If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between Bud Light and Miller Lite you’re in luck! These two beers from two of the biggest commercial breweries have quite a few differences and similarities.
The difference between Bud Light and Miller Lite is evident in their calories, flavors, and price. Miller Lite has fewer calories and is slightly cheaper. Bud Light and Miller Lite have the same ABV, an intertwined history, and similar nutritional details.
Bud Light and Miller Lite have been around for decades due to their popularity. The question is what makes them unique and what unites them. Let’s explore the comparison between the two.
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Miller Lite vs Bud Light comparison overview
Brewed by Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light is a popular light beer that has been around since 1982. Anheuser-Busch also makes several other styles of Bud Light, Budweiser, and several other beers.
Bud Light is low in calories and cheap with a simple recipe. Though it is often dismissed as a bad beer it can be crisp and refreshing. With its lower ABV, it is easily sessionable.
The Miller Brewing Company has brewed Miller Lite since 1975. The Miller Brewing Company also brews Miller High Life, Miller Genuine, and several other styles.
It is also low in calories, with 14 less than Bud Light in 12 ounces. Like Bud Light, many think of Miller Lite as a subpar beer. However, Miller Lite aims to bring a full beer taste along with its low calorie count.
| Comparison | Bud Light | Miller Lite |
| Calories | 110 | 96 |
| Carbs | 6.6 grams | 3.2 grams |
| ABV | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Ingredients | Barley, rice, water, yeast, hops | Water, barley, yeast, corn syrup, hops, and hop extract |
| Taste | Crisp, light maltiness, carbonation | Light maltiness, corn, a hint of hops |
| Aroma | Light maltiness | Malt, corn |
| Cost | $10 | $8.50 |
| Popularity (in popular opinion Q3 2022 US) | 12th | 17th |
| History | First released 1982 as Budweiser Light | First released in 1975, came from Meister Brau Lite |
What is the difference between Bud Light and Miller Lite?
When it comes to these two beers, there are many factors we can use to compare them. Using the criteria below, let’s break down the differences and similarities between Bud Light vs Miller Lite.
- Calories
- Carbs
- Alcohol Content (ABV)
- Ingredients
- Taste, flavors, and aroma
- Cost
- Popularity and sales
- History
The first few aspects – calories, carbs, alcohol content, and ingredients – help to determine the objective differences between the recipe and the final product.
Then we can break down why people like one over the other. By covering the taste, flavors, and aromas of the two beers we can highlight some of the subjective reasons for people’s preferences.
Lastly, we’ll cover the marketing and history of the two beers. That will include the cost, popularity, and sales of Bud Light and Miller Lite.
Bud Light
Calories, carbs, and other nutritional facts
A 12-ounce can of Bud Light contains 110 calories, 6.6 grams of carbs, 0.9 grams of protein, and 0 grams of fat.
For context, 100 calories is a tablespoon of peanut butter or an average apple.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
Each 12-ounce can or bottle of Bud Light has 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Ingredients
Bud Light is brewed with 4 ingredients: water, barley, hops, and rice. Yeast is also used in brewing but is not listed in the ingredients.
The type of hops, strain of yeast, style of malt, or other specifics of the recipe aren’t released to the public but have a large impact on the end result.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Bud Light tastes of mild breadiness and other malty flavors. There is some light sweetness to accompany the malt flavors. It has a quite carbonated but watery mouthfeel. The aroma is similar to the taste. A light breadiness with a hint of hops.
The beer is overall crisp and light. If you drink it in a can you will get a bit of the metallic quality.
Cost
A 6-pack of Bud Light costs roughly 10 dollars. The price will be roughly higher or lower depending on your area. Individual tall cans (25 oz.) cost approximately $2.75.
Bud Light is available in many different quantities. There are 6-packs, 12-packs, 30 racks, and more.
Popularity and sales
According to YouGovAmerica, Bud Light is the 12th most popular beer in the US. In 2020, Anheuser-Busch shipped 26.5 million barrels of Bud Light. This was a 6.5% decrease from the previous year.
History
In 1982 Bud Light was first sold as Budweiser Light. In 1984 it was rebranded Bud Light. Bud Light and Miller Lite have been feuding since 1985 via marketing, other beers by the two breweries, and legal battles.
Miller Lite
Calories, carbs, and other nutrition facts
A 12-ounce can of Miller Lite has 96 calories, 3.2 carbs, 1 gram of protein, and 0 grams of fat.
There are fewer calories in a Miller Lite than in ⅓ of a cup of ice cream.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
Each 12-ounce can of Miller Lite has 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Ingredients
Molson Coors brews Miller Lite with water, barley malt, yeast, corn syrup, hops, and hop extract. The specific malts used are crystal malts while the yeast is from a strain carried by Frederick Miller. Miller Lite is brewed with Galena and Saaz hops.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Miller Lite tastes lightly of bread and corn. It is moderately carbonated and its aroma matches the taste. The mouthfeel is fairly dry and clean. Miller Lite is crisp and refreshing.
Cost
A 6-pack of 12-ounce Miller Lites is roughly 8.50 dollars. There is some variability in the price depending on your area. A 24-ounce can is about $3.30.
Like Bud Light, there are many options for packs of Miller Lite.
Popularity and sales
According to YouGovAmerica, Miller Lite is the 17th most popular beer in the US. Last year, Miller Lite sales increased by 7.6% according to Forbes.
History
Miller Lite was first brewed in 1975. It came from Meister Brau brewery when Miller Brewing bought a few trade names such as the now famous Lite. The beer was an attempt to bring full beer flavors and “diet” beer together.
Before Meister Brau brewery sold its Meister Brau Lite, there was Gablinger’s Diet Beer. This 1967 beer was the result of Joseph Owades, a biochemist. Owades wanted to make a beer with reduced calories.
Though the idea and the recipe came from Owades beer through Meister Brau, Miller Brewing Co. modified the recipe to make the beer we know today.
