We all know that life is full of bargains. Some are real, and others are perceived but here I want to define it a little for us . I’m thinking of a beer that cost less than $2.00 for a standard 12 oz bottle or under $5 for a bomber, and a whiskey that costs less than $15 for a 750ml bottle or the standard “fifth”. There are a lot of brews and whiskeys out there that fit into this category. Some of it will be regional, for example I can get just about everything Sierra Nevada makes in this category. I know that is not the case for my east coast brethren.
So I’ll start and I will offer up two in each category to get the ball rolling. First off Whiskey. My absolute favorite bargain whiskey is Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star. Man is that a solid bourbon with great age on it all for the great price of $14.95. And that is a bargain considering it is 90 proof and purchased in a State run liquor store. Next would be Evan Williams Black label. It is about $10.95 and is a sweet 90 proofer that has a great backbone of sweet corn and rye that is great for sipping, mixing, or cooking. An all around winner.
So onto Beer. I think in this category I have several I really like, but I’m going to say that I like me a 22 OZ bomber of Ninkasi Tricerihops Double IPA for around $4.oo and I will also throw in the Buffalo Bills Blueberry Oatmeal Stout, 12 oz for around $1.79. Both a great price and very solid brews. Having just reviewed them both on this blog, I won’t belabor the details of each.
So how about you all? When you are feeling the pinch but just have to get your drink on, where do you go? Do you pay a visit to Growler land? Or do you have a market that keeps good beer or whiskey at a decent price where you can go to get your juice? Let us know your favorites. There are a lot of bargains out there…lets share with the group!
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
For me, Stone represents a great bargain, as long as you’re buying at a Hugh-volume shop. Another awesome bargain is the Long Trail Brewmaster series. For under $4 you can get a remarkably well made beer with a hearty ABV. I really enjoyed their Imperial Porter.
I’d love to try the Long Trail stuff. I have heard nothing but good tings about them. It seems like Ninkasi out here is like Long Trail back east. A small brewer that does interesting stuff at a good price but only ships regionally.
Going to agree w/ Jim on the Long Trail Brewmaster stuff. Strangely I paid under $4 for the Winter White that I bought here in Jersey, and almost $8 for the Imperial Porter up in Vermont where the stuff is made!
If you get it in Jersey, its a great value for beer.
I would agree based on everything I have heard about it Scott. Looks like you should do your purchasing in Jersey from now on.
i think Jewbilation 13 is a bargain at $5,99 (I know you said $4.99) at 13%. I also think Pilsner Urquell at $7.99 a six pack is still a great beer, too.
I would agree on the Pilsner Urquell. It is a good and refreshing beer that drinks well cold and I think goes great in the summertime and pairs well with a meal because it is not too heavy. I’d love to try the Jewbilation sometime too. It does however go over my stated limits but given that you are in California and you have to basically factor in the Cali exchange rate for money It should just squeek in.
Agreed on the Longtrail Brewmaster stuff – good beer for a steal. As for a 6-pack, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is always been a bargain to me.
Hey Rob, I feel like with all the back and forth with Jim this morning the other commentors are getting a little short schrift. I would love to try the Long Trail stuff. It seems like I have heard nothing but good things about it. I couldn’t agree more with you on Sierra Nevada too. It is a definite go to for me out west here. Often times if bars only have a few beers on tap one will be the Sierra Nevada Pale. I get it a lot, because it saves me from Bud or Coors.
The local pub down the street has had SN Pale Ale on tap for years and is a a favorite of mine. Its odd because they have the usuals: Bud, Bud Light, Coors Light and then they have Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Bizarre to say the least. Not to change the subject, and I’m sure this has been discussed ad nauseum, is that each state should pass a law that makes it mandatory for a bar to carry at least one beer crafted in that state, on tap. How cool would that be?
As for Long Trail, their Brewmaster Series is such a great bargain. What’s funny is that their 22 0z. bombers cost under $4 and is a much better way to go than getting their regular beers in a 6-pack for $8 to $9. Even though their regular stuff is not the best, its still better than the alternative (Bud, Bud Light, Coors Light) and their distribution is picking up here on the East coast where 2 of the bars that my band plays at has it on tap…and we get to drink for free when we play!
Yeah, SN is a little funny that way. I’ll see it in the oddest places like in an Irish pub in Washington DC…WTF? But it is usually a welcome site when I do see it. The last time I had one on tap was about a year ago(I don’t get out much) in a little dive bar in Ketchum, Idaho(right next to Sun Valley). I was staying with a buddy at his condo for the weekend, and we went into this little dive bar to shoot a little pool and watch some of the March Madness games. Well they had all the usual suspects the Coors, Bud, Miller, then they Had SN Pale Ale. I remember they had these huge glasses that looked like a fishbowl on a stem. I got one of them for about $4.50 and was able to sip on it through several games of pool and one of the march madness games. Good time, and a good beer.