Budweiser and Miller are not the same company. While both brands are well-known in the beer industry, they are actually owned by different parent companies.
Budweiser is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, a multinational brewing company based in Belgium. They are one of the largest beer producers in the world and have a wide range of brands in their portfolio, including Bud Light, Stella Artois, and Corona. Anheuser-Busch InBev recently completed its acquisition of SABMiller, the parent company of Miller, which gives them even greater global reach and market share.
On the other hand, Miller is owned by Molson Coors Brewing Company, a multinational brewing company based in the United States and Canada. Molson Coors acquired the other half of MillerCoors, the joint venture between SABMiller and Molson Coors, as part of the AB InBev-SABMiller merger. This means that Molson Coors now owns the entirety of MillerCoors, which includes brands such as Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Blue Moon.
While Budweiser and Miller are separate entities, they do compete in the beer market and are often seen as rivals. Both brands have a long history and loyal customer bases, but they have distinct brewing techniques, flavor profiles, and marketing strategies.
It's worth noting that the beer industry has seen a lot of consolidation in recent years, with large companies acquiring smaller ones to expand their portfolios and global market share. This has led to a few major players dominating the market, including AB InBev and Molson Coors. However, there are still many smaller craft breweries that offer unique and diverse beer options for consumers.
In my personal experience as a sommelier and brewer, I have had the opportunity to taste and compare beers from both Budweiser and Miller. While they may not be considered the most complex or innovative beers in the craft beer scene, they each have their own distinct characteristics and appeal to different tastes. Budweiser is known for its crisp and clean flavor, while Miller is often associated with a lighter and smoother taste. Ultimately, the preference for one over the other comes down to personal taste and individual preferences.