Miller Lite Parties Like It’s 1975

The light beer will turn back the clock to its original cans with limited-edition packaging in 2014.

August 30, 2013

MILWAUKEE – Remember the original Miller Lite can from way back in 1975? If not, don’t worry, as Miller Lite is taking a page from its history and reintroducing the first incarnation of the light beer from 1975, Advertising Age reports.

As the country’s first light beer to find widespread appeal, Miller Lite will run the limited-edition cans from January 1 to March 15, 2014. “This is the first of a series of initiatives that will help us reinforce why Miller Lite is the perfect and only beer for Miller Time,” the company said in a distributors memo.

Ninety-eight percent of the brand’s cans will boast the 1975 look. The 12-ounce, 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes will be included in the program. Miller Brewing Co. registered the “Lite” trademark in 1972. Miller Lite’s first ad campaign brought drinkers to the brand with its “Tastes great, less filling” slogan.

The change comes as the popular light beer brands are struggling in a marketplace increasingly being siphoned off by craft beer brands. However, light beers are still tops in the beer category. The largest light beer brand is Bud Light, with an 18.6% market share as of Dec. 31, 2012. Coors Light comes in second with 8.7%, and Miller Lite holds the fourth spot with a 6.9% share, according to Beer Marketer's Insights. Miller Lite has been loosing steam for a while and the company is banking on a retro look to bring back its glory days.

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