For this installment of Tasting Notes, we find refreshment and cool comfort on a hot summer’s day by getting into a few cans of Grapefruit Radler from  Paulaner Brauerei (Munich, Germany).

Developed to be the “perfect complement wherever you are during the warm summer months,” Paulaner Grapefruit Radler is a thirst-quenching Radler that “combines 50% Paulaner’s classic Münchner Lager and 50% naturally hazy, grapefruit infusion.” Coming in at a super sessionable 2.5% ABV, Paulaner Grapefruit Radler is “a fruity-tart refreshment that is 100% natural and not too sweet.”

Paulaner Grapefruit Radler officially hit the U.S. in June and will be available throughout the summer months. You can expect to find this new offering available in 4-packs of 16.9 oz. cans at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Paulaner USA’s nationwide distribution network. 

Now that we know how Paulaner put together and packaged this offering for all of us to enjoy in the U.S., let’s crack open these cans and see how this Radler stacks up over some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Grapefruit Radler from Paulaner Brauerei

Appearance: Poured from a 16.9 oz. can into a Spiegelau lager glass, this Radler presents itself as a blush pink in color and is capped with nearly two fingers of airy, bright white foam. When held to direct light, soft yellow and orange tones surface but the overall look remains a glowing pink. The beer is quite hazy, but a fast-moving carbonation presence can still be seen zipping around within. Head retention is short lived, quickly falling away to nothing and leaves no lace behind.

Aroma: Sweet grapefruit dominates the nose with a mix of grapefruit soda and grapefruit juice. Beer aromatics are muted, but there is a gentle malty sweetness lying underneath all of the grapefruit.

Taste: The grapefruit is quick to assert itself here as well. That grapefruit soda note is present, but its sweetness is tempered, balanced and elevated with added notes of grapefruit zest and fresh, tart grapefruit sprinkled with sugar. The base beer has more of a chance to make itself known by turning up in the finish with clean Pilsner notes and a lingering tinge of Noble hops.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied with a bright carbonation, this Radler is wonderfully light, refreshing and easy-drinking. It leans more to the sweet side, but there is enough tartness present from the grapefruit to balance and the base beer dries things out nicely in the finish. As one would assume, the 2.5% ABV is not at all noticeable and this further increases the crushable nature of the beer. The aftertaste is just a touch of grapefruit zest.

Final Thoughts: True to style, Paulaner Grapefruit Radler is ridiculously tasty, thirst-quenching and approachable. It definitely drinks more like a soda than a beer, and we view that as good thing (especially when the heat index pushes temps over the 100º mark . . . like it did today). With that said and for clarity, we are talking about a naturally sweetened soda because there is nothing artificial tasting about this beer. All flavors and aromas are clean, natural and incredibly enticing. All of this makes Paulaner Grapefruit Radler a perfect choice to pair with brunch, to cool you off after a long day of yard work, or to enjoy during just about any summertime activity. Make sure you keep an eye out for this one whenever you venture out on your next beer run. Prost!