Liquid Love Monarch Lager 4Pk is a golden craft lager brewed with Indian Basmati rice, sold as a four-pack from Liquid Love Brewing Co. in Wheeling, Illinois. What distinguishes the Monarch from typical American lagers is the use of Basmati rice as a brewing adjunct, which contributes a lighter body and a notably aromatic, clean character not found in standard domestic lagers. Quick Facts: Style: Golden Lager | Origin: Wheeling, Illinois, USA | Key Ingredient: Indian Basmati Rice | Brewery: Liquid Love Brewing Co. Production & Heritage Liquid Love Brewing Co. operates out of Wheeling, Illinois, and contract brews its beers through a partner facility. The Monarch Lager is built around Indian Basmati rice, a grain prized for its long kernel and fragrant aromatics. Where mass-market American lagers use broken rice or corn as cost-cutting adjuncts, the Monarch leans into Basmati specifically for its aromatic qualities, aiming for a lager that drinks smooth and balanced while retaining a distinctive grain sweetness. Tasting Notes Aroma: Light grain sweetness leads, followed by a subtle floral quality attributed to the Basmati rice. A faint bready, malt-forward backdrop rounds out the nose without heaviness. Taste: The entry is clean and crisp, with an immediate malt sweetness that stays restrained. Mid-palate introduces a smooth, rounded grain character—more aromatic than a typical adjunct lager. The balance leans slightly sweet but never cloying, with enough carbonation to keep each sip refreshing. Finish: Short and clean, as expected from a well-made lager. A faint malty sweetness lingers briefly before the palate resets completely. How to Drink Monarch Lager The Monarch is best served cold, around 38–42°F, in a pilsner glass or straight from the can. Its crisp, easy-drinking profile makes it a natural session beer. For a Michelada, the malt sweetness plays well against lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice. In a Shandy, mix with fresh lemonade—the Basmati rice sweetness adds depth without competing with the citrus. A Beer-rita (blending lager into a frozen margarita) benefits from the Monarch's clean body, which keeps the drink light and crushable. Best For Backyard cookouts and warm-weather grilling sessions Introducing craft beer drinkers to rice-forward lagers Pairing with spicy South Asian cuisine Stocking a cooler for a day at the beach or tailgate Frequently Asked Questions What does Monarch Lager taste like? Monarch Lager is a smooth, crisp golden lager with a mild malt sweetness and an aromatic grain character from Indian Basmati rice. It drinks clean and refreshing with a short, balanced finish. How does Monarch Lager compare to Sapporo Premium? Both use rice as a core brewing ingredient, but Sapporo relies on standard rice and delivers a drier, more neutral profile. Monarch Lager uses Indian Basmati rice, which contributes a more aromatic, slightly sweeter grain character. Is Monarch Lager good for beginners? Yes—its light body, clean finish, and approachable malt sweetness make it an easy entry point for anyone exploring craft lagers or rice-based beers. Where is Monarch Lager made? Monarch Lager is produced by Liquid Love Brewing Co., based in Wheeling, Illinois. The beer is contract brewed through a partner brewing facility. What foods pair well with Monarch Lager? Grilled chicken or kebabs work well, as the lager's crispness cuts through char and smoke. Spicy curries and biryani are a natural match given the Basmati rice connection. Fish tacos benefit from the beer's light, refreshing body. Mild cheeses like mozzarella or paneer complement without overpowering the delicate grain aromatics. What sizes does Monarch Lager come in? The Monarch Lager is available in a standard four-pack format from Liquid Love Brewing Co. Is Monarch Lager worth the price? Monarch Lager positions as a craft lager with a distinct point of difference—Basmati rice—that separates it from both mass-market adjunct lagers and more expensive specialty imports. It sits comfortably in the accessible end of the craft beer tier. Why Monarch Lager? The defining move here is Indian Basmati rice. Most breweries treating rice as an adjunct use commodity grain to lighten body and cut costs; Liquid Love Brewing chose an aromatic variety for its flavor contribution. The result is a lager that drinks as easily as any mainstream American beer but carries a more expressive grain backbone. For drinkers tired of indistinguishable pale lagers, the Monarch offers a genuine twist on the style without veering into gimmick territory. It fills a gap between bland macro lagers and overly complex craft offerings, landing squarely where drinkability meets character.
