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One of America’s Biggest Brewers Brings Back a Cult Cheap Beer

Down but never quite out, the lighter version of the “Champagne of Beers” returns to store shelves.

three beer bottlesPhoto by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol
Jack Seemer

By Jack Seemer

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If Miller High Life is the “Champagne of Beers,” then High Life Light was the pét-nat of lagers. Keyword: was.

The low-calorie version of Miller’s flagship beer came out in the 1990s but fell by the wayside in 2021 as the brewery shifted its focus toward Miller Lite.

Well, it turns out that High Life Light was down but never out, as the brewery just announced a comeback for the cult cheap beer, which returns to select markets this fall.

How low will they go?

At 107 calories for 12 ounces, Miller High Life Light is indeed lighter than your standard bottle of High Life; the OG clocks in at 141 calories for the same amount.

The alcohol content also sits lower — 4.1 vs 4.6 percent — bringing Miller High Life Light closer to Miller Lite, which has an ABV of 4.2 percent.

In some respects, the move to rerelease Miller High Life Light muddies the waters a bit. When it was discontinued in 2021, Molson Coors CEO Gavin Hattersley said the conglomerate wanted to streamline its portfolio, despite “cult followings” for not just that beer but other brands, too, as Food & Wine put it at the time.

Of course, Miller Lite is one of the most popular light beers in America, while Miller64 was rebranded to Miller64 Extra Light just this year. Those are two beers that drinkers will be tempted to grab instead of Miller High Life Light, assuming they aren’t tempted by High Life’s iconic bottle.

beer glass and can
Molson Coors is doubling down on its light-beer offerings. The brewery rebranded Miller64 to Miller64 Extra Light earlier this year, tapping into a growing demand for moderate beers.
Miller64

Then again, breweries across the country are trying to capitalize on drinkers’ newfound penchants for moderate drinking. Every week, a new low-alcohol or NA offering seems to make its way to store shelves, with demand for them only going upward.

By saturating the market with various brands, Molson Coors might not care which light beer Americans choose to drink, as long as it comes from its direction.

Availability

For now, Miller High Life Light looks to be exclusive to the Midwest, according to an Instagram post initially teasing its rerelease. It’s available in both cans and old-school 12-ounce bottles.

If it is rolled out to the rest of the country, let’s hope the brewery decides to put it in ponies. Who can say no to those?

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