Budget Beers

[Grassgreen]

Anyone have a favorite budget beer? With the price of everything skyrocketing these days, I need to save a couple of bucks here and there.

I enjoy Busch once in a while, Lucky Lager is gross...

Any suggestions?

[theguyz]

Tried this last year to save a few $$$,
dollar beer = not worth it.


drink every 2nd weekend and have real beer.

[JAGpilot]

Carling Lager. for some reason, I actually like it if I can't get "real" beer.

[Keelie]

Anyone have a favorite budget beer? With the price of everything skyrocketing these days, I need to save a couple of bucks here and there.

I enjoy Busch once in a while, Lucky Lager is gross...

Any suggestions?

a word of advice... its not worth it to cheap out on beer!

[M@rk]

Life's too short for crappy beer... I would just drink less of it rather than buy the cheap stuff.

But if you must, Pacific Pilsner is alright. Very light, very crisp and refreshing, still better than Coors Light, except it's cheaper at $30/24pk.

[mathewvc]

Carling, Formosa Springs, PC Lager, Export, Laker, Lakeport, Steeler, Steellback etc.

If you want to save money by a 12 pack of expensive (or good if you want to call it that) and a 12 pack of cheap/regular. Drink a few of the good ones first, then go to the cheap ones after.

[eville]

BullMax and Colt45 are the best all around beers. WildCat is pretty good too.

[M@rk]

Forgot to mention, another better way is to buy the import tall cans, many of them are quite good value. Beers like Tuborg, Holsten, DAB, etc. are only about $2 for a 500mL can. It works out only being maybe $0.25 cheaper compared to the standard 355mL Molson if you do the math, but every little bit counts, and the upside is that it's much better tasting :)

[UrbanPoet]

don't do it!!!
I tried lakeports and eerr... Never again am i going for a buck-beer type drinks

[duckdown]

BullMax and Colt45 are the best all around beers. WildCat is pretty good too.

Should I vomit on you now, or later? You, sir, have the palate of a mule.

[duckdown]

The new Lakeport Ale isn't bad I guess; its a cheaply priced pale ale (if you like pale ale that is.. i do)

[UrbanPoet]

go for blue when they are on sale... they periodically come out with 18 & 28 packs.

Moose head was on sale a while back... 24 for $30.

[gherikill]

$1 beers are crap. Just buy whatever good beer is on sale that week. Redtag at the beer store.


Labbatt genuine is a good bet though if you insist.

[raymondly]

Brick Red Baron
19$ for a 15 pack = teh awesome

[fugazi11]

For the cheap beers I go for Labatt Genuine Draft and PC Lager. I tried PC because I figure they can make everything else pretty good, why not beer? Turns out to be not that bad and have converted a couple of MGD drinkers.

[NorthYorker]

Wee Willy is actually one of my favourites, but I have strong liking of darker beers or Scottish style (roasted malt). Speaking of light beers, I'd say that Lakeport Honey is drinkable. Bought Bohemia once or twice when I was working near Labbatt plant in airport area. Drinkable, but nothing to write home about.

[mathewvc]

go for blue when they are on sale... they periodically come out with 18 & 28 packs.

Moose head was on sale a while back... 24 for $30.

i have never seen moosehead for $30 as far as i can remember. the lowest price is 33.95 and it was for that price a couple weeks ago.

[bobmans]

As a previous poster mentioned; get the 500ml imports when they are on sale.
Right now until Sunday Grolsch is on for $1.95 a can. If you buy a case just be sure you are charged 'the single can' price. I picked up 24 last week and was charged the regular price because it was rung up as a 24. I had to ask for it and the difference was roughly $56 vs $46 and change. The beer store and liquor store always have something on sale...grolsch has been on for about 3 weeks, before that it was kozel...next will hopefully be stella; they seem to rotate the following brands on sale... kozel, stella, lech, checvar.

[majesus]

a word of advice... its not worth it to cheap out on beer!

Yeah good point. I'd rather cheap out on something else, like no going out for movies, or bring food from home for lunch,etc... Good beer and sh.. beer is two worlds apart.

[o0vL]

carling is aite
in the summer its all about brava! 24 for $24!!!!

[Hangar18]

I am a big fan of the PC beers. PC Pilsner, Genuine Lager and Honey Red. Just as good as the premium brands. Much better than the other discount brands.

[raymondly]

I am a big fan of the PC beers. PC Pilsner, Genuine Lager and Honey Red. Just as good as the premium brands. Much better than the other discount brands.

Thanks! I helped develop the PC beers with Brick. Had to do a LOT of research and visit Jim and the gang often in Waterloo and Formosa. The best was taking them straight off the production line before pasteurization. They are filled ice cold (literally 0-1 C) and ever so tasty, especially at 9 in the morning......

[pfbmgd]

Life's too short for crappy beer... I would just drink less of it rather than buy the cheap stuff.

But if you must, Pacific Pilsner is alright. Very light, very crisp and refreshing, still better than Coors Light, except it's cheaper at $30/24pk.



That`s the way I think .I don`t mind paying $37.95 for MGD .

My best bang for the buck is Tiger beer at $2.20 per 500ml at LCBO.

[Hangar18]

Thanks! I helped develop the PC beers with Brick. Had to do a LOT of research and visit Jim and the gang often in Waterloo and Formosa. The best was taking them straight off the production line before pasteurization. They are filled ice cold (literally 0-1 C) and ever so tasty, especially at 9 in the morning......

I wouldn't buy another other discount brand other than PC. You are making my mouth water. I sometimes feel that I'm the only one buying the stuff.

[jl001]

Labbatt's Honey is ok to me. Lakeport Honey is drinkable. I like Sleemans, but these are much cheaper alternative.

[Chr1s]

A local Etobicoke favorite... Cool Beer. If you're near the brewery, they also sell Buzz Beer (made from MJ). :cheesygri

James Ready is also decent (5.5%)

[JAGpilot]

A local Etobicoke favorite... Cool Beer. If you're near the brewery, they also sell Buzz Beer (made from MJ). :cheesygri

James Ready is also decent (5.5%)

Buzz has hemp, I think it is for flavour. I doubt I could get high from drinking it :p

[UrbanPoet]

i have never seen moosehead for $30 as far as i can remember. the lowest price is 33.95 and it was for that price a couple weeks ago.

yeah thats the one. I guess my estimate was off by $4 :cheesygri
still a good deal for premium domestic...

[evil812]

lucky is very popular around here....

[Spidey]

I like Black Label, costs under $1.00 a beer. I buy tis for my fridge to keep it stocked for when friends come over, and I drink alot of beer and clam as well.

I like it. But I also have Keiths and Coronas as well when I want to change up.

I did notice that Black label is very thick and fills you up pretty fast. Where I can drink a dozen Corona no problem and not feel full, I have to draw the line at about 4 Black Label

[duckdown]

Isn't COOL Beer from Brampton?

[rosebud]

you guys like Creemore Springs?

[Octavius]

you guys like Creemore Springs?

I like it, definitely a good beer.

Hardly a discount beer brand though - case of 24 will set you back 40+ bucks in Ontario.

I mostly drink Keiths and Rickards - although I do like Stella and Creemore as well.

[lister]

Ugh. I can't believe people drink such stuff. Buy less so you can get the good stuff and I don't mean Labatt's (stupid ad campaign.)

If you must, Muskoka Lager is nearly a buck-a-beer and it tastes decent.

[M@rk]

You can also experiment with DIY kits. I personally haven't tried it, but I have a friend who makes his own, and it's delicious and much much cheaper.

[Dr Butcher]

I don't mind Maclays. Not too bad for $26.40 a case.

http://www.ratebeer.com/beerimages/6654.jpg

[mathewvc]

I don't mind Maclays. Not too bad for $26.40 a case.

http://www.ratebeer.com/beerimages/6654.jpg

good choice for a discount beer... james ready i think is also 26.40 or something like that.

[Blue_Thunder13]

I've worked at the Beer store for over a year and i've tried most of their products and if your looking for a budget beer, as most people have mentioned, the best would probably be james ready, maclays, and muskoka lager...its a lot better than lakeport, laker ect.

Also another one i almost forgot to mention is brava which is a mexician style cerveza and I just adore it and it makes for a great summer time beer but it cost a little more than the buck a beers (29.95 for 24) but I find it to be a lot more better than corona and sol and no lime needed ;)

[realestateguy]

I worked @ Molson's for 28 years and their budget beer(Carling) were regular beers relabeled. The smart shopper is the one who buys the cheap beer.

[ZenOps]

Honey Sleemans.

[ids748]

I've worked at the Beer store for over a year and i've tried most of their products and if your looking for a budget beer, as most people have mentioned, the best would probably be james ready, maclays, and muskoka lager...its a lot better than lakeport, laker ect.

Also another one i almost forgot to mention is brava which is a mexician style cerveza and I just adore it and it makes for a great summer time beer but it cost a little more than the buck a beers (29.95 for 24) but I find it to be a lot more better than corona and sol and no lime needed ;)

bINGO....... that Bravia beer is damn good for the price........Well worth it.......

[Grassgreen]

I did try some Brewhouse from SK last night. Disgusting.

[Blue_Thunder13]

Honey Sleemans.

problem with sleemans honey brown is that it costs 37.95 for 24...and IMO there are a lot of better beers in that price range...

[Franek]

I worked @ Molson's for 28 years and their budget beer(Carling) were regular beers relabeled. The smart shopper is the one who buys the cheap beer.

wich regular molson beer ?

[Freckle Daddy]

Good topic, I enjoy trying all sorts of different beer. I don't think I drink often enough to worry about big savings on budget beer. Although I used to get Labatt's Genuine Honeybrown a lot, until I figured out that it was giving me terrible tropical thunder in the morning. I can't stand Sleeman Honey brown though, to me it smells exactly like a skunk just walked by.

Maybe on off topic, but a friend left a 6 pack of creemore here probably 3 weeks ago. I forgot that it's supposed to be refrigerated because of the 'no preservatives' until today. Any thoughts if it'll be good still?

Fd

[M@rk]

Good topic, I enjoy trying all sorts of different beer. I don't think I drink often enough to worry about big savings on budget beer. Although I used to get Labatt's Genuine Honeybrown a lot, until I figured out that it was giving me terrible tropical thunder in the morning. I can't stand Sleeman Honey brown though, to me it smells exactly like a skunk just walked by.

Maybe on off topic, but a friend left a 6 pack of creemore here probably 3 weeks ago. I forgot that it's supposed to be refrigerated because of the 'no preservatives' until today. Any thoughts if it'll be good still?

Fd

If you like honey brown, you'll really like Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale. It's not too easy to find, and it's pretty expensive ($4.95 for 550 mL bottle), but it's the best brown ale I've ever tasted.

Also, regarding the fridge thing, it's fine, you don't need to keep it in the fridge. Most of the micro-brewed beers at the liquor store are preservative free, and they don't keep them in the fridge.

[Bullseye]

I was going to say the tallboys as well, at $1.95, works outs to $31 for a 2-4 equivalent. And usually it's much better beer than your average Molson/Labatts stuff.

Another option is strong beer, stuff like Unibroue's Trois Pistoles or Fin du Monde, 9% and 8%. On a sunny day on the patio, I might go through 4 bottles of regular beer, but after two of these, I'm pretty buzzed and not feeling like having another. So even though they are expensive at almost $13 for a sixer, because I drink less of them, it's like buck a beer for me! Plus, it's tremendously good beer.

[fugazi11]

I wouldn't buy another other discount brand other than PC. You are making my mouth water. I sometimes feel that I'm the only one buying the stuff.

I feel the same way. Never seen anybody have PC in their house or buying it in the beer store. For the price, I don't think you can beat it.

[Topher]

You can also experiment with DIY kits. I personally haven't tried it, but I have a friend who makes his own, and it's delicious and much much cheaper.

It depends on what you make it with, and don't drink the stuff that settles on the bottom, it can get quite nasty. That being said, I've had some very good home-brews.

[lister]

If you like honey brown, you'll really like Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale. It's not too easy to find, and it's pretty expensive ($4.95 for 550 mL bottle), but it's the best brown ale I've ever tasted.

I like SS Nut Brown but love Rogue HazelNut Brown Nectar immensely. It's not currently available at the LCBO but you may be able to get a case through Rogue's agent here in Toronto, Esprit.

[bobmans]

$1.95 Grolsch is no more... funny enough they brought back Kozel which was the last one on sale before the Grolsch promotion. It's $2.10 ( $0.20 cheaper) which is okay.

[N8Magic]

When i'm too lazy to go to Quebec for cheap beer, my discount brand of choice at The Beer Store is Trailhead from Wellington Breweries.

It's 30.95 per case and slightly more expensive than the "buck a beer" brands, but well worth the slight premium.

[Spray]

In respect to the unbelievable weekend steelback gave us, I'm still drinking it if I need "Cheap" stuff. It's actually very good beer in my opinion.

[Blue_Thunder13]

Maybe on off topic, but a friend left a 6 pack of creemore here probably 3 weeks ago. I forgot that it's supposed to be refrigerated because of the 'no preservatives' until today. Any thoughts if it'll be good still?

Fd

It'll probably still be good even left unrefridgerated but you might also want to be careful because Creemore only has a self-life of 6 weeks...

[Raphael__N]

As many others have mentioned. Cheap beer really isn't the way to go. If you are looking to get drunk, there are some quality betters that come up to about the same. The trick is to get high alcohol % beers. You drink less so you consume more alcohol quickly, and it provides the hit of multiple beers.

I personally cannot stand budget beers, but if $1 a beer is what you're looking for, I have had decent success with

1) Muskoka Premium Lager
2) Brick Red Cap Ale
3) Maclay's Traditional Pale Ale (hardly a pale ale)


If you want to get quality high alcohol beers, check out Unibroue's selection. If you are lucky enough to run across the Trois Pistoles (which is a really top notch beer, and the best we had access to), get it! Unfortunately, the beer store has delisted it...

Other offerings from Unibroue that provide good alcohol for the money is La Fin du Monde & Maudite.

[Bullseye]

If you are lucky enough to run across the Trois Pistoles (which is a really top notch beer, and the best we had access to), get it! Unfortunately, the beer store has delisted it...

Not where I am, I bought as recently as this past Saturday!

[raymondly]

2) Brick Red Cap Ale


+1 - stubbies FTW!
Also agree with anything from Unibroue
There are regular beers - cleaning the garage and basically anything that keeps you out of the house - those are the cheapies.
Then the beers for poker night etc. Duval comes to mind.

[heat]

whats a cheap and good beer for first tiime drinkers. Mind you I don't want to get drunk in just one bottle:)

[Octavius]

whats a cheap and good beer for first tiime drinkers. Mind you I don't want to get drunk in just one bottle:)

IMO, drinking cheap crap beer (cheap good beer doesn't exist in my opinion) as a first time drinker would surely put you off from drinking anymore...even if it is cheap.

If you must insist on cheap beer, get a 12 pack or something of a premium brand for comparison (keiths, rickards red, stella, creemore, etc). Then you can compare as first time drinkers the difference between crap beer and good beer.

I find beer tasting (at least from when I was younger and wasn't an avid beer drinker) that beer is an acquired taste. I have yet to find anyone who said that they liked the taste of their first beer. Overtime, your taste buds will develop and you'll be able to enjoy it much more after getting used to the taste of beer in general.

[nsd]

I was going to say the tallboys as well, at $1.95, works outs to $31 for a 2-4 equivalent. And usually it's much better beer than your average Molson/Labatts stuff.

Another option is strong beer, stuff like Unibroue's Trois Pistoles or Fin du Monde, 9% and 8%. On a sunny day on the patio, I might go through 4 bottles of regular beer, but after two of these, I'm pretty buzzed and not feeling like having another. So even though they are expensive at almost $13 for a sixer, because I drink less of them, it's like buck a beer for me! Plus, it's tremendously good beer.

I know, holy thread revival, Batman !
I've just tried Fin du Monde and I have to say it is way too sweet for my preference. Are Trois Pistoles or Maudite bitter at all ?

[mart242]

I know, holy thread revival, Batman !
I've just tried Fin du Monde and I have to say it is way too sweet for my preference. Are Trois Pistoles or Maudite bitter at all ?

I'd say yes, but it's been a while since I've had those. I remember once I bought a big 750ml bottle of Maudite and had it with a good baguette, good cheese and pate. I drank it all. Went to lie on the couch near the patio door that was open for a few minutes but woke up hours later. Man what a great meal that was.

The Raftman from unibroue is pretty damn good too (it has some whiskey flavour).

[ronin893]

I see some comments about there being no such thing as a cheap good beer. Well, that depends on how you define "good". Currently, my default beer of choice is Muskoka Lager. It's cheap at $24 for 24 (before deposit), plus it tastes better than the Labatt and Molson flagship beers, Blue and Canadian. Therefore, it gives you the best "bang for the buck" (taste quality / price ratio).

So if you define "good" as anything better than a Blue or Canadian, then there are some cheap good beers, IMO.

If you want to try a really tasty beer, try a St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout. (If you like Stout.)

[M@rk]

I know, holy thread revival, Batman !
I've just tried Fin du Monde and I have to say it is way too sweet for my preference. Are Trois Pistoles or Maudite bitter at all ?

Yeah, that type of beer is quite sweet, completely different than the beers most of us are used to. It's supposed to be like a Belgian abbey tripel style, but I suggest you try a real Belgian beer like Tripel Karmeliet. It's a highly regarded beer that happens to be not as sweet, with more bitterness.

[nsd]

You make a good point. Now that I think about it, it does kinda taste a bit like Leffe. Where can I find this Tripel Karmeliet ? LCBO/BeerStore don't have it :(.