USA: Miller Brewing puts craft beers on ice

Miller Brewing is delaying the nationwide release of a new trio of craft styles of Miller Lite, saying it wants more testing first.

The Milwaukee brewer plans further tests of the Miller Lite Brewing Collection in several strong Miller Lite markets -- including Charlotte -- to determine the effect on sales of its best-selling beer.

Miller is testing Miller Lite in wheat, amber and blonde ale brews. Specialty beers have faster-growing sales than the overall beer market and command higher prices. Miller said in April that the collection would be released nationwide by September. Slower testing will give the craft collection a better chance for success, CEO Tom Long told distributors.

19 June, 2008