Kulmbacher Brewery: Radler Blutorange named drink of the year!

Kulmbacher Brewery: Radler Blutorange named drink of the year!

There was recently reason to be happy in Kulmbach: The Kulmbach Brewery has introduced its non-alcoholic Radler Blutorange and won a very special price with it. The Mönchshof Natur Radler Blutorange was named “Drink of the Year 2025” in the Radler category by the Drinks Newspaper. This recognition is based on a survey of 3,790 beverage markets in Germany, which award prizes to the best drinks once a year. Michael Dorner, sales director of the brewery, is proud of this award, which comes directly from the trade.

The award is doubly gratifying: both the non-alcoholic and the alcoholic versions of the Mönchshof Radler enjoy high demand. They serve the clear trend for mixed beer drinks as well as non-alcoholic alternatives. These flavor options, especially the Radler in lemon and blood orange, are among the most drunk Radler in Germany and take second place in the brand ranking.

A sign of change

The Mönchshof brewery has managed to gain a growing fan base with its Radler products. Demand shows that interest in such refreshments is constantly increasing. According to product manager Claudia Kollerer, the cyclists not only reached traditionalist beer drinkers, but also health-conscious and younger target groups. The range includes not only the classic flavors, but also the popular blood orange and lemon variants.

Non-alcoholic beer has emerged from its niche existence in recent years and can now be found on almost every restaurant or bar menu. A look at the numbers shows a clear shift in consumer behavior. In 2024, around 5.8 million hectoliters of non-alcoholic beer were produced in Germany, which corresponds to a market value of over 606.4 million euros. Consumption is also increasing: Germans now consume around five liters of non-alcoholic beer per capita.

Trends in the beer market

As positive as the development is for the Mönchshof brewery, German breweries are generally under pressure. Beer consumption is continually decreasing; A new low of around 67.9 million hectoliters was reached in 2024. Nevertheless, non-alcoholic beer is showing a clear countertrend and is gaining market share. More and more consumers, especially women and health-conscious men, are turning to these alternatives: According to a survey, 21% of men and 23% of women said they drink non-alcoholic beer several times a month. The trend is impossible to ignore, and the demand for non-alcoholic options is sure to continue to grow.

With the Mönchshof Natur Radler Blutorange, the Kulmbach brewery not only won a prize, but also showed that it has its finger on the pulse of the times. At your next celebration you should definitely consider a cool shandy, whether with or without alcohol!