Phase Three Clipping In 4Pk

Phase Three Clipping In 4Pk is a 2.5% ABV grapefruit radler from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, sold as a 4-pack. This low-ABV session beer stands out for its bright, fruit-forward character and ultra-drinkable body, designed for warm-weather drinking without compromise on flavor.

Quick Facts: ABV: 2.5%  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Grapefruit Radler  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of a modern 21,000-square-foot facility in Lake Zurich, Illinois, equipped with a 3-vessel, 15-barrel steam-powered brewhouse, reverse osmosis water processing, a GEA Centrifuge, and a counter-pressure CODI packaging line. The brewery also maintains a full quality control lab, reflecting a commitment to consistency and precision across its lineup. Clipping In represents a departure from Phase Three's hop-heavy reputation, channeling the brewery's technical capabilities into a restrained, radler-style beer built around grapefruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh grapefruit zest leads immediately, followed by a subtle, clean grain character. The citrus impression is bright and natural rather than syrupy or artificial.

Taste: The entry is light and effervescent with direct grapefruit flavor that reads tart and juicy across the mid-palate. A gentle malt sweetness provides balance, keeping the beer from veering into pure juice territory. At 2.5% ABV, there is virtually no detectable alcohol warmth.

Finish: Short and crisp, with lingering grapefruit pith and a dry, clean close. The low residual sweetness encourages another sip almost immediately.

How to Drink Clipping In

Clipping In is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a tall glass with ice on especially hot days. Its low ABV and citrus-forward profile also make it a useful ingredient in beer cocktails. A Shandy variation works well by adding a splash of lemonade to amplify the citrus. A Michelada-style build using Clipping In in place of a standard lager adds grapefruit brightness to the tomato-lime base. A simple Beer Spritz — Clipping In topped with a measure of Aperol and a grapefruit wheel — creates a low-proof warm-weather drink with layered bitterness.

Best For

• Daytime barbecues and outdoor gatherings where sessionability matters
• Offering a flavorful low-ABV option alongside a craft beer spread
• Introducing non-beer drinkers to the radler style with a well-made example
• Cooling down after yard work or a long run without a heavy alcohol load

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clipping In taste like? Clipping In delivers bright, zesty grapefruit flavor with a light malt backbone and a crisp, dry finish. It drinks more like a sparkling grapefruit beverage than a traditional beer, with virtually no alcohol presence.

How does Clipping In compare to Stiegl Grapefruit Radler? Stiegl Grapefruit Radler, the Austrian benchmark for the style, sits at 2.0% ABV and uses grapefruit juice blended with lager, resulting in a noticeably sweeter profile. Clipping In comes from an American craft brewery known for technical precision and reads slightly drier and more citrus-forward by comparison.

Is Clipping In good for beginners? Clipping In is an excellent entry point for anyone exploring craft beer, as its low bitterness, gentle ABV, and familiar grapefruit flavor make it immediately approachable.

Where is Clipping In made? Clipping In is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company at their 21,000-square-foot production facility in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Clipping In? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos benefit from the beer's citrus complement. Light salads with grapefruit vinaigrette echo the radler's dominant flavor. Soft pretzels with mustard provide a salty-tangy contrast. Fresh ceviche aligns with the beer's bright acidity and low weight.

What sizes does Clipping In come in? Clipping In is available as a 4-pack from Phase Three Brewing Company.

Is Clipping In worth the price? Clipping In positions as a craft radler from a well-regarded Illinois brewery with advanced production equipment and quality control, placing it at a modest premium over mass-market radlers but within the expected range for specialty craft 4-packs.

Why Clipping In?

Phase Three built its reputation on intensely hopped IPAs and decadent stouts, so a 2.5% ABV radler signals deliberate range rather than an afterthought. The brewery's reverse osmosis water system and centrifuge technology — unusual for a facility this size — give the brewing team precise control over a style where clarity, balance, and clean flavor matter more than bold complexity. Clipping In fills a genuine gap in the craft market: a low-ABV grapefruit radler produced with the same technical rigor applied to high-gravity releases. For drinkers who want something light without settling for something generic, this is a considered choice from a brewery that doesn't cut corners.