Milwaukees Best Premium Lager 30Pk

Milwaukee's Best Premium Lager 30Pk is a 30-pack of an American-style pale lager brewed at 4.8% ABV by Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This heritage brand earned multiple Great American Beer Festival medals, including silver in both 2003 and 2004, and bronze in 2005 in the American-Style Lager category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%  |  Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: American-Style Pale Lager  |  Brewery: Miller Brewing Company (Molson Coors)

Production & Heritage

The brand traces its roots to 1895, when it was first introduced as Gettelman's Milwaukee's Best Beer by the A. Gettelman Brewing Company. When Miller Brewing Company acquired Gettelman in 1961, the name was shortened to Milwaukee's Best. Brewed with malted barley, selected grains, and what the brewery historically described as "choicest hops," Best Premium followed the classic American adjunct lager template — light-bodied, clean-fermenting, and designed for easy drinkability. Molson Coors discontinued the original Premium variant in August 2021 as part of a broader portfolio reduction focused on its economy-tier brands, though the Ice and Light expressions remain in production.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pale grain and barley come through immediately, followed by subtle corn sweetness. The adjunct character is relatively restrained compared to other economy lagers, with a faint grassy undertone.

Taste: The entry is crisp and clean with light barley malt flavor and noticeable corn-derived sweetness. At mid-palate, a mild mineral quality emerges alongside the grain backbone. The overall impression is lean and straightforward, with just enough malt presence to distinguish it from ultra-light alternatives.

Finish: Short and dry with a slight grain echo and minimal bitterness. The close is clean with little lingering flavor, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Best Premium

Serve ice-cold, ideally between 33–40°F, straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass to observe its pale gold color and bright white head. A Michelada benefits from Best Premium's clean, neutral grain character as a base under tomato juice, lime, and hot sauce. A Beer-a-Rita (beer margarita) works well because the light body blends seamlessly with fresh lime and tequila without overpowering. A classic Shandy pairs Best Premium's subtle sweetness with fresh lemonade for a refreshing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for summer cookouts and tailgates
• Casual game-day drinking with a large group
• Collectors and fans seeking a discontinued heritage American lager
• Budget-friendly beer runs where volume and drinkability matter

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Milwaukee's Best Premium taste like? Milwaukee's Best Premium tastes like a clean, light-bodied American lager with gentle barley malt and corn sweetness, finishing dry with minimal hop bitterness. It sits squarely in the classic adjunct lager tradition — simple, crisp, and refreshing when served cold.

How does Best Premium compare to Miller High Life? Both are Miller-brewed American lagers, but Best Premium has slightly more grain character and less of the cooked-vegetable flavor sometimes noted in High Life. High Life tends to present a bit more carbonation bite and hop presence, while Best Premium leans into a smoother, more neutral profile at a comparable 4.8% ABV.

Is Milwaukee's Best Premium good for casual drinking? Yes — Best Premium was purpose-built as a session-friendly, easy-drinking lager at 4.8% ABV, making it well-suited for extended social gatherings where refreshment matters more than complexity.

Where is Milwaukee's Best Premium made? Milwaukee's Best Premium was brewed by Miller Brewing Company, now part of Molson Coors Beverage Company, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The brand originated in 1895 at the A. Gettelman Brewing Company in the same city.

What foods pair well with Milwaukee's Best Premium? Grilled hot dogs and bratwursts match the beer's light body and clean grain flavor. Salted peanuts or pretzels complement its subtle malt sweetness. Classic cheeseburgers work well because the carbonation and dry finish cut through the richness. Tortilla chips with salsa echo the beer's mild corn character. Fried fish pairs naturally, as the crisp finish acts as a palate cleanser.

What sizes does Milwaukee's Best Premium come in? The 30-pack typically contains 12 oz cans. Milwaukee's Best Premium was also available in single cans, 6-packs, 12-packs, and 24-packs during its active production run, though availability is now extremely limited following its 2021 discontinuation.

Is Milwaukee's Best Premium worth the price? Milwaukee's Best Premium positioned as a value-tier American lager, competing directly against other economy brands. Its three GABF medals are unusual for a beer at this price tier, suggesting it punched above its weight in blind judging. As a discontinued product, remaining stock may carry additional interest for collectors or nostalgic drinkers.

Why Best Premium?

Few economy lagers can claim three Great American Beer Festival medals, yet Milwaukee's Best Premium earned exactly that between 2003 and 2005, standing out in a fiercely competitive American-Style Lager category judged blind. Its 1895 origins in Milwaukee — the city synonymous with American brewing — give it genuine heritage credentials that many budget brands lack entirely. Now discontinued by Molson Coors, any remaining 30-packs represent the last opportunity to taste a lager that quietly outperformed its reputation for over a century. For drinkers who value clean, no-frills American lager with a verified competitive track record, this is a case worth grabbing while it lasts.