Grapefruit Radler
Cowbell Brewing Co.

Tallboy from the LCBO; dated Mar 8 2022 and served slightly chilled.

Pours a cloudy golden-orange colour, crowned with an inch of foamy, sparkling white head that sizzles off rapidly, speckling the glass with spotty lace as it vanishes. A thin collar is the only other remnant; looks about right for a grapefruit radler, and the aroma is similarly spot-on. I'm getting light grapefruit zest and juiciness, with hints of grainy pale malt sweetness.

Its flavours are pleasant and seemingly authentic - I'm tasting sweet, tart grapefruit flesh at first, followed by grapefruit juiciness and then a hint of that characteristic grapefruit bitterness, lingering into the aftertaste before drying somewhat. Light-ish in body, with moderately gentle carbonation that rolls across the palate, tickling it just a little. Smooth, exceptionally drinkable, and quite flavourful for only 2.5%.

Final Grade: 3.95, a B+. Cowbell's Grapefruit Radler is real solid - I know that the grapefruit is from concentrate, but it still gives off that real grapefruit juice vibe, or at least more so than most of the other grapefruit radlers I've tried in the past. Many radlers are back-sweetened with grape or apple juice, but here, only grapefruit appears in the ingredients list - this may be why that flavour 'pops' for me (i.e. it's not being sidelined by fruit sugars). A delight to quaff, assuming you enjoy grapefruit, and something I plan to buy repeatedly this summer.

A nice even handed radler. Not excessively sweet, a nice balance between juice and beeriness. Looks like pink grapefruit juice. Moderate head that settles quickly. Nose is fruity with beer in the background. Genuine, nothing artificial about it. Same to taste. Juicy with a nice beery backbone. Moderate carbonation adds a nice tickle. Overall enjoyable. Suitable for brunch or on any kind of sunny day.