Every baseball season, fans might sing about buying some peanuts during the 7th inning stretch, but we all know that for the 21+ crowd, beer goes best with baseball. And over the years, many of Molson Coors’ brands have made sure to make that a point.
With the pro baseball postseason heating up, and a certain hometown team doing well in Milwaukee, we looked back at how some of our iconic brands have shown up for America’s favorite pastime over the years.
Miller High Life
Throughout the 1950’s, Miller High Life was a staple around the diamond for fans catching a game. In 1957, Miller High Life – the “National Champion of Quality” – made it clear that whether you’re at the stadium, at home or cheering on your hometown team at your favorite tavern, it was there to make your viewing experience a pleasure in itself.
Miller High Life released ads throughout the ’50’s highlighting how great the brand paired with the game. In 1951, the brand released an ad showcasing that while play on the field might be heated, Miller High Life is one thing everyone can agree on. Another ad, estimated to be from the late 1950s, shows how Miller High Life can be just as exciting as the play on the field.
In the 1980s, Miller High Life was on display in Milwaukee’s old baseball stadium. Later, the brand created a series of baseball-themed accessories, including a bullpen cooler, baseball patches and a baseball card featuring a modern interpretation of the “Girl in the Moon.”
Hamm’s
Another Molson Coors brand that was all-in on baseball was Hamm’s. In the 1960s, the brand created a series of retail signs about how to “enjoy Hamm’s and baseball” with some pun-filled baseball quotes like “time for a fresh reliefer,” “double up on Hamm’s” and “catch a batch of Hamm’s.”
Miller Lite
Baseball has also been a focus for Miller Lite since it launched in the mid-1970s. And through the years, it has proudly proclaimed that it only has 96 calories. After a certain Milwaukee team won its 96th game this season – tying its franchise record for most wins – Miller Lite quickly created an ad to cheer on its hometown team, pointing out just how special the number 96 is.
Blue Moon
Blue Moon was born from a love of baseball. In fact, it was first created at the Sandlot Brewery inside Denver’s pro baseball stadium in 1995. Though initially called Bellyslide Wit, it was quickly renamed when someone said, “A beer this good only comes around once in a blue moon.” Three decades later, Blue Moon continues to be a home run for fans at home and at the ballpark, including spaces within stadiums in Atlanta and Colorado, among others.
How much does Molson Coors love baseball? Not only has its brands celebrated baseball over the decades, but its employees also loved to play it, too. Miller, Coors and Molson all fielded teams over the years, as seen from team photos from 1921, 1912, and 1930.