For students, beer may be the most important ingredient in the five basic food groups. But when it comes to buying it, they often hold on to their wallets.

Kyle Edmonds (freshman-business) said he drinks Busch and Natural Light -- cheaper brands of beer that many University students can afford to drink.

"I don't have the money for anything better," Edmonds said.

John Hecker (junior-business logistics) said price plays a major role in his choice of beer. He prefers cheaper brands like Miller Genuine Draft, he said, adding it is the best brand for the price.

Another popular beer among University students, Coors Extra Gold Light, is a new brand that has targeted Pennsylvania as one of its prime marketing areas. Coors chose the state as a marketing area because it is a good state for beer, said Mary Frudden, a Coors spokeswoman.

Bert Lechner, vice president of sales and marketing for W and L Sales, agreed Pennsylvania is beer country.

"It's the fifth largest state in the country, it's got a strong German and Irish demographic heritage, and since beer is an all-natural product, it appeals to this agrarian state," Lechner said.

Steven Thompson, a bartender at Stoney's Post House Tavern, 146 N. Atherton St., said whether a new beer will sell depends upon marketing -- and the price.

"Students will drink anything that's cheap," Thompson said.

Bars and bottle shops in the area have catered to students by selling beer to accommodate their tastes and budgets.

Keith Dickert, assistant manager of the Lion's Den Bottle Shop, 118 S. Garner St., said people are not always looking for brand names.

"My theory is that people don't care much about names, they'll just buy whatever's cheapest at the time," Dickert said.

But George Piedmo, owner of Centre Beverage Company Inc., 127 N. Sparks St., said price has nothing do with students' choices.

Students tend to buy the trendy, more popular beers, he said, adding the highly advertised beers sell quicker.

Gary Buck (junior-electrical engineering) said the beer he purchases depends on the amount of cash he has at the time. But Buck said he would not purchase anything cheaper than Keystone Light.

"I go for price and taste -- a combination of both," Buck said.