Sam Adams 12pack $15.99 vs Corona 12pack $16.99. Why would anyone?

Ease up Dog. I don't think he was starting an argument, just a discussion.
Depends on the store, but 'imports' and pseudo-craft beers like Shock Top can readily be found overpriced in these here hills. $16.99 is not out of the question. Is it so hard to believe that a 12-pack would be priced $3-4 more than it is at your location?

Edit: case in point--our local Kroger started putting shelf flyers on some of their beers that say 20% off 4 six-packs. These seem to be popping up all over, as I've seen these same things lately at Kroger in VA. However, our brilliant stores in this slackwater decided that in order to offset that 'discount', they would just up the price of all of their craft beer to $9.49/6-pack. All of them. Sierra Nevada, Great Lakes, Sam Adams...brands that are usually on the lower end in any other store. They are all now $9.49.

 

Wow, defensive much?

 

Fair enough. I didn't think about that line of reasoning in your initial response of "Because they like it."

 

I find it hard to believe a $17, 12 pack of corona is normal anywhere in the lower 48. It may be high in certain stores, but on a whole? no way. Corona drinkers aren't stupid enough to pay 7 dollars more than an equivalent amount of Bud. Anyway, if the prices were really what the OP claims, I'd pass on them both.

FWIW, regular offerings of Great Lakes are 8.99 here in Cleveland... and I consider them much better than SA or Sierra Nevada.

 

Nobody ever said WV was normal. C'mon over and see for yourself.

Well that's odd. Great Lakes used to be cheaper than that here, and we're even farther away! Are OH drinkers really stupid enough to pay that?
Whichever one of the 3 mentioned is better depends on what you like to drink. Full circle back to the OP.