Imagine you're running a beer pub in a quaint European town. Cycling is getting very popular these couple of years, and you’re riding on this trend by finding a choice spot in the town: a busy bicycle trail from the woods leads directly to your establishment. Hopefully thirsty cyclists could pop by for a cold one on a hot day, you pray. Business was generally decent. But one particularly hot summer day, your business plan proves to work better than you ever imagined it could be.

Over a thousand cyclists arrive at your doorstep, all hot, sweaty and eager for beer. Your excitement turns to alarm as you watch your beer supply dwindle, while the crowd of thirsty customers keeps growing.

What would you do in such a situation? Would you...

1. Turn away customers once you run out of beer; or
2. Offer thirsty cyclists lemon soda instead; or
3. Dilute the remaining beer with lemon soda to stretch your supply. Hope no one notices.

German innkeeper Franz Kugler found himself in this situation. The story begins in the 1920s when Kugler saw an opportunity to attract the growing number of cyclists to his beer garden by building a bicycle trail from Munich through the picturesque woods to his inn. One summer day, his plan worked almost too well, as a staggering 13,000 cyclists reportedly showed up, eager to quench their thirst.

In a desperate attempt to keep the masses satisfied before he runs out of beer, he took an audacious gamble. He diluted the beer, blending it 50/50 with a lemon soda that had been gathering dust on his shelves, hoping no one notices the difference.

Once again, Kugler’s plan worked miraculously well. The cyclists overwhelming loved Kugler’s beer and somehow found it more refreshing than beer from other pubs. Rather than rioting and burning down his beer garden with his diluted beer, they embraced it.

“Radlermass” – Kugler called his concoction, meaning “cyclist’s litre” in German. The drink became an instant hit. Its popularity quickly spread throughout Germany and continental Europe, particularly during those sweltering summer months when its thirst-quenching qualities were most sought after.

In equatorial Southeast Asia where temperatures run high, the radler or shandy (or so it's known in the UK) should be equally enjoyable. Enter the modern-day Tiger Beer Radler. This refreshing blend of Tiger’s signature lager beer mixed with fruit juice.

Tiger’s radlers come in at 2% ABV, which is twice the ABV of other similar popular shandy products in the region, such as Anglia Shandy in Malaysia. Available in three flavours – Lemon, Grapefruit, and a limited edition White Grape, it offers consumers a fruit-infused alternative to the traditional Tiger.

After discovering the Tiger Beer Soju, we couldn't resist the opportunity to sample the rest of Tiger’s flavoured line-up. And just like Franz Kugler, we were pleasantly surprised by the radler's fascinating origin story, and the taste of Tiger's Radler concoction.

Tiger Radler Lemon

Appearance: Freshly popped butter popcorn yellow, slight haze. Light beer foam.

Nose: Refreshing, citrusy and inviting. Vibrant citrusy bouquet of fresh, unpeeled oranges and a hint of lemon zest, evocative of Jolly Shandy or Anglia Shandy.

Palate: Soothing, honeyed, and lemony. The first sip introduces a mellow sweetness that delicately balances the lemony tartness. The medium body and slightly thick texture conjure the comforting sensation of sipping Pokka's Honey Lemon drink, providing a very familiar, nostalgic and pleasant experience.

Finish: Light, lingering and pleasantly sweet. The aftertaste brings to mind the satisfying flavour of sweet lemon cough drops before leaving a gentle barley note of lager beers lingering on the palate. 

My Thoughts

Tiger's Lemon Radler is a genuinely delightful and refreshing concoction that blends the best of citrus and honeyed sweetness. Very harmonious interplay of flavours, reminiscent all of our familiar non-alcoholic lemon drinks from Asia supported by a very light lager base that creates surprisingly enjoyable experience that is fairly multi-dimensional. This is a respectable, compelling (and cheaper) substitute for beers that you could bring to BYOB parties, especially if you make your entrance when everyone is already half drunk. Who would notice?

Tiger Radler Grapefruit

Appearance: Slightly redder hue than the Tiger Radler Lemon. Thin layer of effervescence.

Nose: Citrusy, enticing and invigorating. A fragrant blend of sweet and tart San Pellegrino Blood Orange soda with a delicate hint of zesty freshness of lime leaves.

Palate: Sweet, tart and lightly zesty but very balanced across these elements. First sip opens with a tantalizing tartness that is once again reminiscent of San Pellegrino (which tends to get quite fizzy), but this has a more subdued fizz and a mellower mouthfeel. As the flavours unfold, the profile evolves to reveal fresh pulpy and slightly pithy citrusy notes, particularly those of pink pomelo.

Finish: A clean, lingering finish of grapefruit that does not overstay its welcome with a satisfying and slightly tangy aftertaste.

My Thoughts

This grapefruit variant offers a pleasantly sour kick that is both balanced and multidimensional. In terms of flavour intricacy, this is elevated beyond the Lemon Radler in my book. I find myself enjoying this even more than the Lemon due to its engaging flavour profile.

Tiger Radler White Grape

Appearance: Slightly darker hue than the Tiger Radler Lemon.

Nose: Bright, floral and very confectionary-like. Opens with a captivating blend of elderflower cordial, jasmine tea and white grape jellies. The bouquet is playful and candied, reminiscent of soft fruit jellies.

Palate: Sweet, grapey and pleasantly surprising in layered-ness. The first sip begins with a hint of bitter orange peels, or Korean honey citron tea before rounding out with a gentle sweetness from skinless Kyoho grapes. As the flavours develope, the profile becomes increasingly confectionary-like, evoking memories of Minute Maid Qoo White Grape drink.

Finish: Delightful medley of gummy green grape flavours, leaving a candied lingering taste of moreish, intense confectionary green grape on the palate.

My Thoughts

The Tiger Radler White Grape is an enchanting, nostalgic journey that transports you back to the sweet confectionery moments of your childhood. With blend of fresh grape sweetness, bitter orange peel, and mellow jasmine tea bouquet, Tiger’s White Grape Radler offers a surprisingly complex, yet accessible flavour profile that really leaves you craving more.

Conclusion

It’s funny how the Tiger Radler has been flying under my radar since their initial launch in 2013. Each expression really showcases a delightful interplay of zesty tartness, juicy citrus and candied grapes. In terms of flavour, they are also significantly more multi-dimensional than the more popular Sweet Touch Lychee, Grape or Apple fruit beers sold by Taiwan Beer. Those have an alcoholic punch and are a little too sweet for my liking.

It's surprising that it has taken so long for myself to discover this underrated gem which offers a very respectable alternative to traditional Tiger Beer brews. More importantly, they also highlight the importance of exploring the mainstream commercial beer landscape – a definite W for Tiger’s marketing. So, as we toast to new discoveries and underrated Southeast Asian gems, let's not overlook these remarkable Tiger Radlers any longer.

@CharsiuCharlie