Coors Light and Coors Banquet are household names in this day and age. Coors Banquet is more than a century old and still has a footing in the beer industry, but its relatively new, light counterpart is more popular. What’s the difference between them, and how are they compared?
The difference between Coors Light and Coors Banquet is the calories, taste, and alcohol content. Coors Light has a lower ABV with fewer calories and a more muted flavor. Coors Banquet has a somewhat fruity aroma and stronger malt taste compared to the Light version. They use the same ingredients and a similar recipe. Coors Banquet came first and Miller Coors owns each.
For a more in-depth analysis of these two beers and their differences and similarities, continue reading.
Topics We Cover
Coors Light vs Coors Banquet comparison overview
Coors Light and Coors Banquet are two of the most popular beers in the country. The Coors brand is deep-rooted in American beer culture and retains a strong grip on US markets.
These two beers use the same ingredients but achieve extremely different tastes and outcomes. Coors Banquet is the original Coors beer and Coors Light, first brewed in the ‘70s, is the light product in Coors’ beer portfolio.
The following information is based on one 12-ounce serving.
| Comparison | Coors Light | Coors Banquet |
| Calories | 102 | 147 |
| Carbs | 5 grams | 11.7 grams |
| ABV | 4.2% | 5% |
| Ingredients | Rocky Mountain water, lager yeast, hop extract, corn syrup and two-row Moravian barley | Same as Coors Light, more malt used for greater malt flavor and higher ABV |
| Taste | “Beery” taste, thin, crisp, refreshing, sweet | Bready sweetness, notes of fruit, banana peel |
| Aroma | Light fruit aroma, sour, sweet | Intense fruit and malt aroma |
| Cost | $8 per 6-pack | $9 per 6-pack |
| Popularity | Second most popular beer in the country, 6.82% market share, 14 million barrels shipped (2019) | 22nd most popular beer in the country, 0.74% market share, 1.5 million barrels shipped (2019) |
| History | First introduced in 1978 | First brewed in 1873 in Golden, Colorado |
What is the difference between Coors Light and Coors Banquet?
Coors Light and Coors Banquet are two harmonizing brands. They differentiate themselves from each other greatly, allowing each to dominate their respective markets.
What are the important differences between these beers, and how did they become household names?
Here are some differences we’ll cover:
- Coors Light vs Coors Banquet Calories
- Coors Light vs Coors Banquet Carbs
- Coors Light vs Coors Banquet Alcohol Content (ABV)
- Coors Light vs Coors Banquet Ingredients
- Coors Light vs Coors Banquet Taste, flavors, and aroma
- Cost
- Popularity and sales
- History
Coors Light
Coors Light, A.K.A. “The Silver Bullet,” is one of the most popular light beers in the market, earning itself a number two spot for most barrels shipped just a couple of years ago. What is it about Coors Light that makes it so popular?
Coors Light was first brewed in 1978 as the light version of Coors Banquet. It was an immediate success and instantly pit itself against other market beers like Bud Light and Miller Lite. Coors Light is brewed with two-row Moravian barley and Rocky Mountain water.
Coors Light won a packaging award for its 16-ounce aluminum twist-off bottles, a staple characteristic of the Coors brand since Coors Banquet was and still is, packaged in the stubby 12-ounce bottles.
Calories, carbs, and other nutrition facts
Coors Light is a light American lager and contains just a small amount of calories.
Coors Light has 102 calories with 5 grams of carbs and zero fat in one 12-oz serving.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
Coors Light has a low ABV to emphasize its light feel and refreshing taste.
Coors Light has a 4.2% ABV. It has a 10 IBU and is not bitter.
Ingredients
This light beer is brewed with select ingredients and sustainable resources.
Coors Light is brewed with water, a signature lager yeast, a hop extract blend of different hop varieties, corn syrup for crispness, and two-row Moravian barley malt.
Coors Light partners with farmers to reduce water usage by 25% when producing its Moravian malt.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Coors Light is more complex than some may think, and yet its simplicity makes it a difficult beer to brew; any small mistake during brewing is evident in the final product. Its taste has depth, but what does Coors Light taste like?
Coors Light tastes light and crisp. It’s carbonated with a classic American lager beer taste. Most of its flavor comes from the malt and yeast used. If you pay close enough attention, Coors Light tastes like bananas at the beginning of the sip.
Cost
Coors Light is one of the cheapest light beers on the market and it’s available just about anywhere you can buy beer, including liquor stores, bars, and restaurants across the country.
Coors Light costs about $8 on average for one 6-pack of cans or bottles. It’s also commonly available in 12, 15, 18, and 30 packs as well as in 24-ounce single cans.
Popularity and sales
In 2019, Coors Light was the second most popular beer in the country with millions of barrels shipped worldwide.
Coors Light is among the top five most popular beers in the United States every year. It possessed a 6.82% market share with 14 million barrels shipped in 2019.
History
Coors Light was brewed about 100 years after the original Coors Banquet was brewed in Colorado.
Coors Light was brewed for the first time just over a century later in 1978. Adolph Coors opened the Golden Brewery in Golden, Colorado in 1873, when Coors Banquet was first born.
Coors Banquet
Coors Banquet came 100-plus years before Coors Light. It’s the Coors original, but it isn’t as popular as its light successor despite using the same ingredients.
Coors Banquet is a malty beer with sweet fruit aromas and a 5% ABV. It’s brewed with Rocky Mountain water, lager yeast, hop extract, corn syrup and two-row Movarian malt. It was originally brewed in 1873 when Golden Brewery first opened.
Coors Banquet is not as popular as Coors Light, but its seen an uptick in sales as of late thanks to the Netflix original series Kobra Kai.
Calories, carbs, and other nutrition facts
Coors Banquet is the original Coors product and is the “heavy” version of Coors Light. It has more calories than the light version.
Coors Banquet has 147 calories with 11.7 grams of carbs and zero fat in one 12-ounce serving.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
Coors Banquet has a higher ABV than its subsequent Coors Light counterpart.
Coors Banquet has a 5% ABV with 15 IBUs.
Ingredients
Coors Banquet is made with the same ingredients as Coors Light.
Coors Banquet is brewed with water, lager yeast, a blended hop extract with different hop varieties, corn syrup for additional sweetness, and two-row Moravian barley malt.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Coors Banquet has a distinct aroma with a special, historical flavor. There’s a lot to say about this beer and how it tastes because of its deep roots in brewing history.
Coors Banquet has a malt sweetness with subtle bitterness. It has a fruit aroma reminiscent of berries. It’s best enjoyed near-freezing cold in the pony bottle it comes in or a pint glass.
If you like the sound of a crisp Coors Banquet, consider trying other beers that taste like it, including Budweiser of Miller High Life.
Cost
Coors Banquet is packaged in bottles and cans. It’s always been a quality, affordable beer.
Coors Banquet costs about $9 on average for a 6-pack of cans or bottles.
Popularity and sales
Coors Banquet has always had a grip on the American beer-drinker population. Although not as popular as Coors Light, it’s an iconic brew that many loyal beer drinkers still love. It has even gotten a little bit more famous over the past few years since it is featured heavily in the TV series Yellowstone.
Coors Banquet is one of the most recognizable beers nationwide, especially in its stubby 12 oz. bottle. It’s brewed exclusively in Colorado but available across the country and is still popular after over 100 years. Coors Banquet sales increased after the release of “Kobra Cai” where the iconic bottles had plenty of screen time.
History
Coors Banquet is the product of a German stowaway named Adolph Coors. The brewing apprentice made his way to the United States in 1868 with not a penny to his name and opened what would become one of the most influential and famous breweries ever.
Coors Banquet was first brewed in 1873 at Golden Brewery in Golden, Colorado. Adolph Coors started brewing Coors Banquet with fresh water from the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The beer is now sold in 25 countries.