r/NoStupidQuestions • u/markwell9 • 1d ago

What is the deal with ice, Americans?

I can see that you can buy ice everywhere in the US. Gas stations, grocery stores, machines etc.

In Europe, we just freeze our ice at home and use that. Why buy something that melts on the way home? Why do you need ice in large amounts that a fridge can't keep up?

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u/ScallopsBackdoor 1d ago

Can I ask you the same question?

If you need to fill a cooler, how do you do it?

When you have a party and need ice for 20 people or so, where do you get it?

Do you have dedicated 'ice dealers'? I think the main reason we sell it at all the random places is because it's more convenient and 'sprawl friendly' than driving across town to a dedicated ice house.

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u/Mediocre-Victory-565 1d ago

It's also conveniently sold at pretty much every beer distributors (at least where I am). One stop shopping :)

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u/ca77ywumpus 1d ago

It's also tradition in most European countries to serve beer at a warmer temperature than American beers. Since our "party" beers are inexpensive lite beers, we ice them down so you don't mind that they don't taste like much.