The Best Cheap Beers That Actually Taste Good

Look, we’ve all been there—staring down the beer aisle, wallet crying, trying to find something that won’t taste like regret in a can. The good news? Cheap beer doesn’t have to mean bad beer (though, let’s be honest, it often does).

But if you’re looking for budget-friendly brews that won’t destroy your taste buds—or your dignity—this list has got you covered.

Let’s crack one open and rank the best beers that are easy on the wallet but still go down smooth. 

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1. Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) – The Hipster’s Choice That Grandpa Drank First

• ABV: 4.8%
• Why It’s Cheap: PBR doesn’t waste money on flashy ads—it lets irony do the work.
• Why It’s Good: Crisp, light, and strangely refreshing, this beer was a blue-collar staple before hipsters adopted it as a fashion statement.

Verdict: Whether you’re drinking it unironically or just trying to save a buck, PBR won’t let you down.

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2. Miller High Life – The “Champagne of Beers” (Or So They Say)

• ABV: 4.6%
• Why It’s Cheap: Marketing convinced us it's fancy, but it's still priced like your average beer.
• Why It’s Good: Light, smooth, and bubbly—like a cheap imitation of the Champagne you never order.

Verdict: Pairs well with backyard BBQs, questionable decisions, and pretending you’re classier than you actually are.

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3. Coors Banquet – The Beer That Built the West

• ABV: 5.0%
• Why It’s Cheap: It’s not Coors Light (which is somehow more expensive).
• Why It’s Good: Malty, full-bodied, and still brewed in Golden, Colorado, Banquet has actual flavor—something a lot of cheap beers can’t say.

Verdict: Best enjoyed in a dusty cowboy bar or anywhere you want to feel like Sam Elliott is narrating your life.

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4. Busch Light – The Unapologetic Frat Beer

• ABV: 4.1%
• Why It’s Cheap: Because you’re not paying for taste, you’re paying for volume.
• Why It’s Good: Light, slightly sweet, and goes down like water—which is exactly why college students and outdoorsmen swear by it.

Verdict: Tastes like cheap beer should, but at least it won’t fight you back.

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5. Natural Light (Natty Light) – The One That Never Left College

• ABV: 4.2%
• Why It’s Cheap: It's been scientifically designed for beer pong and tailgates.
• Why It’s Good: It’s so light you barely notice you’re drinking beer—which is great if you need to drink 12 of them before feeling anything.

Verdict: You’re not drinking this for the flavor. You’re drinking it for the memories you won’t remember.

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6. Yuengling Lager – The East Coast’s Budget Favorite

• ABV: 4.5%
• Why It’s Cheap: It’s America’s oldest brewery, but it never went corporate.
• Why It’s Good: Mild caramel malt, slight hop bitterness, and actually tastes like beer.

Verdict: If you’re in the right state to buy it, you’ll never regret it.

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7. Old Milwaukee – The Silent Warrior of Cheap Beer

• ABV: 4.9%
• Why It’s Cheap: It doesn’t get the hype of other beers, but it should.
• Why It’s Good: Surprisingly crisp, smooth, and better than you’d expect for the price.

Verdict: A blue-collar legend that deserves more respect.

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Final Thoughts: Cheap, But Make It Tasty

Sure, cheap beer isn’t trying to win any fancy awards, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer.

These budget-friendly brews prove you can still drink well without breaking the bank.

What’s your go-to cheap beer? Drop it in the comments—unless it’s a warm, half-flat Keystone, in which case, keep that to yourself.

Love beer? Show it off with Beer Strong’s beer-inspired merch! Check out the collection here!

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Sources:

(None needed this time—just good ol’ drinking experience and common knowledge.)