Natural Light

Natural Light, formerly Anheuser-Busch Natural Light, nicknamed Natty, is an American reduced-calorie light lager brewed by Anheuser-Busch. Its ingredients are listed as water, barley malt, cereal grains, yeast, and hops. One 12-US-fluid-ounce (355 mL) serving contains 95 calories, 3.2 grams of carbohydrates, 0.7 grams of protein, and 4.2% alcohol by volume.

History

Introduced to market on July 31, 1977, the brand formulation had 97 kcal (406 kJ), to compete with Miller Lite's 96 kcal (402 kJ), and was called "Anheuser-Busch Natural Light." The brand was Anheuser-Busch's first widely distributed light beer, followed by Michelob Light and Bud Light, introduced in 1978 and 1981, respectively. (Bud Light's name was also shortened from its original "Budweiser Light.")

Natural Light was originally priced at Budweiser levels, which has traditionally been considered part of the "premium"-priced segment. The name was later shortened to the current Natural Light, and was re-formulated to have similar taste but slightly fewer calories.

Some television commercials for the brand featured comedian Norm Crosby. Another comedian, Bill Saluga, was noted in some of these for his officious character of "Raymond J. Johnson Jr.," whose tagline was essentially, "Ya doesn't have to call me Johnson." This he would follow with a succession of other names by which others could refer to him. It was Crosby, however, who most customarily mocked the brand's unwieldy name in the said commercials by urging people, "Just say Natural."

Over the years, the brand was also re-priced downward, especially after Bud Light was introduced, eventually ending up at its current value pricing. It is commonly consumed by college students because of its low price.