Sketchbook Level Park 4Pk

Sketchbook Level Par 4Pk is a Helles-style lager brewed at 5.5% ABV by Sketchbook Brewing Co. in Skokie, Illinois, sold in a four-pack of cans. Brewed in collaboration with Canal Shores Golf Club in Evanston, IL, this sessionable lager channels the clean, malt-forward character of traditional German Helles with a distinctly local Chicagoland identity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Skokie, Illinois  |  Style: Helles Lager  |  Brewery: Sketchbook Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Sketchbook Brewing Co. operates taprooms in both Skokie and Evanston, Illinois, and has earned national attention — Draft Magazine named its New England IPA, Insufficient Clearance, among the 20 best IPAs in the country in 2017. Level Par was created specifically in collaboration with Canal Shores Golf Club, a beloved nine-hole public course in Evanston, designed to be a refreshing companion for a round of golf or post-round gatherings. The beer follows the Helles tradition of building around a clean, crisp body with German lager yeast and subtle noble hop character, finishing with soft biscuit malt sweetness rather than aggressive bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Mild fruit and toasted grain rise first, followed by classic German lager yeast and a gentle malt sweetness. The nose is restrained and inviting, hinting at the clean lager profile underneath.

Taste: The entry is smooth with a light breadiness and slightly nutty German malt character. Mid-palate, soft sweetness emerges alongside a biscuit-like grain quality, while a mildly sweet and subtly spicy noble hop presence rounds out the flavor. The body is clean and crisp without feeling thin.

Finish: The finish is short to medium, drying gently with lingering biscuit malt and a whisper of noble hop spice. It leaves the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

How to Drink Level Par

Level Par is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a Pilsner glass or Willi Becher to appreciate its copper-gold color. Its moderate 5.5% ABV and clean profile make it an ideal all-day drinker. For a Radler, combine it with fresh lemonade — the biscuit malt adds depth that citrus-forward lagers lack. In a Shandy, mix with ginger ale for a crisp, effervescent sipper on warm afternoons. It also works well as the beer component in a Michelada, where its clean maltiness balances the savory, spicy tomato mix.

Best For

• Stocking the cooler for a round of golf or outdoor recreation
• Introducing craft-curious friends to German-inspired lager styles
• Pairing with grilled food at backyard cookouts
• Supporting local Chicago-area brewing with a sessionable, everyday beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Level Par taste like? Level Par delivers a clean, malt-driven Helles flavor profile with mild fruit, slightly nutty German malts, soft biscuit sweetness, and a gentle noble hop finish. It drinks crisp and refreshing with a smooth, medium-light body.

How does Level Par compare to Spaten Premium Lager? Both are Helles-style lagers emphasizing clean malt character over hop bitterness, but Level Par leans slightly more toward biscuit and nutty grain notes and pours a touch darker — closer to a copper-gold — than the pale straw of a traditional Munich Helles like Spaten. Level Par's collaboration backstory and local Illinois production also distinguish it from the large-scale Bavarian import.

Is Level Par good for beginners? Level Par is an excellent entry point into craft lagers, with its approachable 5.5% ABV, clean flavor profile, and lack of aggressive bitterness or funky yeast character. Anyone comfortable with mainstream lagers will find this a natural and more flavorful step forward.

Where is Level Par made? Level Par is brewed by Sketchbook Brewing Co. in Skokie, Illinois, a suburb on Chicago's North Shore. The brewery also operates a taproom in neighboring Evanston, where its collaboration partner Canal Shores Golf Club is located.

What foods pair well with Level Par? Grilled bratwurst and mustard complement the biscuit malt backbone. A classic Chicago-style hot dog works well, as the beer's crispness cuts through the toppings. Light salads with vinaigrette find balance with the soft malt sweetness. Fish tacos with lime benefit from the clean, palate-cleansing finish. Soft pretzels with beer cheese mirror the bread-like grain character.

What sizes does Level Par come in? Level Par is available in a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format from Sketchbook Brewing Co. for this release.

Is Level Par worth the price? Level Par positions as a locally brewed craft lager at an accessible price tier, comparable to other Midwest craft four-packs. Its collaboration origin and clean Helles execution offer solid value for drinkers seeking a step above mass-market lagers without a premium craft price tag.

Why Level Par?

Level Par stands out as a purpose-built collaboration between a respected Chicagoland brewery and a community golf course, giving it a backstory rooted in local culture rather than marketing abstraction. Sketchbook Brewing Co. has demonstrated range and quality — their IPA earned national recognition from Draft Magazine — and Level Par shows that same attention applied to a restrained, traditional style. The Helles category rewards precision over flash, and this beer delivers a clean, biscuit-forward lager that holds up across multiple pints. For anyone in the Chicago area or anyone drawn to well-made German-inspired lagers, it earns a place in the cooler.