Zima

by Coors

1992 – 2008 RARE REVIVALS

Rare revivals only. Dead in the US since October 2008 apart from nostalgia-summer returns in 2017 and 2018 — and with the trademark lapsed in 2024, the odds of a third comeback look zlim.

Last verified Nov 7, 2026

Coors' crystal-clear "malternative" hit test markets in fall 1992, riding the same clearmania as Crystal Pepsi — and unlike the clear colas, it hung on for sixteen years before Coors pulled the tap in October 2008.

🧾 One more thingZima never fully died abroad: Japan kept it continuously until 2021 and brought it back in 2023. In the US, Molson Coors let the trademark itself expire in April 2024, ending a revival company's bid to claim it.

Filed under: Drinks & Sodas · the ’90s

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📅 Timeline

1992Coors test-markets its clear malt beverage in the fall, per the company's own annual report — peak clearmania, two years after Crystal Pepsi's test runs began.
2008October — MillerCoors discontinues Zima in the US after sixteen years, citing its focus on other malt drinks.
2017MillerCoors brings Zima back as a nostalgia-summer limited release, and repeats it in 2018 — the CEO later called the revival "the most polarizing decision" his leadership team had made.
2021Japan, which never dropped Zima, pauses it at year's end — then brings it back in 2023 under a new distributor.
2024April — Molson Coors lets the US trademark expire, mooting a brand-revival company's attempt to claim the name.

❓ People also ask

Can you still buy Zima in the US?

No. It's been gone since October 2008 aside from limited summer returns in 2017 and 2018, and Molson Coors let the US trademark lapse in April 2024.

Is Zima still sold anywhere?

Japan — it stayed on sale there continuously until the end of 2021 and returned in 2023 under a new distribution deal.

🧾 Sources

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Zima is ready to make a comeback (2017)
ABC7 New York, Zima, 1990s-era clear malt beverage, to return, reports say (2017)
PhillyVoice, Get ready for more Zima in 2018 (2018)

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