Miller Lite's gains provoke Anheuser-Busch.
"Anheuser-Busch recently announced plans to do extensive consumer sampling of Bud Light and Budweiser, its two largest brands. That sampling campaign, targeting millions of consumers, will be coupled with new ads that tout the freshness of Bud Light and Budweiser.
Brewing industry observers say Miller is forcing Anheuser-Busch to market its products on Miller's terms, with a greater focus on taste. That's a switch from the traditional method of selling beer based on its image, with ads that rely more on humor than on pitching the brew's qualities.
Tom Bick, Miller Lite brand manager, stated Anheuser-Busch's consumer sampling effort might backfire if consumers focus on the taste differences between Miller Lite and Bud Light - and continue to choose Miller Lite. "We have better beers," Bick said. "Possibly, they're just going to sample 3 million people for us.""
Geez. It just keeps going. And I thought the cola wars were bad. ;) (for some history see Catfight betwen Miller and AB.)