beer without losing the famous taste of beer. This is probably why it is also a contestant for the best healthy beer category, and it is perfect for those who still want to dwell on the refreshing wheatness of the drink while still minding their wellness.
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $10.99
Coors Light tastes extremely good for a light beer, which usually tends to be a little watery. When served ice-cold, it is practically just as good as a more expensive beer. It is also one of the most famous and loved cheap beers in America, ranking high on almost every list.
Alcohol Content: 3.2% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $18.48
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold is made with organic grains, perfect for those who follow the movement of consuming clean and ethical foods and beverages. It is also the lightest of Michelobs, with only 85 kcal per bottle. This means you can enjoy a cheap beer with a clean and crisp flavor that won’t fill you up too fast.
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Average Price: 6-pack (12 oz.) for $7.99
The Narragansett Lager is a beloved choice for those enjoying the cold on the east coast. It has a malty taste and a unique flavor, being a beer you must try at least once in your life. A New England favorite, the Narragansett Lager pairs well with chicken wings and a Red Sox game.
Over the years, it has maintained its taste and price, being faithful to its heritage even though it was bought by larger corporations for a while.
Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Average Price: 6-pack (12 oz.) for $8.49
Lone Star was voted the National Beer of Texas since it has been brewed there since 1884. The beer is strongly linked to the country music craze of the 70s, and its crisp flavors and malty finish still take many people to those days. In the southern American state, you can find it at backyard gathering next to the grill and in the hands of people enjoying music concerts and festivals.
Alcohol Content: 3.8% ABV
Average Price: 12-pack (12 oz.) for $13.99
Yuengling Light Lager comes from the oldest brewery in America and still offers consistent flavor and quality to its faithful consumers. The light-lager version of the original beer still holds the robust flavors of malty beer but with fewer calories.
Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV
Average Price: 18-pack (12 oz.) for $13.99
Natty Light is probably the most famous cheap beer in America and also one of the most affordable. It is a highly light beer that is easy to drink. Because of its low prices, college students often use it in drinking games (as do college graduates, as hard as it is to admit sometimes).
Who Sells the Cheapest Beer?
Finding beer at its lowest price is an art you will cherish forever. The best spots to find cheap beer in bulk are wholesale venues like Costco, Target, Walmart, and other places with the same market strategy.
There are also online stores known for offering reasonable prices on alcohol, like Drizly and Minibar. They usually deliver to most states in the US, and you will definitely find some of the best deals for cheap beer.
Also, the average price of some beer brands might differ depending on the state. For example, a beer produced in Texas might be more accessible to stores there and a bit more expensive when it travels up north — especially when production scales are that high.
The Worst Cheap Beer Brands
Although we know it is tough for cheap beer to taste like a high-quality, more expensive one, we can still appreciate most brands for their unique and lighter tastes.
However, some cheap beer brands just don’t make the cut — some leave horrible aftertastes on our mouths or simply taste like mildly flavored water.
Here are some of the brands known for being the worst cheap beer brands on the market:
- Icehouse
- Natural Ice
- Milwaukee’s Best
- Sharp’s – Miller Brewing Co.
- Carlton Cold
- O’Doul’s – Anheuser-Busch
Obviously, at the end of the day, it all depends on personal taste.
What is the Cheapest Beer You Can Drink?
Here we have introduced you to some of the best (and worst) cheap beers you can drink.
Although they might not taste the same as high-quality, expensive brands, these are still great for tailgates and hot summer afternoons when we just want to freshen up on a tight budget.
Go ahead and buy it in bulk, getting ready for an affordable hang out with friends, barbecue, or beach day.