Expert: John Snyder - 12/7/2003

Question
What is the process of brewing that results in an ice brew?  like natural ice, michelobe ice,Milluakee's best and Bud Ice?  All i know is they all have more alcohol, often around 5.7 or 5.9  any info you have or could fine would be great.
thanks
sean

Answer
The ice process takes place just prior to the packaging operation.The finished beer is subjected to below freezing temps of water,through cooling chillers.Beer has a lower freezing point than water,which is 32F,because of it's alcohol content,in an average range of 28 to 29 F.The purpose is to remove most of the haze producing protein compounds,in beer,which adversely affects beer clarity and taste after packaging,thus limiting shelf life of the beer.The proteins are precipitated out in this process.Also the alcohol content is increased,as some water is removed during the chilling process,as ice crystals.The 5.7 to 5.9 alcohol figure you give is in volume,which is used as a marketing gimmic.Breweries actually report alcohol content by weight,which in terms of volume the alcohol number is approx 25%less.