Is it beer? Is it soda? Is it a summery beverage? Why are you drinking it in the Winter, Dave?
We were really intrigued the first time we tried this stuff. It was the middle of summer and we must have been drawn in by the Communist Propaganda Poster that is the can of Stiegl Radler – the “beer with fruit soda malt beverage specialty” that is all the rage in Germany, it appears. It comes in a four-pack of cans that are half-liters, or just more than a pint, or enough to refresh you after running that 10-miler you like to run every Friday after your organic beet farming group meets. Dude! It’s like drinking soda, but it’s like drinking beer, and I don’t know, let’s just review it!
Stiegl Radler Review
I should start a revolution – sorta like the people who claim that Coca-Cola wasn’t a winter beverage until it was marketed as such by those polar bears. Or Santa Claus. My revolution involves 365 days of Stiegl Radler as the refreshing beverage of choice for those wanting grapefruit refreshment, alcohol, sugary soda (even for those who gave up soda, like me, ahem), and the feeling of satisfaction. Or something. I’m babbling.
Taste
Like a party in your mouth…wait, that’s someone else’s marketing tagline. Sorry. Really, though, yum! Not syrupy sweet, some sugar, but doesn’t have that “OMG I just downed a tablespoon of sugar” feeling you get from downing a Mountain Dew. There’s grapefruit – but not way, over-the-top, sour morning grapefruit way.
Profile
TINY amount of alcohol – 2.5% ABV. So you can have a 16 ouncer and be all like – HEY! I still have all my faculties!
Value
$9.99 for a four-pack. Cans are tall. Yes, folks, I say that’s a pretty good value.
Metasip Grade: A-
As a *critic*, I’m not sure if I’m giving that grade to Stiegl’s version or the entire genre. Perhaps it’s the style that gets me wondering if this is something I like – but maybe others will do even more justice to this variety.