Pipeworks Alla Salute 4Pk

Pipeworks Alla Salute 4Pk is a 5.0% ABV Italian Style Pilsner from Chicago's Pipeworks Brewing Co., sold as a four-pack. Born from a collaboration with legendary Chicago sandwich shop J.P. Graziano Grocery that began in 2019, this pilsner earned an 88 on BeerAdvocate and holds a 3.8 out of 5 on Untappd across nearly 1,600 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Italian Style Pilsner  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Co. was founded in 2012 in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, quickly gaining a reputation for inventive, boundary-pushing beers. Alla Salute — Italian for "to your health" — is their take on the Italian pilsner style, brewed in collaboration with J.P. Graziano Grocery, a beloved Chicago institution known for its Italian sandwiches. The result is an unfiltered, light-colored lager that leans into spritzy carbonation and restrained hop bitterness, designed as a sessionable companion to hearty deli fare.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: White bread and dried straw open first, followed by bright lemongrass and lemon zest. A subtle spicy, dried-grass quality rounds out the nose and keeps it from reading one-dimensional.

Taste: The entry is clean and bready — white bread crust and dried straw — before lemon zest and lemongrass push through at mid-palate. A mild herbal, spicy note emerges alongside moderate but pleasant bitterness that gives the beer structure without weight.

Finish: Dry and brisk, with earthy hop character lingering alongside faint citrus peel. The finish is short and clean, resetting the palate and inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Alla Salute

Serve cold — around 38–42°F — straight from the can or poured into a Teku glass or pilsner flute to amplify the lemongrass aromatics. This is a beer built for drinking alongside food rather than mixing into cocktails. That said, it works well in a few beer-forward serves: a Shandy, where its citrus notes amplify fresh lemonade; a Michelada, where its dry, spritzy body stands up to lime, hot sauce, and Clamato; or a simple Radler with grapefruit juice, which plays off the herbal hop character.

Best For

• Pairing with Italian deli sandwiches, charcuterie, or pizza night
• Warm-weather sessions on a patio or at a cookout
• Introducing craft-curious drinkers to the Italian pilsner style
• Bringing to a BYOB dinner as a versatile, food-friendly four-pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Alla Salute taste like? Alla Salute delivers clean, bready malt character layered with lemon zest, lemongrass, and a mild herbal spice, finishing dry with moderate bitterness and earthy hop notes.

How does Alla Salute compare to Firestone Walker Pivo Pils? Firestone Walker Pivo Pils, released in 2012, is widely credited with introducing the Italian pilsner style to American drinkers and tends toward a more polished, filtered profile. Alla Salute is unfiltered with a slightly more rustic, bread-forward character and was developed specifically as a food-pairing beer through its J.P. Graziano collaboration.

Is Alla Salute good for beginners? Absolutely — at 5.0% ABV with a clean, approachable flavor profile, it serves as an excellent entry point for anyone exploring Italian-style pilsners or craft lagers in general.

Where is Alla Salute made? Alla Salute is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Co. in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Pipeworks has operated out of Chicago since its founding in 2012.

What foods pair well with Alla Salute? Italian cold-cut sandwiches are the natural match, given its J.P. Graziano origins. It also pairs well with margherita pizza, where the herbal notes complement basil and mozzarella; grilled chicken or fish, where its dry finish cuts through oil; light salads dressed with citrus vinaigrette; and aged provolone or mild pecorino on a cheese board.

What sizes does Alla Salute come in? Alla Salute is commonly available in a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Alla Salute worth the price? Alla Salute positions as a mid-range craft pilsner, and its BeerAdvocate score of 88 alongside strong Untappd ratings suggest it delivers well above its price tier — particularly for drinkers who value a clean, food-friendly lager with genuine character.

Why Alla Salute?

The collaboration with J.P. Graziano Grocery isn't a marketing gimmick — it's a purposeful partnership that shaped the beer's dry, spritzy profile to complement rich Italian deli food. That specificity of intent sets Alla Salute apart from the growing crowd of American-made Italian pilsners. An 88 on BeerAdvocate confirms the execution matches the concept, and at 5.0% ABV it stays firmly in session territory without sacrificing flavor. For anyone looking for a well-made Italian-style pilsner with genuine Chicago provenance, this four-pack delivers with clarity and restraint.