More Beer for Your Buck

It’s baseball season, and you have been put in charge of bringing booze to the next tailgate. The parking lot wouldn’t be complete without a nice Pilsner or pale ale, but we all know beer isn’t that cheap, especially when providing for a large group of very hungry and very enthusiastic sports fans. Here is a handful of solutions for picking the right beer, and the largest quantity, without draining your wallet. Many liquor stores have partnered up with businesses such as BeerRightNow.com to provide local alcohol delivery in select cities, which also helps you save money on the gas that it takes to get to the beer! Shop online and sort by price or alcohol type to nab the best options for your party. If alcohol delivery is unavailable near you, then consider some of the alternatives:

Shop the clearance section

A lot of liquor stores feature a discount section with an array of unsold seasonal beers and less popular brews. Oftentimes the beer is due to expire sooner than the store can legally sell it, but much like any product, it is still good past the “sell by” date. Try browsing the clearance section of your favorite liquor store for some off the wall brands and flavors. You’ll manage to save money and impress your friends with some new and obscure craft brews.

Buy a keg

Depending on the size of your get together, a keg may be the better option. Pricing obviously depends on the kind of beer you get, but it also cuts down on waste, especially if you can convince people to bring their own reusable cups. You won’t need to worry about coolers or storage since kegs are more compact, and there is always the option to invest in your own keg and tap for future use.

Recycle

As a counter argument to the efficiency of kegs, cans can also afford you even more beer if you live in the right area and are a pro at recycling. Recycling centers pay between $0.25 and $0.35 per pound of aluminum, which could help pay you back for some of the costs. Just bring a trash bag and make a group activity out of can crushing.

Brew your own

Brewing beer requires a bit of an initial investment, but there are endless possibilities once you get going. It’s a gratifying activity that can be done in a solo or group setting, and it is sure to impress the party. You can even reuse bottles after proper sanitation and create custom labels for special events. Don’t be afraid to get creative by adding more hops, changing the base, or even dumping some fruit in the mix to mimic your favorite microbrews.