MILWAUKEE - If you're headed to the liquor store to pick up some Miller High Life, you are not alone. Miller Brewing says because of a downturn in the economy and high gas prices, a lot of beer drinkers are now buying economy beers.

Miller says sales of High Life and Milwaukee’s Best, two of the company's cheapest beers, have skyrocketed since January. Sales of their more expensive specialty beers are way down.

Miller says people can't afford to spend as much on beer as they used to.

Roy Mueller of Ray's Liquor says even they've noticed a big spike in High Life sales lately.

“Definitely an increase in sales, especially the 24 pack bottles,” Mueller said.

This is bad news for Wisconsin’s micro-breweries like Sprecher.

“In recession or downturn times, people don't quit drinking beer, but they do trade down,” Sprecher General Manager Jeff Hamilton said.

Click on the link under related content to see an interview with Jeff Hamiltion.

Sprecher brews premium specialty beers that are a little higher in price. Hamilton has noticed a decrease in sales in Wisconsin, but not in other states. He says that's because of the high amount of specialty beer brewed and sold here in Wisconsin.

“Here locally there are lot more choices, a lot more options,” Hamilton said.

There are a lot of beer drinkers who would much rather pay extra for a premium brew. Mark Hackbarth is one of them.

“In my case it's more the flavor and the taste,” Hackbarth said.

However, he understands why budget beers are on the rise.

“With the price of gas and everything you have to put things in perspective and cut corners where you have to,” Hackbarth said.

Miller also says they've noticed a big decrease in the amount of beer people are ordering while eating out in restaurants.