Everyone thinks they know all they need to about Miller High Life, largely because it’s a (delightfully) two-dimensional lager. But the stuff is also squarely American — built almost entirely on marketing, cooly defiant of rich stiffs (but, er, also quietly owned by the fifth-wealthiest brewery conglomerate and 64th and 71st richest families in the U.S. and Canada, respectively), and sustained over the years by our collective penchant for corn-syrupy nostalgia and low-budget Champagne dreams.
Add a lunar lady mascot, a surprisingly high-profile beverage industry fan base, and the world’s most timeless ad campaign (pun intended, because it’s always Miller Time — except at court, or church, or maybe the DMV).
Turns out, there’s plenty more to know about the Champagne of beers. Here’s a dozen to get you started.
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It’s much older than you think.
Miller High Life made its debut on New Year’s Eve in 1903, getting into full marketing swing in 1904. That’s a really long time ago. It’s also the year Dr. Seuss was born, and the year inventor Lizzie Maguire patented “The Landlord’s Game,” later renamed “Monopoly,” and used to teach children the value of using real estate deals to alienate family.
Yes, Miller High Life might seem like it erupted out of someone’s above-ground pool in the 1970s, but it’s as old-timey as it gets. (Fun fact: 1904 is also the year KY Jelly debuted, as a surgical lubricant, ahem.)
It’s also much older than Miller Lite.
The Miller beer world is pretty confusing. No, there is no plain “Miller Beer” (there was once, briefly). There is Miller Lite, but it’s a descendant of Miller High Life. High Life, as discussed, made its saucy debut on New Year’s Eve 1903. Miller Lite launched nationally in 1975, nearly 70 years later. Miller High Life Lite launched in 1994, nearly a century later.
Your instincts are correct. There’s no reason it should be compared to Champagne.
Champagne is a regional French sparkling wine made by putting a select proportion of grapes through specialized double-fermentation. Miller High Life, we believe, comes from a naturally occurring spring in the basement of Kid Rock’s mansion. (Kidding — for more on production, see below.)
OK, the bottle is similar to Champagne. Sort of.
There’s one claim to similarity with Champagne: the bottle. High Life debuted at a time when bottled beer was a rarity, and Miller declared the brand “The Champagne of Bottled Beer” (i.e., the best of what little was out there). That’s either clever marketing or a Hail Mary in the form of outrageous product hubris — and it worked like a charm. So much so, that Miller High Life has maintained the slogan (dropping the “bottled” part in 1969) for more than 100 years, and even leaned in further with a Champagne-sized bottle in 2017.
The mascot looks like a saucy extra from ‘Moulin Rouge.’
Miller High Life’s mascot is the “Girl in the Moon,” which is exactly what it sounds like: a woman in old-timey finery toasting the stars (or life, or whatever it is she’s hallucinating due to the lack of oxygen in outer space and/or her corset). Thankfully, she’s evolved over the years — you can see her change across labels on the neck of the bottle — but we like this version where she looks like she just had a really good shift at the Moulin Rouge, and is ready for a couple brewskies and some quiet time with the man on the moon.
The clear bottle is not a liability.
Beer gets “skunked” when UV rays from the sun, or your personal tanning bed, penetrate the glass and mess with the molecules inside. Brown glass is the best at protecting your beer from the sun (after aluminum cans, that is). Green glass doesn’t do such a great job, either (sorry, internationally famous green-bottled beer from the Netherlands, we still think you’re pretty). However, Miller High Life uses a modified hop extract that prevents this reaction.
You’d need about three times Miller High Life’s ABV to get a bubbly-level buzz.
Granted, alcohol doesn’t really work that way (and don’t try to experiment with the math; it’s a hangover waiting to happen). But the so-called “Champagne of Beers” clocks in at 4.6 percent ABV. Champagne is about 13 percent ABV on average, maybe a tad less. Either way, you’d need something like three times as many servings of Miller High Life as you would flutes of Champagne to achieve a similar buzz, and we’re guessing by then you’d be less inclined to do this.
It has PBR-style street cred.
Yes, “street cred” is like “Fight Club”; you don’t talk about it. But Miller High Life does afford you a bit of street cred. It’s hipster Gatorade in certain circles, owing in part to a popularity spurt in 2017 in the wake of a rebranding that emphasized nostalgia with an old 1970s slogan (see below). In fact, after that campaign, the beer had its best quarter since 2009.
All clocks should be set to “Miller Time.”
OK, so you just learned what Greenwich Mean Time is — but does it even matter? Because back in the 1970s, Miller High Life came up with the infamous “Miller Time” ad campaign complete with a jazzy jingle, “If you’ve got the time, we’ve got the beer.” (The jingle was written by famed, late adman Bill Backer, who also wrote the world’s most famous, cheesiest-but-goddamit-aim-high commercial).
Miller decided to revive the campaign in 2016, and it worked. After seeing this incredible, sunlight-drenched ad full of easygoing 1980s-era bliss, the only time we’re trying to keep — possibly the only way we’ll ever be punctual for again — is Miller Time.
Miller High Life does indeed contain hops. (Good ones, too.)
Miller High Life is what’s known as an “adjunct lager,” a.k.a. a Big American Macro Beer that’s made more for mass drinkability and wide profit margins than aforementioned street cred. But even if its IBU score is 7 (that’s an International Bittering Units score, e.g., 90-Minute Dogfish Head IPA is 90 IBUs), Miller High Life does contain hops. Galena hops, the “most widely used commercial bittering hop in the United States,” are used in this beer for good reason: It’s clean and a hint citrusy, with an edgy bitterness (as opposed to a murkier bitterness from some funkier hops, like going for a walk in the woods with your friend Caleb who writes sad poetry).
It has as many calories as a Starbucks Espresso Frappuccino.
We’re not counting calories when we’re drinking beer, but many are, and when we created this chart, “A Guide to the Calories, Carbs, and ABV in America’s Best-Selling Beers,” many were surprised that something as, er, delicate-tasting as Miller High Life, with its scant 4.6 percent ABV, clocks in at 141 calories. This is exactly one more calorie than a tall Espresso Frappuccino (no whip), about the same as a York Peppermint Patty, and more than 30 calories more than competitors like Bud Light, Coors Light, and its own 96-calorie little sibling, Miller Lite.
Bartenders f*cking love Miller High Life.
It’s a myth that “sophisticated” drinkers defy their innate thirst for High Life. Bartenders — like, very good bartenders — love the stuff, as do many, many craft brewers. And they admit it, freely. And they’re not wrong. There’s something about calming your nerves at the end of a long shift, or Netflix binge, or pandemic-induced quarantine, with a faux-fancy everyman’s beer that makes a joke out of its own un-fanciness and goes down easy as, well, Champagne.
Ed. note: This article has been updated with the following correction: Although clear bottles are a liability to most beers due to lightstrike, Miller High Life parent company Molson Coors claims the brand is “made with stabilized hop compounds that can never be skunked.”
Published: June 5, 2020
FAQs
What is special about Miller High Life? ›
Miller High Life is an American-style Lager. Balanced, approachable and refreshing, it's known for its perfect storm of tiny bubbles. For more than 100 years, Miller High Life has been known as the Champagne of Beers, and it's been served in the same iconic bottle since 1903.
Does Miller High Life get you drunk? ›You'd need about three times Miller High Life's ABV to get a bubbly-level buzz. Granted, alcohol doesn't really work that way (and don't try to experiment with the math; it's a hangover waiting to happen). But the so-called “Champagne of Beers” clocks in at 4.6 percent ABV.
What is the saying for Miller High Life? ›With its high level of carbonation and clear color, similar to that of Champagne, the winning name that was chosen was Miller High Life, with the slogan, “The Champagne of Bottled Beer.” Originally bottled in mini “champagne” bottles to set it apart from other beers, Miller High Life is the longest running product from ...
Is Miller High Life being discontinued? ›Miller High Life Light
Not the same thing as Miller Light, this was the light version of the "Champagne of Beers." In late 2021, the beer was dropped by owner Molson Coors due to a lack of consumer interest.
High Life, which Miller positioned as a high-end beer, debuted on Dec. 30, 1903, and the Champagne of Beers tag was a reference to the fact that the beer was packaged in a bottle – a rare luxury back then.
What makes Miller High Life different? ›As brewers learned about the susceptibility of hop oils to light, Miller took the extra step of developing special light-stable Galena hops just for High Life, ensuring the beer would taste as refreshing as it looks through the clear glass of the bottle.
What is the weakest beer? ›“Intoxication can occur when 500 ml of beer (or 60 ml of whiskey) is consumed within 1 hour or 650 ml of beer (or 90 ml of whiskey) is consumed within 2 hours.” How do you know you're drunk? Intoxication has some unmissable early signs that can confirm you are drunk.
Why is there a girl on the Miller High Life bottle? ›According to company legend, Miller's advertising manager got lost in the woods of Wisconsin when he saw a crystal-clear vision of the girl on the moon. Although many rumors have floated around through the years, but no one knows the name or exact inspiration behind the woman depicted on the Champagne of Beers.
How strong is Miller High Life? ›Miller High Life Beer, American Lager, 32 fl. oz. Can, 4.6% ABV | Beer | Reasor's.
What is the Miller High Life girl holding? ›
Advertising piece for Miller High Life. A celluloid figure of the "moon girl" holding a whip and standing on a crate of beer.
Why does Miller High Life have so much foam? ›The main culprit is a protein called hydrophobin which dwells within the drink. Hydrophobins are created by a fungus that infects malt grains during the brewing process, attracting carbon-dioxide molecules within the beverage to the surface.
Does Miller High Life get skunked? ›Some beers in clear bottles (Miller High Life and MGD, notably) are made with stabilized hop compounds that can never be skunked.
Is Miller High Life better than Bud Light? ›Business Insider conducted a blind taste test of five of the most popular cheap beers: Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller High Life, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Natural Light. Miller High Life was the clear winner, earning high scores from most of our ten taste testers.
What is the king of Beers? ›A bottle of Budweiser beer. The slogan was changed to the “King of Beers” in the mid-twentieth century as aluminum cans became a more popular form of packaging. It's still in use today and is featured predominately on Budweiser labels.
What is Miller High Life made of? ›True to its original recipe, Miller High Life beer is brewed with a proprietary blend of malted barley, Galena hops from the Pacific Northwest and Miller yeast. It's brewed with light-stable hops for a gorgeous golden color and signature effervescence.
What is high life supposed to be about? ›Starring Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche, it focuses on a group of criminals sent on a space mission toward a black hole while taking part in scientific experiments.
How much alcohol is in a bottle of Miller High Life? ›Its crisp, easy-drinking flavor is the epitome of the American lager category with a 4.6% alcohol by volume. As the Champagne of Beers, Miller High Life is the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment - it's crisp, with a slight sweetness balanced by bitterness and its signature effervescence.
What is the cleanest beer to drink? ›The healthiest are stouts and porters, and higher hoppy beers, such as DIPAs and Imperial IPAs, Trappist beers, and spontaneous fermented beers, such as Lambics and Gose. Trappist-style beer is probably the most famous of the Belgian beers.
What is the strongest beer to get drunk? ›- BrewDog Sink The Bismarck.
- Brewmeister Armageddon.
- Brewmeister Snake Venom.
- Evil Twin Brewing Molotov Cocktail Heavy.
- BrewDog and Schorschbräu Strength in Numbers.
- Koelschip Start the Future.
- Struise Black Damnation VI – Messy.
- BrewDog End Of History.
How many beers can a 200 pound man drink and drive? ›
Although impairment has started, that 200 pound male would be well below the legal limit. According to the NHTSA calculator, he can legally consume a third beer and still drive under the . 08 legal limit. Six beers in two hours would put him over that legal limit though.
Is 3 beers a day a lot? ›According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking is considered to be in the moderate or low-risk range for women at no more than three drinks in any one day and no more than seven drinks per week. For men, it is no more than four drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
Is 8 beers a day a lot? ›If you drink 8-12 beers a day for several years, you will likely experience a range of health problems as a result. Of course, long-term excessive drinking and/or alcohol dependence can affect more than just your health. It can also cause problems in your personal and professional life.
What is the number 1 beer in America? ›Corona and Bud Light are the most well-known beer brands in the United States. Both these brands are recognized by 85% of respondents in the U.S. Next on the list is the most valuable beer brand in the world, Budweiser, reaching a brand awareness of 84%.
What is the number 1 ranked beer in America? ›| Sorted by weighted rank (not shown). | Avg | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout Toppling Goliath Brewing Company American Imperial Stout | 12.00% | 4.83 |
| 2 | Vanilla Bean Assassin Toppling Goliath Brewing Company American Imperial Stout | 12.80% | 4.81 |
| 3 | Marshmallow Handjee 3 Floyds Brewing Co. Russian Imperial Stout | 15.00% | 4.73 |
Brand image. At least since the early 21st century, Stella Artois has carried the nickname of the "wife beater" in the United Kingdom, due to a perceived connection between binge drinking involving the brand and domestic violence against women.
Who was the Miller High Life guy? ›Windell Middlebrooks, an actor who was best-known for playing a blunt beer delivery man in Miller High Life commercials, has died, his publicist and family said Tuesday. He was 36.
What is the Miller High Life logo? ›Her whip and tall hat resembled a circus trainer or ringmaster. In 1907, a change was made to the Miller Lady that created an enduring icon for the brand. She was placed on a crescent moon, complete with the whip and a bottle of High Life in her outstretched arm.
Is Miller High Life made with rice? ›Like those and many others, High Life is made with extracts and adjuncts like rice or corn, which help lend it an extremely light body.
How much fat is in Miller High Life beer? ›Miller Coors Miller High Life (12 oz) contains 12g total carbs, 12g net carbs, 0g fat, 1g protein, and 141 calories.
What does Miller High Life taste like? ›
The taste is cereal, corn, and bread. It's refreshing, crisp, and very sessionable. It's flavorful for what it is.
What country is Miller High Life from? ›The Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Frederick Miller – one of many German immigrants to America in the mid-1800s.
What does Miller High Life smell like? ›It smells like unsalted tortilla chips, something that smells faintly of rancid corn oil and a hint of yeast. Strength of taste is somewhat below medium. It tastes like corn, it's sweet and it has a very light herbal hop bitter finish. Thickness is closer to medium-high than medium.
When was Miller High Life discontinued? ›Miller High Life Light: Introduced in 1994, it had 4.1% abv. It was discontinued in 2021 to focus on Miller Lite.
How old is Miller High Life beer? ›In 1903, the company introduced its flagship brand, “Miller High Life,” which they began billing as “The Champagne of Bottled Beer” and advertising with the iconic “Girl on the Moon” in 1907.
Does beer go bad? ›Short answer, no. Beer isn't like milk. With age, it doesn't actually expire or become unsafe to drink. Old beer's taste, however, will absolutely change.
Does tapping a can stop it fizzing? ›The tapping should release any bubbles that are stuck to the inside walls of the can. These should then float to the surface and dissipate, making the beer less likely to foam when it is opened.
Does tapping a can do anything? ›If you don't tap the can, the microscopic bubbles are spread all over its inner walls, including its deepest parts. When they enlarge, they displace lots of liquid and cause the fizz to spill out of the can. Tapping dislodges the tiny bubbles from the walls of the can, and causes them to rise to the top.
Is it OK to drink skunked beer? ›Is it OK to drink Skunked Beer? Yes, it's technically ok to drink skunked beer. Despite the chemical reaction taking place within the “lightstruck beer”, you're not going to end up sick from ingesting it. Well, you won't get sick from drinking a single skunky beer.
How long until beer is skunked? ›Our taste buds are very perceptive to the sulfur compounds so it doesn't take a lot of sunlight to ruin the beer. The reaction also occurs very quickly: 30 seconds of exposure in clear glass bottles is more than enough time to get skunky.
Can skunked beer hurt you? ›
Can you get sick from drinking skunked beer? No. Or no more sick than you might get from drinking any beer, if you have too much. When it comes to health concerns, there's nothing different about skunked beer compared to normal beer that has not been skunked.
What is the healthiest beer Bud Light? ›Ten years in the making, Bud Light NEXT, Anheuser-Busch's first zero carb beer, is a dream come true for health-conscious beer lovers. You get a guilt-free beer – no carbs or sugar, just 80 calories, and 4% alcohol per 12 ounce serving, without sacrificing taste.
What kind of beer is Miller High Life considered? ›Miller High Life is an American-style Lager. Balanced, approachable and refreshing, it's known for its perfect storm of tiny bubbles. For more than 100 years, Miller High Life has been known as the Champagne of Beers, and it's been served in the same iconic bottle since 1903.
Is Miller High Life better than Budweiser? ›In the standard (heavyweight) division, Miller High Life had a crisp, sweeter taste with the carbonation caressing the palette. Bud was a bit more bitter and had a thicker consistency, which wasn't a deal breaker. It was a close call, but High Life carried the day.
Why does Miller High Life foam? ›The main culprit is a protein called hydrophobin which dwells within the drink. Hydrophobins are created by a fungus that infects malt grains during the brewing process, attracting carbon-dioxide molecules within the beverage to the surface.
When did Miller High Life become popular? ›From 1970 to 1978, Miller High Life sales quadrupled, according to AdAge.
What is the healthiest beer bud light? ›Ten years in the making, Bud Light NEXT, Anheuser-Busch's first zero carb beer, is a dream come true for health-conscious beer lovers. You get a guilt-free beer – no carbs or sugar, just 80 calories, and 4% alcohol per 12 ounce serving, without sacrificing taste.
What's the number one beer in America? ›Budweiser. Budweiser beer is an American lager brewed by Anheuser-Busch. With the unofficial title of “The King of Beers,” it is no wonder why Budweiser tops this list of America's most popular beers.
Why do people tap cans before opening? ›Tapping dislodges the tiny bubbles from the walls of the can, and causes them to rise to the top. Then, when the can is opened, all the fizz will be formed near the top and less fluid will be displaced.
What is the king of beers? ›A bottle of Budweiser beer. The slogan was changed to the “King of Beers” in the mid-twentieth century as aluminum cans became a more popular form of packaging. It's still in use today and is featured predominately on Budweiser labels.
Does Miller High Life taste like beer? ›
The taste is cereal, corn, and bread. It's refreshing, crisp, and very sessionable. It's flavorful for what it is.
What beer is Miller discontinuing? ›Miller High Life Light: Introduced in 1994, it had 4.1% abv. It was discontinued in 2021 to focus on Miller Lite. Miller Chill: A chelada-style 4.2% abv pale lager brewed with lime and salt.