There’s Bud Light, Miller Lite, Michelob Light and Natural Light. That’s a lot of light beer. And we’re only scratching the surface.

But to us – well, if you know Marker Nine and follow us on Facebook, to co-founder Mike Silberhorn - there’s only one choice. Natty Light. Why? It’s like summer time in a bottle. Not heavy, not deep. Light and airy – just what you want as you load up to spend a day on the Chesapeake Bay, on the beach…or just hanging by the fire on a crisp Southern, fall day.

So that made us think: what is the story behind Natural Light?

The funny thing about Natural Light is there’s no full bodied version. Unlike Budweiser, Natty Light was always designed to be a light beer. It’s a bit of a beer conundrum…sort of.

The answer lies within the hallowed history of American light beer. It was the late 1970s and the peace and love of the decade was fading away as the body conscious, image conscious 1980s crept in.

Anheuser-Busch began thinking of ways to compete in a changing market where some beer drinkers wanted to imbibe without worrying about the bulge. So in 1977 Anheuser-Busch Natural Light (that’s Natural Light or Natty Light to you) was born.

It’s kind of funny that our go-to summer time brew came out of a demand for low-calorie beer.

Evolution and beyond

So Natural Light was the first reduced-calorie light beer for Anheuser-Busch (NOT Bud Light) – Who knew? (Not us obviously.)

The beer debuted in a sea of new light beers, but it quickly distinguished itself as being the best beer for your buck – a claim the brand still makes to this day.

But surprisingly, Natural Light hasn’t only endured the test of time – and a lot of competition – it’s also gotten better with age. In 2008, Natty won the gold (okay it won the bronze) at the World Beer Cup for “American-style light lager.” And in 2011 Natural Light’s notoriety sky rocketed (literally) when the light brew became the first beer in space – oddly a tale that was prophetically told in a 1984 marketing poster depicting a golden can of the lager in outer space.

And nearly 40 years after its debut, and countless new light beers later, good old Natural Light is as popular as ever.

So smooth

Seriously, we do love our Natty Light. Pretty sure you got that message by now. But why? It’s light on flavor, light on calories and light on alcohol. Wait…what?

Well, there’s the science behind it, for starters. Natural Light goes through a fermentation process just like any other beer. But to get that ultra light taste, the lager is filtered right before it’s bottled. That’s what gives it that summer time flavor.

And that’s the magic. On a hot July afternoon, the humidity along the Chesapeake Bay can be intense. Sitting on the edge of your boat, or settled into a beach chair, you feel the sweat creep down the back of your neck. It’s hot. Really hot.

A Fatty Natty nested, cool and ready, inside your cooler has your name on it. You pull out the funky little bottle, pop off the cap and take a sip. You don’t get that hoppy finish of an IPA or the bitter bite of a stout.

Instead, Natural Light goes down smooth. So smooth. No after taste, no bite. Just refreshing. The perfect flavor as you take in a deep breath, grateful for the little moments.

That’s why Natural Light is our favorite.

Oh, and it fits perfectly in a Marker Nine coozie. Just sayin.

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"Give me the smell of low tide, marsh grass and a two-stroke and I'm in heaven."
-Mike Silberhorn, Marker Nine Co-Founder

We've said it time and time again - because we love the story! - when asked about the inspiration for Marker Nine.

You crawl down the creek, enjoying the calm of No Wake. Then you see her. Bright and green.

It's Channel Marker Nine on Sarah Creek along the Chesapeake Bay's York River and just after pulling past her, the open water awaits.

Just being here, in this space, fills your senses. The salt. The wind. The hum of the motor.

This is life. Coastal life. This is Marker Nine.

Well this - these pictures below - is the real Channel Marker Nine that inspired it all. It stands tall in Sarah Creek just outside the waters of the York River Yacht Haven, at the mouth of the York River in Virginia's famed Chesapeake Bay.

It's where the families who founded Marker Nine have spent countless hours in the salty waters. It's a happy place, a fun place, a place that's formative in the young lives of the next generation of Marker Nine.

Meet our Marker Nine. And then head over to our Facebook page and show us yours. Don't forget to use the hashtag #MYMARKERNINE.

If you know Marker Nine co-founder Mike Silberhorn, you know where there's a boat and a Marker Nine coozie, a Fatty Natty (Natural Light) isn't far behind.

See that? Love for the water. Love for Marker Nine. Love for family. That's co-founder Mike Silberhorn's boys hugging it out!

Does this even really need a caption? Boat + summer days + the waters outside Marker Nine = best childhood memories ever.

It isn't a beach party or a boat party without some of our favorite pooches.

There she is. Bright and green. #MyMarkerNine

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