Miller High Life and Miller Light are two of the most popular beers brewed by the Miller Brewing Company, now better known as part of the Molson Coors empire. Miller High Life was the flagship beer of the Miller Brewing Company for many years and dates back to 1903, while Miller Lite is a more recent innovation that many credit with singlehandedly kickstarting the American Light beer revolution.
Eight out of the ten top-selling beers in America today are light beers, many of which would probably not exist without the innovation of Miller Light in the early seventies. And without the success of Miller High Life, the champagne of beers, there probably wouldn’t be a Miller Lite.
While both beers are brewed by the Miller Brewing Company, their histories couldn’t be more different. Miller High Life was first brewed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the original home of the Miller brewery, while Miller Lite owes more of its heritage to the town of Chicago, Illinois.
Let’s take a brief look at the history of these two incredibly popular beers, examining their brewing processes, flavor profiles, and overall appeal. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of what sets these two iconic beers apart and which one might be the best fit for your tastes and preferences.
The Beginnings of Miller Brewing Company
When it comes to beer, few names are as iconic and recognizable as Miller. The Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has been a mainstay of the American beer scene ever since.
To look at the very beginning of the Miller Brewing Company, which would go on to produce Miller High Life and Miller Lite, we have to go all the way back to 1850. At the age of just 26, Frederick Miller emigrated to America bringing very little but a unique brewer’s yeast with him.
As a young man, he had worked at the Royal Brewing Company in Hohenzollern in Germany, and was keen to start his own brewery in the US. Milwaukee was seen as one of the most promising locations, probably due to the large number of beer-drinking Germans who resided there.
In 1954, Frederick bought the small Plank Road Brewery from Charles Lorenz Best and his father, and a year later it was renamed the Miller Brewing Company. Previously, under Best and his father, the brewery had been slow to modernize the operation, but Miller’s innovative techniques and his secret strain of yeast made him successful and even famous in the brewing industry.
Although the Bests had started a “cave system” to provide storage for the lagering of the beer at cooler temperatures for several months after being brewed, the caves were small and in poor condition. Frederick Miller upgraded the caves and ensured they were built of brick, totaling about 600 feet of tunnels and a storage capacity of 12,000 barrels.
The Birth of Miller High Life
As mentioned earlier, Miller High Life is one of the oldest beers in America, with a history dating back to 1903. The beer was originally marketed as a “gentleman’s beer,” and its distinctive label and packaging were designed to appeal to upper-class consumers. Over the years, Miller High Life has become known for its smooth, balanced flavor and its classic American lager characteristics.
Although nobody is quite sure what the first beer ever brewed by Fredrick Miller was called, maybe just Miller Beer, Miller High Life was definitely the company’s first flagship beer, and the beer which put Miller on the map.
Released around New Year’s Eve of 1903, Miller High Life was one of the first bottled beers. Believe it or not, at this time bottled beers were very rare. It was only around the turn of the century when beer became available in bars, prior to that most beer lovers had often bought their beer on-site or carried it home in a wooden or metal pail.
With its crisp and easy-drinking smooth flavor, it was the epitome of the American lager category with a debt to German pilsner-style beers too, with its light hop flavor. Using the same recipe it is brewed with today, Miller High Life uses a proprietary blend of malted barley, hops, water, and that Miller yeast.
As brewers learned about the susceptibility of hop oils to light (that funky flavor a beer can often take on), Miller took the extra step of developing special light-stable Galena hops just for High Life.
The clear bottle of Miller High Life had a tapered neck which would often be wrapped with a gold foil, not unlike a champagne bottle, earning the beer the nickname “the champagne of beers”. Others would argue it was the effervescent nature of the beer which made it the champagne of the beer world.
Whatever the reason, it became known as a Champagne, and Miller High Life became known as a high-end beer for discerning beer drinkers. Some would even say it’s the beer Bud was meant to be. By World War II, Miller High Life was one of the most popular beers in America and epitomized founder Fredrick Miller’s belief that the best things in life should be available to all.
During World War II, Miller High Life further cemented its position when, in response to the grain shortages, the Miller Company ceased production of all other beers but High Life. Beer drinkers reacted by continuing to choose Miller High Life over all other cheaper beers, further giving rise to Miller’s vision to provide a premium beer to all beer drinkers.
The repositioning of the beer in the market due to the emergence of other big-name brands means Miller High Life is now seen as more of an economy beer, but to many, it will always be the champagne of beers. As recently as 2016 Miller High Life was sold in limited edition 750 ml Champagne bottles around the holiday periods.
The Girl on the Moon
We can’t mention the history of Miller High Life without a brief look at one of the most iconic trademarks of the twentieth century.
Sitting astride a crescent moon, the Girl on the Moon has a bottle of Miller High Life in her left hand while she surveys a clear glass of the “champagne” in her right, and it was first trademarked by Miller in 1907. Although nobody is quite certain how the trademark was created, rumor has it that Miller’s advertising manager A.C Paul was lost in the Wisconsin woods when he had a vision of the girl sitting on the moon.
Although the Girl on the Moon was absent from High Life packaging for many years, in 1998 she proudly returned to her spot on the bottles in 1998 where she remains to this day, one of the most recognisable and enduring beer mascots of all time.
How Was Miller Lite Created?
Miller Lite, on the other hand, is a more recent addition to the Miller lineup. The beer was introduced in 1975 as a response to the growing demand for lighter, lower-calorie beers. Miller Lite was one of the first beers to use a brewing process that involved the use of enzymes to break down the complex carbohydrates in the malted barley, resulting in a beer with fewer calories and a lighter body.
Miller Lite owes its heritage to Chicago and the brewery of Peter Hand, which was to become known as the Meister Brau brand. An obscure biochemist called Joseph Owades was to develop a process that removed starch from beer and would reduce the carbs and calories of the beer. After an unsuccessful launch as Gablinger’s Diet Beer in 1967 when the product flopped, Dr. Owades shared the formula with a friend at Chicagos’s Meister Brau brewery.
Despite a successful launch as Meister Brau Lite (Owades regularly joked “Being from Chicago, they can’t spell “light”) and early success, after a series of financial mishaps, Meister Brau declared bankruptcy in 1972. The Meister Brau, Lite, and Buckeye trademarks were sold to Miller Brewing in Milwaukee.
It’s claimed one inspiration for the brand of Miller Lite was when the then-president and CEO of Miller, John Murphy, and George Weissman (chairman of Philip Morris Inc, the then-owners of Miller) went to Germany and were served a “diet” beer while trying to keep their calorie count down. As the two men sipped the beer, they both agree there was room for similar types of beer in the American market.
When they got back to America, Murphy called in his brewmasters telling them to come up with a new light beer which had something that lighter beers were lacking at the time – a taste of beer!
Meister Brau Lite may have been one of the first entrants in the light beer market but it’s only when Miller modified the recipe that Lite beer exploded.
The result was a light beer that used a unique blend of Saaz and Pacific Northwest hops and a significant amount of caramel malt along with the same strain of brewer’s yeast that Fredrick had brought from Germany with him many years ago and was used to brew Miller High Life.
However, Miller Lite uses a different fermentation process that involves the use of enzymes to break down the carbohydrates in the malted barley, resulting in a beer with a lower calorie count and a lighter body.
Miller Lite: The Beer That Made Miller Famous
Although Miller High Life is the oldest beer still being brewed by Miller and one of the oldest beer brands in the US (that title belongs to Yuengling, brewed since 1829), Miller Lite is arguably the beer that really put Miller in the history books. Although it wasn’t the first low-calorie beer, that was Coors in the late 1940s (which initially flopped), it was the first light beer that made the American public sit up and take notice of this subcategory of beer.
Miller may make many other beers such as Miller Genuine Draft (MGD), Miller Higher Life, Miller 64, and Miller’s Sharp, but you can almost guarantee that if somebody says “Pass me a Miller”, nine times out of ten they will mean a Miller Lite.
When the beer returned to Chicago in 1974, Miller began saturating the Chicago daily papers with full-page ads declaring “Lite Beer from Miller, son of Meister Brau and soon to be the beer that made Miller famous!”
Miller Lite vaulted Miller Brewing to become the nation’s second-largest brewer by 1977, in 1972 it had stood in fifth position. Volume surpassed 31 million barrels in 1978 compared to 9 million in 1974.
Miller High Life vs Miller Lite Flavor Profile
One of the key differences between Miller High Life and Miller Lite is their fundamental flavor profiles. Miller High Life is known for its smooth, balanced flavor, with mild hop bitterness and a slightly sweet finish. The beer has a crisp, refreshing taste with a hop-forward flavor that is perfect for hot summer days or pairing with your favorite pub food.
Miller Lite, on the other hand, is a lighter, crisper beer with a milder flavor profile. The beer has a clean, refreshing taste that is perfect for those who prefer a lighter beer without sacrificing flavor. Miller Lite has a slightly bitter aftertaste that balances out the beer’s sweetness and makes it a great choice for pairing with spicy foods or rich, heavy dishes.
While both are frothy beers, they both have a golden color and a large white foamy head which leaves good lacing when poured into a glass. Obviously, the Miller Lite has a less substantial body with a distinct aroma of adjuncts that have been added, like maize or corn syrup
Miller Light has more of a light flavor and some would say an almost spicy flavor hiding beneath it, while Miller High Life has a richer, hoppy flavor.
Miller High Life vs Miller Lite Alcohol Content and Calorie Count
Other key differences between Miller High Life and Miller Lite are their alcohol by volume content and calorie count. Miller High Life has an alcohol content of 4.6% and a calorie count of 141 per 12-ounce serving. Miller Lite, on the other hand, has an alcohol content of 4.2% and a calorie count of 96 per 12-ounce serving.
This difference in alcohol content and calorie count can have a significant impact on how the beers are perceived by drinkers. Miller High Life’s slightly higher alcohol content and calorie count can make it a better choice for those who prefer a beer with a bit more heft and body, while Miller Lite’s lower alcohol content and calorie count make it a more appealing option for those who want to enjoy a beer without consuming too many calories.
Miller High Life vs Miller Lite Marketing and Packaging
In addition to their flavor profiles, alcohol content, and calorie count, Miller High Life and Miller Lite are also distinguished by their packaging and marketing. Miller High Life is often referred to as “The Champagne of Beers” thanks to its distinctive gold and red label and its association with the finer things in life. The beer is often marketed to older, more affluent consumers who appreciate the beer’s classic taste and traditional packaging.
Miller Lite, on the other hand, is marketed as a beer for the younger, more active set. The beer’s blue and white label and its association with sports and outdoor activities make it a popular choice among younger consumers who want to enjoy a beer while still maintaining an active lifestyle.
In terms of packaging, both Miller High Life and Miller Lite are available in cans and bottles, with the option of buying in bulk or individually. Miller High Life is also available in a limited edition glass bottle, which is designed to enhance the beer’s flavor and aroma.
Miller High Life vs Miller Lite: Final Call
So, which one should you choose? The answer depends on your personal preferences and tastes. If you prefer a beer with a bit more body and flavor, Miller High Life might be the better choice for you. The beer’s slightly higher alcohol content and calorie count make it a better option for those who want to enjoy a beer without sacrificing too much in terms of taste and body.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a lighter, crisper beer that won’t weigh you down, Miller Lite might be the better option for you. The beer’s lower alcohol content and calorie count make it a great choice for those who want to enjoy a beer without consuming too many calories.
Ultimately, both Miller High Life and Miller Lite are excellent beers with their own unique characteristics and fan bases. Whether you prefer a classic American lager with a smooth, balanced flavor or a light, refreshing beer that won’t weigh you down, Miller has you covered. So why not give both beers a try and see which one you like best? You might just discover a new favorite beer that you’ll love for years to come