Brewer's Kitchen Courtesy of Copenhagen 4Pk

Brewer's Kitchen Courtesy of Copenhagen 4Pk is a fruited pale ale brewed with lavender, lemon, and strawberry at 6% ABV, sold in a four-pack format. This collaboration through Chicago's Pilot Project Brewing carries a solid 3.8 out of 5 rating on Untappd across nearly 1,750 reviews, reflecting broad appeal among craft beer drinkers drawn to its unconventional botanical profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Fruited Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Pilot Project Brewing

Production & Heritage

Brewer's Kitchen operates through Pilot Project Brewing, an incubator brewery in Chicago that gives emerging beer brands access to professional-grade brewing facilities. Courtesy of Copenhagen takes a traditional American pale ale grain bill and layers in lavender, lemon, and strawberry — an unusual trio that pushes the style well beyond typical hop-forward territory. The name itself carries a quirky backstory: it references the Covenhoven family, whose land once sprawled across parts of Brooklyn, though the founders playfully adopted the name "Copenhagen" when describing the beer inspired by that history.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lavender dominates the nose immediately, followed by dehydrated strawberry, lemonade, and a thread of honey. Underneath, bready malt and light grassy hops round out the aromatics with a subtle biscuit quality.

Taste: The entry delivers strawberry and lemon zest up front, supported by crackery malt and a touch of honey. Mid-palate, lavender asserts itself without overwhelming the fruit, while biscuit and raw grain notes provide a sturdy backbone. The overall impression is hazy and well-rounded, avoiding the cloying sweetness that can plague fruited ales.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering citrus zest and a faint floral echo. The malt character dries things out cleanly, leaving a balanced and drinkable close.

How to Drink Courtesy of Copenhagen

Serve chilled in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the aromatics open up; the lavender and strawberry aromatics benefit from a slightly wider rim. A Shandy riff works well here — the existing lemon character means only a small squeeze of fresh citrus is needed. Try it alongside a Radler build with sparkling lemonade to amplify the citrus without masking the botanicals. It also substitutes nicely in a Beer Margarita, where the fruited pale ale replaces a standard lager for a more complex, floral take on the format.

Best For

• Introducing hop-skeptic friends to craft pale ales through an approachable fruited entry point
• Warm-weather backyard sessions where lighter ABV and refreshing fruit flavors shine
• Pairing experiments at casual dinner parties with adventurous menus
• Gifting to craft beer fans who actively seek out unusual botanical ingredients

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Courtesy of Copenhagen taste like? It leads with strawberry and lemon zest layered over bready, cracker-like malt, with lavender weaving through the mid-palate. The overall profile is hazy, moderately fruity, and well-balanced without excessive sweetness.

How does Courtesy of Copenhagen compare to a standard American pale ale? A traditional American pale ale relies on hop bitterness and citrusy hop aromatics for its character, while Courtesy of Copenhagen substitutes much of that hop-forward punch with real lavender, lemon, and strawberry additions. The result is a softer, more floral and fruit-driven drinking experience at a comparable 6% ABV.

Is Courtesy of Copenhagen good for beginners? Yes — its fruited profile and restrained bitterness make it more approachable than hop-heavy pale ales, and the 6% ABV keeps it in sessionable territory for those newer to craft beer.

Where is Courtesy of Copenhagen made? It is brewed at Pilot Project Brewing in Chicago, Illinois. Pilot Project functions as an incubator brewery, providing production infrastructure to emerging brands like Brewer's Kitchen.

What foods pair well with Courtesy of Copenhagen? Soft goat cheese and honey crostini complement the lavender and floral notes. Grilled shrimp with lemon butter echoes the citrus character. A mixed berry salad with arugula mirrors the strawberry while cutting the malt sweetness. Light Thai dishes with lemongrass and basil harmonize with the botanical profile. Lemon tarts or lavender shortbread cookies create a dessert pairing that amplifies the beer's defining flavors.

What sizes does Courtesy of Copenhagen come in? It is available as a four-pack, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Courtesy of Copenhagen worth the price? It positions in the mid-range craft beer tier, consistent with specialty fruited pale ales from incubator and small-batch breweries. The distinctive lavender-lemon-strawberry combination and strong community ratings on Untappd suggest solid value for drinkers seeking something outside mainstream pale ale flavors.

Why Courtesy of Copenhagen?

The combination of lavender, lemon, and strawberry in a pale ale base is genuinely uncommon — most fruited ales lean on tropical or stone fruit additions, making this botanical approach a legitimate point of difference. Brewed through Pilot Project's incubator model in Chicago, it benefits from professional-grade production while retaining the experimental spirit of a small-batch brand. The 3.8 Untappd rating across nearly 1,750 reviews confirms it resonates beyond novelty, earning repeat drinkers who value its balance and drinkability. For anyone looking to explore the fruited pale ale space beyond the usual suspects, this is a genuinely distinctive option.