Solemn Oath LU Radler

Solemn Oath Lü Radler is a 4.5% ABV grapefruit radler built on the brewery's award-winning Lü Kölsch base, brewed in Naperville, Illinois. The Lü Kölsch that anchors this blend earned a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival in the German-Style Koelsch category, giving this radler a more refined malt backbone than most fruit-beer hybrids on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Naperville, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Grapefruit Radler  |  Brewery: Solemn Oath Brewery

Production & Heritage

Solemn Oath Brewery operates out of Naperville, Illinois, brewing on a fifteen-barrel Premier Stainless three-vessel system. Lü Radler starts as a batch of the brewery's flagship Lü Kölsch — a clean, traditionally styled German ale — before grapefruit is added to create a fruit-forward summer expression. The Kölsch base provides a legitimate beer character that separates Lü Radler from radlers built on anonymous, adjunct-heavy lagers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light malt sweetness greets the nose first, followed by bright, citrus-forward grapefruit. There is an underlying bready, clean grain quality inherited from the Kölsch base.

Taste: The entry is smooth and lightly sweet, with soft malt giving way to tangy grapefruit at mid-palate. The citrus stays measured rather than syrupy, keeping the beer balanced and easy-drinking through the finish.

Finish: Short and crisp with a mild grapefruit tartness that fades cleanly. The overall impression is light, refreshing, and highly sessionable at 4.5% ABV.

How to Drink Lü Radler

Serve well chilled, ideally between 38–42°F, in a tall glass or straight from the can. Lü Radler is designed for casual, warm-weather drinking and works best unadorned, though a grapefruit wheel garnish complements the existing citrus. For a Beer Shandy riff, combine Lü Radler with a splash of sparkling lemonade to amplify the tartness. In a Radler Spritz, mix equal parts Lü Radler and dry prosecco over ice for a low-ABV aperitivo. A Beer Paloma variation uses Lü Radler in place of grapefruit soda alongside blanco tequila, lime, and a pinch of salt.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and poolside drinking sessions in warm weather
• Introducing non-craft-beer drinkers to quality fruit-forward styles
• Low-ABV day drinking when flavor still matters
• Pairing with light summer meals like fish tacos or grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lü Radler taste like? Lü Radler delivers a balanced mix of tangy grapefruit citrus and smooth, lightly sweet malt, finishing clean and crisp without cloying sweetness.

How does Lü Radler compare to Stiegl Radler Grapefruit? Stiegl Radler Grapefruit is a lower-ABV (2.0%) Austrian radler built on a Märzen lager base, while Lü Radler comes in at 4.5% ABV and uses a Kölsch foundation, resulting in a slightly fuller body and more pronounced beer character alongside its grapefruit addition.

Is Lü Radler good for beginners? Yes — its low 4.5% ABV, light body, and approachable grapefruit flavor make it an accessible entry point for people who find traditional beer styles too bitter or heavy.

Where is Lü Radler made? Lü Radler is brewed at Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, on their fifteen-barrel Premier Stainless three-vessel brewing system.

What foods pair well with Lü Radler? Grilled shrimp works well because the grapefruit tartness cuts through the char. Fish tacos benefit from the citrus overlap. A light arugula salad with goat cheese mirrors the beer's tangy brightness. Soft pretzels with mustard complement the malty Kölsch backbone. Fresh ceviche pairs naturally with the beer's clean, citrus-driven profile.

What sizes does Lü Radler come in? Solemn Oath typically packages Lü Radler in cans; availability of specific formats such as 12 oz or 16 oz cans may vary by market and seasonal release schedule.

Is Lü Radler worth the price? Lü Radler positions as a craft radler at a modest price tier, and its GABF-recognized Kölsch base gives it a legitimate brewing pedigree that justifies a slight premium over mass-market radler alternatives.

Why Lü Radler?

The defining advantage of Lü Radler is its foundation: rather than blending grapefruit with an afterthought lager, Solemn Oath starts with Lü Kölsch, a beer that earned a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival on its own merits. That means the malt character, attenuation, and fermentation profile are already dialed in before the fruit is introduced. The result is a radler that holds up as a beer rather than tasting like grapefruit soda with an alcohol disclaimer. At 4.5% ABV it remains highly sessionable while delivering enough body and complexity to keep experienced drinkers engaged.