Why do Americans love "Light " Beer ?

Question

I myself find it flat and rather dull and tasteless !
An Englishman in London noted they should
shoot the cow which made the American " Light " !

My response.....don't just shoot the
cow, shoot the people who milk it !
[ Btw. I'm American, German born though! ]

Answer 1

Sometimes our society has an obsession with being thin, as does every society.Some people want the beer but not the calories.

Answer 2

There are some good answers here, and I won't repeat what has already been said very well. Think about it this way: the best wine in the world is said to be Chateau Petrus, which can be had for about $5,000 a bottle for a good vintage. The best beer in the world is said to be either Wetvleteren XII or Pliny the Younger, both of which can be had for about $20 a bottle. If you enjoy a fine beer as much as you enjoy a fine wine, it is vastly more economical to spend your money on beer. It is a sad state of affairs that people equate "Beer" with brands like Bud, Coors, and Corona. It would be like if I had only ever had Franzia and Night Train and lamented "I don't get the appeal of wine." After prohibition, only a handful of brewers were left to pick up where they left off, and apparently they all decided to brew only one style. Homebrewing was illegal until the late 70s, so a consumer couldn't experiment with their own family recipes. That ruined America's perception of "beer" until the craft movement began. As for me? I like beer because I don't find a 6oz glass of wine to be especially satisfying. I can buy a 5 or 6% ABV craft beer in a 22oz bottle for about $3-6, drink the whole thing with dinner, and not feel any more tipsy than if I had a glass and a half of merlot. I love trying out new brands and different takes on my favorite styles, and I love that I can have an actual glass of it without getting drunk. I won't turn down a good wine or scotch, but beer tastes better and is a better value for me.

Answer 3

It is mostly advertising dollars hard at work. Start drinking the light beer to catch a cheep buzz, then return to light beers for the same reason they go to fast food restaurants; they're everywhere and they know what they're getting.

If you start looking at numbers, the American taste bud is changing and looking for something new. Start looking at American craft brews. In 2006, according to an MSNBC article, the 'Big Three' brewing companies' sales have flattened out while craft beer sales have risin 12%.

Answer 4

Light beer was originally developed to satisfy the female part of the market. Women are more likely to consume a product that helps them in acquiring their dietary goals. The problem is taste. Light beer has only just enough beer taste, to fool the taste buds into thinking it is real beer! Taste a few of the traditional American beers! Some of them are no more flavorful than the light beers. Americans drink lots of beer. We pound it down fast, and move on to the next one. Unlike Europeans, few Americans look for the subtle nuances that make a great beer. We are so consumed with having our thirst quenched quickly, that we allow ourselves to drink mediocre versions of a wonderful beverage. I prefer the microbrews myself. Crafted for quality and taste, the microbrews have better body and taste than any "traditional" American beer. So let the dieters have their light beers. They can even have the non-alcoholic beers, low fat cheeses, and sugar free sodas. More good beer for the rest of us!

Answer 5

It's just a matter of taste. This American likes Mexican beer with a splash of lime. And really... believe me, when Americans are drinking beer and partying, they aren't thinking about their diets. That's what Diet Coke is for.

Answer 6

Try Samuel Adams Light, it's the only light beer worth drinking.

Answer 7

Because Americans are fat as country. People think that by drinking light beer they can drink twice as much and not gain weight. Same as drinking diet soda all the time. What most people don't bother to figure out is that a lot of darker beers have less calories than light beer and taste a he** of a lot better.

Answer 8

They are slaves of mass marketing. Perhaps it's simply cheaper for brewing giants like Budweiser to sell light beer. Or perhas Americans are sucked into thinking light beers are healthier... but then consume 18 cans watching a football game.

Answer 9

Because the majority of Americans have no taste, thats why they drink "light" beer and eat burgers and fries. I say the darker the beer the better.

Answer 10

it depends on the beer. not all light beers are created equally. some light beers are just less weight on the stomach and the sugar content is lower thus preventing the tension headache associated with having a little too much (at least this is what happens to me anyways). some light beers are pretty good, lonestar light is my favorite light beer.

Answer 11

It's the marketing that sells it, but do not be fooled, the US produces more good beer than ANY other country, including belgium and germany. If you have not sampled some of the craft/small brewers all throughout this country than you're missing out. Dogfish, Hooker, the list would be pages long...