Maplewood Pulaski Pils 4Pk

Maplewood Pulaski Pils 4Pk is a dry-hopped American pilsner brewed in Chicago at 5.1% ABV, sold as a 4-pack. It earned a 94-point score from Craft Beer & Brewing magazine and stands apart from conventional pilsners through its deliberate dry-hopping technique, which layers floral complexity onto a clean, grain-forward foundation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.1%  |  IBU: 25  |  Origin: Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Dry-Hopped Pilsner  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery has operated out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood since 2014, running both brewing and distilling operations under one roof. Pulaski Pils is built on a grain bill of Pilsner and Vienna malt, giving the beer its biscuity backbone. What distinguishes it from traditional European-style pilsners is the dry-hopping step—originally using Santiam hops, the recipe has since evolved to feature Lórien hops from Indie Hops, which contribute delicate floral aromatics and a touch of citrus without pushing the beer into IPA territory.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rising bread dough and sweet biscuit lead the nose, followed by light floral notes and a subtle earthiness. There is an underlying noble hop character—herbal and restrained—that sets expectations for a balanced, European-influenced beer.

Taste: The entry is soft and grain-forward, with matzo-cracker and lightly sweet bread flavors dominating the early palate. At mid-palate, moderate floral hop bitterness cuts cleanly through the malt, and a slight lemon note emerges that grows in presence as the beer develops. The 25 IBU level keeps bitterness assertive enough to provide structure without overwhelming the delicate malt character.

Finish: The finish is notably long for a pilsner, with lingering hop presence and a dry, crisp close. Floral and faintly citrus notes carry through, leaving a clean and refreshing impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Pulaski Pils

Serve cold in a Pilsner glass or a simple pint glass to appreciate the floral aromatics rising off the pour. This is a beer that rewards straightforward drinking—no garnish needed, just a proper chill around 38–42°F. For a Shandy, mix half Pulaski Pils with fresh lemonade for a sessionable warm-weather refresher that plays off the beer's natural lemon undertone. In a Michelada, its crisp grain character stands up well to lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice. As a Boilermaker alongside a pour of American rye whiskey, the floral hops and clean malt create an effective palate-cleansing counterpoint to spice-forward spirits.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where a crisp, balanced pilsner keeps the pace
• Introducing hoppy-beer skeptics to dry-hopped styles without overwhelming bitterness
• Supporting a local Chicago brewery with a proven, award-recognized recipe
• Stocking a fridge for a weekend with something more nuanced than macro lagers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pulaski Pils taste like? Pulaski Pils delivers biscuity, bread-like malt flavors cut by moderate floral hop bitterness, with a subtle lemon note that builds toward the finish. It drinks clean and crisp with a longer, hoppier finish than most traditional pilsners.

How does Pulaski Pils compare to Toppling Goliath Primabier? Both are American-brewed pilsners with strong craft credentials, but Pulaski Pils leans more floral and grain-forward thanks to its Lórien dry-hop and Vienna malt inclusion, while Primabier tends toward a more classically restrained German pils profile. Pulaski Pils scored 94 from Craft Beer & Brewing, signaling strong critical recognition in the American pilsner space.

Is Pulaski Pils good for beginners? Absolutely—its 5.1% ABV and 25 IBU make it highly approachable, and the dry-hopping adds just enough complexity to introduce new craft beer drinkers to what hops can do beyond raw bitterness.

Where is Pulaski Pils made? Pulaski Pils is brewed at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The brewery has been producing beer and spirits at this location since 2014.

What foods pair well with Pulaski Pils? Grilled bratwurst or Polish sausage pairs naturally with the beer's malt sweetness and hop bite. Chicago-style deep-dish pizza complements the bread-like grain character. Light seafood such as grilled shrimp or fish tacos work well against the lemon and floral notes. A simple soft pretzel with mustard mirrors the biscuity malt, and mild aged cheeses like Gouda highlight the beer's balanced sweetness.

What sizes does Pulaski Pils come in? Pulaski Pils is commonly available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format from Maplewood Brewery & Distillery.

Is Pulaski Pils worth the price? Pulaski Pils positions as a mid-range craft pilsner, competitive with other locally brewed, small-batch American pilsners. A 94-point score from a respected beer publication and a distinctive dry-hopped production method give it strong value relative to peers in the category.

Why Pulaski Pils?

The 94-point rating from Craft Beer & Brewing places Pulaski Pils among the better-recognized American craft pilsners currently available. Its use of Lórien hops in the dry-hop stage—sourced from Oregon's Indie Hops program—gives it a flavor signature that most traditional pilsners simply don't attempt. The combination of Pilsner and Vienna malt provides a richer grain complexity than single-malt lagers, while the restrained 25 IBU keeps drinkability front and center. For anyone who finds standard pilsners too plain and IPAs too aggressive, this sits in a well-executed middle ground that rewards repeat drinking.