Coors Light and Miller Lite are two of the most important and successful players in the world of light beer. Both have a unique taste profile, ingredient list, and unique history. What are the differences between the two brands, and how are they compared?
The difference between Coors Light and Miller Lite is the overall taste profile and total calories. Both have the same ABV of 4.2%. Coors Light has 102 calories and 5 grams of carbs in a 12-ounce serving, while Miller Lite has 96 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs. They are both in the top three best-selling beers in the country.
Continue reading for a more in-depth comparison of these two beers and a brief history of each.
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Coors Light vs Miller Lite comparison overview
Coors Light and Miller Lite may seem like a tale as old as time, but it wasn’t until recent years the two brands existed. Both were introduced just before the turn of the century, and each was equally successful upon release.
Miller Lite and Coors Light are two of the country’s most popular light beer brands. Both are considered light American lagers and use similar ingredients. Coors Light is a successor to Coors Banquet and Miller Lite is inspired by Meister Brau in Chicago. Molson Coors partially owns each.
The following information is based on one 12-ounce serving.
| Comparison | Coors Light | Miller Lite |
| Calories | 102 | 96 |
| Carbs | 5 grams | 3.2 grams |
| ABV | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Ingredients | Rocky Mountain water, lager yeast, hop extract, corn syrup and two-row Moravian barley | Water, crystal malt, corn syrup, original Miller yeast, Galena and Saaz hops |
| Taste | “Beery” taste, thin, crisp, refreshing, sweet | Distinct bready malt taste, light, crisp and refreshing, highly carbonated |
| Aroma | Light fruit aroma, sour, sweet | Sweet malt, underlying Galena hop spiciness and fruitiness |
| Cost | $8 per 6-pack | $8 per 6-pack |
| Popularity | Second most popular beer in the country, 6.82% market share, 14 million barrels shipped (2019) | Third most popular beer in the country, 6.02% market share, 12.4 million barrels shipped (2019) |
| History | First introduced in 1978 | Officially called “Miller Lite” in 1998 |
What is the difference between Coors Light and Miller Lite?
Coors Light and Miller Lite are two brands that go head-to-head each year for the most popular brand in America. Don’t be fooled, though; each is owned by Molson Coors.
The main differences between Coors Light and Coors Banquet are present in the:
- Coors Light vs Miller Lite Calories
- Coors Light vs Miller Lite Carbs
- Coors Light vs Miller Lite Alcohol Content (ABV)
- Coors Light vs Miller Lite Ingredients
- Coors Light vs Miller Lite 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 and even more popular than Miller Lite in terms of barrels sold just a couple of years ago.
Coors Light was first brewed in 1978 as the light version of Coors Banquet. It was brewed to compete with Miller Lite, the first light beer, and has since become the first choice for many light beer drinkers because of its refreshing qualities. 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 and is available mostly in 12-ounce slim cans and 12-ounce bottles.
Calories, carbs, and other nutrition facts
Coors Light is a light American lager and contains few 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 achieve its light and refreshing characteristics.
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 Rocky Mountain water, an original lager yeast, hop extract from different hops, corn syrup, 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 complex, making it a difficult beer to brew. Brewing mistakes are evident in the beer and are therefore unaffordable. 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 has notes of banana from the yeast strain used.
Cost
Coors Light is an affordable beer that’s available just about anywhere that sells beer, including restaurants and bars.
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, beating out Miller Lite by one spot.
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 ago as an expansion of Coors’ beer portfolio.
Coors Light was first brewed in 1978. Adolph Coors opened the Golden Brewery in Golden, Colorado in 1873. Coors Banquet is the original Coors beer, but Coors Light has since become more popular.
Miller Lite
Miller Lite’s roots are spread in Chicago history and the Meister Brau Brewery, but it’s come a long way to where it is today as one of the most popular brands in the country. This is in part because of its uniqueness and quality.
Miller Lite is different than most light beers. It has 96 calories with 3.2 grams of carbs in a 12-ounce serving. It’s brewed with barley malt, Miller yeast, Galena, and Saaz hops. It has a bready taste and aroma with a bubbly and thin mouthfeel. A 6-pack of cans or bottles costs $8 on average across the country.
Miller Lite has come a long way to where it is today as a household name. It’s owned by Molson Coors, one of the same companies that owns Coors Light.
Calories, carbs, and other nutrition facts
Miller Lite has an exceptionally low-calorie count with few carbs and other enticing nutritional facts.
Miller Lite has 96 calories in one 12-ounce serving with 3.2 grams of carbs. It has zero sugar.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
Part of Miller Lite’s allure is its low ABV, making it highly drinkable and great for any occasion.
Miller Lite has a 4.2% ABV.
Ingredients
Miller Lite is made with specially selected ingredients and the original Miller yeast strain.
Miller Lite is brewed with water, crystal malt, corn syrup, Galena and Saaz hops. The most important ingredient is the Miller yeast strain – the original strain was brought to America from Germany by Miller Lite founder Fredrick Miller in the 1850s and is the strain still used today to make Miller Lite.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Miller Lite is extremely popular, but what does Miller Lite taste like? Its flavors and aromas make a great light beer.
Miller Lite has a slight malt sweetness and subtle hop bitterness from the noble hops used to brew this pilsner. It is light, crisp and highly carbonated. The aroma contains notes of bread and other grains.
Cost
Miller Lite is a cheap light beer that’s available anywhere that sells beer in cans, bottles and on draft.
Miller Lite costs $8 on average for a 6-pack of cans or bottles. Miller Lite is available in a wide range of packaging options in cans, bottles and kegs for personal use.
Popularity and sales
Miller Lite is a frontrunner for the best-selling beer brand every year. Although it hasn’t quite reached number one, its 2021 sales show promising growth and sustained popularity.
Miller Lite is one of the most popular beers in the country and is the third-place beer with the most barrels shipped in 2019. In 2021, Miller Lite sales were up 7.7%, making it one of the best-selling products that year.
History
Like most brands, Miller Lite has made its fair share of changes to its name, logos, and business strategies. Miller Lite’s history technically started in Chicago but eventually grew into the Wisconsin powerhouse that it is today.
Two of the most important characters in Miller Lite’s story originally had nothing to do with the Miller brand, but it’s what Miller Brewing did with these characters’ influence that catapulted the Milwaukee brewery to national success.
Peter Hand created Meister Brau beer in Chicago in 1891. Biochemist Joseph Owades shared his light beer recipe with Meister Brau, which started brewing Meister Brau Lite. Miller Brewing in Milwaukee bought out Meister Brau and its existing brands. Miller Brewing refined the Meister Brau Lite recipe to produce the instantly successful Miller Lite.
Miller Lite was officially called “Lite Beer from Miller” until a rebrand in 1998.