Penrose Lemon Seltz-Up 4Pk

Penrose Lemon Seltz-Up 4Pk is a 6% ABV hard seltzer made with house-made seltzer and real pureed lemons, sold in a four-pack. This county-fair-inspired release earned Gold Medals at both the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championships in the Lemon Category, along with a 94-point rating from the Beverage Testing Institute.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6%  |  Origin: Geneva, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Lemon Hard Seltzer  |  Brewery: Penrose Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Penrose Brewing Company operates out of Geneva, Illinois, where it produces a diverse lineup spanning Belgian-inspired ales, lagers, and hard seltzers. The Lemon Seltz-Up stands apart from most commercial hard seltzers because it incorporates real pureed lemons into a house-made hard seltzer base, rather than relying on artificial flavoring or extract-based citrus character. The result is designed to evoke the experience of a classic lemon shake-up — the kind found at county fairs and summer festivals across the Midwest.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-squeezed lemon leads immediately, followed by a light sugary sweetness reminiscent of lemonade. There is a clean, crisp minerality underneath that keeps it from reading as overly sweet on the nose.

Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-forward, with a distinct lemon puree character that tastes natural and unprocessed. Mid-palate, a balanced sweetness emerges that mirrors a well-made lemon shake-up. The Beverage Testing Institute described it as a "fresh, natural tasting lemonade that is pretty dang crushable," and that assessment holds — the 6% ABV is well-integrated and nearly invisible beneath the fruit.

Finish: Clean and refreshing with a lingering tart lemon note that invites the next sip. There is no cloying residual sweetness or artificial aftertaste.

How to Drink Lemon Seltz-Up

Lemon Seltz-Up is best served ice-cold, straight from the can or poured over ice. Its ready-to-drink nature makes it ideal for casual warm-weather drinking without any preparation. For those who want to build on the base, it works in several simple mixed drinks:

• Hard Arnold Palmer: Combine with iced tea for a spiked version of the classic — the real lemon puree gives it an authentic citrus backbone that artificial seltzers lack.
• Seltzer Shandy: Mix half-and-half with a light wheat beer for a refreshing hybrid with more body and a bready counterpoint to the lemon.
• Lemon-Berry Spritz: Add a splash of muddled fresh berries and a sprig of mint for a simple, fruit-driven summer drink that highlights the natural lemon character.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and outdoor gatherings where easy-drinking refreshment is key
• Fans of lemon shake-ups looking for an alcoholic version of the county fair staple
• Gifting to hard seltzer enthusiasts who appreciate craft alternatives to mass-market brands
• Stocking a summer cooler with a gold medal-winning seltzer that uses real fruit

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lemon Seltz-Up taste like? Lemon Seltz-Up tastes like a fresh, natural lemonade with bright citrus and balanced sweetness, driven by real pureed lemons rather than artificial flavoring. The Beverage Testing Institute rated it 94 points and described it as "pretty dang crushable."

How does Lemon Seltz-Up compare to White Claw Lemon? Penrose Lemon Seltz-Up uses actual pureed lemons in a house-made hard seltzer base, giving it a noticeably more natural, lemonade-like character compared to White Claw's extract-based approach. At 6% ABV, it also sits slightly higher than White Claw's standard 5% ABV offerings.

Is Lemon Seltz-Up good for sipping on its own? Yes — it is designed as a ready-to-drink hard seltzer that requires no mixing or garnish, and its balanced sweetness and real fruit character make it satisfying straight from the can.

Where is Lemon Seltz-Up made? Lemon Seltz-Up is produced by Penrose Brewing Company in Geneva, Illinois, a craft brewery known for its Belgian-inspired ales and innovative seltzer program.

What foods pair well with Lemon Seltz-Up? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the bright acidity cutting through charred flavors. Light salads with vinaigrette dressing complement the citrus profile. Fried foods like fish and chips or onion rings are balanced by the seltzer's effervescence. Fresh oysters or shrimp cocktail pair naturally with the clean lemon character. Lemon desserts like key lime pie or lemon bars echo the flavor in a satisfying way.

What sizes does Lemon Seltz-Up come in? Penrose Lemon Seltz-Up is available as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this product.

Is Lemon Seltz-Up worth the price? Lemon Seltz-Up positions as a craft-tier hard seltzer, priced above mass-market options like White Claw or Truly but justified by its use of real pureed lemons, small-batch production, and consistent award recognition including multiple U.S. Open Gold Medals.

Why Lemon Seltz-Up?

Back-to-back Gold Medals at the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championships in the Lemon Category place this among the most decorated lemon hard seltzers in competition. The use of real pureed lemons — not flavoring concentrates or extracts — gives it a textural and aromatic authenticity that most competitors in the category cannot match. At 6% ABV, it delivers slightly more strength than mainstream seltzers while keeping the drinkability that earned the BTI's 94-point score. For anyone who has ever enjoyed a lemon shake-up at a summer fair, this is the closest a hard seltzer has come to bottling that experience.