Beer round a campfire is one of the simple pleasures, but camping puts real demands on what you pack. It has to survive a bumpy drive, pack down without a fridge, and taste good whether it comes out ice cold or just cooler-cool after a warm afternoon.
Below are eight of the best beers for camping, each tasted and rated for the site. There are honest value lagers for stocking a cooler, a benchmark pale ale and a smooth amber for round the fire, and a juicy session beer for a long day on the trail. Every pick links to its full review and you can grab a case in a couple of taps.
Cans are the only way to go camping, so leave the bottles at home. Pack a good cooler, buy a bit more than you think you need, and you are set for the weekend.
Best Camping Beers at a Glance
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coors Banquet | American Lager | 3.8/5 | Best value cooler-filler |
| Yuengling Traditional Lager | American Amber Lager | 4.1/5 | Best value with real flavour |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 4.3/5 | Best all-rounder round the fire |
| New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale | Amber Ale | 4.1/5 | Best smooth amber |
| Founders All Day Haze | Session IPA | 3.9/5 | Best for a long day on the trail |
| Modelo Especial | Mexican Lager | 4.0/5 | Best easy crowd can |
| Dos Equis Especial | Mexican Lager | 3.5/5 | Best clean and simple |
| Anchor Steam Beer | California Common | 4.4/5 | Best characterful pick |
Camping beer has a job to do: survive the drive, pack down small and taste great round a fire. That means cans, not bottles, and beers that are as happy cellar-cool from a cooler as they are ice cold. Value matters too when you are buying for a weekend.
Coors Banquet
The honest workhorse of a cooler. More malt and backbone than the light macros, cold and crushable, and cheap enough to buy in bulk. When you just need proper cold beer that goes down easy, Banquet delivers. Read the full Coors Banquet review.
- More backbone than a light macro
- Crushable and cheap in bulk
- A no-fuss crowd can
- Plain flavour
- Best served ice cold
Yuengling Traditional Lager
The champion of value beer. Yuengling delivers more malt, colour and character than any macro at the price, so it keeps beer fans happy without costing craft money. A smart case for any crowd. Read the full Yuengling Traditional Lager review.
- Genuine amber-malt flavour at a budget price
- Suits food and easy drinking
- The best value on most lists
- Regional, so not sold everywhere
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
The benchmark American pale ale, balanced and endlessly drinkable with piney, citrus hops over a solid caramel malt base. Characterful but easy, it is a summer staple that suits food off the grill. Read the full Sierra Nevada Pale Ale review.
- Balanced, piney hop character
- Very drinkable for its flavour
- A dependable classic
- Hoppier than a light lager
New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
A smooth, balanced amber ale with toasty malt and a gentle hop finish. Easygoing and food-friendly, Fat Tire is a versatile choice that suits burgers, grilled meats and a relaxed afternoon. Read the full New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale review.
- Smooth, toasty and balanced
- Very food-friendly
- Easy for a mixed crowd
- Malty, not a hop bomb
Founders All Day Haze
A juicy, hazy session IPA built for exactly this: all-day drinking in the sun. Low enough in strength to keep going, with all the tropical hop flavour of a full IPA. A near-perfect summer beer. Read the full Founders All Day Haze review.
- Big hop flavour at low strength
- Made for all-day sessions
- Juicy and refreshing
- Still hoppier than a lager
Modelo Especial
A step up from the usual macro without costing much more. Modelo is crisp and lightly bready with a clean finish, the crowd-pleaser almost everyone reaches for happily. It barely needs the lime. Read the full Modelo Especial review.
- Crisp, clean and widely loved
- More body than a light lager
- Great value by the case
- Costs a touch more than the cheapest cans
Dos Equis Especial
A clean, easy golden lager that does exactly what you want on a hot afternoon. Light, crisp and dependable, it is a safe bet for a mixed crowd and takes a lime well. Read the full Dos Equis Especial review.
- Clean and easy drinking
- Reliable crowd pick
- Pairs with tacos and grilled food
- Fairly plain on its own
Anchor Steam Beer
A uniquely American style, a California common with amber malt, a woody hop note and a crisp lager-like finish. Characterful yet easy, it bridges the gap between a lager and an ale beautifully. Read the full Anchor Steam Beer review.
- Distinctive amber-malt character
- Crisp finish, easy to drink
- A piece of US brewing history
- Not as widely stocked as it once was
The Gear That Makes Camp Beer Easy
Beer sorted, now the camp setup. These three keep the beer cold and the burgers coming, wherever you pitch up.
Camping Beer FAQ
What is the best beer for camping?
The best camping beers come in cans, travel well and taste good even when they are not perfectly cold. Value lagers like Coors Banquet and Yuengling stock a cooler cheaply, while Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and New Belgium Fat Tire are great round the fire.
How do I keep beer cold while camping?
Use a good insulated cooler with plenty of ice and keep it in the shade. Block ice lasts longer than cubes, frozen water bottles double as ice and drinking water, and a cooler you open less often stays cold far longer. A koozie on each can helps too.
Should I bring cans or bottles camping?
Cans, without question. They are lighter, they do not shatter, they chill faster and they pack out flat. Broken glass at a campsite is dangerous and hard to clean up, so most seasoned campers stick to cans only.
What beer is best for a long hike or trail day?
A low-strength session beer lets you enjoy one at the summit or by the lake without it hitting hard. Founders All Day Haze delivers full IPA flavour at a low percentage, which is exactly what you want after a day on your feet.
