Natural Ice 6Pk

Natural Ice 6Pk is a 5.9% ABV ice-brewed American lager from Anheuser-Busch, sold here as a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Brewed using a sub-freezing crystallization process, Natty Ice stands as one of the strongest-selling value ice beers in the United States.

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

Production & Heritage

Natural Ice was introduced by Anheuser-Busch, the St. Louis brewing giant founded in 1852 and now part of AB InBev. The beer is produced using an ice-brewing method in which the liquid is chilled below freezing, forming ice crystals that are then removed. This concentrates the remaining beer, yielding a fuller body and slightly higher alcohol content than a standard American lager. The grain bill relies on a combination of malt and corn, with both American-grown and imported hops contributing mild bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet corn and honeyed bread dominate the nose, with a faint cereal grain character underneath. The overall impression is noticeably sweet, with minimal hop presence.

Taste: The palate opens with corn-forward sweetness that carries through the mid-palate as a starchy, bread-dough flavor. A lightly grainy quality emerges alongside brisk carbonation, and a faint metallic edge appears toward the back end. The sweetness is restrained enough to keep the beer drinkable.

Finish: Short and relatively clean, with lingering raw dough and a slight metallic note. The carbonation lifts the close, leaving a dry, mineral-like impression.

How to Drink Natural Ice

Serve ice cold — ideally between 33°F and 38°F — straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass. The higher ABV and corn sweetness also make it a serviceable base in simple mixed drinks. A Chelada (with tomato juice, lime, and hot sauce) masks any rough edges and adds savory depth. A Beergarita (blended with frozen limeade concentrate) uses the sweetness to its advantage. A Shandy (topped with lemonade) rounds out the corn notes into something refreshing on a hot day.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for tailgating or outdoor cookouts
• Budget-conscious shoppers who want higher ABV than a standard lager
• Casual backyard gatherings where quantity and cold refreshment matter
• Game-day sessions where easy-drinking beer is the priority

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Natural Ice taste like? Natural Ice is a corn-forward ice lager with noticeable sweetness, light grain character, and a clean, slightly metallic finish. It drinks smooth for its 5.9% ABV, with brisk carbonation keeping it crisp.

How does Natural Ice compare to Bud Ice? Both are ice-brewed lagers from Anheuser-Busch, but Natural Ice is generally considered sweeter and smoother, while Bud Ice carries a more distinct, sometimes polarizing off-flavor that many drinkers find less approachable. Natural Ice also tends to be priced slightly lower.

Is Natural Ice good for casual drinking? Natural Ice is designed as a straightforward, high-carbonation lager meant to be consumed cold and in quantity; it delivers more alcohol per ounce than most standard American lagers at a budget-friendly price point.

Where is Natural Ice made? Natural Ice is brewed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with production carried out across AB InBev's network of American breweries.

What foods pair well with Natural Ice? Grilled hot dogs and bratwursts match the beer's sweetness with smoky char. Classic cheeseburgers echo the malty, corn-bread quality. Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the cold carbonation cutting through heat. Salted pretzels and beer cheese dip play off the grainy notes. Barbecue pulled pork sandwiches complement the light sweetness without clashing.

What sizes does Natural Ice come in? Natural Ice is widely available in 12 oz cans sold in 6-packs, 12-packs, 18-packs, 24-packs, and 30-rack cases, as well as single-serve 25 oz cans and 40 oz bottles in many markets.

Is Natural Ice worth the price? Natural Ice positions squarely as a value-tier ice lager, delivering 5.9% ABV at one of the lowest price-per-ounce points in the American beer market — it is widely regarded as one of the most cost-effective options for drinkers who prioritize strength and volume.

Why Natural Ice?

Natural Ice occupies a specific and well-defined niche: maximum drinkability and alcohol content at minimum cost. The ice-brewing process — chilling the beer below freezing and removing ice crystals — is a legitimate production technique that concentrates both flavor and strength beyond what a standard adjunct lager achieves. At 5.9% ABV, it sits comfortably above most mainstream American lagers while remaining lighter-bodied than malt liquors. For the drinker who wants a cold, simple, and strong lager without pretense, Natty Ice has held that ground for decades.