Sketchbook No Parking 4Pk

Sketchbook No Parking 4Pk is a 4.4% ABV American Pale Ale from Sketchbook Brewing Co. in Skokie, Illinois, sold as a four-pack. Built on a foundation of five different malts and dry hopped with Citra, this session-strength pale ale delivers a surprisingly layered citrus-forward drinking experience at a low ABV.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.4%  |  Origin: Skokie, Illinois  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Sketchbook Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Sketchbook Brewing Co. operates taprooms in Skokie (4901 Main St.) and Evanston (821 Chicago Ave.), establishing itself as a staple of Chicago's North Shore craft beer scene. No Parking is dry hopped exclusively with Citra hops, a variety prized for its intense tropical and citrus aromatics, while its grain bill incorporates five distinct malts to create body and complexity that defies its modest 4.4% ABV. The result is a pale ale designed for extended sessions without compromising on hop character or malt depth — a deliberate exercise in restraint and balance from a brewery whose New England IPA, Insufficient Clearance, was named among Draft Magazine's 20 best IPAs in the country in June 2017.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright citrus — orange zest, lime peel, and grapefruit — followed by a subtle dank, herbal quality. Light cracker-like malt and a whisper of pine round out the aromatics.

Taste: On the palate, citrus leads immediately, with notes of passion fruit and orange pith layered over a lightly nutty, grainy malt backbone. Mid-palate brings mild pine and an earthy herbal hop character. A clean bitterness builds gradually, kept in check by the multi-malt structure that lends just enough caramel sweetness to maintain balance.

Finish: The finish is notably dry with lingering light citrus and mild pine. It cleans up quickly, encouraging another sip without any cloying residual sweetness.

How to Drink No Parking

No Parking is best enjoyed cold, straight from the can or poured into a shaker pint or tulip glass to amplify its Citra aromatics. At 4.4% ABV, it stands on its own as a sessionable everyday pale ale. For cocktail-curious drinkers, consider a Beer Shandy with fresh lemonade to extend the citrus profile; a Radler blended with grapefruit juice, which mirrors the hop character naturally; or a Michelada with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire — the dry, citrusy base works remarkably well against savory spice.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather afternoon sessions
• Introducing hop-forward flavor to friends who prefer lighter beers
• Pairing alongside spicy or grilled foods without palate fatigue
• Keeping a sessionable craft option on hand for weeknight drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does No Parking taste like? No Parking leads with bright citrus — orange, grapefruit, and passion fruit — over a lightly nutty malt base, finishing dry with hints of pine and herbal hops.

How does No Parking compare to other session pale ales? Its use of five different malts gives it more body and grain complexity than many session pale ales that rely on a simpler two- or three-malt bill, while the Citra dry hop delivers a hop punch more typical of beers a full percentage point or two higher in ABV.

Is No Parking good for beginners? Yes — its low 4.4% ABV and approachable citrus character make it an excellent entry point into American pale ales without overwhelming bitterness or boozy heat.

Where is No Parking made? No Parking is brewed by Sketchbook Brewing Co. in Skokie, Illinois, a suburb on Chicago's North Shore, where the brewery also operates a taproom alongside a second location in Evanston.

What foods pair well with No Parking? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the citrus hop character; sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese contrasts the dry finish; spicy Thai noodles are tempered by the crisp body; a classic burger finds a natural companion in the malt backbone; and fresh ceviche echoes the lime and grapefruit notes in the beer.

What sizes does No Parking come in? No Parking is available in a standard four-pack format from Sketchbook Brewing Co.

Is No Parking worth the price? No Parking positions as a craft session pale ale, sitting in a value-friendly tier relative to higher-ABV IPAs while delivering notable hop complexity and a five-malt grain bill that punches above its weight class.

Why No Parking?

Session beers often sacrifice flavor for drinkability, but No Parking's five-malt backbone and generous Citra dry hopping refuse that tradeoff. At 4.4% ABV, it occupies a sweet spot where hop intensity and restraint coexist — bright enough to satisfy IPA drinkers, approachable enough for those who want something lighter. Coming from a brewery whose hop credentials were validated by Draft Magazine's national IPA recognition, No Parking reflects Sketchbook's ability to work with Citra hops at any ABV and extract maximum character. It is a thoughtfully engineered sessionable pale ale rooted in Chicago's North Shore craft brewing community.