“Miller Lite is a perfect beer for people who don’t like beer but need to justify their presence at bars by having a drink in their hand.”

Ouch.  Harsh words from an article in Vol. 26, No. 3 of American Brewer Magazine by beer writer Greg Kitsock.  While I won’t admit I disagree with his statement, I will say that Kitsock’s article about the rise of light—and remember, it’s with a T-E—is extremely interesting.

A few facts culled from the piece:

• 53% of U.S. beer sales are light beer.
• 5 years after Miller introduced Miller Lite, their annual production went from 7-million barrels to 31-million barrels.  That’s an increase of 48-million kegs a year!
• In 1972 Miller Brewing Co. bought the rights to Meister Brau Lite, the second Lite beer released into the US market.  This beer eventually became Miller Lite after then president of Miller, John Murphy, took a trip to Germany and stumbled upon…
• Diät Pils!  Miller Lite was inspired by Diät Pils, a German style brew intended for diabetics.  Murphy thought the process used to eliminate residual sugars (hence, less calories) would appeal to jog happy and weight conscious Americans.

And on a final, slightly happier note:

• In 1989, Budweiser owned 25% of the American market share.  In 2010, it has 9.3%.