Beers, brats and booze: These elements, along with good vibes, are the ingredients of a successful tailgate. But if you’re hosting a party for a group of thirsty friends, supplying alcohol can take a big bite — or gulp –out of your bank account.
Thank the football gods we live in America, where Solo Cups runneth over with hundreds of different varieties of cheap beer. Some of them aren’t half bad.
Get your tailgate going with this list of 10 cheap but magnificent American beers. Note that sample prices were pulled from local liquor stores and may vary by store and region.
[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]
1. Pabst Blue Ribbon. Since the first batch was brewed in more than a century ago, Pabst Blue Ribbon has become a favorite among hipsters and cost-conscious drinkers alike. Legend holds that the light lager was christened after winning “America’s Best” at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.
— Brewing company: Pabst Brewing Company
— Style: American adjunct lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 4.74 percent
— Sample price: $8.99 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans
2. Miller High Life. Labeled “The Champagne of Beers,” Miller High Life was once considered a high-end brand. The classic American-style lager has been around for more than 100 years and is considered drinkable, authentic and unpretentious.
— Brewing company: Miller Brewing Co.
— Style: American adjunct lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 4.60 percent
— Sample price: $5.99 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles
[See: 6 Ways to Treat Yourself on a Budget.]
3. Narragansett Lager. “Hi, neighbor, have a ‘Gansett!” is the slogan of this mild lager, most famously spoken by Boston Red Sox sportscaster Curt Gowdy. The beer made an appearance in the movie “Jaws ,” when Quint, a hardened sailor, chugs a can in one gulp, then crushes it. Narragansett Lager has been around for 125 years, making it the oldest beer in New England.
— Brewing company: Narragansett Brewing Co.
— Style: American adjunct lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 5 percent
— Sample price: $14.99 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans
4. Rainier. In Seattle, where craft beer options abound, Rainier remains one of the most popular brews. The time-honored lager is reportedly crafted from pure spring waters from the Northwest.
— Brewing company: Pabst Brewing Company
— Style: American adjunct lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 4.60 percent
— Sample price: $9.72 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans
5. Rolling Rock. Like Miller High Life, Rolling Rock was once regarded as a premium brand. While this light lager in the iconic green bottle is no longer considered fancy, it’s always a popular pick at parties for being distinctive and familiar.
— Brewing company: Latrobe Brewing Co.
— Style: American adjunct lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 4.60 percent
— Sample price: $13.99 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles
6. Yuengling. The unofficial state beer of Pennsylvania, this amber-color lager is brewed in the country’s oldest operating brewery, Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville. Fun fact: Yuengling survived prohibition by selling Yuengling Specials — “near beers” with a low 0.5 percent alcohol content.
— Brewing company: Yuengling Brewery
— Style: American amber/red lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 4.50 percent
— Sample price: $13.60 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles
7. Lone Star Beer. The “national beer of Texas” has been watering cowboys, oil barons and Texas college students for generations. You’ll spot Lone Star in practically every bar in Texas and in the hand of John Travolta on the poster for “Urban Cowboy.”
— Brewing company: Pabst Brewing Company
— Style: American adjunct lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 4.65 percent
— Sample price: $10.39 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles
8. Utica Club. This old-school upstate New York brew was the first beer officially sold once prohibition ended. Devoted drinkers affectionately call the pale lager “Uncle Charlie.”
— Brewing company: Matt Brewing Company/Saranac Brewery
— Style: American adjunct lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 5 percent
— Sample price: $9.99 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles
[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]
9. Grain Belt Premium. Brewed in Minnesota, “The Friendly Beer” is a mainstay at Midwest bars. Visit Nicollet Island in Minneapolis, and you can see the landmark Grain Belt sign that flashed the letters “Grain Belt Beer” for years after it was erected post-Prohibition. It’s light, crisp and will pair well with any kind of deliciously greasy meat you serve at your tailgate.
— Brewing company: August Schell Brewing Company
— Style: American adjunct lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 4.60 percent
— Sample price: $11.99 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles
10. Montucky Cold Snacks. This American pale lager wins points for the coolest name. It’s a canned lager beloved by the proud, beer-drinking residents of Montana and destined to be a hit among your tailgate guests.
— Brewing company: City Brewing Company
— Style: American pale lager
— Alcohol content by volume: 4 percent
— Sample price: $11.99 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans
How to Save Even More on Booze at Your Tailgate
Packing your cooler with frosty, affordable options is one way to trim down your booze budget. Here are more tips for saving on drinks at your tailgate:
Make it BYOB. In the spirit of football season, you and your friends should use the power of teamwork to make sure your party never runs dry. Invite your friends to bring along whatever beer, wine or spirits they can contribute. Making your tailgate BYOB alleviates the financial strain while ensuring no one goes thirsty.
Shop the right stores. Skip convenience stores and boutique liquor shops, and head to big-box retailers and supermarkets to hunt down the best deals. In states where pharmacy beer sales are legal, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid often feature decent promotions on beer. The biggest savings on booze are usually found at warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club, where beer and alcohol are sold in bulk at a discount. In many states, alcohol sales can’t be prohibited through a club, so you may even be able to shop without a membership, depending on where you live.
Reconsider the keg. Contrary to popular belief, springing for a keg isn’t always the cheaper option when it comes to serving large parties. When comparing a keg of domestic light beer to the same amount of canned beer, the savings per ounce is usually minimal. With kegs, you also have to figure in the cost of cups in addition to the gas needed for pick up and drop off.
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10 Affordable American Beers for Your Tailgate Party originally appeared on usnews.com
