I didn't start drinking until college, but I'm familiar with the "budget beverages" referenced in this thread. I'd add one I had to resort to when money was tight: Night Train. That was a one time and one time only thing. I still remember it. I think we bought Thunderbird once as well. A lot of cheap budget beer in those days- seas of Miller High Life and Milwaukie's Best (Milwaukie's Beast). Hangovers so bad they felt like out of body experiences. Couldn't imagine ingesting any of that stuff now. After college it was a quick descent into daily drinking. Better beer and wine, but a steady diet of it. Moved to California a stone's throw from wine country and came to appreciate the good stuff. But it took over. Drinking and thoughts of drinking became a preoccupation. Going to visit a new town? Let's see where the British style pubs are. Invite to a microbrewery? Then yes, I'll go. Craft beers and ale or cheap daily Coor's Light- either was fine for me.