From Bryce Eddings,
Your Guide to Beer.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

What the Brewery Says...
"Miller Chill is an American take on the Mexican 'Chelada' - ice cold beer served with lime and salt. The result is a surprisingly refreshing style of light beer that is sure to quench your thirst wherever and whenever things get hot. How refreshing? Muy!"

Do About Beer's panelists agree?
(Want to contribute? Check out beer tasting panel information and FAQs.)

Dawn Allcot - 3 out of 5

I didn’t have high expectations for Miller Chill. It’s a mass market brew and, let’s face it, “real beer” doesn’t come in a twist-off bottle. Miller Chill is marketed as “light beer with Natural Flavors, Chelada Style.” Inspired by a Mexican recipe, the drink is infused with salt and lime. You can smell the fruity flavor upon opening the bottle. The moderate-to-heavy carbonation is evident within the first few seconds, too. Like a cool gin and tonic over ice, this beer exudes “summer refreshment.”

It hasn’t got a strong flavor. As should be the case with light lagers, you can’t taste the hops and there’s hardly any bitterness. Served icy cold, Miller Chill is crisp and refreshing, a more-than-adequate summer beer for the beach or a barbecue.

Not surprisingly, it goes well with Mexican food like nachos, although its character would be overpowered by a heavier meal, like a steak dinner.

When poured in to a pint glass, the beer has a small head that quickly dissipates. Unlike some beers, which seem to taste better when enjoyed from the appropriate glassware, I didn’t notice any difference drinking it out of a glass or straight from the bottle. Either way, it’s light and fruity, with a slightly salty aftertaste. It tastes like a close cousin to Corona, without any skunky flavor. And, with only 110 calories per serving, you can easily burn off your indulgence with an energetic game of beach volleyball.

Dawn's Website

Brian "Buff" Urgo - 2.5 out of 5

Let me first say that I was not overly excited to give this “brew” a taste. Just the idea of it sort of turns me off.

It pours a very light pale yellow. Crystal clear and produces a huge stark white head. The head dissipated a bit quicker than I would have expected given the size. Bubbles are a bit on the large side, almost like a soda. Continuous carbonation emanating from the bottom of the glass well after the head has gone.

Aroma is definitely citrus, almost like that of a certain clear un-cola. Not a hint of hops, malt or anything else that is typically associated with a beer. I can’t say I am disappointed as the purpose of this beer isn’t either of those characteristics.

Surprisingly, the taste is not as citrusy as I would have expected. It’s got a nice mild lemon/lime flavor that cleans the palate well. This might be a nice brew to use in place of the lemon sorbet that is typically used in cleansing between courses. The flavor of lime lingers for a bit after the swallow but it is not offensive. Light carbonation on the tongue. The faint body is a perfect match for this light, spritzy offering. Carbonation seems to dissipate as it warms, and almost becomes a bit flat as you get to the end.

Overall, I would say that I was pleasantly surprised in sampling this beer from Miller. It’s nice for what it is, but I think it’s more of a malternative than a beer. I don’t picture myself going out of my way to seek out or crave this beer again, but if it was in the fridge after having just mowed the lawn I’d consider it.

Shawn Connelly - 1 out of 5

The substance poured a very, very pale blonde color (as I described it to a friend, it appears like a pint glass of water that someone soaked a corn chip in for a few minutes) and displayed a surprisingly thin, soapy head of bright white.

The nose (no, that term is too high-brow for this beer) … the smell was of pale rice grain and corn with an entire package of Spree candy dumped in.

Okay, upon the initial tasting, this “beer” comes across less like a beer and more like a malt liquor product like Zima, really. After a couple more attempts, it dawns on me … this is a simply a Miller Lite with Hawaiian Punch added. I detect no lime, although there is a cheap candy-like fruit thing going on, and definitely no salt. For this, I’m actually thankful. The mouthfeel is extremely thin, like carbonated water, and the finish was clean and “spritzy” – more of a citrus soda in this regard than anything else I can think of at the moment.

Over all, maybe the Miller folks have nailed what they were trying to create - a Chelada - which is basically a way to make a Mexican beer taste better, if that is possible. I know full well I’m not the demographic they’re trying to reach with this one, but man … I don’t even think I could do this for an occasional lawnmower beer. Definitely not my cup of tea (I’d have certainly preferred a cup of tea!) but if you’re into this sort of thing, knock yourself out.:):):):)

Shawn's Website

Mike - 2.5 out of 5

A pale yellow with a moderate head that disappeared fairly quickly. A faint hint of citrus, not easily detected as lime. Miller claims it is "inspired by a Mexican recipe with lime & salt", I tasted no salt. I suspect this will be popular, but not with me.