Hopewell Lil Buddy 8Pk

Hopewell Lil Buddy 8Pk is an 8-pack of 8 oz cans of Munich-style Helles lager brewed by Hopewell Brewing Co. in Chicago at 4.2% ABV. Earning a 96/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing, Lil Buddy distinguished itself as the first beer from a Chicago brewery packaged in 8 oz "cutie pie" cans — a format designed for easy sessionability and portion-friendly drinking.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.2%  |  Origin: Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Helles Lager  |  Brewery: Hopewell Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Hopewell Brewing Co. operates out of Logan Square at 2760 N Milwaukee Ave, one of Chicago's most vibrant craft beer neighborhoods. Lil Buddy follows the Helles tradition — a clean, malt-forward lager style originating in Munich that prioritizes balance and drinkability over hop intensity. The miniature 8 oz can format is a deliberate choice by Hopewell, making it the first Chicago brewery to package beer in this size and positioning Lil Buddy as an ideal warm-weather companion that stays cold from first sip to last.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Gentle bread crust leads into mild grain sweetness with a whisper of floral hop. There is a clean, lager-like neutrality underneath that keeps the nose inviting and uncomplicated.

Taste: The entry is soft and grainy, with fresh-cracked wheat and light mineral nuances across the palate. Mid-palate brings honeyed bread tones and a subtle herbal hop presence that adds just enough structure without steering the beer away from its malt-driven core. Bitterness builds gradually toward the back, providing a counterpoint to the sweetness.

Finish: Crisp and moderately dry with lingering grain character and a faint tart apple note. The finish is clean enough to immediately invite another sip, which the compact can format happily encourages.

How to Drink Lil Buddy

Lil Buddy is built to drink straight from the can, ice-cold, without overthinking it — that is the entire point of the 8 oz format. For cocktail-adjacent applications, the beer works well in a Shandy mixed with fresh lemonade, where the light malt body adds texture without heaviness. It also fits naturally into a Radler with grapefruit juice, playing off the grain sweetness with citrus brightness. A Michelada is another strong option, as the clean lager profile lets the tomato, lime, and hot sauce take center stage.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and summer gatherings where pacing matters
• Introducing a craft-curious friend to quality lager
• Stocking a cooler for a day at the beach or park
• Pairing with a Chicago-style meal — hot dogs, pizza, or Italian beef

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lil Buddy taste like? Lil Buddy is a clean, malt-forward Helles lager with bread crust sweetness, light grain character, subtle floral and herbal hops, and a crisp, slightly dry finish.

How does Lil Buddy compare to Spaten Premium Helles? Reviewers have noted that Lil Buddy can compete directly with Spaten Premium Helles, particularly alongside food, with both sharing a clean malt character and balanced hop bitterness. Lil Buddy is slightly lower in ABV and comes in a distinctive 8 oz can, while Spaten offers a more widely available, traditional European Helles profile.

Is Lil Buddy good for beginners? Absolutely — at 4.2% ABV with a gentle, balanced flavor profile, Lil Buddy is one of the most approachable craft lagers available, and the 8 oz can makes it easy to sample without committing to a full pint.

Where is Lil Buddy made? Lil Buddy is brewed at Hopewell Brewing Co. in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, located at 2760 N Milwaukee Ave.

What foods pair well with Lil Buddy? Grilled bratwurst or hot dogs complement the bread-like malt sweetness. Light salads with vinaigrette work well against the crisp finish. Soft pretzels with mustard mirror the grain character. Fish tacos benefit from the beer's clean palate-cleansing quality. Mild cheeses like Havarti or young Gouda echo the subtle honeyed sweetness.

What sizes does Lil Buddy come in? Lil Buddy is packaged in 8 oz cans, sold in 8-packs — a format unique among Chicago breweries and totaling 64 oz per pack.

Is Lil Buddy worth the price? Lil Buddy positions as an accessible, everyday craft lager, and the 8 oz format means less waste and more flexibility per session. With a 96/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing, it delivers well above its weight class for a sub-5% ABV beer.

Why Lil Buddy?

The 96/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing puts Lil Buddy in rare company for a beer this light and unpretentious. Its defining innovation is the 8 oz can — Hopewell was the first Chicago brewery to package in this format, solving the real-world problem of a warm, half-finished beer on a hot day. The Helles style itself is one of brewing's most demanding, requiring technical precision because there is nowhere for flaws to hide. Lil Buddy executes it cleanly, earning an 85 on BeerAdvocate and strong community marks on Untappd, and it has quietly become a staple of the Chicago craft scene.