Ingredients
- 10 oz Bitter Beer
- 2 oz Lemonade
Instructions
- Fill glass with Beer and top it off with some 7-up. You can add more or less 7-up to suit your taste. If you make it 50/50 it is known as a Shandy. Great on a hot Summer day or the night after a lot of drinking.
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Beer mixed with non-alcoholic beverages is a practice as old as beer itself, common across many cultures. The specific “Beer Top” ratio here, a smaller amount of mixer added to a larger beer base, likely evolved organically in pubs and bars as a quick way to customize a pint. It’s a working class refresher, not a fancy cocktail, and doesn’t claim a specific inventor or era. It’s a practical drink for practical people.
This drink sits comfortably within the broad family of beer cocktails, most closely related to the Shandy or Radler. While a Shandy typically implies a 50/50 mix of beer and lemonade or lemon-lime soda, the Beer Top uses a much smaller proportion of mixer, keeping the beer dominant. It’s less about creating a new flavor profile and more about softening the edges of a standard beer.
You’d typically find a Beer Top served in a casual pub, a sports bar during a game, or at a backyard barbecue. It’s the kind of drink you order when you want something thirst-quenching but still beer-forward, without the fuss or expense of a spirits-based cocktail. It’s a reliable choice for a hot day or a session where you want to keep the ABV on the lighter side.
What it tastes like
On the palate, the Beer Top leads with the familiar crispness and mild bitterness of your chosen beer. The lemonade then steps in, providing a bright, tart citrus note that cuts through the beer’s body, followed by a subtle sweetness that rounds out the finish. It’s a refreshing, easy-drinking profile that keeps the beer’s character intact while adding a zesty lift.
Assuming a bitter beer around 5% ABV, a 10 oz pour contains approximately 0.5 oz of pure alcohol. Adding 2 oz of non-alcoholic lemonade dilutes this to about 4.17% ABV for the 12 oz total. This makes the Beer Top slightly lighter in alcohol than most standard beers and considerably less potent than a typical spirit-based cocktail, which often hovers around 15-20% ABV.
The technique
Building a Beer Top is straightforward. Start with a chilled pint glass or similar tall glass. Pour in your chosen bitter beer, aiming to create a moderate head. Once the beer is settled, gently top it off with the 2 ounces of lemonade. There’s no need for stirring; the carbonation from the beer will help integrate the lemonade, and the lighter liquid will naturally settle.
The key technique for any beer cocktail with a carbonated mixer is to pour the beer carefully. Tilt your glass and pour the beer down the side to minimize excessive head formation. This leaves enough room for your lemonade and prevents an overflowing foam crown, ensuring you get the full measure of both ingredients without a messy cleanup or a flat drink.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Bitter Beer
- Use
- A classic English Bitter, a Session IPA, or a crisp Pale Ale works well. Look for something with a balanced hop profile that isn’t overly aggressive. Brands like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or a local brewery’s standard bitter are good picks.
- Skip
- Heavily roasted stouts, intensely sour sours, or cloyingly sweet fruit beers will clash with the lemonade. You want the beer’s character to shine, not to be overwhelmed.
- Why
- The bitter beer forms the backbone of this drink. Its inherent bitterness and carbonation are essential for the refreshing quality and to balance the sweetness of the lemonade, preventing it from becoming syrupy.
Lemonade
- Use
- Freshly squeezed lemonade is always best for brightness and natural tartness. If bottled, choose a high-quality, not-too-sweet brand. Simply Lemonade is a common choice, or a good homemade syrup diluted with water.
- Skip
- Artificial lemon-lime sodas like Sprite or 7-Up will work in a pinch, but they introduce a different flavor profile with less natural lemon tartness and more artificial sweetness. Avoid anything heavily sweetened.
- Why
- Lemonade provides the crucial sweet-tart counterpoint to the beer’s bitterness. It adds a refreshing citrus zing that lightens the drink and makes it particularly appealing on a hot day.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Shandy
- A classic 50/50 mix.
- Combine equal parts beer and lemonade or lemon-lime soda for a lighter, sweeter, and significantly lower ABV drink that’s a summer staple in many regions.
Radler
- German for “cyclist”, a light, refreshing mix.
- Similar to a Shandy but traditionally made with lager or pilsner and sparkling lemon soda or grapefruit soda, often found pre-mixed for easy enjoyment after a bike ride.
Lime Top
- A tart and zesty twist.
- Swap out the lemonade for limeade or a splash of fresh lime juice and simple syrup for a different citrus profile that’s equally refreshing.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
A light lager, pilsner, or a crisp blonde ale will work, though the flavor profile will be less robust.
Lemon-lime soda (like 7-Up or Sprite) is a common and acceptable substitute, giving a slightly sweeter and more carbonated result.
Any tall, straight-sided glass will do; a highball or even a large tumbler is fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Beer Top?
A Beer Top is typically made with 10 ounces of bitter beer and 2 ounces of lemonade, combined in a glass.
Is a Beer Top the same as a Shandy?
Not quite. A Beer Top uses a small amount of lemonade to “top” the beer, keeping the beer flavor dominant. A Shandy is usually a 50/50 mix of beer and lemonade or lemon-lime soda.
What kind of beer is best for a Beer Top?
A crisp, balanced bitter beer, session IPA, or pale ale is ideal. Avoid very dark, sour, or overly sweet beers.
Why is it called a Beer Top?
The name refers to “topping” a glass of beer with a smaller amount of another ingredient, in this case, lemonade.
Is a Beer Top alcoholic?
Yes, it is alcoholic. While the non-alcoholic lemonade dilutes the beer slightly, the drink still contains the alcohol from the beer.
Is it a good summer drink?
Absolutely. Its light, refreshing, and slightly tart profile makes it an excellent choice for hot weather or casual outdoor gatherings.
What’s the difference between a Beer Top and a Radler?
A Beer Top uses a small amount of lemonade. A Radler is typically a 50/50 mix of lager and sparkling lemon or grapefruit soda, originating from Germany.
Can I use diet lemonade?
Yes, you can use diet lemonade. It will reduce the sugar content and calories, but may alter the taste slightly depending on the sweetener used.
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Such a refreshing drink!
Thanks for sharing this one!
Just what I needed, thanks!
This was a fun one to make!
I never thought beer could be so fancy! Cant wait to try this one!
This Beer Top recipe is a game-changer! Love the unexpected combo of flavors. Cheers!
I never thought beer and ginger ale could be a match, but this recipe proved me wrong! Cheers to unexpected combos!
I love how Beer Top mixes beer and citrus for a refreshing twist! Perfect summer sipper!
This Beer Top recipe is a game-changer, so refreshing and easy to mix up!
I never thought beer could be so fancy! Cant wait to try it!