# Where does (did?) the conservative identification with light beer come from? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 17, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189 "2023-05-17T21:07:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/21 "2023-05-18T02:29:17Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > want to drink all day and not get too fucked up. I.E. they’re going to have a beer in hand all day and if it was full strength they’d fall down. The difference between Bud Light and Bud Heavy is 0.8%, and Miller Lite and MHL is 0.4%. The choice isn’t one of alcohol content. It’s just a product of marketing. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/22 "2023-05-18T02:50:54Z")
Exactly. It’s more about the calorie content. They’re not ‘light’ at all in alcohol content. Bud Light at 5% ABV has higher alcohol content that many stouts. For example, Guiness, which is 4.2% ABV ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/23 "2023-05-18T03:04:55Z")
I tried to find a non-paywalled article that discussed the Bud Light issue from a business standpoint, but the best I can find is [this one](https://retailwire.com/discussion/did-anheuser-busch-take-a-sad-bud-light-song-and-make-it-sadder/), and it doesn’t really get too deep. Basically, Bud Light was targeted to men age 18-25 (officially it’s supposed to be 21-25.) To do this they relied on advertising with a lot of frankly juvenile, sexist humor, which gave the beer a “frat boy” (but not actually “conservative”) image. Although they’ve tried to reach out to a broader market for at least the last 15 years (for years Bud Light and Budweiser have been sponsors at Lilith Fair) the image has stuck. Over time, the under-25 men’s market has shifted more toward hipster brands and imports, while the older audience still skews away from light beer in general, leaving domestic, mainstream light beers as niche products without a niche. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/24 "2023-05-18T06:01:10Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Wasn’t there a pic of him drinking beer with a drag queen in 2003? [![](https://i.redd.it/i65jymjn46sa1.jpg) ](https://i.redd.it/i65jymjn46sa1.jpg) > The photo was reportedly taken by the global multimedia digital agency World Red Eye (WRE). A [page on the agency’s website](https://worldredeye.com/2013/08/transformation-of-drag/) titled “Transformation of Drag” shows Rock sitting next to a drag queen identified as Wanda on September 26, 2003, at the now [permanently closed nightclub Prive](https://ra.co/clubs/1801) in Miami, Florida. _Newsweek_ could not independently verify the photo’s authenticity. > **[Kid Rock mocked for photo of him drinking Bud Light with drag queen](https://www.newsweek.com/kid-rock-mocked-photo-drinking-bud-light-drag-queen-1793067)** > > A 20-year-old photo of Rock has resurfaced days after the musician shared a video of him shooting cases of Bud Light to protest the brand's trans partnership. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/25 "2023-05-18T07:02:02Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > The difference between Bud Light and Bud Heavy is 0.8%, and Miller Lite and MHL is 0.4%. The choice isn’t one of alcohol content. It’s just a product of marketing. You have to be careful in this regard. In Canada, “light beer” has lower alcohol by law (usually 4% ABV or less), but not necessarily fewer calories. So your Canadian Bud Light and Coors Light and Miller Lite won’t get you buzzed quite as quickly, while filling you up with all the calories you thought you were missing. Be careful when selecting a “light beer.” Is it lower in ABV or is it lower in calories, or is it lower in both? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/26 "2023-05-18T10:09:22Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > My (limited) experience is that these guys (yes, always guys) want to drink all day and not get too fucked up. I.E. they’re going to have a beer in hand all day and if it was full strength they’d fall down. [Lawnmower Beer](https://www.findmeabrewery.com/best-lawnmower-beer/) is the best term I’ve heard for it. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/27 "2023-05-18T10:18:08Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Over time, the under-25 men’s market has shifted more toward hipster brands and imports, while the older audience still skews away from light beer in general, **leaving domestic, mainstream light beers as niche products without a niche.** [Bolding mine] Isn’t Bud Light (a domestic, mainstream light beer) the top-selling beer in the US? Pretty much the opposite of niche, I would think. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/28 "2023-05-18T10:53:06Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > The difference between Bud Light and Bud Heavy is 0.8%, and Miller Lite and MHL is 0.4%. The choice isn’t one of alcohol content. It’s just a product of marketing. That actually is pretty big, especially the Bud considering the total is only about 5%, especially if one wants to get a buzz but also wants to drink a lot. I’ve known some who start out on the heavy type for their 1st and perhaps 2nd they switch to the lighter stuff for the rest. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/29 "2023-05-18T11:09:09Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > how _light_ beer became a part of the conservative, rural, rugged, outdoor, manly man identity. > [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > It did? I agree with Johnny Bravo. Facts not in evidence, Councillor. I am not aware of this alleged association, beyond the broad popularity of these products. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/30 "2023-05-18T11:18:10Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > My SWAG is that the beer swillers on the right think that only hipsters and wusses drink craft beers or imports. I’m sure that Bud, Coors and all the others who make tasteless pisswater have, at least subtly, reinforced that notion. Sounds logical except for the “light” part. Shouldn’t it be the “wusses” who drink watery beer with a low alcohol content, and the conservative “a man’s man” mentality drinking 8% beer? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/31 "2023-05-18T11:30:55Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > It’s more about the calorie content. They’re not ‘light’ at all in alcohol content. > [@Spoons](#): > > In Canada, “light beer” has lower alcohol by law (usually 4% ABV or less), but not necessarily fewer calories. Interesting. I did not know this. This may account for some of the confusion, where some of us are thinking “light” = “less calories” while others are thinking “light” = “less alcohol.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/32 "2023-05-18T11:48:49Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Sounds logical except for the “light” part. Shouldn’t it be the “wusses” who drink watery beer with a low alcohol content, and the conservative “a man’s man” mentality drinking 8% beer? Can’t explain it. Maybe it’s a “Oh look at him being all elitist drinking his Belgian ale” type of thing. As mentioned, it isn’t really about alcohol content; the “lite” is more about caloric content. The difference between Bud and Bud Light is 35 calories. Bud Light Next is only 80 calories and zero carbs, according to online literature. I only drank domestic beer back in the day, as it was pretty much the only thing available. Bud was my beer of choice. Living in Europe was an education, beer-wise, and the craft beer craze in the US has really changed things. I don’t drink much anymore, but if I could get it out here, my preference would be Bridgetown IPA, a very citrus-y and less hoppy version of that ale. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/33 "2023-05-18T11:48:54Z")
Perhaps the conservative association with light beer is self-identified? I was reading this article about the recent drama with Bud Light and transphobia, and now with Miller Lite and women’s rights: > **[Is there No Safe Beer for conservative Americans to drink anymore?!](https://www.vox.com/money/2023/5/16/23725262/miller-lite-woke-ad-shit-ilana-glazer-bud-light-boycott)** > > Conservatives are mad about a Miller Lite video from March now. I don’t know. Maybe conservatives are drawing attention in this area because of their snowflakey reactions to these light beer ads. The article goes on to mention: “_If Budweiser and Bud Light are iconic American ideas that have long brought consumers together, why did these marketers fail to invite new consumers without alienating the core base of the firm’s largest brand?”_ So, maybe there is some evidence supporting the notion conservatives = light beer drinkers. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/34 "2023-05-18T12:02:17Z")
Interesting! I’m a pale ale kind of gal. My favorite watering hole has an Indian Pale Ale that is excellent. I didn’t know that India even had beer until I saw this one. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/35 "2023-05-18T12:06:07Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I didn’t know that India even had beer until I saw this one. I can’t tell if you’re making a joke here or not. India Pale Ale has nothing to do with India, other than that was what beer exported **to** India by British brewers in the 18th century was called. There’s a good Wiki article about it. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/36 "2023-05-18T12:07:36Z")
I think it’s just for historical reasons. Once, beer inherently meant light beer. There were few other options. It was marketed as being a manly thing (there’s not much else you could do to sell it). And Conservatives are currently also trying to make their brand “real” manliness, so it goes together. Later, craft beers became popular but initially to the young and trendier end of the market. And “young and trendy” has a poor correlation with “conservative”. Also craft beers are the pricier, better option. If you’re looking to savor a good alcoholic beverage, you get an ale. If you’re looking to just chug something beer-like out of a boot, you get the swill. So the different connotations are likely to persist for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/37 "2023-05-18T12:11:13Z")
Working-class men have been chugging “[small beer](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_beer)” since at least the Middle Ages: > It was common for workers who engaged in laborious tasks to drink more than ten [imperial](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_units) [pints](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pint) (5.7 litres) of small beer a day to quench their thirst. Small beer was also consumed for its nutrition content. It might contain traces of wheat or bread suspended within it. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/38 "2023-05-18T12:15:39Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I can’t tell if you’re making a joke here or not. My immediate impulse was to say “yes” so as not to look dumb, but I’ll fess up instead. LOL So, beer was introduced to India that long ago, and they still haven’t gotten around to producing any of their own?! They must not like it very much! In any case the next time someone asks me what I’m drinking, I’ll give them the information you gave me and sound like an educated “beerologist”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/39 "2023-05-18T12:22:46Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > So, beer was introduced to India that long ago, and they still haven’t gotten around to producing any of their own?! They must not like it very much! I can’t speak to whether India produces its own beer, but keep in mind that the IPA that was shipped to India back in the day by the British East India Company was intended for the British troops that ruled the country and the expats living there. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189/40 "2023-05-18T12:26:26Z")
Understood, but that was a LONG time ago and a lot has changed. There has had plenty of time for beer to integrate itself into mainstream Indian society. In any case, I thank whoever it is that I’m supposed to be thanking for this excellent beer! 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-did-the-conservative-identification-with-light-beer-come-from/984189.md?page=3)