This Cheap Grocery Store-Brand Beer Outshines Bud Light And Stella Artois

There's nothing wrong with a good ol' cheap beer, but it certainly doesn't have to taste cheap. Trader Joe's Simpler Times Lager is proof that even a store-brand beer can hold its own against heavy hitters like Bud Light and Stella Artois. In a ranking of cheap beers, from worst to best, we placed Trader Joe's brew in ninth place. Now, that's hardly a gold medal, but comparison tells us that Simpler Times has something going for it that those big brands don't. 

The taste test evaluated beers that were $10 or less for a 6-pack, focusing on flavor, carbonation, and crispness. Simpler Times didn't blow anyone away, but it managed to edge out two mainstream brands. Perhaps it's not a surprise that Bud Light landed in last place. Even though it's a beloved American beer, it's also one of the worst tasting. Our reviewer found it thin and watered-down, tasting more like beer-flavored water than a satisfying lager. They also struggled to identify it much in the way of flavor or refreshing crispness. Stella Artois, a higher-end variety from Belgium, fared only slightly better. Its foamy head was described as having an unpleasant bitterness, while the beer itself offered little beyond some yeasty notes. 

On the other hand, Simpler Times had a more pronounced flavor. The lager has a deeper, golden (borderline reddish) appearance and a noticeable, yeast-forward taste. That yeastiness won't appeal to everyone, but it gives the beer more personality than the more subdued Bud Light or Stella. 

Now, it's important to remember that Trader Joe's beer still placed ninth out of 11 beers, so it wasn't a standout brew overall. And online reactions to Simpler Times are significantly more divided. Some Reddit users appreciate the low price and consider it a worthwhile budget buy, but the reviews aren't exactly glowing. One Trader Joe's shopper simply states, "I would describe it as 'very okay.'" Another adds, somewhat sarcastically, "You can definitely drink this beer, without a doubt. Drinkable." But the criticisms can be fierce, too. One Redditor went as far to state, "I'm no beer snob but I just couldn't drink them."

The same Tasting Table tester previously compared the Trader Joe's lager with Budweiser, and it ended up being close to a draw. The two beers are described as distinctly different, and that it would be a mistake for a Budweiser fan to think TJ's is a cost-effective dupe. But our writer noted that if you're a Trader Joe's super fan and hold no loyalty to legacy beer brands, this lager might just hit the spot — even if Budweiser did place slightly higher in our latest ranking for its crisp carbonation.

These days, we are blessed to be rich in beers that are both easy to drink, and easy on the wallet. It's why Simpler Times should be approached as an inexpensive lager that doesn't take itself too seriously, rather than a premium beer in disguise. If you're already shopping at TJ's and want a budget-friendly beer for cookouts, it's worth a shot. Just don't expect it to win first place.