In the incredibly obvious department, international brewing conglomerate SAB/Miller has decided to pull their “craft-style light” versions of Miller Lite from store shelves after a tryout in a few select markets — Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Charlotte — didn’t go so well.

I don’t blame a company like SAB/Miller for trying to make craft beer. As a matter of fact, huge companies like Miller have the resources to do a great job.

But why not make a few interesting, full-flavored beers to expand the roster? Creating “light” versions of craft beers, especially duller styles like the amber and blonde ales Miller flirted with, is just silly. It’s not like they were trying to make a low-cal porter or something.

Making dull beers even duller doesn’t sound to me like a recipe for success.

The whole point of craft beers is to make a full flavored and substantial product, usually brewed with artisan values and the best ingredients. The flavors don’t really work without the calories (and alcohol). Losing the good stuff is what makes light beer light. That is why they are usually so horrible.

And besides that, craft brew enthusiasts are not fooled by this type of marketing. Most of us can read. Most of us have already made the decision that one good craft beer is better than six boring mainstream American lagers.

And that is the problem with the whole thing. I am pretty sure most people who drink craft beer are not willing to trade flavor and alcohol for a small cost savings.

Anyway, here is the Associated Press story about Miller that moved earlier today.