Lakefront New Grist Variety 12Pk

Lakefront New Grist Variety 12-Pack is a 12-pack of 12 oz cans featuring three distinct gluten-free beers from Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery. This collection includes the award-winning New Grist Pilsner (5.0% ABV), New Grist IPA (6.5% ABV) — ranked #20 on Beer Connoisseur Magazine's 2024 Top 100 Beers list — and the refreshing Grapefruit Radler, the newest addition to the lineup.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0% / 6.5% / ~3.0%  |  Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: Gluten-Free Pilsner, IPA & Radler  |  Brewery: Lakefront Brewery (est. 1987)

Production & Heritage

Lakefront Brewery, founded in 1987 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, made history in 2005 when New Grist became the first gluten-free beer to receive label approval from the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Prior to Lakefront's petition, federal standards required a minimum of 25% malted barley in any product labeled "beer," effectively making gluten-free beer illegal to sell in the United States. Unlike gluten-removed beers that start with barley or wheat and use enzymes to break down gluten proteins, all New Grist beers are brewed entirely from sorghum, rice, malted millet, hops, water, and gluten-free yeast — containing no gluten whatsoever. The IPA's hop bill features Cascade, Citra, Idaho 7, and Mosaic hops, while the Grapefruit Radler blends the sorghum-and-rice base beer with grapefruit juice and monk fruit. Every batch is tested for gluten content before packaging.

Tasting Notes

Pilsner-Style (5.0% ABV, 10 IBUs): Pours a brilliant gold with a bubbly white head and a light, fruity aroma. Crisp and smooth on the palate, with green apple cutting through sorghum maltiness and a clean, refreshing finish.

IPA (6.5% ABV, 44 IBUs): Late-boil Citra, Idaho 7, and Mosaic hops deliver aromas of orange candy, lemon-lime soda, and tangerine. The palate carries citrus and pine layered with hints of tropical fruit, while pale- and medium-roast malted millet provide a familiar toastiness and easy-drinking body.

Grapefruit Radler (~3.0% ABV): Citrus-forward and highly refreshing, blending bright grapefruit soda character with the light grain sweetness of the Pilsner base. At roughly 110 calories per can, it drinks like a sessionable shandy.

How to Drink New Grist

The Pilsner shines served cold straight from the can or poured into a pilsner glass; the IPA benefits from a tulip or pint glass to concentrate its hop aromatics. The Grapefruit Radler is ideal on ice or as a standalone pool-day sipper. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try the IPA in a Citrus Beer Margarita where the tropical hops amplify lime and orange liqueur; use the Pilsner in a Beer Mimosa (Beermosa) with fresh orange juice for a gluten-free brunch option; or mix the Grapefruit Radler into a Radler Spritz with prosecco and a splash of elderflower for a low-ABV summer cocktail.

Best For

• Stocking a gluten-free beer fridge with range and variety in a single purchase
• Hosting barbecues or gatherings where guests have celiac disease or gluten sensitivities
• Sampling all three New Grist styles before committing to a single-style pack
• Gifting a craft beer fan who follows a strict gluten-free diet

Frequently Asked Questions

What does New Grist taste like? The Pilsner is light, crisp, and fruity with green apple and sorghum malt character; the IPA leans into citrus, pine, and tropical fruit from its Citra, Mosaic, and Idaho 7 hops; and the Grapefruit Radler is bright, tart, and refreshing with prominent grapefruit juice flavor.

How does New Grist compare to Glutenberg Blonde? Both are certified gluten-free beers brewed without barley or wheat, making them safe for people with celiac disease. New Grist Pilsner uses sorghum and rice as its base and tends toward a fruitier, lighter body, while Glutenberg Blonde is built on millet, buckwheat, corn, and quinoa, delivering a slightly fuller grain character.

Is New Grist good for people with celiac disease? Yes — all New Grist beers are brewed entirely without gluten-containing grains, and every batch is tested for gluten content before release, making them a trusted option for those with celiac disease or serious gluten sensitivities.

Where is New Grist made? New Grist is brewed at Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a craft brewery founded in 1987 on the banks of the Milwaukee River. The brewery has been producing the New Grist line since 2005.

What foods pair well with New Grist? The Pilsner pairs well with grilled chicken or fish tacos, where its crispness cuts through char and citrus salsa. The IPA stands up to spicy Thai curry or a loaded burger thanks to its hop bitterness and tropical fruit notes. The Grapefruit Radler complements a fresh arugula and goat cheese salad or light seafood like shrimp ceviche.

What sizes does the New Grist Variety Pack come in? The variety pack is sold as a 12-pack of 12 oz cans, containing a mix of all three New Grist styles: Pilsner, IPA, and Grapefruit Radler.

Is New Grist worth the price? The variety pack positions as a mid-range craft beer purchase and delivers strong value by including three distinct gluten-free styles — the IPA alone earned a 2024 Silver Medal at the International Beer Cup and a spot on Beer Connoisseur Magazine's Top 100 Beers list, making the overall pack a solid entry point into the lineup.

Why New Grist?

New Grist holds a singular place in American brewing history as the first gluten-free beer to earn TTB label approval, a distinction that required Lakefront Brewery to literally change federal labeling law. That pioneering credibility is backed by ongoing quality: the IPA ranked #20 on Beer Connoisseur Magazine's 2024 Top 100 Beers and earned a Silver Medal at the 2024 International Beer Cup, while the Pilsner has collected medals from both the European Beer Star and the Los Angeles International Beer Competition. The variety pack format lets drinkers experience the full range — a clean Pilsner, a hop-forward IPA, and a fruit-driven Radler — all brewed from sorghum, rice, and millet with no gluten-containing ingredients and batch-level gluten testing. For anyone navigating the gluten-free beer category, this pack represents the deepest bench from the brand that started it all.