Imperial Lager 6Pk

Imperial Lager 6Pk is a 6-pack of Costa Rica's flagship pale lager, brewed at 4.5% ABV by Cervecería Costa Rica. This American adjunct lager has earned multiple Monde Selection Gold Medals — including wins in 2006, 2007, and 2019 — and holds the distinction of being the world's first certified water-positive beer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Heredia, Costa Rica  |  Style: American Adjunct Lager  |  Brewery: Cervecería Costa Rica (FIFCO)

Production & Heritage

Cervecería Costa Rica operates under Florida Ice & Farm Company (FIFCO), one of Central America's largest beverage conglomerates. Imperial Lager is brewed in Heredia using two-row and specialty malts along with adjunct grains and hops, following a classic pale lager approach that prioritizes drinkability and clean fermentation character. What truly separates Imperial from other mass-market lagers is its ISO 14046-certified water-positive status, meaning the brewery replenishes more clean water in local Costa Rican communities than it consumes during production — a rare sustainability benchmark in global brewing.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light grain and corn sweetness dominate the nose, joined by faint cereal malt and a subtle floral hop undertone. The overall impression is clean and restrained.

Taste: The entry is smooth and grain-forward, with corn and barley providing a mild sweetness at the mid-palate. A pleasing touch of hop bitterness emerges to balance the malt, keeping the profile crisp without turning sharp. The body is light to medium with moderate carbonation that lifts each sip.

Finish: Short and clean with a whisper of wheat and residual grain. The finish fades quickly, encouraging another sip and reinforcing the beer's session-friendly character.

How to Drink Imperial Lager

Serve ice-cold, ideally between 36–40°F, straight from the bottle or poured into a pilsner glass to showcase its golden-yellow color and moderate head. Imperial's clean, light profile also lends itself well to simple beer cocktails: a Michelada benefits from Imperial's mild base, allowing the lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire to shine; a Beer Margarita (cerveza mixed with frozen margarita) gains easy drinkability from the lager's low bitterness; and a classic Shandy made with fresh lemonade pairs naturally with Imperial's subtle sweetness and light body.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and outdoor gatherings in warm weather
• Introducing friends to Central American lager styles
• Pairing with casual Latin American cuisine
• Stocking a cooler for beach days or poolside sessions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Imperial Lager taste like? Imperial Lager delivers a clean, grain-forward flavor with corn and barley sweetness balanced by mild hop bitterness, wrapped in a light, silky body with moderate carbonation.

How does Imperial Lager compare to Pilsen? Both are brewed by FIFCO in Costa Rica, but Imperial tends to drink slightly smoother with a rounder malt profile, while Pilsen leans a touch crisper and drier in its finish. Consumer comparisons often describe Imperial as the softer, more approachable of the two.

Is Imperial Lager good for casual drinking? At 4.5% ABV with a light body and clean finish, Imperial Lager is built for easy, sessionable drinking — it works well in warm-weather settings where refreshment is the priority.

Where is Imperial Lager made? Imperial Lager is brewed by Cervecería Costa Rica in Heredia, Costa Rica, a facility operated by Florida Ice & Farm Company (FIFCO), one of Central America's largest beverage producers.

What foods pair well with Imperial Lager? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the lager's light body without overwhelming it. Ceviche works well, as the beer's mild bitterness refreshes the palate between citrus-marinated bites. Fried plantains and black beans echo the subtle corn and grain sweetness. Spicy chicken wings benefit from the carbonation and clean finish cutting through heat.

What sizes does Imperial Lager come in? This listing is a standard 6-pack of 12 oz bottles, which is the most widely available format in the U.S. market.

Is Imperial Lager worth the price? Imperial Lager positions as an affordable, everyday import lager — competitive with other Central American and Mexican lagers in the same price tier, with the added distinction of its Monde Selection Gold Medal pedigree and water-positive certification.

Why Imperial Lager?

Imperial Lager is not just another adjunct lager occupying shelf space. It is the only beer in the world to carry certified water-positive status under ISO 14046 standards — a verifiable environmental claim, not a marketing slogan. Its three Monde Selection Gold Medals across more than a decade of competition confirm consistent quality at the international level. For drinkers seeking a clean, reliable, and responsibly produced Central American lager, Imperial earns its reputation as Costa Rica's most recognized beer export.