John in Covina said:It was invented as a the logical progression of taste manipulation in the USA. Pre Prohibition in the US had most breweies making beer that was close to their European and English cousins. After Prohibition saw the rise of what is called adjuncts, such as the use of grains like rice or corn to lighten the flavor of the beer. As time progressed the beer became lighter in flavor and reduced hopping with a result of women and younger people drinking the non-bitter or not heavy brews. In reality most people like to drink sweet sodas and don't care for the flavor of beer which is why the beer is served as cold as posible in frozen mugs to reduce the flavor even more. In the end under the concept of less calories "Light or Lite Beer" was introduced as a near flavorless excuse for beer.
Michael Jackson the bard of beer was quoted in the 1970's as saying: "When Coors announced they were introducing a brand of light beer, it was like Volkswagen annoucing they were going to produce a line of Small Cars."
This is why small breweries like Anchor nearly went bye-bye in the US until the home brew revolution started and some people found that they liked fuller flavors and beer with taste. Over time the home brewers became microbrewers opening brewpubs and boutique breweries and reintroducing traditional brews and even creating new categories. Today you can find a number of fine ales and dark beers in most markets in the US, but Lite beer still is a favorite of the great unwashed because they really don't like beer.
Really informative post, thanks for that :eusa_clap