How Much A 6-Pack Of Beer Cost In 1980 Vs Now - Tasting Table

"Like so much food and drink, the price of beer has jumped since 2020, with the average cost per can rising 27% in just six years. However, this is actually slightly less than food and drink inflation overall, which has risen 29%. That may be little solace to beer fans who find themselves shelling out $10 or more for even popular American macrobrew beers, but at least it hasn't been as bad as the ground beef for the burgers you're having with your beer."

"According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of a 6-pack of beer in 1980 was $3.40. That may seem like a great deal, but adjusted for inflation, that's the equivalent of paying $13.30 today. While some craft beer 6-packs cost that much or more, that's not what most people are paying today for the beer they were buying in 1980."

"Back then, craft beer was virtually non-existent, as the microbreweries that powered the industry weren't even legalized until 1978. In the late '70s, the two biggest beers were Budweiser and Miller High Life, and the top ten beers, all of which were cheap domestics, controlled 70% of the entire American beer market. Today, craft beer makes up more than 13% of beer sales in the U.S."

Beer prices have increased 27% per can since 2020, slightly below the overall food and drink inflation rate of 29%. While consumers now pay $10 or more for popular American beers, this represents relatively modest inflation compared to other products like ground beef. Historical data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 6-pack cost $3.40 in 1980, equivalent to $13.30 today when adjusted for inflation. However, when comparing actual current prices to this inflation-adjusted figure, popular beer brands have become cheaper. This difference reflects the beer market's transformation: in 1980, cheap domestic beers dominated with the top ten controlling 70% of sales, while craft beer was virtually nonexistent. Today, craft beer comprises over 13% of U.S. beer sales, meaning the 1980 average wasn't inflated by premium craft options.

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