Ten Ninety 1916 4Pk

Ten Ninety 1916 4Pk is a pilsner-grain American lager from Glenview, Illinois, packaged as a four-pack at 4.7% ABV (9.4 proof). What distinguishes this beer within Ten Ninety Brewing Company's catalog — a brewery better known for high-gravity imperial styles — is just how restrained and malt-focused it is, delivering a surprisingly delicate lager from a house that typically swings for the fences.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.7%  |  Origin: Glenview, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American Lager  |  IBU: 40  |  Brewery: Ten Ninety Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Ten Ninety Brewing Company operates out of Glenview, Illinois, and has built its reputation primarily on bold, high-gravity offerings. The 1916 stands as a deliberate departure — a malt-dominant lager that showcases pilsner grain in a clean, light-bodied package. At 40 IBU, it carries more hop bitterness than many American lagers in its weight class, giving the beer structural backbone without overwhelming the grain character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Floral honeysuckle leads, followed by light apple and fresh baking bread. The nose is gentle and inviting, suggesting a malt-forward beer without heaviness.

Taste: The entry is light and crisp, centered on fresh pilsner grain that reads as sweet dough and light honey with a dusting of powdered sugar. Mid-palate, herbal hop character emerges — lemongrass, straw, and peppery greens add complexity and prevent the sweetness from becoming cloying. The 40 IBU bitterness is well-integrated, balancing the malt without dominating it.

Finish: Bone dry, with lemon pepper, parsley, and fresh grass clippings trailing off cleanly. The dryness lingers, encouraging another sip rather than coating the palate.

How to Drink 1916

Serve cold, ideally between 38–45°F in a pilsner glass or clean pint glass to let the floral aromatics open up. This beer is best enjoyed fresh and unadorned — its bone-dry finish and crisp body make it a natural session lager. For beer cocktails: a Michelada works well, where the herbal, peppery hop character complements lime and hot sauce; a Shandy with fresh lemonade plays off the lemon-pepper finish nicely; and a Radler with grapefruit soda amplifies the floral and citrus notes already present in the beer.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer drinkers to a sessionable, malt-forward lager
• Backyard grilling and warm-weather cookouts
• Pairing with lighter fare like salads, seafood, or grilled chicken
• Fans of Ten Ninety's heavier lineup looking for a change of pace

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ten Ninety 1916 taste like? 1916 tastes like fresh pilsner grain — light honey, sweet dough, and powdered sugar — balanced by herbal lemongrass and peppery green hops that lead into a bone-dry, lemon-pepper finish. It is light, crisp, and highly refreshing.

How does 1916 compare to a typical American macro lager? At 40 IBU, 1916 carries significantly more hop bitterness than most mass-produced American lagers, which typically range from 5–15 IBU. The pilsner grain also gives it a more pronounced malt character and complexity than standard macro lagers, which tend to use adjuncts like rice or corn.

Is 1916 good for session drinking? At 4.7% ABV, 1916 sits squarely in sessionable territory, and its dry finish and crisp body make it easy to drink across multiple rounds without palate fatigue.

Where is Ten Ninety 1916 made? 1916 is brewed by Ten Ninety Brewing Company in Glenview, Illinois, a suburb on the North Shore of Chicago. The brewery is known primarily for its high-gravity and imperial-style beers.

What foods pair well with 1916? Grilled white fish benefits from the beer's herbal, peppery hop notes. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette echo the lemon-pepper finish. Soft pretzels with mustard complement the pilsner grain sweetness. Grilled chicken with herb seasoning mirrors the lemongrass and parsley character. Mild, creamy cheeses like fresh mozzarella contrast the dry finish without competing for attention.

What sizes does 1916 come in? Ten Ninety 1916 is available as a four-pack, which is the standard retail format for this beer.

Is 1916 worth the price? 1916 positions as a craft lager from a small Illinois brewery, placing it in the mid-range craft beer value tier. Its quality pilsner grain base, notable 40 IBU hop presence, and clean execution justify the premium over macro lagers for drinkers seeking more character in a sessionable format.

Why 1916?

The most interesting thing about 1916 is where it comes from. Ten Ninety Brewing built its identity on big, aggressive beers — imperials and high-gravity styles that push boundaries. The 1916 proves the brewery can exercise equal skill at the opposite end of the spectrum, producing a malt-dominant lager that is remarkably light yet fully flavored. The 40 IBU bitterness is an unusually assertive choice for an American lager at 4.7% ABV, and it pays off by giving the beer a dry, clean structure that most session lagers lack. For anyone who thinks small breweries only shine with heavy-hitters, this beer is a compelling counterargument.