On our quest to find out the best American beers we asked ourselves, is American beer really that bad? American-style pale lager gets a bad rap over European and Australian beer because of a supposed lack of complexity and flavor.
Whether you think it tastes a little bland or not, you’re here to find out the 10 best American beers so let’s go:
10. Miller High Life
Miller’s oldest brand High Life was launched in 1903 and because of the amount of carbonation has been affectionately known as “The Champagne of Beers”.
The “Champion of Piss” for those that hate American beer, they come in clear bottles as Miller High Life uses a modified hop extract. It results in the most irresistible looking beer when served cold on a hot summer’s day.
9. Yuengling Traditional Lager
D.G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest operating brewery in America operating since 1829. The Yuengling Traditional Lager is its flagship and described as a medium-bodied flavor.
There’s a subtle sweetness to it with hints of roasted caramel malt, and a combo of cascade and cluster hops, helping to achieve a good balance of hoppiness and malty sweetness.
8. Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)
Founded in Milwaukee, Pabst Blue Ribbon (or PBR) is brewed by the Pabst Brewing Company and is a great all-around beer and is lauded for its affordability and quality.
Somewhat of a “hipster beer”, it’s known for its retro branding and its cheapness should be celebrated. It basically tastes like corn and you need to drink it cold.
7. Busch Light
Anheuser-Busch Companies started out in St. Louis in 1852 and the Busch brand came about as a way for Cardinals owner August Busch Jr. to work around MLB corporate naming rights rules.
Known for being cheap and easy-drinking, Busch Light tastes a bit like barley water or lightly sweet corn, is a very popular light beer option in the Midwest and is one of the best American beers.
6. Natural Light
Natural Light, also known as Natty, was the first mass produced light beer by Anheuser-Busch and is considered by some to be the worst tasting beer in the world.
Judgement aside, Natural Light is a beer for college students on a budget. With only a subtle taste it’s not for the beer connoisseur, but more for those that just want to get drunk.
5. Miller Lite
Miller Lite was first produced in 1975, was the first light beer to gain widespread popularity across America, and its major sponsorship of a heap of sporting teams has given the beer masculinity status.
Propelling Miller Lite into one of the best American beers ever is the “Tastes Great!…Less Filling!” slogan, and its bitter rivalry with Bud Light is legendary.
4. Coors Light
The “Silver Bullet” Coors Light was actually first launched in 1941, hooked off shelves a year later, then reintroduced in 1978 with a can design and taste that’s crisp, clean and refreshing.
Coors Light is “Made to Chill”, and like all other American beers is better in taste the more colder it is, and perfect for chugging down at parties and in bulk.
3. Budweiser
Budweiser gets a bad rap internationally and epitomises American beer. First introduced in St. Louis in 1876 those who hate it will describe it as bland and flavorless.
Fans of Budweiser laud the beer for it’s mild bitterness with a brief sweetness, which is what makes it perfect with salty snacks and is meant to be chugged but its now dropped to third on the list of the best American beers.
2. Bud Light
Bud Light has historically topped sales charts in America since its introduction in 1982 and would often outsell the second and third highest selling brands combined.
Described by many as light with a crisp taste, the beer became the best selling brand in 2001 and held its position until sales plummeted following the 2023 Bud Light boycott.
1. Michelob Ultra
Is Michelob Ultra the most important American beer since Miller Lite and Bud Lite? Its low-calorie profile has no doubt flipped the beer market on its head since its debut in 2002 and has now become king of the best American beers.
Michelob Ultra caters for the average American drinker who’s focused a little more on health and has somehow managed to convince us that an active lifestyle and beer go hand in hand.
