As I type, it’s Thursday, April 7^th and I’m sitting at the bar at Taco Mac here in Canton, studying for my Brewniversity Dean status. I’ve just ordered up a Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen Mix from Germany’s Binding Brauerei, a tasty radler that is one part Hefeweizen and one-part grapefruit soda. 2016 is the year of the Reinheitsgebot as we celebrate 500 years of pure German beer, but can one really celebrate that august law with a radler?

Actually, you can. Radlers, generally a mixture of lager and lemon soda, are quite popular in Germany, especially after a morning or afternoon of hiking, bicycling, or playing at whatever sport you fancy. You can make your own radler if you prefer, but pre-mixed radlers like Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen Mix are tasty and very convenient. As long as the beer in the blend is Reinheitsgebot compliant and you’re clear this is a radler, you’re also good to go with the purity law.

From the brewery website:

Now that you’ve discovered the new unique taste of our beer, we salute your ways to keep it fresh. As an original - the first to combine Hefeweizen beer and grapefruit juice, we’d like to introduce you to the “proper” pronunciation of our unusual and challenging name: Chauffeur + ah + (The) Hoff + ah!

And here’s what Taco Mac had to say:

Schofferhofer Grapefruit is the unique combination of sparkling smooth Schofferhofer Hefeweizen with grapefruit flavoring. A refreshing well-rounded taste with tangy character and hints of sweetness is pleasing to the palate. Tastes best ice cold and right from the bottle. 50% of Schofferhofer Unfiltered Hefeweizen blended with 50% grapefruit drink.

Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen Mix is a product of Germany’s Binding Brauerei located in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse in central Germany. The radler has an alcohol content of just 2.5% by volume making it perfect to refresh without intoxicating. I paid $5.50 for a 20-ounce mug at Taco Mac.

My mug of Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen Mix arrived a hazy but vibrant orange color with a thick spritzy head of foam that quickly receded and a strong ruby red grapefruit nose. Taking a sip, I got more of the same robust grapefruit in the palate cut with a light lager maltiness underneath. The radler finishes sweet and fruity, and though I found more of grapefruit than beer about this one it was still very refreshing and, after all, I do so love grapefruit.

This was my second beer of the night, credit 748 and with two more to go to make Dean, the low alcohol was certainly welcome here. When you want a pick me up that won’t slow you down, Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen Mix is an excellent choice.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler



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