Dovetail Summer Hopfenlager 4Pk

Dovetail Summer Hopfenlager 4Pk is a dry-hopped, hop-forward lager brewed in Chicago at 4.5% ABV, sold as a four-pack. Brewed by Dovetail Brewery — named one of Beer Advocate's 34 Best New Breweries in the U.S. — this seasonal release layers modern American hop aromatics over a clean, European-style lager base.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Dry-Hopped Lager  |  Brewery: Dovetail Brewery

Production & Heritage

Dovetail Brewery has built its reputation on traditional European brewing techniques executed in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. The brewery is known for open fermentation — a centuries-old method that imparts subtle complexity — and a commitment to unfiltered, clean-finishing beers. Summer Hopfenlager takes that lager foundation and dry-hops it with Vista and Strata, two modern American hop varieties that deliver bright tropical and citrus aromatics without tipping into IPA-level bitterness. The result is a sessionable warm-weather lager that bridges old-world structure and new-world hop character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lemon peel and fresh-cut grass greet the nose first, followed by gentle wildflower and herbal spice notes. A faint tropical undercurrent from the Strata hops emerges as the beer warms.

Taste: The entry is bright with citrus — lemon and light grapefruit — riding over a backbone of salty cracker malt. Mid-palate, a soft pine note and subtle wheat breadiness emerge. Bitterness remains restrained throughout, letting the hop flavor and malt balance share the stage.

Finish: Crisp, dry, and refreshing with a clean lager snap. A lingering hop herbiness and faint strawberry-like fruitiness fade gradually without any cloying sweetness.

How to Drink Summer Hopfenlager

Pour into a pilsner glass or a clean, narrow tumbler chilled to around 40–45°F to let the hop aromatics lift properly. This beer shines on its own without embellishment, but it also works in several beer-forward mixed drinks. A Radler made with fresh lemonade and the Hopfenlager plays off its existing citrus notes. A Shandy built with ginger ale pairs well with the herbal hop character. And for something bolder, a Michelada benefits from the beer's dry, crisp base, which cuts through the tomato and chile heat.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and grilling sessions where a low-ABV, hop-forward beer keeps the afternoon going
• Introducing lager drinkers to the dry-hopped style without overwhelming bitterness
• Stocking a cooler for a summer boat day or beach trip
• Pairing with lighter warm-weather fare like seafood tacos, grilled chicken, or fresh salads

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Summer Hopfenlager taste like? It delivers bright lemon-citrus and light pine hop flavors over a clean cracker-malt base, with low bitterness and a crisp, dry finish. Think hop-forward without the heaviness of an IPA.

How does Summer Hopfenlager compare to a traditional German Pilsner? A classic German Pilsner relies on noble hops for spicy, floral bitterness and a firm malt backbone. Summer Hopfenlager uses modern American hops (Vista and Strata) that push tropical and citrus aromatics further forward while keeping a similarly clean, dry lager foundation.

Is Summer Hopfenlager good for session drinking? At 4.5% ABV with a dry, refreshing finish and moderate bitterness, it is built for extended, warm-weather sessions without palate fatigue.

Where is Summer Hopfenlager made? It is brewed by Dovetail Brewery in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The brewery specializes in European-style beers produced with traditional techniques including open fermentation.

What foods pair well with Summer Hopfenlager? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement its citrus-bright hop character. A summer salad with goat cheese and vinaigrette mirrors the beer's herbal notes. Bratwurst and mustard echo its German lager roots, while lighter Thai dishes like green papaya salad play off the tropical hop aromatics.

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

Is Summer Hopfenlager worth the price? It positions as a craft seasonal lager from a well-regarded Chicago brewery. For drinkers who want more hop complexity than a standard macro lager but less intensity than a session IPA, it sits in a rewarding middle ground that justifies its craft price point.

Why Summer Hopfenlager?

Dovetail has earned widespread recognition — including Craft Beer & Brewing's Breakout Brewery distinction and the Chicago Tribune's 2022 Critics' Choice title of "Most Endlessly Satisfying Brewery" — by executing European styles with uncommon discipline. Summer Hopfenlager channels that precision into a warm-weather seasonal, using open fermentation and an unfiltered process that preserves delicate hop oils and subtle yeast character. The Vista and Strata hop combination is specific and deliberate: enough tropical and citrus punch to stand out in a crowded summer-beer field, but restrained enough to stay true to the lager tradition. In a category full of IPAs posing as session beers, this one stays firmly rooted in lager identity while delivering genuine hop complexity.