Miller Lite's age-old 'Great Taste, Less Filling' debate is back, this time with J.J. Watt

Back in 1975, Miller Brewing Company (then based in Milwaukee) introduced Miller Lite to the world by sparking a decades-long debate between celebrities and sports stars ― What's Miller Lite's best quality, that it "tastes great" or that it's "less filling"?

Plenty of the era's stars weighed in, including Milwaukee Brewers' legendary announcer Bob Uecker.

Now, just in time for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Miller Lite is reigniting the debate through a series of new ads ... this time with a new generation of popular, retired athletes.

This new roster includes Olympic soccer player Mia Hamm, New York Yankees great Jorge Posada, Indiana Pacers star shooter Reggie Miller and award-winning MLB player David "Big Papi" Ortiz. The "Great Taste, Less Filling" campaign also features former Wisconsin Badgers and NFL defensive end (and Pewaukee native) J.J. Watt.

"Growing up, I watched the biggest names in sports battle it out in the iconic debate of what makes Miller Lite so great," Watt said in a statement.

"I've always been team Less Filling, and that won't change, but to have the opportunity to work with Miller Lite to officially reignite this major debate is pretty special being from Wisconsin … let's keep the Lite-hearted conversation alive for another decade!"

The campaign's first ad, "Destiny," ran for the first time on Thursday. It follows Watt, living on a farm and bored with his life in retirement until a mysterious visitor comes to the door. The visitor gives Watt a wrapped package labeled with these simple instructions: "Crack beer, watch tape."

While enjoying a Miller Lite, Watt is inspired by a VHS tape of older "Great Taste, Less Filling" ads to come "out of retirement to answer his true calling, becoming a Miller Lite All Star," a press release from Miller Lite says.

"Following the first ad, fans will watch J.J. Watt and his fellow retirees continue to debate the merits of the brand through a series that spin on the original ads, which captivated beer lovers across the nation for decades," the release continues.

Fans can pick up a Miller Lite 'Beer Tape' at America's last remaining Blockbuster store

To celebrate the return of the "Great Taste, Less Filling" campaign, Miller Lite is releasing special "Beer Tapes."

According to the release, Beer Tapes are a double-feature set ― one real VHS tape that "brings fans along an interactive experience to join the debate, unlocking the chance for beer on us for a year," and one VHS-shaped novelty glass. Fans can even scan their Beer Tape to vote for their preferred side of the "Great Tasting, Less Filling" dispute.

Beer Tapes will be available at the world's last remaining Blockbuster movie rental store in Bend, Ore., on March 28. If you're unable to make the trip to Oregon, you can enter to win a Beer Tape through a sweepstakes on Miller Lite's Instagram page @MillerLite. Visit the link in the Instagram page's bio for more info on how to win.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Miller Lite brings back 'Great Taste, Less Filling' debate with J.J. Watt