Wild Onion Radio Free 6Pk

Wild Onion Radio Free 6Pk is a Czech-style pilsner from Lake Barrington, Illinois, packaged as a six-pack at 5.2% ABV. Brewed exclusively with imported European lager malt and Noble hops — specifically Saaz and Tettnang — Radio Free stands as a Midwestern take on the Bohemian pilsner tradition with genuine old-world ingredients.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.2%  |  Origin: Lake Barrington, Illinois  |  Style: Czech/Bohemian Pilsner  |  Brewery: Wild Onion Brewery

Production & Heritage

Wild Onion Brewery operates out of Lake Barrington, Illinois, roughly 45 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The brewery runs a 20 HL Specific Mechanical brewing system and has expanded capacity with a 50-barrel brewhouse. Radio Free follows a traditional Bohemian pilsner approach, relying on imported European lager malt for its bready backbone and two of the most respected Noble hop varieties — Czech Saaz and German Tettnang — for its aromatic character. The result is a lager that stays faithful to the Czech pilsner blueprint rather than adding American craft embellishments.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Floral Noble hop character leads, followed by sweet grain and a touch of hay. A subtle lemony brightness lifts the nose without dominating.

Taste: The entry is crisp and crackery, with earthy Noble hops and a clean malt sweetness arriving together on the front palate. Mid-palate brings grassy, slightly herbal notes alongside a mild caramel undertone from the European malt. A gentle bitterness builds toward the back, where grain-husk dryness emerges to keep the sweetness in check.

Finish: Dry and decisive, with vigorous carbonation scrubbing the palate clean. Lingering impressions of lemon zest and hay fade gradually, leaving a refreshingly bitter close.

How to Drink Radio Free

Pour into a traditional pilsner glass at 40–45°F to let the Noble hop aromatics open up while keeping the body bright and lively. This is a beer designed to be drunk fresh — no cellaring required. Radio Free works well in a Shandy, where its lemony, grassy profile complements fresh lemonade without becoming cloying. It also serves as a clean base in a Michelada, where the dry finish and carbonation cut through lime, hot sauce, and tomato. For something simple, a Radler with grapefruit soda highlights the beer's citrus-leaning hop character.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for a summer backyard cookout
• Introducing craft-curious drinkers to traditional European lager styles
• Pairing with grilled sausages, bratwurst, or lighter fare
• Supporting an Illinois craft brewery with a six-pack gift for a beer enthusiast

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Radio Free taste like? Radio Free delivers a crisp, crackery malt base layered with grassy, lemony Noble hop character and a dry, clean finish. It is medium-light in body with lively carbonation and subtle bitterness.

How does Radio Free compare to Pilsner Urquell? Both are Bohemian-style pilsners built on European malt and Saaz hops, but Pilsner Urquell tends to be slightly more assertive in its bitterness and carries a deeper golden color from its triple-decoction mash. Radio Free is lighter in body with a more pronounced grassy, hay-like character and a drier finish.

Is Radio Free good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its clean malt profile, moderate 5.2% ABV, and balanced bitterness make it an approachable entry point into Czech-style lagers without overwhelming hop intensity or heavy body.

Where is Radio Free made? Radio Free is brewed at Wild Onion Brewery in Lake Barrington, Illinois, located approximately 45 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.

What foods pair well with Radio Free? Grilled bratwurst or kielbasa complement the malt sweetness and hop bitterness. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the bready, grainy backbone. A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette mirrors the beer's citrus notes. Mild white cheeses like Havarti or young Gouda work well against the dry, crisp finish. Fried fish or fish tacos benefit from the beer's carbonation and clean palate-cleansing quality.

What sizes does Radio Free come in? Radio Free is commonly available in a six-pack format of 12 oz bottles or cans.

Is Radio Free worth the price? Radio Free positions as an everyday craft pilsner — priced within the accessible range of regional craft six-packs. For drinkers who value authentic Noble hop character and imported European malt in a locally brewed lager, it represents solid value in the Czech-style pilsner category.

Why Radio Free?

What separates Radio Free from the growing crowd of American-brewed pilsners is its commitment to imported European lager malt and a dual Noble hop bill of Saaz and Tettnang — ingredients that give it a genuinely Bohemian flavor fingerprint rather than a domestic approximation. The beer does not chase trends or add flashy adjuncts; it earns its place through classical restraint and clean execution. With a BeerAdvocate score of 84 and a 3.5 on Untappd across thousands of ratings, it holds steady as a reliable, well-regarded regional pilsner. For drinkers in the greater Chicago area and beyond who want a traditional Czech-style lager from an independent Illinois brewery, Radio Free delivers exactly what its style demands — nothing more, nothing less.