Norman — Instead of picking up a cube of Keystone at the corner gas station, try a taste upgrade that’s worth more than the few extra cents. Modelo, Tecate Light and Samuel Adams are a few suggestions of affordable lighter beers that don’t skimp on taste, says Rusty Ross, a clerk at Corkscrew Wine & Spirits.

Due to their somewhat more fashionable reputations, and still reasonable prices, Stella Artois and Heineken are often called “New York Bud Lights,” Ross says. Although in a recent exploration of Norman’s bar scene, it’s actually Modelo that fares best amongst the Campus Corner crowd.

“I drink anything that is six point,” says Megan Reynolds, English literature senior. “My favorite is Tecate, Modelo and Blue Moon. I like them because they are delicious and get you drunk faster.”

If you’re taste buds are more partial to dark beers, Ross suggests Newcastle and Moose Drool. Both of which are easy on your wallet.

Another trick exposed by Ross and the staff at Corkscrew, is to stop buying beer at gas stations and grocery stores. Instead, pick up your supply at a liquor store. Because all the beer that liquor stores carry is six point.

“One is like two,” says Andrew McPherson, a Norman resident who says he drinks Lost Lake bought at the liquor store because of its reasonable price tag and elevated alcohol content.

While higher alcohol contents drive traffic to liquor stores, Ross reminds students to not wait until the last minute to buy beer from liquor stores because Oklahoma state law prohibits beer containing more than 3.2 percent alcohol from being sold cold.

“I think that most beers sold in a convenience store are pretty bad, but I can’t tell much of a difference between lets say Bud Light and Keystone, except the price,” Reynolds explains. “If I absolutely have to get drunk and it’s past nine, I am down to drink Keystone or Natty [Light].”

While most people stay in and drink when they are low on cash, Reynolds says she prefers to go out.

“When I am broke, I drink whatever anyone will buy me at the bar,” says Reynolds. “Or... you guessed it, Keystone.”

When it comes to budding wine drinkers, the Corkscrew staff recommends one unanimous tip: “Toss out the Boone’s Farm.”

The ultimate bitch beer, Boone’s Farm comes in a rainbow of flavors from Wild Island to Orange Hurricane, Green Apple to Hard Lemonade. However, this fruity choice is generally disregarded by seasoned wine drinkers as a serious faux pas due to it’s average five percent alcohol content compared to the 17 percent present in most wines.

Another rookie signature move is drinking boxed wines such as Franzia or Zinfandel.

“I drink Franzia boxed wine because I don’t really like wine and Franzia doesn’t really taste like wine,” says Reynolds.

If you like the taste of boxed wines but want to save face, try out a Zinfandel. These wines can be red, white or rose, and they’re often extremely dry with a spicy bite, well, more like a nibble.

For newbies to the wino scene, Ross says that when choosing a good wine, Napa Valley wines are usually a good bet. He also says to try and set aside the stereotype that the more expensive a wine is, the better it is. Sometimes the $10 or $20 bottles are better than their higher priced counterparts.

White wines like Riesling and Pinot Grigio are usually good starter wines due to their dry sweet tastes. Sauvignon Blanc is tart and pairs well with a large variety of foods.

Feeling brave? Try a Merlot or Cabernet and Merlot blend. These reds are dry and full of different flavors to excite the senses. Think black cherry, plum and spice. Merlot is fruity and is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to soften the variety’s bold flavors.