After a nationwide search that began in March, Miller Lite, a brand of Chicago-based MillerCoors, selected the winners of its Miller Time Internship.

The old saying goes, “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” It’s not too hard to apply that saying to the U.S. beer market as analysts recognize the role different tiers and segments play in the category’s efforts to bring its case and dollar sales positioning back to pre-recession levels.

According to a study by Kelton Research on behalf of Miller Lite, more than half of Americans gather with friends or family the night before Thanksgiving. This year, Chicago-based MillerCoors’ Miller Lite brand is sponsoring some of those get-togethers by giving away $50,000 toward what it’s calling “Beersgiving” celebrations.

Customer satisfaction toward purchases in the soft drink and beer categories remained relatively stable in the last year, with both segments showing approximately a 1 percent decrease in scores compared with the previous year, according to a study by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Ann Arbor, Mich.

Coors Light, a brand of Chicago-based MillerCoors, announced a partnership with multi-platinum country music star Jason Aldean, whose new CD, "Night Train," will be released Oct. 16.

 In 2011, beer’s performance reflected a category of contradictions with trends torn between the ongoing price consciousness of some consumers and the insatiable taste for variety — even if it carries a higher price — from other demographics.  

 Summer is usually prime time for beverage sales.  

SABMiller plc, London, and Molson Coors Brewing Co., Denver, reported that its joint venture MillerCoors’ first quarter underlying net income increased 16.6 percent to $175.3 million and total net sales increased 3.6 percent to $1.76 billion compared to the first quarter of 2011. The companies attributed the performance to positive pricing growth, cost management and favorable mix.

MillerCoors, Chicago, changed the name, packaging and personality of its MGD 64 brand. This month, the beer relaunched nationally as Miller64.

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Chippewa Falls, Wis., a subsidiary of MillerCoors’ Tenth and Blake Brewing Co., is celebrating its 145th birthday by taking its craft beer portfolio on a cross-country tour this summer.