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VinePair published a 2026 report asking 10 brewers to name an underrated cheap beer. The answers span mass-market lagers and ales, with Coors Banquet named by two respondents and the other picks reflecting personal taste, memories and local availability.
VinePair has published a 2026 report in which 10 brewers name an underrated cheap beer, recommending a mix of widely available lagers and ales including Coors Banquet, Tecate, Hamm’s and Pacifico. The list offers readers industry professionals’ personal picks, not a blind tasting or an independently verified ranking.
Coors Banquet received two mentions, from Mike Beebe, head brewer at Melvin Brewing Company, and Heather Opheim, a brewer and bartender at Deviant Wolfe Brewing. Beebe said it was a familiar choice among craft brewers he had gathered with in the western United States. Opheim praised its ease of drinking, malty sweetness and body compared with other beers in the same broad budget category.
The other recommendations were Narragansett, Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve, Miller Genuine Draft, Tecate, Dale’s Pale Ale, Hamm’s, Montucky Cold Snacks and Pacifico. The brewers’ reasons ranged from flavor and affordability to family memories. The source report gives no common definition of “cheap,” price survey, tasting protocol or comparison of beer styles, so the selections should be read as individual recommendations rather than a consumer price guide.
Several respondents cited specific experiences. Maria Shirts of Sapporo USA said she paid $10.40 for three 16-ounce Tecates at a concert venue, while Bert Chery praised a $6 Dale’s Pale Ale at his regular Brooklyn beer bar. Those prices are examples reported by the brewers, not current national averages; prices and availability vary by location and retailer.
How Brewers Define a Budget Pick
The report challenges the assumption that a low-priced beer is automatically an uninspiring one. Its respondents point to qualities such as refreshment, balance, body and easy drinkability, while some value familiarity or a personal connection. For readers choosing beer on a budget, the useful takeaway is that professional brewers may also reach for products outside the craft-beer spotlight.
It is not evidence that one beer is objectively better or cheaper than another. With no standardized price comparison or tasting exercise, the report cannot establish a best value across markets. Its value lies instead in showing which beers these 10 industry respondents personally enjoy and why.
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Ten Picks, Different Reasons
VinePair framed the question around the negative connotations that can accompany the word “cheap,” arguing that quality beer can be found at lower price points. Its report asked 10 brewers for recommendations; it did not ask them to rank beers against one another. The resulting answers cover American lagers, Mexican-style lagers and an American pale ale, among other distinct products.
Some responses were rooted in memory. Michael Daly of Here Today Brewery and Kitchen recalled Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve as a beer his father drank, then rediscovered it while helping someone move. Joseph Isaac of Third Window Brewing remembered Miller Genuine Draft in his grandfather’s refrigerator. Savannah Roberts of Triple Crossing Brewing said Narragansett stood out during a blind date because it was the part of the evening she remembered. Their stories explain the recommendations, but are personal accounts rather than product evaluations conducted under controlled conditions.
““I’ve never been with a gathering of craft brewers west of the Mississippi that didn’t end up with everyone drinking Banquets.””
— Mike Beebe, head brewer at Melvin Brewing Company
Prices and Availability Vary
The report does not define a price threshold for “cheap,” and it provides no consistent price list across cities, retailers or serving sizes. The prices cited by individual brewers—including a 30-pack of Montucky Cold Snacks for $25 at an H-E-B store and the $6 Dale’s Pale Ale—are local examples from respondents, not verified prices for every market or a guarantee of current cost.
It is also unclear how the 10 brewers were selected, whether they tasted the beers for this report, or whether other brewers were asked to participate. The article reports their opinions; it does not establish a consensus among brewers or objectively measure which beer is most underrated.
Check Local Prices Before Buying
The source provides no announced follow-up, tasting event or additional reporting schedule. Readers interested in the recommendations can check local stores and menus, keeping in mind that prices, stock and product availability differ by area. No further ranking or independent comparison is described in the report.
Key Questions
Which beer was mentioned by more than one brewer?
Coors Banquet was named by Mike Beebe and Heather Opheim. The source does not present it as the overall winner.
What beers did the 10 brewers recommend?
The picks were Narragansett, Coors Banquet, Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve, Miller Genuine Draft, Tecate, Dale’s Pale Ale, Hamm’s, Montucky Cold Snacks and Pacifico. Coors Banquet received two mentions.
Does the report say which beer is objectively the best value?
No. The brewers gave personal recommendations, and the report does not describe a standardized tasting, price survey or value calculation. Its recommendations should not be treated as a ranked test.
Are the prices in the article current everywhere?
No. The cited prices come from specific locations and accounts. Beer prices and availability vary by retailer and region, and the report does not provide a national price comparison.
Source: vinepair.com
