I bought a sixpack of Milwaukee's Best Light last night for the beer can chicken I'm making tonight. I paid $3.39. Since I only need a half can to cook, I'll probably take a sip. If it isn't awful, I'll probably drink the rest. But since it's from Miller, I'll probably not like it.

I've actually been more disappointed with premium priced American beers. Anhueser World or something like that in a green bottle was putrid. I also bought a six of Miller 1855 2 years ago and can't give away the last 2 bottles.

Coors Light, draught, is pretty tasty on a warm day. Doesn't taste nearly as good in a can though.

LUCKY LAGER! Can't beat it.

"Heineken???!!!??? F**K that S**T! Pabst Blue Ribbon!!!"

:D

If you're talking cheap, you'd probably have to talk about Leo instead of Chang. IIRC, Leo is the cheap version of Singha. I think there is a cheap version of Chang but I can't remember what it's called. Singha has a higher tax rate than Chang in Thailand because it's considered to be more of a premium beer.

Chang is probably the best cheap beers of the ones I can get easily at the moment (if only Shiner Bock was a cheap beer for me... :D ) but it's only good when really cold. I can handle Singha when it warms up a bit but not Chang.

In the late '90s, San Miguel from the Philippines was more expensive in HK than the San Miguel that was brewed in Hong Kong. For a while, it was trendy to be seen drinking your San Miguel from a Filipino stubby rather than a regular bottle. Don't know if that's still the case.

My son likes Keystone. Says a 12-pack is only 5.99.

woodman's/kenosha
 

Love, love, this store. I live out of state, used to live in Illinois,family in kenosha.

They have chase and sanborn coffee, difficult to find; no charge at ATM, thank you. Staff are great I leave the store proud to be a mid-westerner.

I am so glad I crossed the cheddar curtain.

Anyone tried Pilsner Urquell? its my favourite beer from Prague. Around 50cents for a 600ml glass a couple of years back when i was there.

MGD in a keg.

Welcome to FT, radiofirst. I have never heard the expression, cheddar curtain. cute. :D

I just finished a six pack. Unfortunately, about $1.25 a bottle here.

I have to be honest.. good beer really won't run much more than double the $.50 for a bottle... why not just spring an extra couple of dollars for good stuff?

My fav is Pacifico, if that's considered cheap beer.

Definitely a good quaff....but hardly a cheap beer in North America. Cheapest Czech beer I've found is Staropramen. Not exactly cheap here, either, but usually less expensive than Budvar or Pilsner Urquell. A good brew, too.

When my daughter lived in Prague, she reported it to be one of the favorites if not the favorite of the locals. It was also her usual drink. At two Czech crowns for a pint, (62 cents then), she could even afford the stuff!

pilsner is ok but over-rated... gambrinus 10degree, 6 .5l bottles for $2.50 at the supermarket, best deal in the world. but in general, czech republic has the best beer for the lowest prices. everything else is just an overpriced copycat.

in the states, best cheap beer: coors original, very refreshing, easy to drink and no hangover for me..

if its only price you care about, ocasionally you can buy branik at a hyper market for 1.90kc, about 10cents a bottle...

-matt

Anchor Beer in Cambodia (not to be confused with Angkor Beer)
Tsingtao in Thailand...
or even Coronas and Pacifico Beer in Mexico

Genesee Beer from upstate NY, $3.99 for a six-pack

Carib from Trinidad.. Back in the days the alcohol level would change.. Higher around Christmas and Carnival... Wow now that is a beer

"I Need A Beer!" Best Cheap Beer Thread
 

I sometimes enjoy a hearty but cheap beer. While I certainly know the difference between "good beer" and cheap beer, sometimes nothing hits the spot like some rot gut brew. Am I the only one who ever craves a cheap beer? Anyone else ever gone to the convenience store in Atlanta or Detroit and grabbed a "forty" at 2 am?

Some of my favorite cheap beer:

Natural Ice - I think it's more of a nostalgic thing. Drank lots of it when I was studying. One taste of this All-American brew brings back memories of Wed. Night poker and cheap buzzes. I always thought the Ice got a bad wrap. Maybe their marketing campaign should be: "Natural Ice: Not just for whinos and gang bangers anymore."

Mickey's - Actually a malt beverage but a decent buzz for "budget" drinkers.

Camo - A little known brand that boast a 9.0 percent alcoholic content. About $1.29 for a 24 oz. can. I still buy these on occasion.

Those are some of my "best of the worst." Look forward to hearing from others on this amusing topic. I'm sure this post will elicit a variety of responses. :D

Make mine a Bintang

Used to buy Southpaw in Florida brewed by Miller. 5% alcohol and didn't taste all that bad, kind of similar to Icehouse, but cheaper.

Southpaw isn't that bad. I haven't seen much of it in awhile. Do they still make it?

Red Dog was another one put out by that company. If I recall it was pretty rough. Haven't seen it much lately either.

I haven't seen Southpaw for almost 2 years.

Red Bull was awful, similar to the old Schlitz "red bull" and "blue bull" offerings.

I also grew up in Wisconsin, Stevens Point to be specific. In high school (mid 80's) we would beat a path to the Eastside IGA, where returnable "expired" cases of Rhinelander, Hamms, Schlitz, Pabst and some obscure brands could often be had for less than $5. For us, Point Beer and Leinenkugels were true premium beers.

Point Special Beer, Point Special Beer;
Brewed to perfection, it tastes so good;
Satisfies completely, like good beer should;
Better quality, smoothness you'll agree;
Point Special Beer!

Alas, beer drinking was a little too familiar to me, and after a 1990 Chicago bender, I called it quits on all alcohol.:confused: So, I'm coming up on my twentieth anniversary of alcohol sobriety and I'm about ready to declare myself cured!^

Long neck Old Milwaukee is cheap and not bad.

I think Kalik from the Bahamas is at least as good as Corona.

Red Horse from the Philippines has a nice full-bodied taste (saw some in Hawaii).

So many of the microbrews taste like Sam Adams to me.

The firebrick-amber stuff they have on Northwest now (successor to the James Page) I think is pretty good. From a company in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Life's too short to drink cheap beer. Give me a Stone Ruination IPA anyday!

"Life's too short to drink cheap beer. Give me a Stone Ruination IPA anyday!"

Since your post is looking down on everyone else....

By that rationale, shouldn't you be drinking high end Belgian or German beer instead of that new world unbalanced swill? That's not to mention the palette fatigue from that much hops. Personally, on a hot day, when I just want something cool and light to drink I'll go Miller Lite. I'll take a pass on the estrogen laden IPA.....Enjoy those man boobs though.

Update: I found some Southpaw at a local store tonight. It wasn't in the best part of town but it was a convenient stop on my way home. Evidently they are still making it. Only 3.79 for a 6 pack. ^

This post should probably be renamed, "best beer at best inexpensive price", because the word "cheap" is well just that --cheap and that doesnt fit with the equation of Best Beer.
The words Cheap and Beer are not compatible.

Cheap beer is the kind that makes you squirt on the toilet in the morning. (hey you asked the question, thats the honest answer). After 30 years of drinking I can speak here as an expert.

By far GERMAN beer is the BEST WORLDWIDE. That is not by coincidence, first off the water is better, second off the indgredients are better (100 % natural), but most off all is the Rheinheits-gebot, someone can correct me on the date, but I think its like 1516 ? which says that Beer is to be made of ONLY NATURAL INGREDIENTS = ORGANIC.

This is the way ALL german beer is made still to this day by law, over 400 years, and that is why it renown as the best in the world. This law is twice as old as the entire country of nativeamericans-invadedbyeuropeans-USA.

On the other hand American greedy-corporations do not follow this rule, they sell bottom-barrel swill garbage to the masses (sheeple) at cheapest prices. If that is what you are looking for, please use your own toilet. Besides absconding the name Budweiser from the europeans original Busweis (this is Czech) they do not have integrity nor good beer. Yes it will give you a buzz if you drink enough, but trust me the hangover is not worth it, especially if you miss a day of work moaning about how much your head hurts, while bragging about the few bucks you saved on the cheap ami beeer.

Second is czech beer such as Pilsner Urquell (the original Pilsner) made in Pilzen from the best water in the world. I think this is the best import in usa if you ask me. And perhaps if you have limited possibilites then choose popular dutch beer such as Heineken sold worldwide. But please dont confuse good beer with cheap beer.

If you ever have a doubt, your butthole and your pounding head will tell you the truth.

You are not a bird "cheap cheap cheap.....)

If you are smart, try to find the best beer at the best price, always avoid the word "cheap" no matter what.

You have been warned.

Bringing you the TRUTH....

Wasn't looking down on everyone else. I prefer to drink a better quality beer if I'm going to drink a beer. Intersesting how Stone Brewing has been rated the 3rd best Brewery in the World by ratebeer.com (behind another San Diego brewery, Alesmith at #1). So looks like you're in the minority.

Not sure what your comment about man boobs is about, but perhaps a few push ups might be helpful in your case.

Man boobs are funny. I hit the iron for 10 years plus just to avoid them. At the end of the day, even with all the 1-AD, juice etc; I didn't feel any different about the quality of beer I drank. To be quite frank, I don't think any beer is conducive to a good training program. Alcohol itself is estrogenic, regardless of brand or price point. It's been said that even one drink in a 24 hour period can reduce your 'T' production by over 50%. Bottom line, training program or not, it's hard to turn down a beer.... :)

I agree. It's hard to turn down a beer. Just wish I could get better beer here (although Chimay Blue is a good fall back)!

Brewerys in UK
 

I have been around many breweries in the UK. From the small in coverted cattle sheds to large multinational chains. All offer FREE beer at the end of the tour and the tours are often FREE.

For really cheap but interesting beer , I recommend a tour round any of the CAMRA affiliated breweries in the UK.

The Aldi I frequent in Matteson, IL carries several different beers. Also wine.

There are some great cheap beers being offered at Trader Joe's. The entire Sea Dog brand seems to be pretty good at a really low cost - usually $5.99 here in DC.

In Norway a god tip is to find a place that serves Aass beer on tap ( http://www.aass.no/usa/us.htm ). This is primarily in their home city of Drammen, but occasionally can be found in Oslo. Thier "classic" is not great , but their Pilsener is IMO the best beer to be found in Norway, a true pilsener, made to German purity laws. Crushes the competition. Their Bock is decent too. Aass is not a popular beer, but this is down to distribution - their competitor Rignes Hansa makes god-awful beer, but has the distribution locked in. Nonetheless, if you find a place with Aass on tap, dont pass it up.

Actually Staropramen is cheap swill. If you have a closer investigation, you find that their beer is lagered the least of all the major Czech breweries, uses cheap ingredients, and consequently has least proper taste. They brand Staropramen abroad as "quality", expensive stuff, but in fact it is manufactured to low standards and by cutting corners.

Budweiser Budvar is the one that actually makes the beer properly and with good ingredients. Costs more, but hey, its easy to make cheap beer, if you cut corners.

Pilsner Urquell is something in-between, but closer to Staropramen. There is a beer very common in Prage called Gambrinus, which I found to be most ubiquitous.

In any case, dont confuse broad availability of beer in Europe with popularity or quality. European Breweries often have exclusive lock-in contracts with bars, so you dont get them all to chose from - that would be the proper test of popularity - and in the case of England, they even outright own the bars/pubs.

If you find yourself in Prague , forget Staropramen, have a Budvar Dark beer on tap - heavenly, Or better yet, take a day trip to Pilzen for some even better local brews, all of which are quite cheap over there. I think you'd see Staropramen for what they are after that: brands with history that have been .......ed by SAB-Miller or whatever global compay owns them now...


It is not CAMRA-affiliated, because it isnt an "ale" but Samual Smiths organic lager on tap is a fantastic brew. And relativeley cheap by English standards. Samuel Smiths doesnt have many pubs left, but there was one in Maida Vale in London that had this brew on tap. Highly recommended. They also have a pub in Shad Thames south of Tower Bridge, but I dont remember seeing the organic ale there. Other good ones though...

WOW..where do I start.....how many of those Pilzens did you consume before writing this...Dude, you really have issues with America and Americans...If you want to start your own thread, by all means do so, don't try to rename this one....cheap beer is all relative. Some folks might think this is Budweiser and others might think its Old Milwaukee or Milwaukee's Best. You know, sometimes I don't feel like forking over $30 for a case of Stella or Pilsner Urquell (so we do agree on one thing!!) so I might just grab something on sale for $15 or so. I believe that was the intent of the OP.

You might not like Budweiser, but they are one hell of a successful company with a 50% market share in the US. It was, I believe, the first brewery to create a national brand, shipping barrels of beer in iced rail cars thus expanding its footprint. Ownership of the Budweis name has been litigated in the court system, you might like the outcome, but that's too bad. BTW, are you a comunist? In your native land, there is no for-profit corporations? Is greed just an American trait?

The German Beer Purity Law of 1516, Reinheitsgebot, states that beer can only contain Malt, Hops, Yeast, Water...that's it...no other cereal grains.

By the way, my best cheap beer is Busch, $11 for a 30 pack cube and I can fit about 20 into my cooler that I bring to the NASCAR race in Dover.:D

I dont recall mentioning Budweiser or Busch, but well...they do contain......emm....rice. Funny enough. they didnt turn up in my list. I must be "prejudiced" or something...

Cheers. PS, em.... I am American, passport and all, even. Cheers buddy......

.....

I visited a friend at Florida State in Tallahassee and that was the popular beer - I agree it is not bad!

Another cheap decent beer is Natural Light - it is actually my father's beer of choice! :confused: