Icehouse 6Pk Cans

Icehouse 6Pk Cans is a 5.5% ABV American ice lager sold in a six-pack of 12 oz cans, brewed by Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Launched in 1993 as the first domestically produced ice beer in the United States, Icehouse earned Gold Medals at the 2003 and 2007 Great American Beer Festival in the American-Style Specialty Lager category.

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

Production & Heritage

Miller Brewing Company, founded in Milwaukee in 1855 and now part of the Molson Coors portfolio, introduced Icehouse in 1993 as a pioneering release in the American ice beer segment. The brewing process follows a traditional lager approach using water, barley malt, corn syrup (dextrose and maltose), yeast, and hop extract, but with a critical additional step: just before aging, the beer's temperature is lowered below freezing, forming actual ice crystals within the liquid. This ice-brewing technique concentrates flavor and raises the alcohol content slightly above standard premium lagers, resulting in Icehouse's signature bold, smooth character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet cereal grain and corn dominate the nose, joined by faint malt and a light biscuit-like quality. Hop presence is negligible, keeping the focus squarely on the grain bill.

Taste: The entry is clean and corn-forward with a noticeable sweetness. Mid-palate, light biscuit malt emerges, giving Icehouse more body and flavor than many American adjunct lagers in its price class. There is virtually no hop bitterness, allowing the grain character to carry the beer through to a slightly creamy peak.

Finish: The finish is short and crisp with a smooth, almost cream-like texture that trails off cleanly. Residual corn sweetness lingers briefly before fading.

How to Drink Icehouse

Serve Icehouse ice-cold, straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass to maximize its crisp, smooth drinkability. Its clean, malt-forward profile also holds up in simple beer cocktails: a Michelada benefits from its corn sweetness balancing lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire; a Shandy pairs its smooth body with lemonade for an easy warm-weather drink; and a Brass Monkey (beer plus orange juice) works here because the mild flavor doesn't compete with the citrus.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for backyard barbecues and tailgates
• Budget-friendly game-day drinking with friends
• Casual weeknight sessions when you want slightly more kick than a standard lager
• Introducing someone to the ice beer category at an accessible price point

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Icehouse taste like? Icehouse is a corn-forward, smooth American ice lager with light biscuit malt sweetness, minimal hop bitterness, and an almost cream-like texture. It drinks clean and bold compared to most standard adjunct lagers.

How does Icehouse compare to Natural Ice? Both are American ice lagers, but Icehouse runs at 5.5% ABV versus Natural Ice's 5.9% ABV. Icehouse tends to show more biscuit malt character and a smoother finish, while Natural Ice leans sweeter and carries a slightly higher alcohol punch—Natural Ice holds the title of the top-selling ice beer brand in the United States.

Is Icehouse good for casual drinking? Icehouse is designed for easy, straightforward drinking at a modest 5.5% ABV, making it a reliable session choice that delivers more flavor and body than many similarly priced American lagers.

Where is Icehouse made? Icehouse is brewed by Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The brand has been part of the Molson Coors family since the merger of SABMiller and Molson Coors.

What foods pair well with Icehouse? Grilled burgers and hot dogs work naturally with the beer's corn sweetness. Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the cold, crisp finish. Pepperoni pizza pairs well because the malt body complements melted cheese. Salted pretzels and roasted peanuts are classic bar-snack matches that highlight the smooth grain character.

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

Is Icehouse worth the price? Icehouse positions as a value-tier ice lager that punches above its weight in flavor. Its multiple Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup gold medals confirm it delivers quality that outperforms much of its competitive set at the same price level.

Why Icehouse?

Icehouse holds a genuine claim to history as the first commercially available ice beer brewed in the United States, a distinction that still sets it apart more than three decades after its 1993 debut. Its competition-validated quality—Gold Medals at the 2003 and 2007 Great American Beer Festival and Gold Cups at the 1996 and 1998 World Beer Cup—demonstrates that the ice-brewing process yields measurable results, not just marketing language. At 5.5% ABV with a noticeably smooth, corn-and-biscuit flavor profile, it delivers more character than most beers in its price range. For drinkers who want an affordable, bold American lager with a proven track record, Icehouse remains a credible and distinctive choice in the ice beer category.