Amstel Radler
Welcome to the first in a series of five posts care of Heineken USA via Kayla at The Brand Action Team (connect with her here).
Full Disclosure: I was provided with two (2) of each sample with the exception of one of the brands.
Unlike other Amstel bottles, the Amstel Radler comes packaged in a green, Heineken-like bottle. The traditional Radler, a summertime favorite in Germany, is a 1:1 ratio of fruit juice to dry, crisp pilsner. In this case, the fresh acidity of lemon juice and other natural ingredients are added. The label also has a code to look up the freshness of the bottle in case you would be concerned.
Appearance
The Radler appears hazy due to the fruit juice mixture, and the color is a few shades darker than straight up lemon juice. Also due to the juice, the carbonation is very slight with small bubbles that will agitate upon pouring more into one’s glass. There are some slight legs left on the glass.
Aroma
Lemon juice is all up in front with a hint of sugary sweetness. I did not detect much traditional pilsner notes except a brief waft of breadiness.
Taste
Lemon sugar sweetness grasps your tastebuds immediately, though a hint of tartness hits the back of your tongue. The ratio of juice/natural ingredients to pilsner are likely close to 1:1. I would prefer a little less sweetness, but at 2.0% ABV one could really enjoy this even on a high-double or triple-digit degree day. Perfect pool-side, at the beach, or on the patio.
Mouthfeel
This is way thinner than your traditional pilsner for the mouthfeel. There is a syrup-like feel on your palate once you swallow the Radler, and the hint of carbonation makes it fairly dry and quaffable.
Overall
As I stated in my video, the Radler is a good way to transition non-beer drinkers out of their comfort zone. If a person normally drinks Fuzzy Navels, wine coolers, or sugary fruit cocktails, this would be an excellent alternative. I believe that the 2.0% ABV makes it even more accessible. One could even take the beverage another step forward and use it for sangria, punch, or other cocktails.