The Revival of Shandies and Radlers | SevenFifty Daily

In the U.S., lemony shandies and fruity radlers—a German speciality mixing beer with fruit juices like grapefruit or citrus sodas—broke out in the mid-2010s, led by Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. But sales slumped amid a glut, shaking out brands like shandy-focused Traveler Beer. Tastes shifted to hazy IPAs that, with new hop varieties, filled a fruity void.

But recently, as drinkers increasingly seek maximal taste while being mindful of alcohol, breweries are re-embracing the breezy fun of shandies and radlers. Dollar sales increased 28 percent in 2024, according to NIQ, as the fruit-forward styles are again staples at bars, restaurants, retailers, and concert and sports venues.

“People are attracted to the fruit and low-ABV element,” says Calvin Fredrickson, the account manager at Spiteful Brewing in Chicago. Sales volumes of its Grapefruit Radler (2.7% ABV) are up 20 percent as Spiteful “taps into the better-for-you category of beer.”

For SevenFifty Daily, I dive into why the fruit is once again loose.