My husband has been on a Chelada kick lately.
For those of you not in the “know” Chelada* is a new beer put out by Budweiser that is a combination of beer and clamato juice.
I know. It sounds disgusting. This drink is one of those things that you either hate or love.
Hubs loves it.
Anyway, after a few weeks of him buying a couple of cans each week to “treat” himself I started thinking about the expense. After all, they are selling them individually for over $2 each.
The frugal gears in my brain started turning. Hmm-is there anything in there besides beer and clamato? I checked the label-just those two ingredients.
Ok, well what about the proportions? Well, the can is about twice the size of your average beer can, but according to the label the alchol content is the same as a single 16oz beer.
OK, so logically that should mean that if I pour a regular beer into a large glass (we have very tall German beer glasses that the store bought Chelada just fills-like the one in the photo) and then fill it to the top with clamato, I should have my own homemade version.
So we tried it. Hubs actually prefers Coors Light to Bud, so we used that. . . Guess what? He actually likes it better than the one in the can-and it is less expensive.
Tada! Frugality wins out!
*according to my research,the Bud Chelada doesn’t really reflect what one would normally expect to be a chelada. . . I’m just going with the name they use folks, so don’t correct me!
We call it red beer around here, and my friends were making it long before Budweiser thought to make a buck off of it.
Plus, I prefer it with spicy V8, and they don’t sell that premade. But if I have my choice, beer tastes better on its own (and of course is cheaper).
Glad you got your hubby switched to the more frugal version!
Yep. I’m from the midwest and we’ve been drinking it for YEARS. Just tomato juice for a long time. I switched to spicy V8 for a while but didn’t care for it nearly as much as a good bloody mary mix.
Hubs still enjoys drinking these in the summer–somehow it’s just not as appealing in the winter.
That stuff sounds disgusting! You’re absolutely right.
And, yes- don’t you love when frugality wins?! 🙂
I found you via Wisebread’s Top 100 Personal Finance Blogs. Congrats on making the list!
Jenn_ When I lived in Phoenix I worked at a liqour store and we sold tons of Bud light and clamato side by side. It is very popular there.
could you do something similar for drinks like monster or jolt? my dh loves those disgusting sugar drinks and it burns my frugal brisket that he spends +$2 a can for them! 🙂
Well done! Isn’t it great when things work out right?
It’s yummy – try it! And the Clamato gives a different taste than tomato or V8 juices. And TJ is correct…I remember the old-timers drinking “red-eyes” when I was just a little tiny shaver, out with my Dad. I had forgotten about it until we did the “Beer Garden” Tour at Busch-Gardens Virginia, this past summer. After seeing it and trying it – I remembered and I also think the Germans did something similar (Rotes Bier translated Red Beer).
Anyway, I recommend it – especially on really hot days…a great refresher!
YB
In France I used to drink beer with grenadine syrup in it. It was called a Monaco. (Put the syrup in the glass before the beer for way better mixing). This sounds interesting too!
My favorite weird beer combo was from Germany: beer and banana juice (is that even sold in the US?).
And my brother-in-law is after my heart. I love clamato with a passion. I am going to try this!
I think this is very good thing. I have never taste but i would like to taste.
Try it and enjoy!
BILL i’ve been drinking bud light Chelada for 4 or 5 years now and I think its great, just a bit pricey