Bear with us while we explain the concept for this series of articles: we take two seemingly unrelated Milwaukee icons, then pit them against each other in 10 categories. In each category, we assign them points, one through 10, then add them up and name the winner.
No, it's not scientific, but yes, it's fun. In the past, we compared The Pabst Theater vs. Pabst Beer, the Marcus Amphitheater vs. the Big Bang, even the Marquette Interchange vs. Bayshore.
For this edition we get festive by comparing the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, the month-long display of twinkling lights and decorations at Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park and other Downtown areas, to Miller Lite, the first mainstream light beer brought to us by what was then Miller Brewing Co., now MillerCoors.
And ... fight!
Affordability:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 9
If you and the fam just want to take a casual stroll through the parks to look at the lights at night, this is totally free entertainment. If your feet get cold and you'd like a ride, hop aboard the Jingle Bus, Thursdays through Sundays through Jan. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m., for $1 per person. The 40-min. tour is narrated by Milwaukee Downtown's Public Service Ambassadors.
Miller Lite, 5
In the bars, a bottle of Miller Lite will set you back about $3. At the liquor store, a 12-pack of bottles costs an average of $7.50. Considering six-packs of micro beer cost that much or more, it's a pretty good deal.
Value to the city:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 6
Affordable family-friendly holiday fun is a great way to highlight Milwaukee's beautiful Downtown.
Miller Lite, 10
Although MillerCoors relocated its official headquarters to Chicago a couple years ago, Miller's brewing legacy remains right here. Milwaukee isn't nicknamed Brew City for nothing.
Popularity:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 5
While it's difficult to determine exactly how many people enjoy the lights each year, reps from the fest say they consistently see at least a 10-15 percent increase in participation in the kick off each year. About 7,000 of you showed up for the festival's opening ceremony in Pere Marquette Park, and the Jingle Bus, which operates Thursdays through Sundays for six weeks, saw about 100 passengers per hour, or about 7,500 riders all season.
Miller Lite, 8
It was the forerunner in the light beer movement in the late '70s, but was overpowered by Bud Light in 1994. Still, No. 2 in the country ain't bad. Plus, Miller Lite is the only beer to win four gold awards in the World Beer Cup for best American-style light lager.
National name recognition:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 1
Maybe it was only a brief mention in an in-flight magazine or something, but we're pretty sure that someone, somewhere other than a Milwaukeean, has heard of our lights festival.
Miller Lite, 9
There might be a small community in rural Montana that's never heard of Miller Lite, but we doubt it.
Design:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 7
Aside from the more than 500,000 lights, 360 wreaths, 35 animated sculptures and 17 Moravian stars, they've packed the six-week festival with hundreds of activities to offer a little something for everyone.
Miller Lite, 5
It was innovative for its debut, but these days its recipe doesn't stand out as much in a highly saturated light beer market.
Uniqueness:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 4
In Milwaukee, there's really nothing else like it, but on a national scale, the idea isn't exactly groundbreaking.
Miller Lite, 3
Miller Lite at one point contained several ingredients not normally found in beer, including manufactured chemical additives. The Center for Science in the Public Interest reported in 1982 that Miller Lite contained propylene glycol alginate (a seaweed extract), water, barley malt, corn syrup, chemically modified hops extracts, yeast, amyloglucosidase, carbon dioxide, papain enzyme, liquid sugar, potassium metabisulfite, and Emka malt (a food coloring). Today, the company claims their beverage contains water, corn, malted barley and hops. Thank you, Wikipedia.
Economic value:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 10
When you're spending a paycheck or two on gifts this season, it's great to have an entertainment option that costs little more than the gas to get there. Street parking is free on Saturdays and discounted parking is available in The Shops of Grand Avenue Parking structure for $2 with a Jingle Bus validation.
Miller Lite, 7
Like we mentioned in the "affordability" category, a 12-pack of Miller Lite isn't going to break the bank. What to keep in mind, however, is the ABV, which is only at 4.2 percent. You'll pay more for craft beer, but you just might have to drink less of it to get to that happy place.
Convenience factor:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 9
The more than two-week run should give you plenty of time to find an open night in your schedule to attend. Then again, driving in a Wisconsin winter can sometimes be less than pleasant, and then there's always the joy of Downtown parking.
Miller Lite, 8
Barring a few places that go out of their way not to carry such mainstream beers, you're likely to find Miller Lite at just about any bar, club, restaurant, stadium or arena, church festival and liquor store in Wisconsin.
History:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 4
The Holiday Lights Festival is in its 11th season. Here's to the next 11!
Miller Lite, 7
Lite's history goes back further than you might think. Its first form surfaced in 1967 as "Gablinger's Diet Beer." Inventor Joseph L. Owades sold the recipe to Chicago's Meister Brau, which quickly released Meister Brau Lite. But by 1973 Miller had acquired Meister Brau and re-branded the recipe as "Lite Beer from Miller."
Quality of product:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 7
With the holiday spirit in full swing and the sense of community, Milwaukee's Holiday Lights Festival is a fun family annual tradition as well as a nice option for out-of-town guests.
Miller Lite, 5
If you're committed to drinking light beer, Miller Lite is probably one of your best bets. As they say, it tastes great and is less filling.
Total:
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, 62
Miller Lite, 67
Winner: Miller Lite
