Favorite/Worst Cheap Beer?

[Lynxpilot]

I used to buy Milwaukee's Best in the summer and I put a shot of lemon concentrate in it. Wholly dependent on the lemon though.

Worst I ever had was Stag. Had a friend bring some to a fishing outing. I couldn't manage a second swallow of it.

Runners up for bad were overseas. Tusker (I think Thailand), Kloster (I think Kenya), and San Miguel (Philippines)

 

[Broothru]

I used to buy Milwaukee's Best in the summer and I put a shot of lemon concentrate in it. Wholly dependent on the lemon though.

Worst I ever had was Stag. Had a friend bring some to a fishing outing. I couldn't manage a second swallow of it.

Runners up for bad were overseas. Tusker (I think Thailand), Kloster (I think Kenya), and San Miguel (Philippines)

Yeah, San Miguel. It seems to be brewed many places around the world. Used to drink it (under duress) in Spain and also the Philippines (under desperation). Same labels, same terrible headaches the day after consumption. Rumor had it that formaldehyde was added as a preservative, at least in the P.I. This was in the days before Internet, so it MUST be true.

 

[MicroMickey]

I had a Sanwald beer in Germany which I thought was rather bad.

 

[HutBrew]

Recently I got myself a case of Corona with a few limes. I regret nothing.

I’d buy Corona extra much more often- with a lime, hard to beat-
However, recently at a gas station near me it was priced at $10.99 +tax per 6er…
Down the road a piece I can get Terrapin’s Hopsicutioner for $8.99 +tax… per 6er!
I understand the whole import/export price hike, but for Corona?

As far a cheapies go, +2 for Rolling Rock, +1 because 30 racks are priced <$18 and +1 because bar bottles are <$3. And hell, it tastes like college to me!

As far as beers I wouldn’t drink even if it was the only thing keeping me from being Pontious in the “milking a horse” jacka** skit:
Icehouse and in the realm of non beer, MD20/20

 

[VikeMan]

Back in the late 80s and/or early 90s, there was a beer imported from (I think) Switzerland of all places, called Cardinal Amber Light. It was about $7 a case and quite palatable, particularly compared the the BMCs.

 

[bracconiere]

Back in the late 80s and/or early 90s,

speaking of that and "good" cheap beer, is Pete's Wicked Ale. or pete's still around? not sure if that was just a so.cal thing?

 

[bailey mountain brewer]

Another +1 for genesee cream ale, my grandfather loves it, dad loves it, I tolerate it, decent cheap beer imo and I get no adverse effects from it.

Extra gold lager is god awful if its still around, went to a "cheap beer party" when I was in my 20's woke up on my buddy's hardwood floor and my head hurt more then my back. Never drank it again.

 

[VikeMan]

speaking of that and "good" cheap beer, is Pete's Wicked Ale. or pete's still around? not sure if that was just a so.cal thing?

Pete's was available lots of places (maybe nationwide?). We had it in PA. I don't recall it being particularly cheap, but it (and other Pete's beers) were definitely a wakeup call to some friends and me about what domestic beer could be.

ETA: to answer the question, Pete's is defunct.

 

[Immocles]

My worst list is pretty long, because a few of them are terrible to me, but a few I overdid at some weeklong festivals and just can't take them anymore. Miller lite is firmly in the first category for me. Just. Gross. And coors/keystone is in the latter.

As far as favorite? Schell's deer brand is a staple, and I think its pretty cheap. During some sketchy unemployment weeks back in my early 20s, I drank the hell out of steel reserve and I dont remember it being *that* bad?

 

[Brewin’&Qin’]

Oh, reading through this thread brings back sooooo many cheap beer memories. First beer I was able to sneak from my parents fridge after a party they had was a can of Schaefer. First time I got drunk was drinking Genny Cream Ale with buddies before a HS dance my freshman year. In college I played rugby, so a good portion (just about all) of any money we had on hand went to buy beer. If we had extra $$$ we would be excited to buy Busch…. even Bud would be a luxury. Our favorite beer at the time, and even to this day is “free”. All jokes aside, usually we would be buying Hamms, Old Milwaukee, Keystone, Red White and Blue and recall Blatz a time or two.
Today favorite ”cheap” beer - Yuengling
Not so favorite “cheap” beer - Corona or Heineken never really liked either of them. But if they are “free”, the term ”like” becomes subjective….hahaha.

 

[bracconiere]

I don't recall it being particularly cheap, but it (and other Pete's beers) were definitely a wakeup call to some friends and me about what domestic beer could be.

it might have been a little more expensive then a 6er of Bud/Miller....but not by that much, then the micro's wanted to take everyones money, and now miller, bud are just saying well hell, if they'll pay them that much.....(rant over, or is it? lol )

that's just the best cheap beer i can remember.....

 

[Bluekat]

Another +1 for genesee cream ale, my grandfather loves it, dad loves it, I tolerate it, decent cheap beer imo and I get no adverse effects from it.

Extra gold lager is god awful if its still around, went to a "cheap beer party" when I was in my 20's woke up on my buddy's hardwood floor and my head hurt more then my back. Never drank it again.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I've really come to enjoy Narragansett Lager. A six pack of 16 oz cans is cheap around here (Northern VA).

This, IMHO, is a decent brew.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Agreed, Genny Cream is my favorite cheap beer. For me it sets the cream ale standard. I wish I could get it out west.

Worst beer? Anything I've tried from Budweiser. Never tasted right to me.

Wish I could find Genny Cream Ale. No luck unless I brew my own (which I do).

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Years ago I tried the beer picked as #1 by "Consumer Reports". IMO, it was awful. I had awful stomach aches from drinking 1/2 glass. Unsure what/why caused. Thought the experience was a "one off" and tried the beer again a few months later. Same results.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

A cheap beer (if you are talking about cost) I buy all the time is Bitburger Pils - 4 pack tall boys $5.99. Solid German pils and easy on the wallet.

Yep, our local Giant Food, Total Wine, et al, has these. They are good when I'm unable to brew my own.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Pete's was available lots of places (maybe nationwide?). We had it in PA. I don't recall it being particularly cheap, but it (and other Pete's beers) were definitely a wakeup call to some friends and me about what domestic beer could be.

ETA: to answer the question, Pete's is defunct.

Pete's was good. Too bad what happened to the company after Pete sold it.

 

[BongoYodeler]

Wish I could find Genny Cream Ale. No luck unless I brew my own (which I do).

How close is yours to Genny Cream?

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

How close is yours to Genny Cream?

That's the problem. I'm going back to the 1970's recollecting. Same problem with my Stroh's. Both are very, very good. Unfortunately, at this time, I'm relying on memory.

 

[BongoYodeler]

Another +1 for genesee cream ale, my grandfather loves it, dad loves it, I tolerate it, decent cheap beer imo and I get no adverse effects from it.

Really? Never had a next day case of the Genny Splats? Or the Genny Screamers? There was a difference, though I won't go into it.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I got all excited when we, wife and I, visited a local restaurant/bar. They had a Genny Cream Ale neon sign at the bar. I could barely contain myself when the waitress appeared. "I'll have a Genny". Unfortunately, I was informed the sign was only for nostalgic purposes. My night was ruined.

 

[Twinkeelfool]

Here in Australia, the mass produced lagers are ok, but maybe 18 months ago I had a Coors in a can. For a super clean summer beer I really like it. And you can drink 1000 of them . I don’t like the bottles as much.

I’ve since been brewing lots of rice lagers with German lager X, and enjoying them when in the mood for something that slips down easy.

XXXX gold on tap would be my aussie pick.

 

[bwible]

1. I just bought a case of Miller High Life for $15. Does that qualify as cheap?
2. Not sure if it’s still made but Meisterbrau was the worst beer ever. Bought a case long ago, could not drink it. We ended up using it to cook hot dogs.

I grew up near the Schmidt’s brewery in Phila. We lived probably less than 5 miles from there. We called it “headache beer”. Always gave you a headache the next morning.

 

[bwible]

There are better beers, and there are cheaper beers, but you'll never find a better cheap beer than Yuengling.

Though, I did go through a Molson Canadian phase when I was traveling to Toronto and Montreal a dozen times a year.

Also, when in Nashville a few years back, a bar owner I was talking with gave me a Schlitz. He insisted I try it, and refused to charge me - he just wanted me to have it to prove it wasn't as bad as I remembered. He was right - it was a totally drinkable and surprisingly enjoyable beer!

Never saw the fascination with Yuengling. Its a lager with carmel color added. Nothing special. (I live in PA)

Molson Golden used to be one of my favorites when I was much younger. Haven’t had it in ages.

I can occassionally find Schaefer beer which is still good. Somebody is still making it. One pizza place I used to go to in Philly had it on tap (!) and that wasn’t a real long time ago. I used to go there and order a pizza and have a Schaefer while I waited for the pizza.

 

[bwible]

Here in Australia, the mass produced lagers are ok, but maybe 18 months ago I had a Coors in a can. For a super clean summer beer I really like it. And you can drink 1000 of them . I don’t like the bottles as much.

I’ve since been brewing lots of rice lagers with German lager X, and enjoying them when in the mood for something that slips down easy.

XXXX gold on tap would be my aussie pick.

I bought Coors Banquet for a Christmas party last year. Just looking for something different. It went over really well.

 

[Bluekat]

Really? Never had a next day case of the Genny Splats? Or the Genny Screamers? There was a difference, though I won't go into it.

Nick Tahoe's in my home town of Rochester, NY always cured the splats and screamers. Late night garbage plates, oh how I miss them!

 

[bwible]

https://www.brewbound.com/news/pabst-brewing-resurrects-schaefer-beer-new-yorks-original-lager/
This was last year. Pabst is brewing Schaefer again in NY.

 

[bwible]

Lot of mentions for PBR. I understand that beer has made a huge comeback in recent years. Guy at one beer distributor here says he has a hard time keeping it in stock. Last time I had it I was eating jambalaya with it and have to say it went well.

 

[bwible]

1) Olympia or Rainier
2) Coors Light or Rolling Rock

Have not bought Rolling Rock since it was acquired by AB who bought the name and recipe only and abandoned the brewery in Latrobe. And I will never buy it again. I have 2 old bottles unopened that say Latrobe, PA on my shelf

 

[jerrylotto]

Olde Frothingslosh – the pale, stale ale so light that the froth is on the bottom