I've Tried Hundreds of Cheap Beers. My Favorite Might Surprise You

You don't always want to reach for top shelf whiskey or the nicest vodka for a martini. Sometimes, you just need a beer—whether dark, hazy, or seasonal.

And while we’re fervent fans of craft beer, there’s always a time and place for a good old fashioned cheap beer, too. Sometimes you just need an inexpensive go-to. Other times, you need to frugally fill two coolers with something crowd-pleasing for a barbecue or tailgate. Even some of the best craft brewers experience fatigue from the intense flavors of IPAs and reach for something easy at the end of a shift.

Cheap beers—which tend to be easy-drinking, low-ABV lagers made by long-running corporate breweries—offer the appeal of refreshment without too much decision-making. The one crucial catch is they don't all taste good, particularly if you’ve grown accustomed to the nuances of justifiably pricier craft options. You want a satisfying beer-flavored beer for a couple bucks, after all, not a can of weakly grain-flavored water. 

Luckily, in the wide world of cheap beers, there are plenty of reliable offerings that are delicious, even at their appealingly low prices. To help you find those can’t-miss choices, we’ve rounded up 25 of the best cheap beers in America for 2025.

Best Cheap Beers of 2025

1. Miller High Life

• 4.6 percent ABV
• Lager
• Wisconsin

“A Miller High Life is the ultimate bar industry handshake with a straightforward flavor that’s universally enjoyed, a catchy slogan—let’s be honest, 'Champagne of Beers' might be ironic, but it slaps in the zeitgeist of the beer world—and it’s from the great state of Wisconsin,” says Tim Sweeney, head bartender at Authentic Hospitality. 

High Life balances a subtly sweet, bready grain with just enough hop bitterness, light yet satisfying body and dry finish, and refreshing zing of carbonation. Plus, as Sweeney notes, “it’s available at pretty much any neighborhood or hometown bar.”

2. Pabst Blue Ribbon

• 4.7 percent ABV 
• Lager
• Various Regions

“Pabst separates itself from other domestics that are typically cheap as it’s a bit sweeter but remains super drinkable, while having some flavor behind it,” says FlyteCo Brewing master brewer Michael Bracco, who says PBR is still his go-to beach and tailgate beer, and touts its timeless, standout can design. 

The label undoubtedly stirs up fond memories in many beer drinkers, who can count on full grain flavor in a crisp, easy-drinking format. It’s one of the most reliable beer-flavored beers there is.

3. Corona Extra

• 4.6 percent ABV 
• Lager 
• Mexico

Corona Extra hits a sweet spot. It’s not quite as heavy as European lagers like Amstel or Heineken, but it’s still fuller flavored and somewhat more substantial than most American light lagers. You really get that effervescent, sweet-grain experience but in a thirst-quenching, sessionable way. 

“Mexican beers have always been a go-to when [my brother and I] were in college, working late, at a happy hour, [or] out and about,” says Sumit Sharma, cofounder of Rupee Beer. “Corona with a lime is the go-to when price, availability, and also consistency are being considered.”

4. Narragansett Lager

• 5 percent ABV 
• Lager
• Rhode Island

New England nostalgia flows from every can of Narragansett, made since 1890. Bready, floral, and grassy yet overall crisp and clean, it’s the platonic ideal of a “lawnmower beer,” as easy to crush while spending the day outside as it is to pair with barbecue classics and seafood. ‘Gansett has been rated number one American Heritage Lager by typically craft beer-dominated platforms BeerAdvocate and Untappd.

5. Bohemia Pilsner

• 4.9 percent ABV
• Czech-Style Pilsner
• Mexico

Made in Mexico in the Czech tradition with herbal, earthy Czech hops, Bohemia delivers a satisfying pilsner experience with a lightened-up approach. 

“It’s a very clean and floral Mexican pilsner,” says Josh Penney, head brewer at Threes Brewing’s Gowanus brewpub. “It’s nice as an end-of-shift beer because you can slam one back super easy. Or, if you wanted to sit with it, it’s clean enough that when it starts to come to room temperature, it doesn’t start showing its flaws like a lot of other ‘cheap beers’ do.”

6. Shiner Bock

• 4.4 percent ABV
• Bock
• Texas

Shiner Bock is a budget-friendly option for those seeking something fuller and more complex. Unlike the straw-hued lagers common in the cheap beer sector, this low-alcohol take is brewed in the German bock tradition, a dark lager subcategory with notes ranging from toasty to nutty to caramelly. Shiner, however, is a distinctly American take, also considered an American amber ale, thanks to its balance of floral, spicy hop bitterness. Its rich flavors aren't too heavy or cloying.

7. Coors Banquet

• 5 percent ABV
• Lager
• Colorado

While Coors Light might be a more ubiquitous toss-back option, Coors Banquet is like its older, cooler cousin (older by nearly a century actually; Banquet debuted in 1873). It’s not just about the retro golden can or brown bottle but also the fuller lager-versus-light lager flavor, which features a mix of lighter and toastier malts and subtly fruity hop aromas. 

Managing partner and beverage director at Mahony’s in New Orleans, Tristan Ferchl considers Coors Banquet his “back-up of choice” to a Miller High Life, explaining it’s lighter, a bit less carbonated, and “corn-based, a little sweeter, but very sessionable.”

8. Hamm’s Beer

• 4.7 percent ABV
• Lager
• Wisconsin

Does the Hamm’s cult following exist because of its rich Midwestern roots? Or because of its clean and refreshing crispness, thanks to its focus on using the purest water possible? Or, further still, its can design that conjures up memories of Grandad or epic dive bar nights? It’s probably all of the above. While Hamm’s is now brewed by Molson Coors and widely available across the country, it remains a Midwest classic thanks to its having launched there in 1865.

9. Tecate

• 4.5 percent ABV 
• Lager 
• Mexico

Tecate is a full-flavored member of the crushable Mexican lager category, boasting satisfying malt character and subtle yet steady hop bitterness. 

“This little gem is as versatile as they come,” says Francisco Velasco, bar manager at El Lugar Cantina in New York. “Drink it straight from the can or squeeze a lime wedge for that citrus zing.” 

Beyond lime juice, Velasco endorses using Tecate for Micheladas, or “dressing” the can with a dash of hot sauce and sprinkle of salt.

10. Yuengling Traditional Lager

• 4.5 percent ABV
• Lager 
• Pennsylvania

A mainstay from the country’s oldest brewery, Yuengling Traditional Lager is like a sip of American history—history that tastes pretty good. Without forsaking the easy-drinking requirement of an American lager, Yuengling leans into flavor and mouthfeel with its amber-hued offering. Caramel malt provides some sweetness and depth, while cascade and cluster hops lend piney, earthy, floral, and citrusy bitterness.

11. Modelo Especial

• 4.4 percent ABV
• Lager
• Mexico

Modelo Especial is a reliable refresher and a study in balance. It has a honey-like sweetness from malt and maize, which is tempered by herbaceous hop bitterness, zippy carbonation, and a dry finish. It’s hard to think of something better that both complements and cuts the fat and heat of everything from tacos to Asian noodle dishes.

12. Genesee Cream Ale

• 5.1 percent ABV 
• Cream ale 
• New York

Referred to affectionately as “Genny Cream Ale” by its many long-term fans, this upstate New York classic takes a slightly different approach to the crisp, easy-drinking beer experience. Cream ales are deceptively titled, as they’re not creamy but instead feature just the right amount of malt sweetness cut by effervescence and a dry finish. Genesee is the style’s gold standard.

13. Red Stripe

• 4.7 percent ABV 
• Lager 
• Jamaica

“Whether it’s winter or summer, Red Stripe always hits the spot,” says Madison Webber, food and beverage manager at Outbound Stowe in Vermont. “I love the history behind it and of course the bottle is adorable and feels great in your hand.” 

Red Stripe was born in Jamaica in 1928. In 1938, its recipe was adjusted to create a supremely thirst-quenching lager for the warm climate. From its distinctive packaging to light yet flavorful profile, Red Stripe makes you feel like you’re on vacation even at your corner bar.

14. Lone Star Original

• 4.65 percent ABV 
• Lager
• Texas; Wisconsin

Don’t miss out on a beer as iconic as Lone Star that you can score for just a little over a buck a bottle. While this lager is available in many states, the majority of its business and all of its legacy is quintessentially Texas. 

While it’s now also brewed in Wisconsin after having been acquired by Pabst, it’s got Lone Star State history stretching back to 1884. It’s slightly sweet and has a nice body, which is tempered by a crisp finish, making it the perfect barbecue partner.

15. Budweiser

• 5 percent ABV 
• Lager 
• Missouri

Brewed since 1876, Budweiser is often the beer that taught imbibers what beer in fact tastes like. It’s often called “Bud Heavy” in comparison to the now more ubiquitous Bud Light, and accordingly offers more malt body and flavor evened out with the subtlest hint of hop bitterness. It might not be the most game-changing beer experience, but Budweiser is nothing if not reliable.

16. Old Style

• 4.64 percent ABV
• Lager
• Wisconsin

Old Style originally set itself apart when it debuted in 1900, thanks to its utilization of the German fermentation process kräusening, which boosts carbonation and the richness of the malt character. Unfortunately, this Midwest darling—now under the Pabst umbrella—no longer takes that extra step. But it retains a nice, fluffy head; sweet grain; and a hint of bitter hops on the finish.

17. Medalla Light

• 4.2 percent ABV 
• Light Lager 
• Puerto Rico

“My go-to is Medalla Light, also known as Puerto Rico’s finest lager,” says Patty Dennison, head bartender at Brooklyn’s Grand Army. “It comes in a 10-ounce can which is why I like it so much—it’s cold and refreshing the entire time you’re drinking it. The worst part about cheap beer is the last inch that gets warm and gross. With the smaller can, you avoid that.”

Even if bottles are all you can find, Medalla Light—engineered for offering relief in hot weather—is crisp refreshment you can count on.

18. Old Milwaukee

• 4.6 percent ABV 
• Lager
• Various

While it’s now brewed by Pabst in different locations across the United States, Old Milwaukee started out in 1849 with the lager influence of German immigrants settling in the Midwest, plus a reputation for a fresh, pure taste from the local water. It’s straightforward with a cracker-y grain character, and plenty of retro, all-American nostalgia.

19. Miller Lite

• 4.2 percent ABV
• Light Lager
• Various

Miller Lite helped launch the American light lager category when it debuted in 1975, and it remains one of the best known, best loved examples. It’s not going to blow your mind, but there’s something comforting in its simplicity. You know every time that you’re going to get just enough sweet, bready grain in a crushable format.

20. Michelob Ultra

• 4.2 percent ABV 
• Light Lager 
• Missouri

While Michelob Ultra doesn’t exactly boast wow-factor flavor, it deserves a spot on this list for how refreshing it is. It’s just 95 calories and 2.6 grams of carbohydrates, making it easily the most appealing pick when you’ve got your eye on that sort of thing.

21. Rolling Rock

• 4.4 percent ABV 
• Lager 
• Pennsylvania

Rolling Rock is technically a lager, but has the taste and body of a light lager. It’s not the move for those seeking big flavor, even beer-flavored-beer flavor, but it doesn’t pretend to be either, which you can respect. When you want something super easy-drinking with lots of nice, zingy carbonation, Rolling Rock delivers.

22. Coors Light

• 4.2 percent ABV
• Light lager 
• Various

“Coors Light [is] easy-drinking, and you always know it’s cold from the blue mountains,” says Nalee Kim, beverage director of the Daikaya Group in Washington D.C., who has fond memories of sharing the beer with family. “It’s a good beer for when you aren’t trying to get drunk or need a last one before heading home.” 

Coors Light has never been known for full flavor, but it’s successful at being more of a sensation—ice cold, light, and effervescent, you can’t deny it’s a thirst-quencher.

23. Bud Light

• 4.2 percent ABV
• Light lager
• Various

Boycotts and bungled responses from Bud Light may have soured the taste for some, but there’s no denying the ubiquity, reliability, and consistency of this beer. It was once America’s best-selling beer, and now lingers around third place, according to Forbes—essentially, it’s still got staying power, which comes down to sessionability, decent flavor, and familiarity.

24. Busch Beer

• 4.3 percent ABV
• Lager
• Missouri

Busch is bready and just a little sweet. It’s bubbly, it’s clean, it’s dry-finishing. And, most importantly, it’s cheap. As in, often less than a buck a can cheap. When it comes to dependable beer for a good price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better choice than Busch.

25. Natural Light

• 4.2 percent ABV 
• Light lager 
• Colorado; Missouri

Natural Light rivals Busch Beer in its thrifty appeal. Let’s be honest, Natty Light is no one’s first choice. But if you find yourself in a situation where the choices are Natural Light and Natural Ice, choose the former—it’s more of a classic American light lager that won’t wow you but will hit the spot. The latter runs a little sweeter and less refreshingly carbonated.

How We Chose the Best Cheap Beers

The primary step to choosing the best cheap beers is defining what makes them, well, cheap. With their massive budgets and production capacities, macro brands like Anheuser-Busch, Molson Coors, and Pabst Blue Ribbon can offer beer at prices considerably lower than labor-of-love craft brews. You also have your regional mainstays, including Genesee and Hamm’s, joining the bargain market. 

Costs vary regionally, but referencing Total Wine & More’s website, location set to New Jersey, you can get a 12-pack of Budweiser for $14, just over a buck a can, compared to craft 12-packs at around $18 to $19. Those numbers stay about the same in Texas, with craft falling to around $16. In Washington state, a Bud 12-pack is $16 but for 16-ounce cans as opposed to 12-ounce, while craft offerings run as much as $20.

With price differences squared away, I used my own experience having been around the beer block and knowing not simply what tastes good, but what's rated favorably and continues to sell. I also checked in with bar industry pros for their in-the-know preferences. Combining that with taste tests, I compiled this list.

Why You Should Trust Us

Courtney Iseman is a Brooklyn-based writer covering beer since 2018. She covers beer news and trends and brewing techniques for outlets including Punch, Food & Wine, Inside Hook, CraftBeer.com, VinePair, Thrillist, The Washington Post, Craft Beer & Brewing, and Brewing Industry Guide. 

She's also a Certified Cicerone Beer Server. Throughout her writing research, Cicerone studies, and beer-curious world travels, she's delved deep into every readily available beer style, and plenty of those have been big-name brands on the cheap.

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