Maplewood Lounge Lager 4Pk

Maplewood Lounge Lager 4Pk is a 4.6% ABV American adjunct lager brewed with 6-Row barley and flaked corn by Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in Chicago. Rated 3.89 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate and scoring 85 points from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine's BJCP blind tasting panel, this Logan Square lager has quietly built a loyal following among Chicago's craft beer drinkers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.6%  |  Origin: Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American Adjunct Lager  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, running both brewing and distilling operations under one roof. Lounge Lager leans into the American adjunct tradition with a straightforward grain bill of 6-Row barley and flaked corn — a deliberate nod to the pre-craft macro lager heritage that prioritized drinkability and clean fermentation. The result is a beer that wears the "adjunct" label proudly, emphasizing malty undertones alongside a restrained noble hop bite rather than hiding behind heavy flavor additions.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cereal grain leads immediately, followed by gentle floral notes and a subtle sweetness reminiscent of cornbread. There is very little hop presence on the nose, allowing the malt and corn character to define the opening impression.

Taste: Corn dominates the entry and carries through the mid-palate with a doughy, cracker-like backbone. A delicate hop presence arrives late, adding just enough bitterness to cut through the grain sweetness. The mouthfeel is lively, with bright acidity and effervescent carbonation that keeps each sip moving across the full palate.

Finish: Clean and moderately dry, with a persistent citric quality lingering toward the back of the tongue — think liquid saltines with a gentle acidic snap. The finish is short but refreshing, inviting the next sip without any cloying residue.

How to Drink Lounge Lager

Serve cold, ideally between 38–42°F, in a standard pint glass or pilsner glass to showcase its crystal-clear golden pour and white head. This is a sessionable beer at 4.6% ABV that drinks best straight from the can or poured fresh. For beer cocktails, Lounge Lager works well in a Michelada, where the corn sweetness balances hot sauce and lime; a Shandy, where its clean grain profile pairs naturally with fresh lemonade; or a Radler, where the lager's bright carbonation and low bitterness merge easily with grapefruit juice.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for a summer cookout or tailgate
• Introducing craft-curious friends to the adjunct lager style
• Pairing with casual weeknight meals that call for a light, unfussy beer
• Supporting Chicago-local brewing when shopping for neighborhood favorites

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lounge Lager taste like? Lounge Lager is corn-forward with a doughy, cracker-like malt backbone, lively carbonation, and a subtle noble hop bite on the finish. It drinks clean and crisp with a slight citric snap at the end.

How does Lounge Lager compare to Dovetail Lager? Dovetail Lager, also brewed in Chicago, leans more heavily into traditional German lager technique and continental malt character. Lounge Lager takes a distinctly American approach with its 6-Row barley and flaked corn grain bill, producing a more corn-driven flavor profile at a comparable ABV.

Is Lounge Lager good for beginners? Absolutely — at 4.6% ABV with a clean, approachable flavor profile, Lounge Lager is an accessible entry point for anyone curious about craft-brewed adjunct lagers without the intensity of hop-forward or barrel-aged styles.

Where is Lounge Lager made? Lounge Lager is brewed at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Maplewood operates as a combined brewery and distillery, producing both beer and spirits on site.

What foods pair well with Lounge Lager? Grilled burgers and hot dogs benefit from the beer's carbonation cutting through fat. Fish tacos work well against its corn sweetness and citric finish. Sharp cheddar or mild queso pair naturally with the cracker-like malt notes. Fried chicken finds a counterpoint in the lager's bright acidity, and street corn echoes the flaked corn in the grain bill for a complementary match.

What sizes does Lounge Lager come in? Lounge Lager is available as a 4-pack.

Is Lounge Lager worth the price? Lounge Lager positions as a craft-priced everyday lager — not a budget macro, but far from a limited-release premium. With an 85-point score from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine and strong community ratings on both BeerAdvocate and Untappd, it delivers solid value within the craft adjunct lager category.

Why Lounge Lager?

In a craft market saturated with hazy IPAs and pastry stouts, Maplewood's commitment to a straightforward American adjunct lager stands out as a deliberate creative choice. The combination of 6-Row barley and flaked corn produces a flavor profile with genuine grain character rather than the neutral blandness often associated with adjunct brewing. An 85-point score from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine's blind BJCP judging panel confirms that the execution holds up under scrutiny. For anyone looking for a well-made, sessionable Chicago lager that respects American brewing tradition while delivering craft-level attention to ingredients, Lounge Lager earns its spot in the rotation.