Right now with a record-breaking heat wave gripping the Pacific Northwest, if we’re not drinking water we’re looking for refreshing, thirst-quenching, sessionable beers to help cool off. Sure, light lagers and weizens are typically the first ones to come to mind, but how often do we think of radlers?

If you’re like me, likely not often enough. Which is a shame since conceptually, radlers are dead simple: half beer, half lemon or citrus soda (or lemonade, or any other soft beverage, really). The beer is typically (though not always) a lighter colored or bodied one, and the alcohol is cut by half, which makes it easier to drink when it’s very hot. Radlers are easy to make at home. So of course it takes a commercial example to remind me of how good they can be.

All of which is a mildly roundabout way to bring me to Paulaner Grapfruit Radler. I’d received samples of this from Paulaner USA, which imports the Paulaner beers to the U.S. and currently offers up Grapefruit Radler in cans. This brew is a 50/50 blend of Paulaner’s Münchner Lager and grapefruit lemonade, which tops out at a mild 2.5% alcohol by volume.

And it hits the spot during this heat. The Paulaner website says:

Naturally cloudy grapefruit flavoring meets our tasty Münchner Lager. Whether in the beer garden, hiking or on the go in the city – this tangy, thirst quencher is the perfect accompaniment: fruity-tart, 100% natural and not too sweet.

It also provides nutritional information, per 100ml serving (approximately 3.4 fluid ounces): 38 calories per serving, or about 135 calories per 12 ounces, and about 180 calories per 16 ounces.

Appearance: Pink-orange, a bit like pink lemonade, hazy/unfiltered, with a pinkish, off-white head that fizzled out quickly.

Smell: Pink grapefruit juice, a bit of bruléed sugar-broiled grapefruit, bright and punchy and a bit like a grapefruit soda.

Taste: Moderately sweet and mild juiciness, quite like a soda pop with a nice citrus zest and natural flavor that’s really clean and refreshing. It’s pretty simple; fresh and juicy with a mild malt breadiness, no hops, and that sweet, slightly tangy soda keeps everything on point.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and crisp, with just the right hint of bitter citrus peel and a clean finish.

Overall: It’s excellent, which is what I’d expect from a German brewery such as Paulaner.

I made an afterthought note in my booklet too: “What seltzer?” I do wonder if people who regularly drink seltzers would be happy with this.