Walgreens, the national drugstore chain that recently announced plans to sell more groceries, has gotten into the beer business too. Starting in December, the Illinois-based retailer began offering a house brand called Big Flats 1901, noted for its affordability: 50 cents a can, or $2.99 for a six pack. "In this tough economy, consumers are looking for value," a Walgreens spokesman told the Chicago Tribune. Big Flats is manufactured by City Winery, which also makes house brands of alcohol for Trader Joe's and Costco. The beer is currently available at about 4,600 of the chain's 7,655 stores. Will this recession-proof brew appeal to cash-strapped consumers? (Watch a local report about Walgreens' alcohol venture)
The cheapness makes it appealing: While this beer "certainly wouldn't be anyone's first choice," says Aaron Morrissey at DCist, "the price is hard to beat." And "a quick poll of the DCist staff" elicited responses from "at $3 for a six pack, I'd definitely give it a shot" to "I'd probably try it once" to "I tried the 7-11 beer and it couldn't be any worse than that."
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