Bond’s taste in beer is rarely discussed, but in America it was Miller High Life. Brewed in Milwaukee by Miller since 1903, Miller High Life is a 4.6% American lager sold as the Champagne of Beers, and it is among the easiest Bond drinks to put in front of you.
In the books
In Ian Fleming’s Diamonds Are Forever, Bond and Felix Leiter drink several bottles at the Chicken in the Basket roadside restaurant on the way to Saratoga, with scrambled eggs and sausages. In the short story 007 in New York, Bond lists High Life as part of the best meal in New York, alongside oyster stew at the Grand Central Oyster Bar.
Drinking it now
Serve it cold from the bottle, with something plain and salty, and do not overthink it. BeerAdvocate’s profile says Frederick Miller created it in 1903 so that the good life would be accessible to everyone, and that spirit suits a beer Bond drinks with a friend rather than at a bar. A reviewer on BeerAdvocate calls the mouthfeel unique for the style, with ample carbonation and a crisp finish. Retailers sell it in 12-packs of bottles and 30-packs of cans. For more of Bond’s reading and drinking, see our books and media section and the films page.
Specifications
| Brewer | Miller Brewing Co., Milwaukee |
|---|---|
| Style | American lager |
| Strength | 4.6% ABV |
| First brewed | 1903 |
| Pack sizes | 12 x 12 fl oz bottles; 30 x 12 fl oz cans (per Walmart) |
Questions
Does Bond drink Miller High Life?
Yes, in Ian Fleming’s Diamonds Are Forever and in the short story 007 in New York.
How strong is Miller High Life?
It is 4.6% alcohol by volume.
