Great Lakes Crushworthy Lo-Cal Citrus Wheat 6Pk

Great Lakes Crushworthy Lo-Cal Citrus Wheat 6Pk is a low-calorie American wheat ale brewed with real citrus purée and peel, coming in at just 4.0% ABV and 105 calories per 12 oz serving. This release marked Great Lakes Brewing Company's first venture into the low-calorie beer space, and it holds an 82 score on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.0%  |  Origin: Cleveland, Ohio  |  Style: Lo-Cal Citrus Wheat Ale  |  Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company  |  105 Calories / 10 IBUs

Production & Heritage

Great Lakes Brewing Company, founded in 1988 in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, is one of the Midwest's most respected craft breweries. Crushworthy is built on a wheat malt base and brewed with real orange and lemon purée and peel—not artificial flavorings—which separates it from many low-calorie competitors that rely on extracts. At only 10 IBUs, the bitterness is deliberately restrained, allowing the citrus fruit character and soft wheat body to take center stage while keeping the calorie count to 105 per can.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright lemon zest arrives first, followed by gentle orange peel and a soft wheaty backdrop. The citrus reads as natural and fresh rather than candy-like.

Taste: The entry is light and gently sweet with wheat malt providing a rounded foundation. Mid-palate, orange and lemon notes emerge clearly, supported by a delicate acidity that keeps the beer from leaning too sweet. The body is juicy and light, with a restrained malt presence that never feels heavy.

Finish: Clean and brisk, tapering quickly with lingering citrus peel and a faint wheat grain dryness. The low bitterness ensures the finish stays crisp without any harsh aftertaste.

How to Drink Crushworthy

Best served cold—straight from the can or poured into a weizen glass to amplify the citrus aromatics. At 4.0% ABV and 105 calories, this is designed for extended sessions. For a Crushworthy Shandy, blend it half-and-half with fresh lemonade for a patio-ready drink. A Citrus Radler variation works well by adding a splash of grapefruit soda. It also serves as a lighter substitute in a Beer-mosa, replacing heavier wheat beers with this lower-calorie option alongside fresh orange juice.

Best For

• Summer cookouts and backyard grilling sessions where sessionability matters
• Health-conscious craft beer drinkers looking for real fruit character under 110 calories
• Introducing lighter-beer drinkers to craft wheat ales
• Beach, lake, or poolside drinking where low ABV and easy drinkability are essential

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crushworthy taste like? Crushworthy delivers a light, juicy wheat ale profile dominated by natural orange and lemon flavors with a gently sweet malt base and clean, crisp finish. It drinks refreshingly tart without significant bitterness.

How does Crushworthy compare to Bell's Oberon? Both are Midwestern wheat ales, but Oberon clocks in higher at 5.8% ABV with a spicier, more robust wheat character, while Crushworthy is intentionally lighter at 4.0% ABV and 105 calories with a pronounced citrus-forward profile from real fruit purée. Crushworthy prioritizes sessionability and low calories where Oberon leans into fuller body and complexity.

Is Crushworthy good for calorie-conscious drinkers? At 105 calories and 4.0% ABV, Crushworthy is specifically designed for drinkers who want genuine craft flavor without the caloric load of traditional wheat ales. The use of real citrus purée rather than artificial flavoring gives it more character than many competing low-calorie options.

Where is Crushworthy made? Crushworthy is brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Company at their brewery in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Great Lakes has been brewing in Cleveland since 1988 and distributes across multiple states in the Midwest and Eastern United States.

What foods pair well with Crushworthy? Grilled fish tacos complement the citrus notes naturally. Light summer salads with citrus vinaigrette echo the beer's orange and lemon character. Shrimp ceviche mirrors the beer's bright acidity. Soft pretzels with mustard play off the wheat malt base. Fresh fruit and mild cheeses like mozzarella make a clean, easy pairing.

What sizes does Crushworthy come in? Crushworthy is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, and seasonal availability may include 12-packs and 15-packs depending on the market.

Is Crushworthy worth the price? Crushworthy positions as a mid-range craft option within the growing low-calorie beer segment, and its use of real citrus purée and peel gives it a more authentic flavor profile than many competitors at a similar price point. For drinkers seeking a craft alternative to mass-market light beers, it represents solid value.

Why Crushworthy?

What distinguishes Crushworthy in the crowded low-calorie beer field is Great Lakes Brewing Company's decision to use real orange and lemon purée and peel rather than extracts or natural flavors—a production choice that shows in the aroma and taste. The 105-calorie, 4.0% ABV, 10 IBU profile is engineered for true sessionability without sacrificing the wheat ale character Great Lakes is known for. Backed by an 82 on BeerAdvocate and strong community ratings, it has earned a reputation as one of the more flavorful entries in the lo-cal craft space. For a brewery with over 35 years of Cleveland brewing heritage, Crushworthy proves that cutting calories doesn't have to mean cutting corners.