Natural Ice 25OZ

Natural Ice 25OZ is an ice-brewed American lager from Anheuser-Busch at 5.9% ABV in a 25-ounce can. Distinguished from standard budget lagers by its sub-freezing ice-brewing process, Natural Ice — commonly known as Natty Ice — has maintained a loyal following as one of the higher-ABV options in the economy beer segment.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.9%  |  Origin: St. Louis, Missouri, USA  |  Style: American Ice Lager  |  Brewery: Anheuser-Busch InBev

Production & Heritage

Natural Ice is brewed by Anheuser-Busch, the storied St. Louis brewery founded in 1852 and now part of the global Anheuser-Busch InBev conglomerate. The beer is made with a blend of premium American-grown and imported hops alongside a grain bill combining malt and corn. What separates it from its sibling Natural Light is the ice-brewing process: the beer is chilled to temperatures below freezing, forming ice crystals that are then removed. This concentrates the remaining liquid, resulting in a slightly higher alcohol content and a fuller body than a conventional light lager.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet corn and honeyed bread dominate the nose when the beer is served cold. A faint grain-forward character sits beneath, with little hop presence detectable.

Taste: The entry is light-bodied with a delicate sweetness driven by corn and malt. At mid-palate, honey-like sweetness becomes more prominent, while a mild raw-dough quality emerges toward the finish. A slight metallic edge can appear as the beer warms.

Finish: Short and relatively clean, with lingering grain sweetness. The signature smoothness from the ice-brewing process keeps the close from turning harsh despite the elevated ABV.

How to Drink Natural Ice

Natural Ice is best served very cold — ideally between 33°F and 38°F — straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass. Its neutral, sweet grain profile makes it a functional base for easy-drinking beer cocktails. A Michelada benefits from Natty Ice's clean body, letting tomato juice, lime, and hot sauce take the lead. A Shandy made with lemonade plays off the beer's inherent sweetness for a refreshing warm-weather drink. A Beergarita — blending frozen limeade concentrate and tequila — uses Natty Ice as an affordable, smooth-finishing extender.

Best For

• Tailgating, cookouts, and outdoor gatherings where volume and value matter
• College and young-adult social events on a budget
• Casual game-day drinking over an extended afternoon
• Stocking a large cooler for a house party or camping trip

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Natural Ice taste like? Natural Ice has a sweet, corn-forward flavor with hints of honeyed bread and a smooth, clean finish derived from its ice-brewing process. It is light-bodied with minimal hop bitterness.

How does Natural Ice compare to Bud Ice? Both are American ice lagers brewed by Anheuser-Busch, but Natural Ice has a slightly higher ABV at 5.9% versus Bud Ice's 5.5%. Many drinkers note that Natural Ice carries a touch more sweetness, while Bud Ice leans slightly drier and crisper.

Is Natural Ice good for parties? Natural Ice is one of the most popular choices for large casual gatherings due to its combination of higher-than-average ABV and budget-friendly positioning in the 25-ounce format.

Where is Natural Ice made? Natural Ice is brewed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with production across multiple Anheuser-Busch breweries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Natural Ice? Grilled hot dogs and burgers complement the beer's mild sweetness. Salty snacks like pretzels and chips accentuate its grain character. Spicy buffalo wings work well because the clean body acts as a palate refresher. Pepperoni pizza is a classic match, and corn-on-the-cob mirrors the beer's corn-driven flavor.

What sizes does Natural Ice come in? Natural Ice is widely available in 25-ounce single cans, as well as 12-ounce cans and bottles sold in 6-packs, 12-packs, 18-packs, 24-packs, and 30-rack cases.

Is Natural Ice worth the price? Natural Ice positions as a firmly budget-tier American ice lager, and within that category it delivers above-average ABV at 5.9% and a smoother texture than many competitors — making it a strong value pick for drinkers prioritizing quantity and strength per dollar.

Why Natural Ice?

Natural Ice occupies a specific niche that few beers fill as effectively: a smooth, higher-ABV lager at rock-bottom pricing. The ice-brewing technique — where the beer is frozen and ice crystals are removed to concentrate flavor and alcohol — is the key production step that separates it from standard economy lagers like Natural Light or Busch. The 25-ounce can format adds further value, delivering nearly two-and-a-half standard servings in a single pour. For drinkers who want a no-frills American lager with a bit more punch, Natty Ice remains the category benchmark.