News-Record.com

Miller Lite is introducing a trio of different styles of Miller Lite, called "craft-style light."

But will it fall flat because it leaves beer bargain-conscious consumers in the cold?

The goal, Miller spokesman Julian Green told the AP, is to bank on the popularity of low-calorie Miller Lite to create a new market called "craft-style light." The collection's tag line: "Craft Beer. Done Lite."

"Some may be intimidated by the heavy flavor profile and full calories," Green said of regular craft beers. "So we're providing a new beer that can give you craft-style taste with significantly fewer calories and carbs."

Actually, and I'm a little surprised this wasn't mentioned in the article, I bet a lot of people who buy Miller Lite do so because they are also intimidated by the high prices of craft beers, not just the flavor or calories. Yes, we're all counting calories, but Miller Lite comes with a price tag that's pretty easy to swallow, too, craft or otherwise.

So what will the price of these brews be? Not mentioned in the article. Inquiring minds. I'd be curious whether people will spend a lot more money on a 6-pack of Miller Lite simply because it has a "craft" taste and fewer calories than their counterparts, particularly in these tough economic times.

The beers, by the way, all have 110 calories per 12-ounce serving, which is more than Miller Lite's 96 calories. But that's still less than full-calorie craft beers.