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Made with a mix of beer and lemonade, Radler is the German equivalent of the British shandy. Enterprising innkeeper, Franz Kugler, invented the "radlermass," or cyclist's litre, in 1922 after he had a bike trail built from Munich to his forested inn. On the first day the trail opened, he had more thirsty cyclists than beer, so he mixed it with lemonade. Its low alcohol (between 2-4% ABV) makes it an ideal after-sport thirst quencher. At last, this beer-and-juice combination has hit the North American radar, with many craft brewers creating their own unique versions with lager or wheat-beer bases.
You May Taste
A perfect balance of sweet, sour and a whisper of bitterness, radlers offer a soft, creamy body with flavours of grapefruit, lemon, citrus zest, orange, pineapple, Sprite, soft hops, cereal or bready malts. Wheat beer versions may also deliver clove or banana notes.
Sip Them With
Enjoy radlers with salads with citrus or bright fruit flavours, such as fruit salad with mint, watermelon, basil and feta. This versatile brew also pairs well with beer-poached chicken, salty snacks like pretzels, popcorn or potato chips, fruity gelato and ice cream.
Serving Tips
Pour your radler straight out of the fridge or cooler into a tall, slim glass that will trap the beer's delicate foam and aromatics.
If you’re looking for a low-alcohol beer on a hot day, reach for a radler. It’s a blend of lager or wheat beer with lemonade or grapefruit juice that’s wonderfully effervescent and quenching yet malty. This golden sipper is a definite must-have light beer.