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VinePair’s 2026 report asked 10 brewers to name an underrated, inexpensive beer. Their picks include familiar mass-market lagers and ales such as Coors Banquet, Tecate, Hamm’s, Pacifico and Dale’s Pale Ale, with reasons ranging from flavor and value to personal memories.
VinePair’s 2026 report asked 10 brewers to name an underrated cheap beer, producing a list that spans mass-market lagers, a Mexican beer and an American pale ale. The picks include Coors Banquet, Tecate, Hamm’s, Pacifico and Dale’s Pale Ale, with brewers citing drinkability, price, flavor and personal associations.
The responses suggest there is no single style or shared definition of “cheap” behind the recommendations. Several brewers chose widely known domestic beers: Coors Banquet was named by two respondents, while others backed Narragansett, Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve, Miller Genuine Draft, Hamm’s and Montucky Cold Snacks. Tecate and Pacifico represent Mexican lager picks, and Dale’s Pale Ale was the list’s American pale ale.
Some recommendations were tied to taste. Heather Opheim, a brewer and bartender at Deviant Wolfe Brewing, said Coors Banquet was easy to drink and had “a present malty sweetness” and more body than other inexpensive beers. Bert Chery, a brewer at Finback Brewery and owner and head brewer of Adapt Beer Project, praised Dale’s Pale Ale for its hop character, malt balance and crisp, bitter finish.
Other brewers described memories or specific occasions. Savannah Roberts, head brewer at Triple Crossing Brewing, said Narragansett stood out after she drank it on a blind date. Michael Daly of Here Today Brewery and Kitchen recalled reconnecting with Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve, a beer his father often drank. Maria Shirts of Sapporo USA praised Tecate with lime and shared a concert-venue bill of $10.40 for three 16-ounce beers; that account reflects her experience, not a general price guarantee.
Why Brewers Recommend Budget Beer
The report offers readers recommendations from people who work in brewing, but it is a collection of personal opinions, not a blind tasting, ranking or independent product test. Its value lies in showing that the brewers interviewed do not limit their enthusiasm to expensive or small-batch releases. Some point to familiar beers they find flavorful; others value a dependable, easy-drinking option or a connection to family and place.
For shoppers, the list provides names to look for without implying every beer will be available or inexpensive everywhere. The reported prices are local examples, and the article does not set a common price threshold for “cheap.” Montucky Cold Snacks, for example, was cited at $25 for a 30-pack at an H-E-B in Austin, while Chery described finding Dale’s Pale Ale for $6 at his Brooklyn beer bar. Those figures are individual observations, not a nationwide price comparison.
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Ten Picks, Several Kinds of Value
VinePair framed its report around the idea that “cheap” can carry a negative connotation, even though brewers themselves may reach for lower-priced beers. The 10 respondents named products based on their own experiences; the source does not describe a formal survey method beyond asking each brewer for a recommendation.
Two of the brewers independently named Coors Banquet. Mike Beebe, head brewer at Melvin Brewing Company, said it was common for craft brewers he had gathered with west of the Mississippi to end up drinking Banquet. The other selections were each named by one respondent. Together, the answers cover practical considerations such as availability and price, as well as taste and nostalgia.
“I like that it’s very easy to drink, has a present malty sweetness, and has more body than other ‘cheap’ beers.”
— Heather Opheim, brewer and bartender at Deviant Wolfe Brewing
Prices and Availability Differ
The report does not provide a standardized definition of “cheap,” a nationwide price check or a full account of how the 10 brewers were selected. Prices cited by individual respondents depend on the store, bar, venue and location, and may not reflect current costs. The source also does not compare the beers through a controlled tasting or establish that the picks are broadly considered underrated.
Availability is another limitation. Sarah Real, owner and head brewer at Hot Plate Brewing Co., said Hamm’s was difficult for her to find in western Massachusetts. Readers may encounter different selections and prices in their own markets. The report’s recommendations should be read as individual brewer preferences, not a guarantee of local availability or value.
The report does not announce a follow-up tasting, new beer release or next research milestone. For readers interested in the recommendations, the immediate next step is to check local retailers and menus, since stock and prices vary. Brewer opinions in the article provide starting points; they do not establish a single best-value choice for every drinker.
Key Questions
Which beers did the 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; the other beers were each named once.
What was the most frequently named beer?
Coors Banquet was the only beer named by two of the 10 respondents, Mike Beebe and Heather Opheim. The report does not present this as a formal ranking or a vote on the best beer.
Did the report compare prices across the beers?
No. Brewers supplied a few local price examples, including $25 for a 30-pack of Montucky Cold Snacks at an Austin H-E-B and $6 for Dale’s Pale Ale at a Brooklyn beer bar. These are individual, location-specific accounts, not a consistent price survey.
Are the recommendations based on a blind tasting?
The report describes asking 10 brewers for their choices but does not report a controlled blind tasting. One brewer, Savannah Roberts, recalled drinking Narragansett on a blind date; that anecdote is not a blind product test.
Source: vinepair.com
