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Radler (also called Alster) is a beer that mixes a pale lager with lemon juice that became very popular in German bars during the early 20th century, as well as in Austria, where it is also called Gespritztes.
To make a Radler, breweries typically use a ratio of 60% beer and 40% lemonade, often made from concentrated juices.
Today, in Bavaria the Dark Radler version — made with dark lager beers — is still popular, though it rarely appears on the menu, so you have to ask for it specifically.
Since 1993, German law has required these drinks to be pre-mixed in bottles or cans, legislation aimed at ensuring that lemonade and beer content are taxed separately.
What is a Radler beer?
In short, Radler is a beer cocktail with lemon juice that became very popular in Germany during the 1920s, particularly in Bavaria. Its oldest known reference dates back to a memoir by writer Lena Christ published in 1912.
The most famous and widely accepted story about the origin of Radler beer is that it was created by a railway worker named Franz Xaver Kugler, who ran his own beer garden located in Deisenhofen (Munich).
History of Radler beer
After World War I ended, cycling became a very popular sport in Germany. In fact, the word “radler” literally means “cyclist” in German, which is why its origins are so closely tied to the sport.
This was one of the reasons why Kugler — with a sharp business sense — placed his bar south of Munich, a spot frequently visited by cyclists and hikers as a supply stop.
The bar’s success was so great and the demand for beer so high that one day, to satisfy all his customers, Kugler reportedly decided to mix the beer with lemon juice so he could serve everyone who came through.
Impressed by how well his customers received it, a new beer concept was born — refreshing, flavorful, and slightly tart — and the custom spread around the world.
Radler variants in Germany
In central Germany, a mix of dark beer with raspberry juice is prepared, which is also enjoyed warm in winter.
In northern Germany, Pilsner beer is used and the mix is known as Alsterwasser or Alster, a name that supposedly references the color of Hamburg’s waters. The term Alster is not used uniformly outside northern Germany.
To some extent, Alster can refer to a mix with orange soda, though it can also mean a mix with any juice. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
In Berlin, Brandenburg, and northern Saxony-Anhalt, the term Potsdam is used — derived from the name of the glasses used to mix this drink — and it can cover all the different variants mentioned above.
In the Ruhr valley, a distinction is made by juice variety: Radler with clear lemonade, and Alsterwasser with orange soda.
In the Lower Rhine region, the mix of dark beer and cola is called Krefeld. In the Münster region, beer is mixed with orange soda and called Wurstwasser (sausage water), which gives us a rough idea of the color of this drink.
Radler variants in other countries
In the Netherlands, Pilsner is also used and the mix is called Sneeuwwitje, the Dutch word for Snow White.
In Austria, the mix with Almdudler — a popular local soft drink — is known as Almradler or simply Radler, with distinctions between sweet versions with lemonade, sour versions with sparkling water, and the so-called Soda-Radler.
In Switzerland, Italy, and France it is called Panaché, a French word meaning “mix,” Germanized in German-speaking Switzerland as Panasche — or Panasch without the final “e.”
In Switzerland you can order a sour version with sparkling water instead of lemonade. A common variant in Bavaria is the “russ,” which consists of wheat beer and lemonade.
The drink arrived in Spain from England in the 1980s and became known as “clara con limón,” to which soda was usually added.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much alcohol does a lemon Radler have?
The average alcohol content of a lemon Radler is generally around 2.5% ABV. Some commercial varieties such as Amstel Radler reach 2% ABV, while San Miguel Radler reaches 3.2% ABV.
What is the difference between a Radler and a Shandy?
While both can be considered beer cocktails, the main difference between a Radler and a Shandy is that the former is made with lemon juice, while the latter allows for greater variation by using juices such as apple or grapefruit.
What is the name of the beer and Coca-Cola mix?
The beer and Coca-Cola mix is called Goaß, generally in equal parts, and is especially popular in Bavaria, in the southeast of the country and its capital Munich.
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