Coors Banquet vs Coors Light
Coors is synonymous with American beer, but keeping up with all the variations can get tricky. Founded in 1873 in Colorado, Coors Banquet is their flagship lager that’s semi-sweet with malty and fruity undertones.
While you may see Coors Banquet and Coors Original both on the shelves, they’re actually identical beers! Coors added “Banquet” to its name in 1937 as a marketing tactic since the beer had historically been enjoyed by Clear Creek Canyon miners in large banquet tents. Officially, Coors Banquet is only brewed in Golden, Colorado with fresh Rocky Mountain water, whereas Coors Original is also brewed in Canada to help sell it at a fair price internationally.
But there’s another major beer in the Coors lineup that’s different from Banquet, and that’s the famous Coors Light. As a light American lager, Coors Light has a similar taste profile to Banquet although with fewer calories and less alcohol.
In this guide, we’ll go over the main differences and similarities between Coors Banquet vs Coors Light so you can make the best choice for your next drink!
All About Coors Banquet
Coors Banquet is a golden American lager with medium carbonation plus a slightly sweet and malty aftertaste. The initial smell is like bread and toasted barley, and it has a smooth finish that makes it a great pairing with most foods. It works equally well with a nice steak as it does with a greasy burger, and it’s also great with spicier foods as well. Whether you’re enjoying tacos or Hunan spicy beef, Coors Banquet will be a welcome addition to your meal!
Coors Banquet contains 5% alcohol and 147 calories per 12oz making it a fairly light and non-filling beer.
All About Coors Light
Created in 1978, Coors Light is the lighter version of Coors Banquet that retains all of Coors’ classic flavors but with fewer calories and less alcohol per serving. It’s lighter in color although still quite golden, and it’s also lighter in taste even though it has a similar profile. The initial impression is of fresh cut grass, musk, and a very subtle barley finish. Despite being so similar to Coors Banquet, you’d definitely notice the difference in a blind taste test.
It features 4.2% alcohol and a surprisingly low calorie count of only 102 per 12oz.
Fun fact: If you’re wondering what mountain is on the Coors Light can, it’s actually Wilson Peak which is a massive summit right near Telluride, Colorado. The Coors Light can has become iconic in the world of beers, and it’s one that rivals Coors Banquet’s more retro, yet equally recognizable design.
Are the Ingredients in Coors Banquet and Coors Light Similar?
The ingredients for Coors Banquet and Coors Light are identical, but the quantity of each ingredient along with the fermentation process is changed to ensure a different taste and nutritional profile.
Both Coors Banquet and Coors Light contain:
• Water
• Barley
• Malt
• Hop extract
• Lager yeast
• Corn syrup
The corn syrup itself does not add any sugar to the beer since it’s brewed out during fermentation, but it does give both beers a slightly sweet undertone.
How are Coors Light and Coors Banquet Different?
Coors Banquet provides a richer and fuller taste than Coors Light which makes it a great standalone drink. Both drinks work alongside meals, but Coors Banquet may be the better choice for enjoying on its own due to its stronger taste. However, it’s still a fairly light tasting beer, especially when compared to other styles like IPAs.
Coors Light is very similar, but it is more watered down which may displease some people. It’s slightly less malty and a bit more grassy as well which differentiates it from the malt-heavy Banquet.
If you want a fuller taste from your beers, then you’ll likely gravitate towards Banquet. If you dislike stronger beers and want something more floral, then Light remains a great drink for any occasion!
How Much Alcohol is in Coors Banquet and Coors Light? How Many Calories?
People often ask, “what percent alcohol is Coors Banquet vs Coors Light”, so here’s a helpful table to keep in mind when planning your purchase:
| Coors Banquet 12oz | 5% alcohol | 147 calories |
| Coors Light 12oz | 4.2% alcohol | 102 calories |
How Much Gluten is in Coors Light?
Coors Light is not gluten-free or suitable for those with Celiac disease, but it does have a very low gluten count of roughly 5ppm of gluten per serving.
How Much Gluten is in Coors Banquet?
Similar to Coors Light, Coors Banquet has a very low gluten count of less than 10ppm per serving. However, it’s not gluten-free and is not suitable for those with Celiac disease or other intolerances.
Who Should Get Coors Banquet
Coors Banquet is the perfect compliment for a casual dinner, watching a game, or enjoying an evening with friends. It has a richer profile than Coors Light which makes it more enjoyable to sip slowly throughout the evening, and it’s also more filling due to its alcohol and calorie content making it a great evening beer.
Who Should Get Coors Light
Coors Light is less filling than Coors Banquet, and its lighter taste makes it a perfect beer for the daytime when you want to enjoy some brews without too much alcohol. Its extremely low calorie content is also perfect for events like football or concerts since it ensures you can enjoy your drink without getting too full.
The light taste may be a little too light to compliment any foods, but it certainly won’t hurt your meal! If you enjoy lagers but don’t want to get bombarded by flavors, Coors Light is a solid choice especially during the warmer months!
How Much is Coors Light and Coors Banquet?
Both Coors Light and Coors Banquet are reasonably priced, and there shouldn’t be a major price difference between the two. In some instances, you may be more likely to find Coors Light on draft than Banquet simply due to its high popularity.
But if you’re wondering where to buy Coors Banquet, don’t worry! Most supermarkets and liquor stores should have both in stock on a regular basis. Depending on your location, you may also be able to order online!
You can find local prices and offerings for Coors Light and Coors Banquet at a retailer near you so you never miss out on a great deal!