As opposed to a previous post on the cheapest PLACE in the world, where is the cheapest beer in the world? I was disappointed that one post said everything was cheap in Thailand EXCEPT for the beer. South Africa is one place I have heard beer is really cheap, but so far out of 20 or 25 countries I have not found beer that much cheaper than in the US.

About ten years ago I used to visit Caracas every week.

The local (and very palatable) Polar beer was about 18 cents (US) a can from a store.

Re:Thai beer, I believe that the post referred to the price of beer in bars, not stores. For example, in a typical bar, the price of Singha is generally in the THB80-100 range, whereas in a supermarket, the price is THB20-23 (about half a buck or less). Other local beers (with less cachet) in cases are half that price.

I don't know what currency you want us to reply in .....so I'll use USD....................

In Rio de Janeiro a pint of "chopp" (draft cerveza....uhmmm beer) is about 75 cents...............

In Calgary it is $2.00 ..............

Beer LAO, in Lao, about 25 cents US a bottle and very good.

One thing's for sure, uncle1k sure knows his beers. I enthusiastically second his recommendation (and the bottles are large, I don't think I've ever seen a small Beer Lao bottle).

A couple of summers ago while in Prague, I went to see Motzart's opera, Don Giovanni, performed outdoors in the courtyard of a Renaissance Palace. During intermission, bottles of Pilsner Urquel were sold for approx. 50 cents!!

Pilsner Urquel is a world class beer, although I much prefer the Czech beer Gambrinius.

Incidentally, the cost of the opera was also quite low for excellent seats, and it was only fitting to see Don Giovanni in Prague, as it had its' world premiere there, some 3 centuries ago!

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 06-29-2001).]

I wonder if it is relevant to distinguish between the price of COLD BEER and room temperature or sun-baked warm beer.

In many developing countries, the beer is indeed cheap, but it is also served at whatever temperature mother nature deems appropriate.

Good point about the temperature. Some of the places I've been, like the Peruvian Amazon, the beer's not cold enough for me even straight out of the (propane) refrigerator, and then it's so hot out that it gets even warmer before you can finish it (and believe me, I don't dawdle over my beer).

So to clarify:

Where in the world is the cheapest cold beer at the retail (as opposed to bars) level?

Thanks.

Just want to second what UAL Traveler is saying. Singha and Carlsberg is very cheap in the local markets (even the local 7-11's).

Beers in bars are expensive relative to everything else as UAL states. And on this point, it has just gone up another 20 baht to around 110 baht now Oh well, it's still worth it though.

CS

San Migel (sp?) in the Philippines has got to be the cheapest. Even in bars its only about 25 cents. It's a reasonalby good beer too.

I agree about the temperature problem. In Nicaragua, they would take beer from the case and put it in a bucket of ice and go around and sell it. Total time on ice would be less then a minute. It was about 50 cents (4 colones) as I remember.

In Ecuador Pilsener, the best selling brand, is about 0.50 cents for a large bottle, and about 0.35 for a half size bottle. IMO Pilsener, despite being the best selling beer, is not that great. It's made without artificial ingredientes, and rice& corn are used in the brewing process.
Well, the second best selling beer and gaining market share rapidly is Biela, which is actually better tasting than Pilsener. It sells about the same price.
And the best, which no matter where I am I must have... Corona w/i might add, un cubano(YES, cuban cigars are sold in Ecuador but very expensive though..)In Ecuador, most places(bars, clubs) sell it for $2 Boy, how I would love for some places in NYC to serve me $2 Corona's when it's not happy hour.. Wait, I'm going wake up now.. Adios

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Bureau of Consular Affairs: http://travel.state.gov
Guias del Ocio:http://www.latindex.com/ocio/guias.htm

[This message has been edited by eperaltaotero (edited 06-29-2001).]

I don't know you, guys, but instead of cheap donkey p***, I prefer a GOOD beer. Seems that none of you has ever heard of the delicious Belgian ales ( more than 200 hundreds different beers and colors: blonde, brown, black, amber...). NOTHING, absolutely nothing to do with the usual international brands like carlsberg, etc.

until you have tasted Belgian beers, you won't have tasted anything real in your life...

no hard feelings, I hope!

LL

PS for names of beers ( and related websites) as well as good beer hofs in Brussels, just ask!

IMHO, at times, in the types of climates some of our travels take us to, any COLD beer would taste good, donkey p*** or not

Beer in the Czech Rep. is cheap and good!