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{{Short description|American beer brewery}}
{{brewbox_begin|name=Miller Brewing Company}}
{{Use American English|date = September 2019}}
{{brewbox_image|image=[[Image:MillerBrewingCompanyLogo.png|128px|Miller Brewing Company Logo]]|caption=}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{brewbox_location|location=[[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]<br />[[United States]]}}
{{Infobox company
{{brewbox_owner|owner=[[SABMiller]]}}
| name = Miller Brewing Company
{{brewbox_opened|year=[[1855]]}}
| logo = Miller Brewery Logo.svg
{{brewbox_beers}}
| logo_size = 140px
{{brewbox_beer|name=Miller Genuine Draft|style=[[Pale lager]]}}
| logo_alt =
{{brewbox_beer|name=Miller High Life|style=[[Pale lager]]}}
| logo_caption =
{{brewbox_beer|name=Miller Light|style=[[Light beer]]}}
| image = Miller_Brewery.png
{{brewbox_beer|name=Milwaukee's Best|style=[[Pale lager]]}}
| image_size = 220px
{{brewbox_end}}
| image_caption =
'''Miller Brewing''' is a large [[United States|American]] beermaker based in [[Milwaukee]]. It was founded in [[1855]] by [[Frederic Miller]] when he purchased the small Plank-Road Brewery. The [[brewery]]'s location in the [[Miller Valley]] provided easy access to raw materials produced on nearby farms. It also has a brewery in [[Butler County, Ohio]]'s [[St. Clair Township, Butler County, Ohio|St. Clair Township]].
| trade_name =
| former_name =
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| traded_as =
| ISIN =
| industry = Beverages
| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
| successor = <!-- or: | successors = -->
| founded = 1855
| founder = [[Frederick Miller]]
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| fate =
| hq_location = 3939 West Highland Blvd<br>[[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], U.S.
| key_people =
| products = Beer
| brands =
| services =
| owner = [[Molson Coors]]
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| divisions =
| subsid =
| website = {{url|www.molsoncoors.com}}
| footnotes =
}}
The '''Miller Brewing Company''' is an American [[brewery]] and beer company in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]. It was founded in 1855 by [[Frederick Miller]]. [[Molson Coors]] acquired the full global brand portfolio of Miller Brewing Company in 2016,<ref name="Brown">{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Lisa |date=October 11, 2016 |title=A-B InBev finalizes $100B billion acquisition of SABMiller, creating world's largest beer company |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-megabrew-ab-inbev-sabmiller-merger-20161010-story.html |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago |access-date=January 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name="acq">{{cite web |url=http://www.molsoncoors.com/en/news/molson-coors-completes-acquisition-of-millercoors-and-global-miller-brand-portfolio |title=Molson Coors Completes Acquisition of Full Ownership of MillerCoors and Global Miller Brand Portfolio |date=October 11, 2016 |publisher=Molson Coors |access-date=January 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043334/http://www.molsoncoors.com/en/news/molson-coors-completes-acquisition-of-millercoors-and-global-miller-brand-portfolio |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and operates the Miller Brewery at the site of the original Miller Brewing Company complex.


==History==
It was acquired by [[South African Breweries]] from [[Philip Morris]] on [[May 30]], 2002, to form [[SABMiller]] for $3.6 billion worth of stock and $2 billion in debt, with Philip Morris retaining a 36% share, with voting rights of 24.99%.
[[File:Miller Valley, location of the Miller Brewing Company, in Milwaukee, WI.JPG|thumb|left|Miller Valley in Milwaukee, site of the Miller Brewing Company complex]]


Miller Brewing Company was founded in Milwaukee in 1855 by [[Frederick Miller]] after his emigration from [[Hohenzollern, Germany]], in 1854 with a unique [[brewer's yeast]]. Initially, he purchased the small Plank Road Brewery for $2,300 ($66,736 in 2018).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.molsoncoors.com/en/our-story/our-history |title = Our History |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date = 2017 |publisher = Molson Coors |access-date = January 31, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161221073727/http://www.molsoncoors.com/en/our-story/our-history |archive-date = December 21, 2016 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The brewery's location in what is now the Miller Valley provided easy access to raw materials produced on nearby farms. In 1855, Miller changed its name to Miller Brewing Company, Inc.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=887731 |title = Company Overview of Miller Brewing Company, Inc. |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date = January 31, 2017 |website = Bloomberg Research |access-date = January 31, 2017 }}</ref> The enterprise remained in the family until 1966.
Miller Brewing owns [[brewery|breweries]] in [[Albany, Georgia]]; [[Eden, North Carolina]]; [[Fort Worth, Texas]]; [[Irwindale, California]]; [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]] and [[Trenton, Ohio]].


The company was one of six breweries affected by the [[1953 Milwaukee brewery strike]]. In 1961, Miller purchased the smallest of the “Big Five” Milwaukee brewers, [[A. Gettelman Brewing Company]].<ref name="A. Gettelman Brewing Company">{{Cite web|url=https://emke.uwm.edu/entry/a-gettelman-brewing-company/|title=A. Gettelman Brewing Company {{!}} Encyclopedia of Milwaukee|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-11}}.</ref>
==Current brands==
===Miller family===
====Miller Lite====
''See the article at [[Miller Lite]]''
====Miller Genuine Draft====
Miller Genuine Draft was introduced in [[1986]] as the original [[cold filtered]] packaged [[draft beer]], it is not heat [[pasteurized]]. Miller uses an exclusive cold-filtered process that prevents some of the beer's flavor from being heated away. MGD recently received the gold medal in the American-style Premium [[Lager]] category at the [[1999]] [[World Beer Cup]]. It also received the silver medal at the [[2003]] [[American Beer Festival]].


In 1966, the [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] [[W. R. Grace and Company]] bought Miller from Lorraine John Mulberger (Frederick Miller's granddaughter, who objected to alcohol) and her family. In 1969, Philip Morris (now [[Altria Group|Altria]]) bought Miller from W. R. Grace for $130&nbsp;million, outbidding [[PepsiCo]].
====Miller Genuine Draft Light====
====Miller High Life====
Miller High Life is an inexpensive beer that can be considered the forerunner of the modern [[American lager]] beers. High Life is grouped under the [[pilsner]] category of beers, although it has slightly less alcohol than European pilsners. The prevailing slogan for Miller High Life is "The [[Champagne (beverage)|Champagne]] of Beers", which its easy-drinking, light and fizzy composition seem to suggest. This beer was put on the market in 1903. High Life bottles are quite distinctive, as they have a bright gold label and are made of a clear glass that has an oddly tapered neck. High Life beat out 17 other contestants to take home the gold medal in "American-style Lagers" at the 2002 World Beer Cup.


In 1999, Miller acquired the [[Hamm's]] brand from [[Pabst Brewing Company|Pabst]].
====Sharp's====
Miller's non-alcohol beer
====Miller High Life Light====


In 2002, [[South African Breweries]] bought Miller from Philip Morris for $3.6&nbsp;billion worth of stock and $2&nbsp;billion in debt to form [[SABMiller]], with Philip Morris retaining a 36% ownership share and 24.99% voting rights.
===Hamm's family===
*[[Hamm's Beer|Hamm's]]
*Hamm's Golden Draft
*Hamm's Special Light
===Icehouse===
Icehouse is an ice lager and was the winner of the 2003 Gold Medal for American-Style Specialty Lager at the Great American Beer Festival, and also won the American-Style Ice Lager Gold Cup of the 1996 and 1998 World Beer Cup competitions.
*Icehouse 5.0
*Icehouse 5.5


In 2006, SABMiller purchased the [[Sparks (drink)|Sparks]] and [[Steel Reserve]] brands from [[McKenzie River Corporation]] for $215&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.chron.com/default/article/Miller-dives-into-caffeinated-drinks-with-215-1879237.php |title = Miller dives into caffeinated drinks with $215&nbsp;million deal |work = [[Houston Chronicle]] |date = July 4, 2006 |last = Fredrix |first = Emily |agency = [[Associated Press]] |access-date = February 3, 2016 }}</ref> Miller had been producing both brands prior to the purchase.<ref name=acquires>{{cite news |title = SABMiller Acquires 2 Brands |url = http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jul/04/business/fi-sparks4 |agency = [[Bloomberg News]] |date = July 4, 2006 |work = [[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date = February 4, 2016 }}</ref>
===Leinenkugel's Family===
The [[Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company]], though owned by Miller, has a separate corporate structure, and brews its beers at their own breweries in [[Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin]] and Milwaukee.
*Leinenkugel's Original
*Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss
*Leinenkugel's Amber Light
*Leinenkugel's Red Lager
*Leinenkugel's Creamy Dark
*Leinenkugel's Northwood's Lager
*Leinenkugel's Light
*Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss
*Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest
*Leinenkugel's Big Butt Doppelbock
===[[Schlitz]] Special Beer===


On July 1, 2008, SABMiller formed [[MillerCoors]], a joint venture with rival [[Molson Coors]], to consolidate the production and distribution of its products in the United States, with each parent company's corporate operations and international operations to remain separate and independent of the joint venture. SABMiller owned 58% of the unit, which operated in the United States but not in Canada, where Molson Coors is strongest, but the companies had equal voting power.<ref name=venture>{{cite news |title = Coors, Miller in U.S. Venture |url = https://www.thestreet.com/story/10383471/1/coors-miller-in-us-venture.html |work = [[TheStreet.com]] |date = October 9, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=44366e58-52e1-49e9-a072-8e874c80a5f7&k=43818 |title = Molson Coors and SABMiller merge U.S. operations |access-date = February 4, 2016 |work = [[Financial Post]] |date = October 9, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100721233858/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=44366e58-52e1-49e9-a072-8e874c80a5f7&k=43818 |archive-date = July 21, 2010 }}</ref>
===Malt liquors===
*Magnum Malt Liquor
*Mickey's Malt Liquor
*[[Olde English 800]]
*Olde English 800 7.5
*Olde English High Gravity 800


===Sole ownership by Molson Coors===
===Milwaukee's Best family===
In September 2015, [[Anheuser-Busch InBev]] announced it had reached a full agreement to acquire SABMiller for $107&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/taranurin/2016/10/10/its-final-ab-inbev-closes-on-deal-to-buy-sabmiller/#2e5f846437d6 |title = It's Final: AB InBev Closes On Deal To Buy SABMiller |last = Nurin |first = Tara |date = October 10, 2016 |website = Forbes |access-date = January 28, 2017 }}</ref> As part of the agreement with the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Justice Department]], SABMiller divested itself of the Miller brands in the U.S. by selling its stake in MillerCoors to Molson Coors.<ref name="Brown"/><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.denverpost.com/2015/11/11/molson-coors-buying-rest-of-millercoors-for-12-billion/ |title = Molson Coors buying rest of MillerCoors for $12&nbsp;billion |date = November 11, 2015 |work = Denver Post |access-date = October 31, 2016 }}</ref> Consequently, on October 11, 2016, SABMiller in the U.S. sold its interests in MillerCoors to Molson Coors for around US $12&nbsp;billion. Molson Coors gained full ownership of the Miller brand portfolio outside the US, and retained the rights within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico).<ref name="acq"/><ref>{{cite news |first = Greg |last = Trotter |date = October 11, 2016 |url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-millercoors-molson-coors-1012-biz-20161011-story.html |title = With new owner, MillerCoors focuses on growth |work= Chicago Tribune |access-date = February 25, 2017 }}</ref>
====Milwaukee's Best====
====Milwaukee's Best Ice====
At 5.9% alcohol by volume, it is a "cheap-beer" alternative to malt liquors and other more expensive [[ice beer]]s. It's relatively smooth and chills to a very cold temperature without freezing. Beast Ice as it is affectionately known as by its proponents has become a mainstay, particularly in the American Northwest, of [[binge drinking]] college students. Known to come as cheap as $10 for a 30 pack, this ice beer (Classic Taste at its Best) is suitable for any form of drinking game or merely casual sipping. Not to be enjoyed in singles, Best Ice is most often consumed in large quantities from either a keg or can. Also seen in 40s, Best Ice is generally not served in restaurants.


==Brands==
====Milwaukee's Best Light====
{{Main|Molson Coors brands}}
Popularly known as "Beast Light" this offering, from SABMILLER plc, is a favorite of sportsman -particularly hunters and fisherman- and tailgaters due to the light, refreshing nature of the beverage as well as the economical pricing. In addition to the 12oz can configurations (12,18, and 24 packs), it is also frequently purchased in the utilitarian '6-pack tall-boy' format. It can frequently also be found in single-serving, ice-cold 16oz cans in your favorite convenience store or service station. Very popular in the summertime in Texas and throughout the South; where a fresh tasting beer has always been prized amongst outdoorsmen and sports fans alike.
[[File:Miller Genuine Draft (bottle 330ml) Bottle.jpg|thumb|Miller Genuine Draft 330mL bottle]]


Brands with the Miller name, or historically sold by Miller Brewing company, include:
===Rainier Beer===
Brewed by Miller, although the brand belongs to the [[Pabst Brewing Company]]


*''{{visible anchor|Miller High Life}}'': An American style lager introduced in 1903, High Life is Miller Brewing's oldest brand and is 4.6% abv.<ref name=abv/> It is noted for its high level of carbonation, like [[champagne]], leading to its longtime slogan "The Champagne of Beers". It was one of the premier high-end beers in the US for many years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vinepair.com/articles/why-miller-high-life-champagne-beers/|title=The Surprisingly Legit Reasons Miller High Life Is Called the Champagne of Beers|website=Vinepair|first=Emily|last=Saladino|date=November 27, 2017|access-date=April 19, 2023}}</ref> High Life bottles feature a bright gold label and are made of a clear glass that has a tapered neck like a champagne bottle. The label includes the "Girl in the Moon" logo, which features a woman in a circus costume seated on a crescent moon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.molsoncoorsblog.com/features/heres-what-we-know-about-miller-high-life-lady|title=Here's what we know about the Miller High Life lady|first=Dave|last=Herrewig|date= November 6, 2013|access-date=June 25, 2022}}</ref> The brand helped popularize {{convert|7|U.S.floz|ml|0|abbr=on}} [[pony bottle (beer)|pony bottles]], introduced in 1972.<ref name=connor>{{cite conference| title=Advertising and the Food System| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jftEAAAAYAAJ&q=pony| editor1-first=John M.| editor1-last=Connor| editor2-first=Ronald W.| editor2-last=Ward| page=309| date=6–7 November 1980| publisher=College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, [[University of Wisconsin-Madison]]}}</ref><ref name=csa>{{cite journal| title=CSA Super Markets| volume=50| year=1974| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUpPAAAAYAAJ&q=%22miller+high+life%22+%227+oz%22| page=68| publisher=Lebhar-Friedman}}</ref>
===Red Dog===
*''[[Miller Lite]]'': A pilsner-type [[light beer]]. Introduced in 1972, it was the first light beer to see wide popularity. It is 4.2% abv (4% in Canada).
*''Miller Genuine Draft'': Nicknamed MGD, it was introduced in 1985 as "Miller High Life Genuine Draft". Developed to replicate the flavor of High Life from a non-[[pasteurized]] keg in a can or bottle, MGD is made from the same recipe as ''High Life'' but the beer is [[cold filtered]] instead of pasteurized. As of 2007 Genuine Draft had a 1.5% share of the United States market; by 2012 it had declined to 0.7% market share, representing a decline of 1.7 million barrels.<ref name=decline>{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/12/09/beers-we-no-longer-drink/3915505/|title=Nine beers many Americans no longer drink |last1=Frohlich |first1=Thomas C.| last2=Sauter |first2=Michael B.|work=[[USA Today]] |date=10 December 2013 |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> It has 4.7% abv.<ref name=abv>{{cite web |url=http://www.millercoors.com/our-beers/nutrition-facts-codes.aspx |title=Beer Nutrition Facts and Codes |access-date=2012-10-30 |work=MillerCoors}}</ref>
*''Miller 64'': (Formerly ''Miller Genuine Draft 64'')<ref name=edwards>{{cite journal| url=http://www.businessinsider.com/before-and-after-miller-genuine-draft-64-has-a-new-logoand-a-new-name-2012-3| journal=[[Business Insider]]| title=Before and After: Miller Genuine Draft 64 Has A New Logo – And A New Name| date=27 March 2012| last=Edwards| first=Jim}}</ref> An "ultra light" beer with 2.8% abv, it contains {{convert|64|Cal/12USoz(mL)serve}}. Miller launched this beer in the summer of 2007 in Madison, Wisconsin. It was received favorably and testing expanded to Arizona, San Diego and Sacramento.<ref name=mgd64>{{cite press release| url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mgd-64--as-light-as-it-gets-57384077.html| title=MGD 64...As Light As It Gets| date=29 February 2008| publisher=Miller Brewing Company}}</ref>
*''Frederick Miller Classic Chocolate Lager'': A seasonal lager available from October to December in Wisconsin, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Indianapolis and northwest Indiana. It is brewed with six different [[malt]]s, including chocolate and dark chocolate malts.<ref name=pilot>{{cite news| title= At pilot brewery, MillerCoors learns what new beers will fly| url=http://www.jsonline.com/business/at-pilot-brewery-millercoors-learns-what-new-beers-will-fly-b99384429z1-282447501.html| last=Daykin| first=Tom| date=12 November 2014| work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel| access-date=2016-02-04}}</ref>
*''Miller Sharp's'': A [[non-alcoholic beer]] introduced in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://beveragedist.com/sharps-beer/|title=Sharp's non-alcoholic beer|access-date=June 14, 2022}}</ref>


===Southpaw Light===
===Economy brands===
*''[[Milwaukee's Best]]'': Miller's economy label. It is 4.8% abv.<ref name=abv/>
*''Milwaukee's Best Light'': Light version of Milwaukee's Best. It is 4.1% abv.<ref name=abv/>
*''Milwaukee's Best Ice'': Miller's economy [[ice beer]]. It is 5.9% abv.<ref name=abv/>


===Henry Weinhard family===
===Malt liquor===
*''Mickey's'': Mickey's is a [[malt liquor]] that is 5.6% abv.<ref name=abv/>
*Weinhard's Amber Light
*''Olde English 800'': Malt liquor also known as "OE". It is 5.9% abv in the eastern United States, 7.5% abv in most western U.S. states and 8.0% abv in Canada.
*Weinhard's Blue Boar Pale Ale
*Weinhard's Hefeweizen
*Weinhard's Northwest Trail Blonde Lager
*Weinhard's Pale Ale
*Henry Weinhard's Private Reserve
==Former brands==
*'''Miller Beer''' A short-lived beer with a confusing name that was introduced in January [[1996]].
*'''Miller Clear Beer''' Test marketed in [[1993]]. The beer's naturally amber color was eliminated through intensive filtration. Looked like [[7-Up]] but had 4.6% alcohol by volume.


===Discontinued===
*''Miller High Life Light'': Introduced in 1994, it had 4.1% abv. It was discontinued in 2021 to focus on Miller Lite.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/molson-coors-is-discontinuing-these-11-beers|title=Molson Coors is discontinuing these 11 beers|access-date=April 25, 2022}}</ref>
*''Miller Chill'': A [[Michelada|chelada]]-style 4.2% abv<ref name=abv/> pale lager brewed with lime and salt. Introduced successfully in 2007, sales dropped in 2008 after the launch of the rival ''Bud Light Lime''.<ref name=daykin>{{cite news| url=http://www.jsonline.com/business/39780177.html| title=Miller Chill makeover squeezes in more lime flavor| work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date=18 February 2009| access-date=2016-02-04| last=Daykin| first=Tom}}</ref> In response, MillerCoors revamped their recipe from a 'chelada' style brew to a light beer with lime, created new packaging which included switching from a green to a clear bottle, and launched a new advertising campaign centered around the slogan "How a Light Beer with a Taste of Lime Should Taste". It was discontinued in 2013.


==Sponsorships==
==Corporate diversity==
Miller has been a large motorsport sponsor since the 1980s. In the [[CART World Series]], the company has sponsored drivers such as [[Al Unser]] (1984), [[Danny Sullivan]] (1985–1989, 1991), [[Roberto Guerrero]] (1990), [[Bobby Rahal]] (1992–1998) and [[Kenny Bräck]] (2003). It also sponsored the [[Miller 200 (CART)|Miller 200]] race at Mid-Ohio.


In 1997, Miller Brewing Company, under its Miller Lite brand, sponsored a car in the [[Indy Racing League]], specifically for the [[Indianapolis 500]]. The car was driven by [[Arie Luyendyk]]. This sponsorship was significant as Luyendyk won the 1997 Indianapolis 500.
Miller Brewing received a 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index released by the [[Human Rights Campaign]] starting in [[2004]], the third year of the report.


In the [[NASCAR Cup Series]], Miller has sponsored [[Bobby Allison]] from 1983 to 1988, [[Dick Trickle]] in 1989, [[Rusty Wallace]] from 1990 to 2005, [[Kurt Busch]] from 2006 to 2010, and [[Brad Keselowski]] from 2011 to 2020. Allison won the [[1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Series]], and Keselowski won the [[2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series]]. The company has sponsored the [[Miller High Life 500 (disambiguation)|Miller High Life 500]], [[Miller 500 (disambiguation)|Miller 500]], [[Miller High Life 400 (disambiguation)|Miller High Life 400]], [[Miller 400 (disambiguation)|Miller 400]], [[Miller 300]], [[Miller 200 (disambiguation)|Miller 200]], and [[Miller 150]] races.
==External link==
* [http://www.millerbrewing.com/ Official web site]
* [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_1998_Oct/ai_53230063 Article about unpopular changes to Miller's product line] (October, 1998)
* [http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-000728.html Article on Miller Clear Beer]


In the [[National Hot Rod Association|NHRA]], Miller sponsored [[Larry Dixon (drag racer)|Larry Dixon]] for 11 years until 2007.<ref name=week>{{cite news |title = Miller Time ends for Prudhomme's Top Fuel dragster team |url = http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/miller-time-ends-prudhommes-top-fuel-dragster-team |work = [[Autoweek]] |date = June 11, 2006 |access-date = February 4, 2016 }}</ref>
[[Category:American breweries]]

[[Category:Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]
From its opening in 2001 until the end of 2020, Miller owned the naming rights to [[American Family Field|Miller Park]], home of the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] when the naming rights were bought by [[American Family Insurance]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gores|first1=Paul|last2=Nelson|first2=James|last3=Barrett|first3=Rick|title=American Family Insurance to replace Miller Brewing Co. as naming rights sponsor for Brewers stadium|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2019/01/22/american-family-insurance-will-replace-miller-as-brewers-stadium-name-sponor/2644445002/|date=23 January 2019|access-date=30 November 2021|website=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[Category:Companies based in Wisconsin]]

[[Category:Corporations with naming rights of stadiums]]
==See also==
[[Category:Corporations sponsoring NASCAR drivers]]
* [[Beer in Milwaukee]]
* [[Windell Middlebrooks]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.millercoors.com/ Official website]

{{Molson Coors Brewing Company}}
{{SABMiller}}
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Milwaukee]]
[[Category:Beer brewing companies based in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1855]]
[[Category:1855 establishments in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:SABMiller]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1855]]
[[Category:Molson Coors Beverage Company]]
[[Category:Companies based in Milwaukee]]
[[Category:Former Altria subsidiaries]]

Latest revision as of 01:44, 12 May 2024

Miller Brewing Company
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryBeverages
Founded1855
FounderFrederick Miller
Headquarters3939 West Highland Blvd
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
ProductsBeer
OwnerMolson Coors
Websitewww.molsoncoors.com

The Miller Brewing Company is an American brewery and beer company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1855 by Frederick Miller. Molson Coors acquired the full global brand portfolio of Miller Brewing Company in 2016,[1][2] and operates the Miller Brewery at the site of the original Miller Brewing Company complex.

History[edit]

Miller Valley in Milwaukee, site of the Miller Brewing Company complex

Miller Brewing Company was founded in Milwaukee in 1855 by Frederick Miller after his emigration from Hohenzollern, Germany, in 1854 with a unique brewer's yeast. Initially, he purchased the small Plank Road Brewery for $2,300 ($66,736 in 2018).[3] The brewery's location in what is now the Miller Valley provided easy access to raw materials produced on nearby farms. In 1855, Miller changed its name to Miller Brewing Company, Inc.[4] The enterprise remained in the family until 1966.

The company was one of six breweries affected by the 1953 Milwaukee brewery strike. In 1961, Miller purchased the smallest of the “Big Five” Milwaukee brewers, A. Gettelman Brewing Company.[5]

In 1966, the conglomerate W. R. Grace and Company bought Miller from Lorraine John Mulberger (Frederick Miller's granddaughter, who objected to alcohol) and her family. In 1969, Philip Morris (now Altria) bought Miller from W. R. Grace for $130 million, outbidding PepsiCo.

In 1999, Miller acquired the Hamm's brand from Pabst.

In 2002, South African Breweries bought Miller from Philip Morris for $3.6 billion worth of stock and $2 billion in debt to form SABMiller, with Philip Morris retaining a 36% ownership share and 24.99% voting rights.

In 2006, SABMiller purchased the Sparks and Steel Reserve brands from McKenzie River Corporation for $215 million.[6] Miller had been producing both brands prior to the purchase.[7]

On July 1, 2008, SABMiller formed MillerCoors, a joint venture with rival Molson Coors, to consolidate the production and distribution of its products in the United States, with each parent company's corporate operations and international operations to remain separate and independent of the joint venture. SABMiller owned 58% of the unit, which operated in the United States but not in Canada, where Molson Coors is strongest, but the companies had equal voting power.[8][9]

Sole ownership by Molson Coors[edit]

In September 2015, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced it had reached a full agreement to acquire SABMiller for $107 billion.[10] As part of the agreement with the U.S. Justice Department, SABMiller divested itself of the Miller brands in the U.S. by selling its stake in MillerCoors to Molson Coors.[1][11] Consequently, on October 11, 2016, SABMiller in the U.S. sold its interests in MillerCoors to Molson Coors for around US $12 billion. Molson Coors gained full ownership of the Miller brand portfolio outside the US, and retained the rights within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico).[2][12]

Brands[edit]

Main article: Molson Coors brands
Miller Genuine Draft 330mL bottle

Brands with the Miller name, or historically sold by Miller Brewing company, include:

  • Miller High Life: An American style lager introduced in 1903, High Life is Miller Brewing's oldest brand and is 4.6% abv.[13] It is noted for its high level of carbonation, like champagne, leading to its longtime slogan "The Champagne of Beers". It was one of the premier high-end beers in the US for many years.[14] High Life bottles feature a bright gold label and are made of a clear glass that has a tapered neck like a champagne bottle. The label includes the "Girl in the Moon" logo, which features a woman in a circus costume seated on a crescent moon.[15] The brand helped popularize 7 U.S. fl oz (207 ml) pony bottles, introduced in 1972.[16][17]
  • Miller Lite: A pilsner-type light beer. Introduced in 1972, it was the first light beer to see wide popularity. It is 4.2% abv (4% in Canada).
  • Miller Genuine Draft: Nicknamed MGD, it was introduced in 1985 as "Miller High Life Genuine Draft". Developed to replicate the flavor of High Life from a non-pasteurized keg in a can or bottle, MGD is made from the same recipe as High Life but the beer is cold filtered instead of pasteurized. As of 2007 Genuine Draft had a 1.5% share of the United States market; by 2012 it had declined to 0.7% market share, representing a decline of 1.7 million barrels.[18] It has 4.7% abv.[13]
  • Miller 64: (Formerly Miller Genuine Draft 64)[19] An "ultra light" beer with 2.8% abv, it contains 64 calories per 12 US fl oz (355 mL) serving (750 kJ/L). Miller launched this beer in the summer of 2007 in Madison, Wisconsin. It was received favorably and testing expanded to Arizona, San Diego and Sacramento.[20]
  • Frederick Miller Classic Chocolate Lager: A seasonal lager available from October to December in Wisconsin, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Indianapolis and northwest Indiana. It is brewed with six different malts, including chocolate and dark chocolate malts.[21]
  • Miller Sharp's: A non-alcoholic beer introduced in 1989.[22]

Economy brands[edit]

  • Milwaukee's Best: Miller's economy label. It is 4.8% abv.[13]
  • Milwaukee's Best Light: Light version of Milwaukee's Best. It is 4.1% abv.[13]
  • Milwaukee's Best Ice: Miller's economy ice beer. It is 5.9% abv.[13]

Malt liquor[edit]

  • Mickey's: Mickey's is a malt liquor that is 5.6% abv.[13]
  • Olde English 800: Malt liquor also known as "OE". It is 5.9% abv in the eastern United States, 7.5% abv in most western U.S. states and 8.0% abv in Canada.

Discontinued[edit]

  • Miller High Life Light: Introduced in 1994, it had 4.1% abv. It was discontinued in 2021 to focus on Miller Lite.[23]
  • Miller Chill: A chelada-style 4.2% abv[13] pale lager brewed with lime and salt. Introduced successfully in 2007, sales dropped in 2008 after the launch of the rival Bud Light Lime.[24] In response, MillerCoors revamped their recipe from a 'chelada' style brew to a light beer with lime, created new packaging which included switching from a green to a clear bottle, and launched a new advertising campaign centered around the slogan "How a Light Beer with a Taste of Lime Should Taste". It was discontinued in 2013.

Sponsorships[edit]

Miller has been a large motorsport sponsor since the 1980s. In the CART World Series, the company has sponsored drivers such as Al Unser (1984), Danny Sullivan (1985–1989, 1991), Roberto Guerrero (1990), Bobby Rahal (1992–1998) and Kenny Bräck (2003). It also sponsored the Miller 200 race at Mid-Ohio.

In 1997, Miller Brewing Company, under its Miller Lite brand, sponsored a car in the Indy Racing League, specifically for the Indianapolis 500. The car was driven by Arie Luyendyk. This sponsorship was significant as Luyendyk won the 1997 Indianapolis 500.

In the NASCAR Cup Series, Miller has sponsored Bobby Allison from 1983 to 1988, Dick Trickle in 1989, Rusty Wallace from 1990 to 2005, Kurt Busch from 2006 to 2010, and Brad Keselowski from 2011 to 2020. Allison won the 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, and Keselowski won the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The company has sponsored the Miller High Life 500, Miller 500, Miller High Life 400, Miller 400, Miller 300, Miller 200, and Miller 150 races.

In the NHRA, Miller sponsored Larry Dixon for 11 years until 2007.[25]

From its opening in 2001 until the end of 2020, Miller owned the naming rights to Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers when the naming rights were bought by American Family Insurance in 2019.[26]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Brown, Lisa (October 11, 2016). "A-B InBev finalizes $100B billion acquisition of SABMiller, creating world's largest beer company". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Molson Coors Completes Acquisition of Full Ownership of MillerCoors and Global Miller Brand Portfolio". Molson Coors. October 11, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  3. ^ "Our History". Molson Coors. 2017. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  4. ^ "Company Overview of Miller Brewing Company, Inc". Bloomberg Research. January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  5. ^ "A. Gettelman Brewing Company | Encyclopedia of Milwaukee". Retrieved February 11, 2019..
  6. ^ Fredrix, Emily (July 4, 2006). "Miller dives into caffeinated drinks with $215 million deal". Houston Chronicle. Associated Press. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  7. ^ "SABMiller Acquires 2 Brands". Los Angeles Times. Bloomberg News. July 4, 2006. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  8. ^ "Coors, Miller in U.S. Venture". TheStreet.com. October 9, 2007.
  9. ^ "Molson Coors and SABMiller merge U.S. operations". Financial Post. October 9, 2007. Archived from the original on July 21, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  10. ^ Nurin, Tara (October 10, 2016). "It's Final: AB InBev Closes On Deal To Buy SABMiller". Forbes. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "Molson Coors buying rest of MillerCoors for $12 billion". Denver Post. November 11, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  12. ^ Trotter, Greg (October 11, 2016). "With new owner, MillerCoors focuses on growth". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Beer Nutrition Facts and Codes". MillerCoors. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  14. ^ Saladino, Emily (November 27, 2017). "The Surprisingly Legit Reasons Miller High Life Is Called the Champagne of Beers". Vinepair. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  15. ^ Herrewig, Dave (November 6, 2013). "Here's what we know about the Miller High Life lady". Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  16. ^ Connor, John M.; Ward, Ronald W., eds. (November 6–7, 1980). Advertising and the Food System. College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison. p. 309.
  17. ^ "CSA Super Markets". 50. Lebhar-Friedman. 1974: 68. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  18. ^ Frohlich, Thomas C.; Sauter, Michael B. (December 10, 2013). "Nine beers many Americans no longer drink". USA Today. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  19. ^ Edwards, Jim (March 27, 2012). "Before and After: Miller Genuine Draft 64 Has A New Logo – And A New Name". Business Insider.
  20. ^ "MGD 64...As Light As It Gets" (Press release). Miller Brewing Company. February 29, 2008.
  21. ^ Daykin, Tom (November 12, 2014). "At pilot brewery, MillerCoors learns what new beers will fly". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  22. ^ "Sharp's non-alcoholic beer". Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  23. ^ "Molson Coors is discontinuing these 11 beers". Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  24. ^ Daykin, Tom (February 18, 2009). "Miller Chill makeover squeezes in more lime flavor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  25. ^ "Miller Time ends for Prudhomme's Top Fuel dragster team". Autoweek. June 11, 2006. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  26. ^ Gores, Paul; Nelson, James; Barrett, Rick (January 23, 2019). "American Family Insurance to replace Miller Brewing Co. as naming rights sponsor for Brewers stadium". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 30, 2021.

External links[edit]

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