Milwaukees Best Ice 4Pk 16OZ Cans

Milwaukee's Best Ice 4Pk 16OZ Cans is an ice-brewed American lager from Miller Brewing Company at 5.9% ABV, sold here as a four-pack of 16-ounce cans. This expression earned a Bronze medal at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival in the American-Style Specialty Lager category and another Bronze at the 2006 World Beer Cup — recognition that distinguishes it within the value ice beer segment.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.9%  |  Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: American Ice Lager  |  Brewery: Miller Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Miller Brewing Company, founded in 1855 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, produces Milwaukee's Best Ice using a sub-freezing brewing technique. During fermentation, the temperature drops below freezing to form ice crystals, which are then filtered out — concentrating both flavor and alcohol content to 5.9% ABV. The method traces its lineage to early colonial settlers who used freeze concentration to produce applejack, but it was not widely applied to beer until the 1990s. The grain bill relies on barley malt with corn syrup (dextrose) as an adjunct, along with hops and hop extract for mild bittering.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light toasted malt and white bread open the nose, followed by a gentle cereal grain sweetness. A faint corn and barley note rounds out the aromatics without much hop presence.

Taste: The entry is moderately sweet with immediate malty character and a clean corn flavor. Mid-palate introduces a slight pear and apple fruitiness, while light bread-like cereal grain notes carry through. A touch of appropriate bitterness balances the sweetness before the beer moves toward the finish.

Finish: Short to medium in length, with lingering creamed corn sweetness and a dry, slightly grainy close. The ice-brewing filtration lends a smoother texture than many adjunct lagers at comparable ABV.

How to Drink Milwaukee's Best Ice

Serve it cold — around 33–38°F straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass. The 16-ounce format is built for straightforward, no-fuss drinking. For a Michelada, its corn sweetness and mild bitterness pair naturally with lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice. In a Beer-a-Rita, the malty base holds up alongside frozen limeade concentrate without getting lost. It also works in a Shandy, where mixing with lemonade amplifies the beer's subtle fruit notes while keeping the ABV approachable.

Best For

• Tailgating and outdoor sports viewing where a higher-ABV value lager is preferred
• Backyard cookouts where you need a crowd-friendly, easy-drinking beer
• Casual weeknight drinking when you want something cold and uncomplicated
• Stocking a cooler for camping or fishing trips on a budget

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Milwaukee's Best Ice taste like? It has a moderately sweet, malt-forward profile with prominent corn flavors, light cereal grain notes, and a faint fruity hint of pear and apple. The ice-brewing process gives it a smoother body than many standard adjunct lagers.

How does Milwaukee's Best Ice compare to Icehouse? Both are produced by Miller Brewing Company and share similar adjunct lager DNA, but Milwaukee's Best Ice is generally considered slightly harsher with a touch more sweetness. Icehouse comes in at 5.5% ABV compared to Milwaukee's Best Ice at 5.9%, making the latter marginally stronger.

Is Milwaukee's Best Ice good for casual drinking? Yes — it is designed as a straightforward, higher-ABV American ice lager meant to be served very cold for easy consumption. Its smooth, malt-driven character and 5.9% ABV make it a functional choice for relaxed social settings.

Where is Milwaukee's Best Ice made? It is brewed by Miller Brewing Company, which has been based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin since 1855. Miller is now part of Molson Coors Beverage Company, though the brand retains its Milwaukee heritage.

What foods pair well with Milwaukee's Best Ice? Grilled burgers and bratwursts complement its malty sweetness. Spicy wings benefit from the beer's cooling, slightly sweet finish. Nachos with cheese sauce mirror its corn-forward flavor profile. Pizza — particularly pepperoni or sausage — pairs well with the cereal grain and bread notes. Salted pretzels accentuate its light malt character.

What sizes does Milwaukee's Best Ice come in? This listing is a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans; Milwaukee's Best Ice is also commonly available in single 24-ounce cans, 12-packs of 12-ounce cans, and 30-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Is Milwaukee's Best Ice worth the price? Milwaukee's Best Ice positions firmly in the economy tier of American ice lagers, delivering above-average ABV at 5.9% for the category's lowest price points. For drinkers prioritizing value and a smooth, straightforward beer, it fulfills its purpose honestly.

Why Milwaukee's Best Ice?

The ice-brewing process — freezing and filtering the beer to remove ice crystals — is the defining production detail here, concentrating both flavor and alcohol beyond what a standard adjunct lager achieves. Its Bronze medals at both the 2003 Great American Beer Festival and the 2006 World Beer Cup confirm that professional judges have recognized quality within its category. At 5.9% ABV, it sits at the higher end of mainstream ice lagers, delivering more strength per ounce than most competitors at the same price tier. The 16-ounce four-pack format gives drinkers 64 total ounces of beer — a practical size for those who want a few full pints without committing to a case.