In the competitive beer industry, light beer is big business. According to the Convenience Store Decisions website, light beer is the fastest growing segment of beer and the trend is set to continue during 2009.
The article, Light Beers Poised for a Big Year, is an interesting read, although may be depressing news for fans of the micro-brewing industry.
Most of the major commercial breweries have their own light beer brand, with the leaders being Bud Light, Miller Light and Coors Light. One of the interesting revelations from the news report is around brand loyalty – a light beer drinker is less likely to vary their drink from one week to the next, compared to a craft beer drinker, who will want to sample many flavors and varieties.
The massive popularity of light beers cannot be understated. Since 2001, Bud Light has been America’s best selling beer, commanding 16% of the total market.
What’s your opinion of light beer? Do you drink it? Is there really any difference from one light beer to another? Leave a comment and let us know!
No, I don’t drink light beer. The last one I had was a Coors Light (I think, the keg wasn’t marked) and it was like drinking water with a beer aftertaste.
Light beer is crap. even Sam Addams light sucks… though much less than others I have tried.
Drink a good old DT from belgium, or a seasonal brew from where ever you are.
The more time I spend with craft beers and microbrews, the less tolerant I am of commercial light beers. They’re nearly void of all taste, complexity and nuance.
Let’s face it, when Miller Lite touts its “drinkability” what they’re really saying is “chugability.”
Drink better, drink less.
I think its bud light that has that drinkability stuff in it, but really, what’s the difference between any of them anyway?
I think they all suck, including, as Someone in Pittsburgh mentioned, the Sam Adams light. What’s the point of light beer anyhow?
I remember when I was on a corporate holiday retreat, the only beer left after four drunken days was a case of Bud Light. No one would touch it.
Any light beer is pretty much a drink of last resort for me. That being said, Robert Simpson’s Anti-Gravity Ale is the best of a bad bunch.
I think among women light beer is definitely preferred. I have to admit though, when I go to a bar it is never a light beer that I crave. I like the dark ambers, frothy, full and rich in flavor!
I drink light beer and I think it has more to do with price points than with anything else. When I go out to eat I of course try to order something that would complement the food I am eating, which would usually be a high quality beer.
I do not like light beer either. As far as Harry’s comment about women perferring light beer, that’s actually the original market that light beer was created for. During World War II much of the workforce consisted of women, so companies wanted to give them a lighter product to drink. Caloric intake was also a major concern…and still is for light beer drinkers (especially women. I’m glad my wife finds light beer deplorable.
Now let’s be honest. There is a difference in one light beer to the next. Some are better than others but none of them are very good. Even if Sam Adams Light does suck, it is far better than Keystone or Natural light. I don’t know how many college kids have come to a kegger and found Keystone light and longed for it to be Bud Light. I’m not saying either are good (their not), but I am saying there is a difference.
Maybe we’ve just discovered the point of light beer. For many many many people it must be about getting drunk without getting fat, it can’t be about liking the taste. Maybe it’s about the least offense taste and these light beer drinkers really don’t like beer at all. Who knows, but those same people probably won’t pick spam over steak. It’s our job to help them think about quality…and it’s high time they did.
Light beer does not bother me, in fact i probably drink Sam Adams light more than any other beer. however that doesn’t mean i don’t drink other beer. one of my favorites right now is Blue Moon. i cant get enough of that stuff. i almost wish they would make a light beer.