Coors Banquet 24OZ

Coors Banquet 24OZ is a 5% ABV American lager in a 24-ounce can, brewed exclusively in Golden, Colorado, with Rocky Mountain water. Known as "The Banquet Beer" since 1873, this is the original Coors recipe — unchanged and still malted in-house at the same brewery where Adolph Coors founded the company over 150 years ago.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Golden, Colorado, USA  |  Style: American Lager  |  Brewery: Coors Brewing Company (est. 1873)

Production & Heritage

Adolph Coors established the Coors Brewing Company in 1873 in Golden, Colorado, at the base of the Rocky Mountains — a location chosen specifically for its water source. Unlike many large-scale American lagers, Coors Banquet is still brewed in only one location and uses 100% Rocky Mountain water alongside high-country Moravian barley that is malted in-house at the brewery's own malting facility. The grain bill features barley malt with corn as an adjunct (using corn syrup/dextrose rather than rice, as competitors like Budweiser employ), and the beer undergoes a longer fermentation process than many mass-market lagers, which the brewery credits for a fuller, more robust flavor. Hop extract rounds out the recipe, contributing subtle bitterness without overwhelming the clean malt character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Freshly baked bread and toasted grain lead, followed by faint notes of banana, pear, and a subtle floral quality from the hop extract. The nose is clean and uncomplicated, with a gentle sweetness underneath.

Taste: The entry is crisp and malty, with toasted grain taking center stage from the first sip. At mid-palate, a subtle corn sweetness emerges, evoking warm cornbread and biscuit. Slight grassy and floral notes appear toward the peak, though bitterness remains almost imperceptible throughout.

Finish: Clean, dry, and refreshingly short, with good carbonation carrying the beer to a crisp close. Lingering traces of grain and a whisper of corn sweetness fade quickly, leaving the palate ready for another sip.

How to Drink Coors Banquet

Coors Banquet is best served ice cold, straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass to let the carbonation open up the toasted grain aromas. In a Boilermaker, this lager's clean maltiness makes it a natural companion alongside a shot of bourbon or rye. It works well in a Michelada, where its light body and crisp finish balance the lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire without fighting for attention. For a simple summer drink, a Shandy — mixed half-and-half with fresh lemonade — plays off the subtle corn sweetness to refreshing effect.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and tailgating where cold, drinkable beer is essential
• Pairing alongside smoked brisket, burgers, and other grilled foods
• Introducing someone to heritage American lager beyond macro-light options
• Watching a game with friends who appreciate a no-nonsense classic beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Coors Banquet taste like? Coors Banquet is a clean, malty American lager with prominent toasted grain flavor, subtle corn sweetness reminiscent of cornbread, and a crisp, dry finish with very little hop bitterness.

How does Coors Banquet compare to Budweiser? Coors Banquet uses corn as its adjunct grain while Budweiser uses rice, giving Banquet a slightly sweeter, more biscuity malt character compared to Budweiser's drier, crisper profile. Coors also undergoes a longer fermentation process and is brewed at a single facility in Golden, Colorado, whereas Budweiser is produced at multiple breweries nationwide.

Is Coors Banquet good for sipping on its own? Yes — its toasted grain backbone and clean finish give it more body and flavor than most mass-market light lagers, making it a satisfying standalone beer served cold.

Where is Coors Banquet made? Coors Banquet is brewed exclusively at the Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The brewery was founded there in 1873 by Adolph Coors, who selected the site for its pristine mountain water supply.

What foods pair well with Coors Banquet? Smoked brisket and pulled pork benefit from the beer's clean malt cutting through rich, fatty flavors. Grilled burgers and hot dogs are a natural match for its crisp carbonation. Spicy Mexican food like tacos and enchiladas pairs well because the corn sweetness complements tortilla-based dishes while the cold carbonation tempers heat. Sharp cheddar cheese echoes the beer's toasted grain notes.

What sizes does Coors Banquet come in? Coors Banquet is available in multiple formats including 12oz bottles, 12oz cans, 16oz cans, and the 24oz can featured here, as well as various multipack configurations.

Is Coors Banquet worth the price? Coors Banquet positions as a standard-tier American lager, priced comparably to Budweiser and Miller High Life, but its single-brewery production, in-house malting, and longer fermentation process offer a degree of craft and heritage that distinguishes it within its price category.

Why Coors Banquet?

What separates Coors Banquet from other American lagers in the same price range is its commitment to single-site production and in-house malting — details more commonly associated with craft operations than with national brands. The use of 100% Rocky Mountain water and high-country Moravian barley, combined with a longer fermentation period, produces a beer with noticeably more malt character and body than many of its direct competitors. The nickname "The Banquet Beer" dates back to the late 1800s, when Colorado miners would celebrate the end of a shift with Coors — a piece of American beer history that isn't manufactured nostalgia but documented heritage. In the 24-ounce format, it delivers that full-flavored, unpretentious experience in a size built for long afternoons and easy drinking.