Coors patents a corking machine and bottle washer.

Miller beer is pasteurized for the first time, using tubs of hot water. Our company becomes one of the first breweries in the world to use the new technology, developed by Louis Pasteur in France in the late 1860s.

Mechanical refrigeration is introduced at Miller. We originally fermented and matured our beer in caves—chilled by ice blocks from frozen lakes—deep in the limestone hills near our Milwaukee brew house. Mechanical refrigeration meant that beer could now be fermented and matured above ground, giving us better brewing control and year-round production.

Mechanical filling, labeling and capping is in full production at Miller. We originally packaged our beer in wooden kegs made by local coopers—the standard in those times. Bottled beer meant more choices for customers and better sales for our company. Bottling also boosted our reputation, since customers could now see our brand emblazoned on the label of every bottle.

Miller begins producing beer in cans.

Miller bottles and cans are first sold in six-packs.

Coors Brewing Company introduces the first two-piece aluminum beverage can. Today, we own and participate as a partner in operating the nation’s largest aluminum can manufacturing plant, in Golden, Colorado.

Coors launches a recycling revolution by offering a penny for every can returned to the brewer. As a result, recycling programs are now instituted nationwide.

Coors invents a new automated can-body maker.

Miller brews and tests beer using the Lite Beer from Miller name. In 1975, Lite Beer from Miller is introduced nationally, launching the beer industry’s low-calorie segment.

Miller becomes the first US brewer to invest in the ceramic cold filtration process that is still used for Miller Genuine Draft. In 1986, Miller Genuine Draft is introduced.

Coors introduces the first “malternative” beverage—Zima—to the marketplace. Zima is now available in three citrus-based flavors: Zima Citrus, Zima Tangerine and Zima Pineapple Citrus.

Miller introduces Icehouse, the first American-brewed ice beer.

Coors is the first brewer to introduce the wide-mouth can nationally. The wide-mouth can was 38 percent wider than other cans and offered consumers the smooth drinkability and refreshment similar to a glass of draft beer.

Coors creates and sells a limited-edition 16-ounce keg-shaped can to support its convenience store customers. The keg can uses unique can-shaping technology.

Coors announces the national availability of the sleek 8-ounce can, making Coors Light the first beer available in an 8-ounce serving. Not only does the smaller can cool down faster in the refrigerator or ice chest, it also eliminates the problem of warm beer at the bottom of a larger can. The can also features a new wide-mouth opening that makes it easy to drink.

Coors introduces the cold-activated bottle, which features mountains on the label in Thermochromatic ink that turn blue when Coors Light has been chilled to the perfect temperature for ice cold refreshment.

Miller introduces Miller Chill, the first light beer brewed with a hint of lime and a pinch of salt, a fusion of great beer traditions of two cultures—great light beer from America and the chelada style from Mexico.

Coors introduces cold-activated 24-ounce cans.

Coors Light launches the industry’s first built-in vent in the vented wide-mouth can. The built-in vent and a new 8-percent wider opening combine to produce a smoother pour and reduce the vacuum, or “glugging,” effect.