Natural Light is a reduced-calorie light pilsner brewed by Anheuser-Busch since its introduction on July 31, 1977. Its ingredients are listed as water, barley malt, cereal grains, yeast, and hops. The nutritional facts of one 12 ounce can is 95 calories, 3.2 grams of carbohydrates, 0.7 grams of protein, and 4.2% alcohol by volume.
Originally, the brand formulation had 97 calories, to compete with Miller Lite's 96 calories, and was called Anheuser-Busch Natural Light. The brand was Anheuser-Busch's first widely distributed light beer, followed by Michelob Light and Bud Light, introduced in 1978 and 1981, respectively. (Bud Light's name was also shortened from its original "Budweiser Light.") Natural Light was originally priced at Budweiser levels, which has traditionally been considered part of the "premium" priced-segment. The name was later shortened to the current Natural Light, and was re-formulated to have similar taste but slightly fewer calories.
Some television commercials for the brand featured comedian Norm Crosby; another comedian, Bill Saluga, was noted in some of these for his officious character of "Raymond J. Johnson Jr.;" whose tagline was essentially, "Ya doesn't have to call me Johnson." This he would follow with a succession of other names by which others could refer to him. It was Crosby, however, who most customarily mocked the brand's unwieldy name in the said commercials by urging people, "Just say Natural."
Over the years, the brand was also re-priced downward, especially after Budweiser Light was introduced, eventually ending up at its current value pricing. It is commonly consumed by younger adults because of its low price. Natural Light Beer has also been referred to as "Natty Light."