The bicycle wheel doing double duty as a lemon slice on Sketchbook Brewing Company's Main Squeeze can isn't just cute label art. Radler, the beer-and-lemon style the can announces, takes its name from the German word for cyclist - the style is generally traced back to a 1920s innkeeper who stretched his beer supply for a crowd of thirsty riders by cutting it with lemon soda. Sketchbook's version leans into that: a fresh batch of Main Squeeze taps Friday at both the Evanston and Skokie taprooms, brewed with real lemon juice at a light 2.6% ABV.
The brewery describes it as light and lemon-forward, landing a balance between tart and sweet rather than skewing toward straight lemonade. That keeps it in the same easy-drinking lane radler was built for in the first place - low enough in alcohol and bright enough in flavor to keep going through a long afternoon as summer winds down.
Main Squeeze Lemon Radler taps Friday in both Evanston and Skokie taprooms, with cans available to go.
Source & Editorial
JollyPint independently prepares release articles using information published by breweries through newsletters, websites, and other official public communications. Brewery-supplied descriptions and tasting notes are reported as provided, while editorial context is added by JollyPint.