Stevens Point Launches Broader Distribution of Coast Radler

point radler

STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Point Coast Radler proved to be so popular with Wisconsin craft beer fans last summer that in 2015 Stevens Point Brewery is taking the summer seasonal beer into more than 30 states.

Even better for Point’s loyal fans: the brewery is not waiting for summer to release the thirst-quenching mix of beer, lemon-lime and grapefruit. Point Coast Radler is now available in retail store displays and coolers wherever Point’s handcrafted beers are sold, just in time for warm weather outdoor activities. To help meet consumer demand this year, Point Coast Radler is now available on draft and in a convenient new 12-pack can package, perfect for beaches, parks, campgrounds and other venues where glass may be prohibited. Point Coast Radler is also sold in six-packs of 12-ounce longneck NR bottles.

Last summer Point brewed only a small amount of Point Coast Radler for limited distribution in select markets, according to Joe Martino, Stevens Point Brewery Operating Partner. “What we quickly learned is that beer drinkers love it. Our inventory was sold out well before summer ended,” Martino said.

This year Point Brewmaster Gabe Hopkins and his team have been busy brewing enough Point Coast Radler to ensure a steady supply for expected new customers. “Once they try it, they’ll like it, so we plan to keep brewing Point coast Radler right up until August,” Hopkins reported.

History of Radler Beer

Radlers are a refreshing mix of beer and lemon-lime soda that originated in Bavaria nearly 100 years ago. Point Coast Radler is a light-colored ale brewed with Munich malts and Sterling hops and blended with natural lemon, lime and grapefruit. “It’s a perfect summer beer for quenching your thirst after a day of outdoor activities,” Hopkins said.

In keeping with German radler tradition, Point Coast Radler features bicycle graphics on its packaging. Radler is the German word for “cyclist,” and popular history has it that the first radler was created by a Bavarian innkeeper who, with not much beer on hand, was faced with serving a group of thirsty bicyclists who had spent the day pedaling uphill and coasting downhill in the hot sun. To make his beer supply last longer, he mixed it with lemon soda and a new Bavarian beer tradition was born.

“Point Coast Radler represents a huge opportunity for the Stevens Point Brewery,” Martino said. “Point Coast Radler delivers a unique, refreshingly different taste, and that is exactly what craft beer fans are looking for, especially on a hot summer day.”

About Stevens Point

Stevens Point Brewery, founded in 1857, uses only the highest-grade barley malts, specialty malts, grains and the choicest hops to brew its handcrafted beers, including flagship Point Special Lager, gold medal winner in the 2003 Great American Beer Festival’s American Premium Lager category.

In addition to Point Coast Radler, the brewery’s seasonal products include Apricadabra Apricot Wheat Ale, a new, unfiltered spring seasonal; Nude Beach Summer Wheat Ale, an unfiltered wheat beer; Point Oktoberfest, a Bavarian-style Märzen beer for the fall; and Point St. Benedict’s Winter Ale, a rich, dark beer available from November through February.

Stevens Point Brewery’s year-round lineup features Point Onyx Black Ale, a robust dark ale; Point Belgian White, a Belgian-style wheat ale; Point Cascade Pale Ale, an American-style pale ale; Point Amber Classic, an American-style amber lager; Point Drop Dead Blonde Ale, a 110 calorie ale; and Point Beyond the Pale IPA, a robust, hoppy India Pale Ale. Point also brews four year-round IPAs available only in the IPA variety 12-pack: Point Spruce Tip IPA, Point Peach Mango IPA, Point White IPA and Point One Shot IPA.

Year-round products also include the Whole Hog Limited Edition “big beers:” Whole Hog Espresso Stout, Whole Hog Six-Hop India Pale Ale and Whole Hog Scotch Ale. Seasonal brews include Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout, Whole Hog Barley Wine Ale and Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale.

Point also brews three unique James Page specialty beers sold only in convenient 12-ounce cans: A Cappella Gluten-free Pale Ale, Casper White Stout, and Yabba Dhaba Chai Tea Porter.

Point’s Ciderboys Cider Co. hard ciders blend unexpected fresh fruit flavors with apple cider. Ciderboys’ year-round products are First Press, a traditional hard cider and Strawberry Magic, a blend of fresh strawberries and apple cider. Ciderboys also produces seasonal ciders, Raspberry Smash, alive with the tartness of raspberries; Pineapple Hula, made with fresh Hawaiian pineapple; Peach County, which combines pure peach flavor with apple cider; fall seasonal Cranberry Road, a pairing of apple cider and cranberries; winter seasonal Mad Bark, made with natural cinnamon; and Grand Mimosa, a winter seasonal made with succulent California oranges.

Gourmet soft drinks from the Stevens Point Brewery include Point Premium Root Beer, Point Premium Diet Root Beer, Point Premium Orange Cream, Point Premium Vanilla Cream, Point Kitty Cocktail and Point Premium Black Cherry Cream Soda.