Icehouse 12Pk Cans

Icehouse 12Pk Cans is a 12-pack of America's original domestically brewed ice beer, delivering smooth malt character at 5.5% ABV. Introduced in 1993 by Miller Brewing Co., Icehouse has earned three World Beer Cup gold medals — including wins in the American-Style Ice Lager category in 1996 and 1998 — establishing it as a benchmark for the ice beer style in the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: American Ice Lager  |  Brewery: Miller Brewing Co. (Molson Coors)

Production & Heritage

Icehouse launched in 1993 as the first ice-brewed beer produced domestically in the United States, brewed at Miller Brewing Co. in Wisconsin — a brewery now under the Molson Coors umbrella. The ice brewing process involves traditionally brewing and fermenting the beer, then rapidly cooling it to just below its freezing point so that small ice crystals form. The beer is briefly mixed with this ice-crystal slurry before the treated liquid is extracted, a technique that yields a notably smoother body and cleaner finish than conventional lagers at comparable strength. The grain bill includes barley malt alongside corn syrup, dextrose, and maltose, with hop extract providing a restrained bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet grain and corn lead the nose, followed by bready malt and a faint caramel sweetness. A trace of aromatic hop character sits quietly in the background.

Taste: The entry is smooth and grain-forward, with sweet malt and corn settling into a bready mid-palate. Roasted and malted grain notes develop as mild hop bitterness balances the sweetness. A subtle citrus edge — reminiscent of lemon or lime — and a whisper of black pepper emerge toward the finish.

Finish: Crisp, clean, and notably dry, ending quickly without lingering sweetness. The ice-brewed smoothness is most apparent here, leaving a polished impression rather than the heavier body typical of beers at this ABV.

How to Drink Icehouse

Serve ice-cold straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass; the low-temperature serve amplifies the crisp, clean character the ice-brewing process is designed to produce. Icehouse also works well in a Michelada, where its malty sweetness and dry finish stand up to lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice. Try it in a Shandy with fresh lemonade — the citrus note in the beer carries through naturally. It also holds its own in a Beer-a-Rita, contributing smooth body without overwhelming the cocktail's lime and salt balance.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for backyard cookouts and tailgates
• Watching game day with friends who prefer full-flavored domestic lagers
• Budget-conscious beer drinkers seeking more character than a standard light lager
• Introducing someone to the ice beer style with its most established domestic example

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Icehouse taste like? Icehouse delivers sweet grain and corn up front with a bready, mildly caramel malt backbone, finishing crisp, dry, and notably smooth thanks to the ice-brewing process.

How does Icehouse compare to Natural Ice? Both are American ice lagers at similar ABVs (Icehouse at 5.5%, Natural Ice at 5.9%), but Icehouse carries a more pronounced malty sweetness and smoother texture from its ice-crystal extraction method, while Natural Ice trends lighter and more neutral. Icehouse also holds three World Beer Cup gold medals in the ice lager and specialty lager categories, giving it stronger competition credentials.

Is Icehouse good for sipping on its own? Yes — its smooth body and clean, dry finish make it an easy standalone drinker, especially when served very cold straight from the can or over ice.

Where is Icehouse made? Icehouse is brewed by Miller Brewing Co. in Wisconsin, a facility now operated under Molson Coors Beverage Company.

What foods pair well with Icehouse? Grilled burgers and bratwurst match the malty sweetness well. Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the beer's crisp, dry finish. Pizza with its bready, cheesy character echoes the malt backbone. Salted pretzels highlight the grain notes, and smoked pulled pork plays off the subtle caramel undertone.

What sizes does Icehouse come in? Icehouse is widely available in 12-pack cans (12 oz), as well as single tall-boy cans, 6-packs, and larger multi-packs depending on market availability.

Is Icehouse worth the price? Icehouse positions firmly in the value tier of American lagers, yet its ice-brewed smoothness and multiple World Beer Cup gold medals give it a quality-to-price ratio that outperforms many beers at its price point.

Why Icehouse?

Icehouse holds the distinction of being the first domestically produced ice beer in America, a claim no other brand can make. Its three World Beer Cup gold medals — spanning the American-Style Ice Lager and American-Style Specialty Lager categories — confirm that the brewing community recognizes its quality within the style. The ice-brewing extraction process produces a measurably smoother drinking experience at 5.5% ABV, setting it apart from conventional adjunct lagers that rely on lighter body to mask grain harshness. For drinkers who want a full-flavored, smooth domestic beer without a premium price tag, Icehouse remains the definitive American ice lager.