Hop Butcher Penne Pils 4Pk

Hop Butcher Penne Pils 4Pk is an Italian Style Pilsner from Chicago’s Hop Butcher for the World, brewed with Saphir and Polaris hops at 5.25% ABV. The combination of a traditional noble-adjacent hop (Saphir) with the modern German bittering variety Polaris gives Penne Pils a distinctive edge within a style prized for delicate balance and dry drinkability.
Quick Facts: ABV: 5.25%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Italian Pilsner  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher for the World
Production & Heritage
Hop Butcher for the World established itself in Chicago as one of the Midwest’s most sought-after craft breweries, earning recognition from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine as a top-14 favorite small brewery and top-8 favorite hazy IPA brewer in 2021. With Penne Pils, the brewery turns its attention to the Italian Pilsner tradition — a style defined by step mashing, extended lagering, and a pronounced dry finish. Saphir contributes the delicate floral and citrus aromatics associated with classic European pilsners, while Polaris, known for its intense bittering character and faint herbal-mint quality, adds structural backbone and a clean, modern bite.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Expect light floral notes from the Saphir hops, followed by subtle citrus peel and a faint herbal undertone courtesy of the Polaris addition. The overall impression is clean and inviting, with just enough hop presence to distinguish it from a standard German Pils.
Taste: The entry is bright and grain-forward, with crackery pale malt giving way to a gentle citrus and floral hop character at the mid-palate. Polaris asserts itself through a firm, precise bitterness that keeps the beer lean and prevents any residual sweetness from lingering. True to Italian Pilsner form, the body stays light and the carbonation lively.
Finish: Dry and snappy, with a clean bitterness that recedes quickly and leaves a slight herbal impression. The finish encourages another sip — exactly what the style demands.
How to Drink Penne Pils
Pour cold into a tall pilsner glass or a simple pint glass to appreciate the clarity and fine carbonation. This beer is built for drinking fresh and straight — no garnish or additives needed. As a cocktail-adjacent option, Penne Pils works well as a Boilermaker alongside a clean blanco tequila or a light amaro shot, as the dry finish resets the palate. It also shines in a Shandy with fresh lemonade for warm-weather sessions, or as the beer component in a Michelada where its crisp bitterness balances the tomato and lime.
Best For
Introducing hop-curious friends to the Italian Pilsner style
Backyard grilling sessions where something lighter than an IPA is needed
Pairing with weeknight pasta or pizza dinners
Building out a craft lager tasting flight with friends
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Penne Pils taste like? Penne Pils delivers a clean, grain-forward pilsner base with floral and citrus hop notes from Saphir, a firm bitterness from Polaris, and a characteristically dry Italian Pilsner finish.
How does Penne Pils compare to Firestone Walker Pivo Pils? Both beers use Saphir hops as a key aromatic component, but Penne Pils adds Polaris for a more assertive bittering profile, while Pivo Pils leans toward a softer, more traditionally balanced German-Italian hybrid approach. Penne Pils also comes in at 5.25% ABV versus Pivo’s 5.3%, making them nearly identical in strength.
Is Penne Pils good for craft beer beginners? Absolutely — at 5.25% ABV with a clean, approachable flavor profile, Italian Pilsners like Penne Pils are one of the most accessible craft styles and a natural bridge from mainstream lagers to more hop-forward beers.
Where is Penne Pils made? Penne Pils is brewed by Hop Butcher for the World in Chicago, Illinois, a brewery known primarily for its highly rated hazy IPAs and limited-release beers distributed across the Midwest.
What foods pair well with Penne Pils? The dry, bitter finish makes it a natural match for margherita pizza, where it cuts through the richness of mozzarella. Grilled chicken or fish benefit from the beer’s herbal hop character. Mild, creamy cheeses like fresh mozzarella or burrata complement the delicate malt body. Light pasta dishes — particularly with olive oil and herb-based sauces — echo the Italian roots of the style. Fried appetizers like arancini or calamari are balanced beautifully by the crisp carbonation.
What sizes does Penne Pils come in? Penne Pils is available in a 4-pack of 16oz cans, the standard format for Hop Butcher’s lineup.
Is Penne Pils worth the price? Penne Pils positions as a craft premium offering within the Italian Pilsner category, and the quality of ingredients — specifically the dual-hop approach with Saphir and Polaris — represents strong value for drinkers seeking a well-made lager from a respected small brewery.
Why Penne Pils?
Italian Pilsners have surged in popularity across the American craft landscape, and Hop Butcher’s version distinguishes itself through a thoughtful hop pairing that goes beyond the single-noble-hop approach many breweries take. The Saphir-Polaris combination delivers both aromatic finesse and structural bitterness in a way that keeps the beer interesting across a full four-pack. Coming from a brewery that built its reputation on intensely hopped ales, Penne Pils demonstrates range and restraint — proof that Hop Butcher understands lager brewing as more than a trend. At 5.25% ABV, it sits in the sweet spot for sessionable drinking without sacrificing flavor or complexity.