I’m back with a batch of light beers. Light beers are a big deal, big sellers and a huge part of the American culture. Guilt-free beer.
Part one: Econo Beers Taste Test
Part two: Econo Beers Taste Test
Watch for additional parts as I post them.
Corona Light
Corona Light was introduced to U.S. customers in 1989.
Light lager beer with distinctive hop flavor complemented by pleasant fruity honey aromas. Smooth-drinking beer made from a quality blend of water, barley malt, non-malted cereals, hops, and yeast.
This was a delicious tasting beer. I drank it while eating Mexican food, which may have influenced my choice.
99 Calories, 4.8g Carbs, 4.0% ABV.
In media.
Coors Light
We use pure water from ancient aquifers, deep lakes and Rocky Mountain springs to make a more refreshing beer. A sugar source converted into alcohol in the fermentation process. These are used natural extracts from whole hops. A two-row lager malt made from 100% American-grown high country Moravian barley. It’s what gives our beer a brilliant, golden color.
No, Coors Light is not considered a strong beer; it’s a light lager with a low alcohol volume (ABV) of 4.2%
I drank this beer for quite a few years, although not in recent times. I looked forward to revisiting this beer.
The taste jumped out at me, stronger than I remembered. Not a bitter taste, but fuller and a lasting one. Light beers usually have a lighter taste, but not this one.
Coors Light was reintroduced in 1978 to compete with Miller Lite as a “diet beer”.
Coors markets its other product, Coors Banquet Beer as “America’s fine light” because it was lighter in body and color than other beers when it was introduced.
In 2016, Coors Light announced a $20 million deal over five years to become the official beer of NASCAR starting in January. Coors replaces Anheuser-Busch as the official sponsor.
Coors Light R Lee Ermey John Wayne ad
Busch Light
Introduced in the market in 1989. Certainly light, a very clean taste. This is what a light beer should taste like. Refreshing, that lager first taste with no bite or bitterness. Smooth as the last of the drink slides down.
From the AI generator: Faint hints of fresh yeast, light hops, grainy sweetness, and corn. My tastebuds picked up on the sweetness, but other than that the taste was rather generic. It was not strong or offensive, it just didn’t distinguish itself. Perhaps that is part of its mass appeal.
Busch Light, the #1 top-selling beer in 5 states in 2021, has now doubled that number to become the #1 top-selling beer in 10 states in 2025: Ohio, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, and Missouri.
Sarah McLachlan Busch Light ad
Kenny G Busch Light ad and interview
Bud Light
Bud Light continues to lead with approximately 18% of the total beer market. AB made an advertising decision that earned pushback from the conservatives in America. The woke beer, it was referred to.
Bud Light tastes heavier than regular Bud. A barley malt flavor, more of an aftertaste than other light beers. It’s not as watery as other beers. If you enjoy a fuller flavor, remember, Bud uses rice instead of corn, which does impact the taste. For me, I’m not big on a taste that hangs around – be flavorful, but be gone.
Bud Light offensive ad Apparently there is a crisis in America, so many men are nervous about their gender identity. Probably the same crowd that was upset about the updated Cracker Barrel logo.
Real Men of Genius ad One of the best continuing ad campaigns that featured men being praised for doing incredibly average things.
Miller Lite
I’m very familiar with this brand, I have been drinking it for years. It’s very interesting to see it compared to other light beers. The taste has been described as “mild, crisp, and refreshing taste featuring light malt notes, subtle caramel, and a gentle, bitter hop finish. Oh the light beers I’ve sampled, Miller Lite is the most full bodied light beer in taste.
Great taste or less filling? Everyone remembers those TV commercials. That ad campaign had to have cost a fortune, but it paid off. Currently, Miller Lite is number 3 in light beer sales. Tastes great or less filling? Those TV commercials were popular and well-done.
In media.
Old tastes great less filling ads
Natural Light
A light lager brewed by Anheuser-Busch, introduced in 1977 as the company’s first-ever light beer. Natural Light is brewed with water, barley malt, yeast, and hops. The taste brings the hops forward, not overpowering, but an assertive impact on your tastebuds.
Would I drink this beer again? Sure, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. I can see why it’s such a popular beer, and you can’t beat the cost.
Natural Light Mickey Mantle ad
Michelob Ultra Superior Light
Michelob Ultra Light, in the blue can, is an organic light beer, often branded with blue and gold, offering 85 calories and 2.5g of carbs. It contains no artificial colors or flavors and is made with organic grains. The popularity of the beer is certainly aligned with the low carbs. The thin can must be a subliminal message.
Michelob used to produce a full bodied beer in a distinctive bottle. Back in the 1960’s, Michelob was marketed to more of a white collar audience. I think Ultra may have that audience now.
It’s a very light-tasting beer, almost a watery taste. You get the flavor of a little beer, or most of it. The ABV is 4.2%.
Michelob Ultra Catherine O’Hara ads
Michelob Ultra Kurt Russell ad
Modelo Oro Light
A very light and smooth tasting beer, very similar to Modelo Especial except fewer calories. This Mexican lager is brewed with water, Barley Malt, Non-malted Cereals, and Hops. Pretty standard.
I found the taste appealing, but I doubt that I could pick it out of a blind taste test with a handful of similar light beers.
4.0% ABV
Gold standard of light beer ad
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