If you thought the Ryder Cup would be a cheap day out, think again. Fans are feeling sad maybe frustrated that getting a drink at Bethpage Black costs almost as much as a souvenir from the merch tent. The golf might be free-flowing, but the beer certainly isn’t.
Yes, tickets already set supporters back a jaw-dropping $750 a day. That fee includes unlimited food runs for burgers, hot dogs, snacks, and sodas. But once you want a drink with a little kick, the bill hits hard. And judging by the numbers, it may even keep behavior in check.
It’s almost the same experience for fans who saw similar sky-high beer prices at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
The High Cost Of A Beer
Here’s the breakdown. The cheapest option is a 16-ounce Michelob Ultra or Bud Light at $15. That’s nearly double what you’d pay in Manhattan, and these beers only pack a modest 4.2% punch. Upgrade to a “premium” pour and the price jumps to $16 for the same size. A larger 19.2-ounce can costs $19. Want the jumbo 25-ounce Michelob Ultra? That’ll be $18, before tax and tip.
After the beer lovers, the wine drinkers don’t escape either. A glass of chardonnay goes for $14, while bubbly from Moet & Chandon will set you back $22. Cocktails land in the $17.50 to $19.50 range, which again doesn’t include sales tax or the customary tip. Even alcohol-free options run high, with a 12-ounce Michelob Ultra Zero priced at $12.
Add it all up, and a few rounds with friends could rival the cost of the ticket itself. No wonder many fans are joking that nobody will be able to afford getting drunk this week.
Needless to say, many fans were not impressed with the alcohol prices.
“Beer is cheaper at a Yankees or Giants game lol,” one fan remarked.
“Are the prices meant to deter drinking?” another asked.
One fan even decided to take matters into his own hands for the weekend, saying, “Boots and a flask it is.”
Still, some see that as a blessing. The Ryder Cup atmosphere often walks the fine line between college football rowdiness and golf tradition. Fewer sloppy fans might mean fewer incidents of abuse from the gallery.
That said, those determined to find value might look to the specialty drinks. The Cherry Fairway Fizz, topped with a novelty Ryder Cup duck, has already become a cult choice for those willing to trade dollars for laughs.
Of course, amid beer prices political talks has also crept into the mix, especially after comments from Donald Trump about his role in the next Ryder Cup got backlash from fans. But for now, at Bethpage Black, fans are worrying about the cost of a pint.
