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VinePair asked 10 brewers to name an underrated inexpensive beer, and their picks ranged from familiar mass-market lagers to Dale’s Pale Ale. The report records the brewers’ preferences and personal reasons; it does not provide a systematic price or taste comparison.
VinePair’s 2026 report asked 10 brewers to name an underrated cheap beer, producing a list that includes Narragansett, Coors Banquet, Tecate and Pacifico. The responses offer a snapshot of industry professionals’ personal favorites, rather than a ranked tasting or a comparison of prices across markets.
The brewers named nine beers in total, with Coors Banquet appearing twice. Other choices were Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve, Miller Genuine Draft, Tecate, Dale’s Pale Ale, Hamm’s, Montucky Cold Snacks and Pacifico. The report presents each pick as an individual opinion, not an endorsement or a consensus ranking.
Several respondents described the beers through memories or occasions. Savannah Roberts, head brewer at Triple Crossing Brewing, said she first fell for Narragansett on a blind date, recalling that the beer was the part of the evening she remembered. Michael Daly of Here Today Brewery and Kitchen said Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve had been a favorite of his father’s; after years away from it, he rediscovered the beer while helping someone move.
Other brewers focused on flavor and ease of drinking. Heather Opheim of Deviant Wolfe Brewing praised Coors Banquet’s malty sweetness and fuller body compared with other inexpensive beers. Bert Chery, who brews at Finback Brewery and owns Adapt Beer Project, chose Dale’s Pale Ale for its hop character, malt balance and bitter finish. The report does not state that these descriptions came from a blind tasting.
Why Brewers Choose These Beers
The responses push back against the idea that an inexpensive beer is automatically a lesser choice. Brewers cited drinkability, flavor, availability and personal history, showing that their picks were not based on price alone. That distinction matters for readers looking for a budget-friendly option: a beer’s appeal can depend on what it tastes like, where it is sold and the occasion, not just its reputation or cost.
The report also gives readers a set of names to look for, but it is not a guide to the cheapest option in every location. Prices and selection vary by store, city and serving venue. Maria Shirts of Sapporo USA, for instance, recalled paying $10.40 for three 16-ounce Tecates at a concert venue. That is her account of a particular purchase, not a general price benchmark. Sarah Cervera’s report of a $25 30-pack of Montucky at an H-E-B in Austin is similarly tied to a specific retailer and place.
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A Personal List, Not a Tasting
The article frames “cheap” as a broad category rather than a fixed price band. It notes that shoppers may associate the term with lower quality, while arguing that enjoyable, easy-drinking beers can be found at lower price points. Its format is a series of brewer responses, not a scored review, market survey or blind panel.
The range of picks reflects that format. Some respondents cited widely recognized American or Mexican lagers; Chery chose Dale’s Pale Ale, an American pale ale. Others named specific memories: Joseph Isaac of Third Window Brewing recalled Miller Genuine Draft in his grandfather’s fridge, while Sarah Real of Hot Plate Brewing said she had only discovered Hamm’s in recent years. These details explain why the brewers chose the beers but do not establish how widely each is available or how its price compares nationally.
““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 Vary
The report does not define a universal price threshold for “cheap,” provide current prices for every beer or compare prices across regions. Its price examples are individual observations tied to particular locations and retailers, and should not be treated as nationwide averages. It also does not describe a shared tasting method or establish that the listed beers are objectively more underrated than other budget options.
Availability may differ by market, and the article does not provide a store-by-store guide. Real said Hamm’s was difficult to find in western Massachusetts, while Isaac described Miller Genuine Draft on draft as something he was glad to find. The report does not quantify distribution or confirm how widely each beer is currently sold.
Check Local Prices Before Buying
Readers can use the list as a starting point and check nearby retailers or bars for current selection and prices. The report does not announce a follow-up survey, broader tasting panel or future ranking, so no next research milestone is specified. Any price comparison should account for package size, location and whether the beer is being bought in a store or served at a venue.
Key Questions
Which beer received more than one brewer’s vote?
Coors Banquet was named by two brewers: Mike Beebe of Melvin Brewing Company and Heather Opheim of Deviant Wolfe Brewing.
What beers were named in the report?
The list includes Narragansett, Coors Banquet, Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve, Miller Genuine Draft, Tecate, Dale’s Pale Ale, Hamm’s, Montucky Cold Snacks and Pacifico.
Does the report show which beer is cheapest?
No. The article shares selected price examples, but it does not compare all nine beers using a common location, package size or date. Local prices may vary.
Was this a blind tasting?
The source describes interviews with brewers about their personal picks, not a blind tasting. The report provides individual preferences and recollections, rather than scores from a controlled comparison.
Source: vinepair.com
