Not every beer you drink needs to be an artisanal concoction, brewed in a log cabin under a swirl of cherry-tree smoke.
Sometimes you just want a beer that tastes good enough — and some change from a five.
Below, our picks for the city’s best sub-$5 brews. You can find cheaper. You can find more “expressive.” We’re talking about joie de vivre here — which means these are curated, and ranked by how much fun we have there, once our <$5 criteria was met.
1. Jersey
Jersey pies will figure prominently in our upcoming list of our favorite pizza in town — ’til then, pair them with a $4 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat, a suitably summery pick. (Happy hour, 2:30 – 7 p.m.)
2. The Dorian
We said we wouldn’t slip you super-artisanal brews — we lied. Proof: the $4 Firestone Easy Jack IPA, with “massive hop aromas, surprising dimension, [and] a signature malt balance.” Also, The Dorian is a great looking space — we’d rank it favorably for first dates. (Happy hour, 5 – 8 p.m.)
3. Uno Dos Tacos
Uno Dos Tacos’ specialty is its luxuriant array of 50+ tequilas and dozens of mezcals — but come first for the $4 draft beers and a plate of asada tacos with roasted salsa. (Happy hour, “4 p.m. – close”)
4. El Techo
Recently named to our list of the city’s best rooftop bars, El Techo supplies an assortment of $4 beers — Pacifico, Victoria, Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial — alongside the snacks (we like the guac or the fried plantains with sour cream.) (Happy hour, 4 – 6 p.m.)
5. Alba Ray’s
Get there in time for the $3 Abitas — and stay for the killer Creole. Something light? The blue crab salad. Something not at all light? Crab-stuffed flounder — and a side of mac ‘n’ cheese. (Happy hour, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.)
Every Thursday, our resident experts see to it that you’re up to date on the latest from the world of drinks. Trend reports, bottle reviews, cocktail recipes and more. Sign up for THE SPILL now.
