Hopewell Per Diem 4Pk

Hopewell Per Diem 4Pk is a Czech-style Pilsner from Chicago's Hopewell Brewing Co., available in a four-pack format. Brewed with traditional Czech Saaz hops, Per Diem balances malt body and roundness with a floral, herbal hop character that distinguishes it among the city's growing roster of lager-focused craft offerings.

Quick Facts: Style: Czech-Style Pilsner  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Format: 4-Pack  |  Brewery: Hopewell Brewing Co., Logan Square

Production & Heritage

Hopewell Brewing Co. operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, where the brewery and taproom have become a fixture of the local craft beer scene. Per Diem is built around traditional Czech Saaz hops — the same noble hop variety that defines classic Bohemian pilsners — paired with a malt profile designed to deliver body and roundness rather than the leaner, crisper character of German-style pilsners. The result is a beer that leans into the softer, more bread-forward tradition of Czech brewing while maintaining enough hop bitterness to keep each sip structured and refreshing.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Floral Saaz hops lead, followed by a gentle herbal quality and light honey-like malt sweetness. The nose is clean and inviting without any harsh grain or sulfur notes.

Taste: The entry is soft and malt-forward, with a bready, lightly sweet grain character that builds across the mid-palate. Czech Saaz hops introduce a firm, measured bitterness that lifts the malt weight without overpowering it. Herbal and subtly spicy hop flavors thread through the second half.

Finish: Clean and moderately bitter, with the floral hop character lingering alongside a faint cracker-like dryness. The finish is crisp enough to reset the palate and encourage another sip.

How to Drink Per Diem

Pour into a traditional pilsner glass or a simple tumbler, served cold at around 38–45°F to let the Saaz hop aromatics open up without dulling the malt character. Czech pilsners are built for straightforward, unadorned drinking — no garnish, no fuss. For shandy variations, Per Diem's herbal bitterness pairs well with fresh lemon juice. It also works as a solid base for a Michelada, where the malt body holds up against lime, hot sauce, and tomato. A beer-tail using Per Diem alongside a measure of Becherovka (Czech herbal liqueur) creates an easy crossover drink rooted in the same Bohemian tradition.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when a single well-made lager beats a heavy craft IPA
• Introducing hop-skeptical friends to flavorful, balanced craft beer
• Backyard grilling sessions where drinkability matters over several hours
• Building a tasting flight comparing Czech-style pilsners from different American craft breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Per Diem taste like? Per Diem is a malt-forward Czech-style Pilsner with bready sweetness, floral and herbal Saaz hop character, firm bitterness, and a clean finish.

How does Per Diem compare to Pilsner Urquell? Both use Czech Saaz hops and share a softer, rounder malt profile than German pilsners, but Per Diem is a small-batch American craft interpretation rather than a mass-produced import, which typically results in more variation and a fresher hop presence when consumed locally.

Is Per Diem good for craft beer beginners? Yes — Czech-style pilsners are among the most approachable craft beer styles, with balanced bitterness and familiar lager drinkability that won't overwhelm newcomers.

Where is Per Diem made? Per Diem is brewed by Hopewell Brewing Co. in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Per Diem? Bratwurst and grilled sausages complement the malt backbone; fried chicken plays off the hop bitterness; soft pretzels with mustard mirror the bready malt character; lighter fish like grilled trout matches the beer's clean finish; and mild cheeses such as Havarti or young Gouda echo its subtle sweetness.

What sizes does Per Diem come in? Per Diem is available in a four-pack format; individual can sizes and other packaging options may vary by release.

Is Per Diem worth the price? Per Diem positions as a craft-priced pilsner from an independent Chicago brewery, sitting above mass-market imports but in line with other quality small-batch lagers — strong value for drinkers who prioritize freshness and local production.

Why Per Diem?

The American craft beer landscape has shifted decisively toward well-made lagers, and Per Diem represents Hopewell's entry in that movement built on a foundation of genuine Czech brewing tradition rather than trend-chasing. The use of Saaz hops — rather than New World hop varieties retrofitted into a lager template — gives Per Diem an authenticity that separates it from many domestic craft pilsners. Hopewell's Logan Square roots and taproom-driven quality standards mean this beer is brewed for a local audience that can taste the difference between a carefully constructed Czech pilsner and a generic light lager with a craft label. For drinkers seeking an everyday, sessionable beer that rewards attention without demanding it, Per Diem delivers on its name — a reliable daily pour.