I received a big package of beers from Bolide Communications last month, and among them were two German-origin beers: Schöfferhofer Grapefruit and Pomegranate Hefeweizens. Despite being labeled as hefeweizens, I’m calling these radlers since they are blended with their respective fruit juices to achieve low-ABV (2.5%) tipples that I found perfect for summer.

These are 50-50 blends of Schöfferhofer’s signature weizen and juice. The Grapefruit comes in a can, which I’ve since seen on retail shelves, while Pomegranate is packaged in a clear bottle. Let’s dive in.

Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen

This signature radler is brewed with grapefruit juice, “natural flavor” (I always wonder what this specifically refers to), and has added beta-carotene for color—giving it the bright orange appearance you see in the picture above. Interestingly, Schöfferhofer’s German page for Grapefruit says (via Google Translate) that it’s “also a very special treat when it is freshly tapped and on ice.” Since I have another can, I might try that.

Appearance: Hazy orange color with a pink tinge; orange quite like the can itself, or even a pink(ish) grapefruit. The head is fizzy and active and is also a hazy pinkish-white color.

Smell: Pure grapefruit juice, bright and fresh-squeezed, with a signature grapefruit bitterness that’s lightly pithy with a touch of sweet citrus. It’s appealing and appetizing (as in, mouth-watering aroma) with a touch of yeasty and bready wheat as you’d expect from a hefe.

Taste: Sweet grapefruit juice; like taking a grapefruit, halving it and sprinkling it with sugar, then broiling it. It’s mellow and quite tasty and true to the promise of grapefruit. There’s a touch of gentle Cream of Wheat flavor and a hint of pithy bitterness, which all works together and keeps you sipping.

Mouthfeel: Light, fluffy, juicy, mellow, with a lingering toasty wheat and broiled grapefruit character.

Overall: Terrific, excellent. I can’t find any flaws with this, and I don’t know how German brewers are able to craft such excellent examples of proper low-alcohol radlers, but this is one you should definitely have in your fridge.

Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Pomegranate

Pomegranate as a fruited addition is not one I see much of, so I was definitely intrigued when I saw this, and had high hopes after tasting Grapefruit. It’s also a 50-50 blend of hefeweizen to juice, and the German webpage says that it’s “refined with guarana” — guarana is a Brazilian fruit that contains caffeine and used as a stimulant in soft drinks. To be fair, I don’t know if the imported version has guarana, as it’s not indicated on the labeling, so it’s possible this is pure pomegranate.

Appearance: Purple-pink color and hazy as a hefe should be. The fizzy, lacy head also has a pink tint to it.

Smell: Bright and juicy like fresh raspberries—something like a pomegranate syrup. There’s a light tartness reminiscent of crushed fruit, and the aroma is almost all juice with a hint of wheat beer.

Taste: Sweet and earthy with a touch of bitterness at the back that does resemble pomegranate seeds to my palate. A touch yeasty (as expected) with a light raw wheat note. That earthy fruit note is noticeable mid-palate and frankly it’s a bit distracting, it seems like the beer should maintain its sweetness throughout, but it does strike me as fairly authentic to the fruit.

Mouthfeel: Light, a bit fizzy, and easily drinkable.

Overall: This is another great summer radler, especially if you’re seeking out a berry/stone fruit-like flavor. To be fair, I liked Grapefruit better but there’s no less authenticity to be found here, and I might try some sort of beer cocktail with the remaining bottle I have.