We’ve done HUGE business with an Austrian Radler (Pilsner + Tunisian Grapefruit Soda at 2.5% ABV) and a couple of others, all from Europe with similar specs, most importantly LESS THAN 3% alcohol. The very WORD “radler” means “cyclist” and is actually sold as a SPORTS DRINK like Gatorade or other hydrating liquid with some electrolytes.
Now several American breweries are LABELING things a “radler” and use fruit components but the ABV is inching north of 4% rendering them “fruit beers” and not really useful when mowing the lawn, riding your bike or volksmarching as they are TOO strong to really pound with impunity.
and BTW; Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy is horse bleep. Seriously, why not make your own? You can get fizzy Euro style lemonade or grapefruit sparkler at a ton of places…trader joes, for example. Amazon if you don’t mind waiting 5 days.
'Zackly - I’ve had quite a few American versions and they all more than sucked. Ballast Point is doing their Sculpin IPA with Grapefruit, and that is actually very well made - but man, some of these US versions are just horrible.
I have no interest in beer with 2% alcohol. Too many calories/too much money for that reward. I think under 5% still counts as fairly low alcohol. I like the Blvd Ginger Lemon Radler though, and its 4.5%. I also drink a ton of shandies in the summer with simply lemonade and a variety of beers.
Thomas that does help. It seems a bit sweet so I assumed more. Regardless, I’ll take the Blvd with 4.5. I just don’t see a point in so low an abv. Obviously YMMV. Again, I like the Stiegl as a cocktail mixer.