14 Places Around the World Where Beer and Wine Are Cheaper Than Water
It’s probably best for global health that water remains more affordable than beer and wine. A few exceptions won’t kill us, though.
Usually, the price of wine and beer is a matter of supply and demand. If you live in a neighborhood of vineyards, you’re probably getting a better deal on Merlot than the man who lives in a remote Alaskan peninsula.
If you’re looking to deflate your alcohol budget and don’t mind moving, there are 14 places to toss on your list. Whether you’re an aspiring sommelier, enjoy a good time, or want to go out like Nicolas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas, these international locales are worth your consideration.
1. Uzbekistan
When playing word association, phrases like “Four Seasons” and “Rolls-Royce” don’t conjure “Uzbekistan.” The country ranks as the 67th poorest country in the world (right around Nauru and Morocco), which means Western currency can go pretty far.
Some consider Uzbekistan the mecca of cheap suds, specifically recommending Tashkent as a city where you can get a pint for less than a Euro. If you’re a beer enthusiast who travels to Uzbekistan, we can guarantee U-will-be-bakistan.
2. Australia
Hip, hip, Shiraz!
Travelers have noticed the abundance of cheap wine in Australia. The nation has actually been an innovator that has had a significant impact on the worldwide wine industry, and apparently, it has plenty of domestic stock to sell on the cheap.
Areas like the Barossa Valley produce substantial grape hauls, and unique economic factors allow wine wholesalers to procure their wine for low prices. These savings get passed to the heavily buzzed consumer.
3. Belarus
Ask any of your friends who have traveled to Belarus. The affordability of a pint of beer, as well as local vodka, has stood out to many as a highlight of their trip.
In fact, vodka and other grain spirits are the specialty of this landlocked Eastern European nation. Belarusians are prolific drinkers, which means the country stays awash in spirits from domestic and foreign producers. Ease of access is always a factor in price, which helps explain why booze is so cheap in Belarus.
4. China
While there are some obvious drawbacks to life in China, expensive beer isn’t one of them.
One of (if not the) most consumed beers in the world is Snow, a pale ale whose popularity lies in the Chinese market’s taste for cheap, strong brew. China consumes more beer than America, and the fact that Snow sells for as little as 50 cents a can (circa 2015, at least) means money is no regulator on your intoxication.
5. Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the Asian nations Westerners have flocked to in search of greater bang for their buck. While beachfront villas are often cited as proof of Vietnam’s affordability, don’t overlook the suds.
Bia hoi, a popular on-tap beer in Vietnam, might cost you less than 50 cents per glass, depending on where you’re drinking. The bustling city of Hanoi even has a beer street, where beer flows like water at about 42 cents per glass. Remind us why we’re still living in the U.S. again.
6. Philippines
In many of the nations on this list, locals would simply not be able to afford to drink beer priced as it is in the West. The U.S. dollar goes further than Forrest Gump in the Philippines, so it should be no bombshell that beer is comparatively affordable.
A can of beer in the Philippines costs around 60 cents, comparable to several other Eastern Asian nations. Beer has not been that cheap in the U.S. since about 1980.
7. Portugal
Portugal must be on your bucket list if you prefer to catch your buzz via Merlot rather than Michelob. It is the nation with the cheapest bottles of wine, and we’re not talking about the boxed kind.
The average cost of authentic, decent-quality wine in Portugal will run you just north of four bucks. Compare that to the U.S., where a comparable bottle costs more than $13 on average. When in Lisbon, drink like the Portuguese do—affordably.
8. Chile
Chile’s Western coastline has proven a consummate ecosystem for growing wine grapes. Valleys in the shadow of the Andes pump out impeccable chardonnays, merlots, or whatever you prefer with your pasta or fish.
The fruits of the Central Valley, Aconcagua, Austral, and the other wine-producing regions of Chile are part of the reason wine is so cheap throughout the country. On average, a bottle of top-notch local vino will cost you only about $6.
9. Hungary
There is lots to like about Hungary. The nation is steeped in history, has a strong sense of national pride (which means clean streets and hospitality), and has more eye-catching architecture than you can fit into your next trip.
However, those with a taste for crushed grapes might be more compelled by the prices on the wine menu. Hungary ranks second among all nations regarding the affordability of a bottle of wine, with an average price of $4.67 per cork.
10. France
Play a game of word association in France, and you’re likely to hear “revolution,” “Eiffel Tower,” and, of course, “wine.” Bordeaux is known more than any French region for producing expensive wine, but Burgundy, Champagne, and a handful of other regions also peddle high-quality grapes.
The abundance of local wine means you can purchase a good bottle in many areas of France for around $5. If a bottle were listed at $5 Stateside, you’d have to assume it was the equivalent of boxed wine in a bottle.
11. Argentina
Whether it’s a malbec or another type of wine, don’t be surprised if your Argentinian travels (particularly in the Mendoza region) bring you face-to-face with shockingly affordable vin de table.
12. Cambodia
Like so much in Southeast Asia, beer is dirt cheap compared to what we’re used to paying in the West. The domestic brewing scene had exploded since 2011, when the first turnkey brewery opened its doors in the impoverished nation.
Local favorites like Angkor, Anchor Beer, and Tiger can sell for as little as 50 cents per bottle. Take solace knowingthat you can pack a backpack full of beer for less than ten bucks on your excursion to Angkor Wat.
13. Slovakia
Slovakia produces its wine, which seems to be the key to supplying a nation with affordable bottles.
Several other factors explain why wine in Eastern European nations like Slovakia are cheaper than those grown locally in the U.S. and Canada. When land is cheaper, growers’ overhead is cheaper, leading to lower price points. Labor costs can also be lower, while marketing expenses can also drive up the final sale price of wine in the West. Whatever the reason is, wine in Slovakia is among the cheapest in the world.
14. Nigeria
According to one researcher, Nigeria has the cheapest beer in the world. Nigeria also ranks among the poorest nationsin the world despite its natives’ penchant for doing well after emigrating. The fact that the beer is cheap, on some level, merely reflects the purchasing power of the populace.
Beer culture is also massive in Nigeria. Guinness and Nigerian Breweries had a stranglehold on domestic beer production for years. While other players have entered the fold, Nigeria is the #2 consumer of Guinness, behind only the United Kingdom.
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