The best beers at Trader Joe’s depend on your target: Simpler Times Lager is the value pick, Boatswain Double IPA delivers the most hop intensity for the money, and seasonal Trader Joe’s releases are the most interesting bottles for sharing.
Trader Joe’s beer selection changes by state, season, and local alcohol laws, so treat the prices and availability below as typical ranges rather than guarantees. The strongest buying strategy is to choose by style, alcohol level, package size, and drinking occasion—not simply by the lowest shelf price.
Our top picks
Trader Joe's Seasoning- This package contains three of Trader Joe's top…
- 1 Bottle of Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute…
- 1 Bottle of Trader Joe's Everything but the…
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Best Beers at Trader Joe’s: Quick Picks
| Beer | Style | Typical ABV | Common package | Typical price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simpler Times Lager | American-style lager | 6.0% | 6-pack of 12-ounce cans | $4–$6 | Lowest-cost everyday drinking |
| Trader Joe’s Boatswain Double IPA | Double IPA | Often around 8.0% | 4-pack or 6-pack, depending on market | $5–$9 | Big hop flavor on a budget |
| Trader Joe’s Boatswain Chocolate Stout | Flavored stout | Often around 6.4% | 22-ounce bottle | $2–$4 | Roast, cocoa, and dessert-like flavors |
| Mission Street Pale Ale | American pale ale | Typically around 5.5% | 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles or cans | $5–$8 | Moderate hops without double-IPA strength |
| Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale | Strong seasonal ale | Varies by release | 750 ml bottle | $5–$10 | Holiday meals and bottle sharing |
| Lagunitas IPA | West Coast-style IPA | 6.2% | 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles or cans | $9–$14 | A dependable name-brand IPA |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | American pale ale | 5.6% | 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles or cans | $10–$16 | Balanced citrus, pine, and malt |
ABV and packaging can change between releases or regions. Check the label before buying, especially with Trader Joe’s rotating and private-label beers.
Best Overall Value: Simpler Times Lager
Simpler Times is the obvious starting point when price matters most. It is a pale, crisp lager with light grainy malt, restrained bitterness, and a clean finish. The flavor is uncomplicated, which makes it useful for cookouts, casual dinners, and situations where a strongly hopped or dark beer would divide the group.
Its main advantage is the package economics. A six-pack costing about $5 works out to roughly $0.83 per 12-ounce can. At 6% ABV, it is also stronger than many mainstream light lagers, so drinkers should not treat it as interchangeable with a 3%–4% light beer.
Choose it when you want cold, easy-drinking beer at minimal cost. Skip it if you prefer dry pilsner bitterness, substantial malt character, or aromatic hops.
Best Trader Joe’s IPA: Boatswain Double IPA
Boatswain Double IPA is the high-impact choice in Trader Joe’s private-label lineup. Expect pronounced citrus and resinous hop character, a noticeable bitter finish, and a fuller body than a standard lager or pale ale. The relatively high alcohol level makes it better suited to slow sipping than rapid, all-evening drinking.
The value is particularly strong if the package is available near the lower end of its usual range. A four-pack at $7 equals $1.75 per beer, which is inexpensive for a double IPA. However, the savings can encourage overbuying: high-ABV beer ages less gracefully once opened, and a large package is not a bargain if you prefer lighter styles.
Serve it cold but not ice-cold—approximately 40–45°F allows more hop aroma to emerge. Pour into a clean pint glass rather than drinking directly from the can if you want to evaluate its aroma and bitterness.
Best for Dark-Beer Drinkers: Boatswain Chocolate Stout
Boatswain Chocolate Stout is a budget-friendly option for people who enjoy roasted malt, cocoa-like notes, and a heavier texture. It is not necessarily a sweet pastry stout; the chocolate impression generally comes from roasted malt and the beer’s recipe rather than from a milkshake-like sweetness.
The 22-ounce bottle format makes it a practical sharing beer. Two people can split one bottle with dinner, reducing the commitment of buying a full six-pack of a style that not everyone enjoys. Look for a smooth pour with dark roast, coffee, cocoa, and moderate bitterness.
Because large bottles are often resealed poorly, finish it soon after opening. Store unopened bottles upright in a cool, dark place. Heat and bright light are more damaging to beer quality than ordinary short-term shelf storage.
Best Balanced Pale Ale: Mission Street Pale Ale
Mission Street Pale Ale sits between a crisp lager and a sharp IPA. It typically offers citrusy hop flavor, light caramel or biscuit malt, and enough bitterness to keep the finish refreshing without overwhelming a casual drinker.
This is the better choice than Boatswain Double IPA for a mixed group: experienced beer drinkers still get hop character, while newer drinkers are less likely to find the alcohol and bitterness excessive. It also pairs well with burgers, grilled vegetables, pizza, and moderately spicy food.
Choose the freshest package available. Pale ales lose some of their bright hop aroma over time, especially when stored warm. If the can or bottle has a clearly printed date, favor the newer one.
Best Seasonal Pick: Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale
Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale is a strong seasonal release designed more for a meal, gift, or shared bottle than for routine six-pack drinking. Its exact recipe, brewer, alcohol level, and packaging can vary by year, so read the current label instead of assuming every vintage tastes the same.
Expect a malt-forward, warming profile that may include dried-fruit, caramel, spice, or dark-bread notes. It is a natural match for roast meats, aged cheese, holiday desserts, and cool-weather gatherings.
Pour it into smaller servings—about 4 to 6 ounces at a time—particularly when the bottle is above 8% ABV. That makes one 750 ml bottle yield approximately four to six tasting portions. Keep it away from heat and sunlight; aging can be interesting, but it is not guaranteed to improve every release.
Best Name-Brand Choices at Trader Joe’s
Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas IPA is a reliable choice when you want a familiar, assertive American IPA rather than an experimental private-label release. It brings citrus, pine, caramel malt, and a firm bitter finish at a moderate 6.2% ABV. It is more hop-forward than Mission Street Pale Ale but generally less alcoholic than Boatswain Double IPA.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is one of the safest choices for a balanced hop beer. Its combination of citrus and pine hops, firm bitterness, and supportive malt makes it suitable for drinkers who want flavor without the intensity of a double IPA. It is usually pricier than Trader Joe’s own labels, but the recipe consistency and broad food compatibility justify the difference for many shoppers.
Availability of national brands varies more than availability of Trader Joe’s core private-label products, so use these as examples rather than guaranteed inventory.
Decision Matrix: Which Beer Should You Buy?
| Your situation | Best choice | Why | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $1 per serving | Simpler Times Lager | Large package and low shelf price | Single-bottle specialty releases |
| New to hoppy beer | Mission Street Pale Ale | Hop flavor with moderate bitterness and ABV | Double IPAs |
| Maximum hop intensity | Boatswain Double IPA | Higher alcohol and concentrated hop character | Light lagers |
| Dark beer with dinner | Boatswain Chocolate Stout | Roast and cocoa notes in a shareable bottle | Buying a whole case before trying it |
| Mixed group with different tastes | Mission Street Pale Ale plus Simpler Times | Covers both easy drinking and moderate hops | Buying only a highly bitter style |
| Holiday meal or gift | Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale | Seasonal presentation and warming flavor | Serving it ice-cold |
How to Get Better Value from Your Purchase
- Check ABV before comparing prices. A $6 six-pack of 6% lager is not equivalent to a $6 four-pack of 8% IPA in drinking strength or serving size.
- Compare price per container. Divide the shelf price by the number of cans or bottles. For example, $8 for four bottles is $2 each, while $7 for six cans is about $1.17 each.
- Look for date information on hop-forward beers. Freshness matters most for pale ales and IPAs because their aromatic hop character fades faster than their bitterness.
- Chill gradually and store correctly. Keep beer dark and cool, avoid repeatedly warming and re-chilling it, and do not store bottles where sunlight reaches them.
- Buy one before buying many. Trader Joe’s low prices make experimentation easy, but personal preference matters more than a bargain when the style is unfamiliar.
Final Verdict
For the best all-around bargain, buy Simpler Times Lager. For the most flavor per dollar, choose Boatswain Double IPA if you enjoy high bitterness and higher alcohol. Mission Street Pale Ale is the most versatile middle ground, Boatswain Chocolate Stout is the dark-beer value pick, and Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale is the seasonal bottle to seek out for sharing. Add Lagunitas IPA or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale when you want the consistency of an established name brand.
