Ice Beer

[Silent Rob]

I have often been told that Ice Beer is practically impossible to homebrew, why is that?

What makes it so difficult. From what I have read you "slush" freeze the beer after fermentation and then filter the the ice. This is practically the same thing as freeze distillation.

Is there more to this process, am I missing something?

Thanks

[Silent Rob]

Anyone

[paul84043]

I would imagine it's because not everyone has an extra freezer to freeze ice beer in, and if they do have a freezer and they are home brewers, it's probably got beer lagering in it, or they have a dispensing system coming out of it.

I personally don't see the point in making the lighter "American" style beers at home anyway, It doesn't make any sense to go through all that trouble to make colorless tasteless fizzy water when you can just go to the store and buy it...you're not saving any money making mega clones, the cost of homebrewing is about the same as going to the store and buying Bud.
My waife has to really try hard to convince me to make a Corona clone, it's good, but when you can be making a beer with real color and flavor, it seems like a waste of time and energy.

[Tweek]

Paul, where does he say that he wants to duplicate an American Macro. I think perhaps the only type you have heard of is American Macros, that doesnt mean that all ice beer is shit.

I would be interested to know the results in this. I have a batch of homemade wine that I would be interested in freeze distilling I just never took the time to make a game plan. It sounds like a ton of work. Give it a try and let me know what you learn.

[paul84043]

I have never of any other type of ice beer other than the mega clones.
I also didn't say it was shit, just easier to go buy it at the store than make it...

If you know of another type I would be interested in hearing of it.

I still think that the limiting factor in home brewing it is the availability if an empty freezer. I guess if you lived in Alaska, you'd have it made.

Also, as you said yourself, it looks like a bunch of work...

[asciibaron]

check out this link.

www.beeradvocate.com/beer/articles_read/222/

i'm curious about the process of making a "light" beer. these are usually higher in ABV and are watered down. if you want to get drunk fast for cheap, go the light beer way.

[Silent Rob]

Well that was certainly an intresting article. I don't drink Bud Ice to get drunk faster or cheaper or to get drunk at all I just prefer it over any of ther other commercial beers. In fact my beer preference list is:
1. Bud Ice
2. Pete's Wicked Red Rush
3. Foster's

The idea of "Ice" beer itself is interesting to me. I want to make my own Ice beers or Ice Ales or even try an Ice Steam beer now that would be interesting.

Thanks for all your help so far.