We get it, when a new beer drops, especially one with citrus in the name, the first thing you want to know is how it stacks up against the original. And around here, there’s no beer more iconic than our Pacific Ale. Born from the salt, sun and laid-back energy of the Northern Rivers, it’s been pouring in pubs, beachside bars and backyard eskies since day one.

So, when we brewed up Citrus Radler, we figured some of you might be wondering: is it like Pacific Ale? Is it sweeter? Is it for beer drinkers or more for the “just-a-splash” crew? And the big one, what even is a Radler?

We’ve got you. Here’s the lowdown.

A Shared DNA

Let’s start with what they have in common. Think of Citrus Radler as having Pacific Ale’s good bones, a similar malt base made up of pale malt, regen malt, malted wheat and rolled wheat, bringing a smooth, slightly biscuity foundation that you’ll recognise straight away.

We’ve also kept our favourite hop in the spotlight, Galaxy, which gives both beers that distinct hit of tropical fruit, especially passionfruit. If Pacific Ale is your go-to, the first sip of Radler will feel familiar. Comforting even.

But that’s where the paths start to split.

Radler’s Citrus Twist

Here’s where things get interesting.

Citrus Radler brings something extra to the table, a bright, zesty kick of real fruit, thanks to 100% Australian lemon purée added during the whirlpool stage of brewing (that’s the hot side). Post-fermentation, we layer in natural orange and grapefruit flavours, all derived from actual fruit. Nothing artificial. No syrupy sweetness. Just crisp, natural refreshment that lifts the whole experience.

It pours a golden hue, a little brighter and clearer than Pacific Ale, with a gentle citrus aroma that hits you as soon as the can cracks. And at mid-strength, it’s the kind of beer that doesn’t demand too much, light on the palate, low on alcohol, and perfect for long sessions under the sun.

In short: it’s summer in a can.

For Pacific Ale Fans Wanting Something Fresh

If you love Pacific Ale’s easy-going charm but feel like mixing it up, Citrus Radler could be your new weekend staple. It brings the same relaxed attitude, just with a citrusy twist and a slightly lighter body.

It’s also a great way to bring someone new into the fold, that friend who’s not quite into “beer beer” but wants something flavourful and sessionable. Radler is approachable, refreshing and brewed with care, no shortcuts, no sugar bombs, just real ingredients and a clean finish.

Perfect for post-surf cool downs, fish tacos at sunset, or that second round you didn’t think you had in you.

The Bigger Picture

At Stone & Wood, beer has always been more than what’s in the glass. For us, it’s about bringing people together, sharing stories, moments, and a sense of place. That place for us is the Northern Rivers, and it shows up in everything we do, from the ingredients we choose to the way we brew.

We're proudly Certified B Corp, which means we hold ourselves to higher standards around sustainability, community and transparency. It’s not just a badge, it’s a commitment. We source regenerative malts that are better for the soil, use Australian-grown fruit, and we give back through our inGrained Foundation, supporting grassroots organisations that make our region thrive.

When we brewed Citrus Radler, we wanted something that reflected that same ethos: something light, refreshing, made with real ingredients and brewed with care, for the people who drink it and the planet we live on.

So, whether you're loyal to Pacific Ale, curious to try something new, or just after something easy to sip when the sun’s still high, Citrus Radler is ready to roll.

You’ll find Citrus Radler wherever you pick up Stone & Wood, or better yet, swing by our Byron Tasting Room and enjoy one fresh off the tap.

See you soon, legends.

Lately we've been working on something that we're genuinely excited about. It's called Project Re-In-Can-Ation, and it's our attempt to do something meaningful about the aluminium recycling situation in Australia.

By joining forces with our supply team we have created a can that is 20% higher in recycled aluminium content than our old can while also reducing our carbon emissions by a significant 53%.

A Reality Check

How did we get here? Well, here’s a statistic that caught our attention: only 64% of aluminium cans in Australia are actually getting recycled. This means for every three cans that goes out our brewery doors, one ends up in landfill, on our beaches or buried in the bush somewhere it shouldn't be.

When this sunk in, we knew we wanted to be part of the solution. We know that creating a higher recycled level can does not solve the issue of low recycling rates, but it does highlight what is possible and what we are capable of as businesses and individuals when we join forces.

What We're Trying to Do

We've teamed up with our supply chain partners to create cans with higher recycled aluminium content and lower levels of carbon primary aluminium.

The name Project Re-In-Can-Ation is our way of acknowledging that aluminium cans are infinitely recyclable, which is pretty remarkable when you think about it.

The technology and systems are there, we just need more cans in circulation to make it common practice.

Over the next 18 months, we're planning to produce 15 million of these cans, which compared to our 2023 cans, helps reduce our carbon emissions by around 1,235 tonnes.

In the grand scheme of things, this is a drop in the ocean but it’s not a bad start.

Why This Matters to Us

At Stone & Wood, we've always tried to use business as a force for good. We were fortunate to become the first Australian brewery to achieve B-Corp certification, and our breweries are certified carbon neutral by Climate Active. We also know there's always more work to be done.

Packaging contributes significantly to the environmental impact of our products. While aluminium is infinitely recyclable and can be collected through kerbside programs and container deposit schemes, the current recycling rates show us there's real opportunity for improvement from all sides.

The Two-Pronged Approach

Creating a more sustainable can isn't just about one thing – it's about deconstructing the problem from multiple angles, which is something that requires collaboration.

On one hand we’re increased the recycled aluminium content of our cans (because recycled aluminium typically produces way fewer carbon emissions than virgin material), AND we’re also using low-carbon primary aluminium for the bits that still need virgin material. Our supply chain partners have truly paved the way for this project to come to fruition and we feel grateful for their support and dedication to better practices.

Novelis manufactured aluminium coils in South Korea with the increased proportion of recycled aluminium content. This included pre-and post-consumer recycled content. These aluminium coils also used a portion of primary (virgin) aluminium.

Novelis also worked with their supplier, Rio Tinto, to secure supply of low-carbon primary aluminium which was made at Rio Tinto’s Bell Bay Aluminium smelter in Tasmania.

Our can manufacturer, Visy, made our cans locally at their site in Yatala, QLD, and then sent to our brewery for filling. Visy also supports the circular economy of aluminium by collecting and providing used beverage cans and scrap aluminium to Novelis for recycling.

The heart of the project is simple: every empty aluminium can presents an opportunity. Re-In-Can-Ation is about bringing sustainability into focus while supporting Stone & Wood’s commitment to a greener future for brewing.

This collaborative approach has allowed us to produce a can that:

• is estimated to generate 59% lower carbon emissions compared to our previous 375ml cans
• contains on average 83% recycled aluminium
• uses low carbon primary (virgin) aluminium sourced from Rio Tinto’s Bell Bay Aluminium smelter

How You Can Help

The big issue in increasing recycling rates is making sure that more cans remain in circulation. This is where everyone can play a part and sometimes going out of our way can make a huge difference.

• Keep recycling – always make sure to put that empty can in the recycling bin or take it to your local Container Deposit Scheme point.
• Take small actions – picking up litter when you see it, using your Container Deposit Scheme refunds to support local community groups or charities. Keep an eye out for lost cans on the beach next time you paddle out for a surf, or pick up that rusty can you keep running past on your morning trot.
• Engage with your community – let your local council know if you'd like better access to recycling in public spaces or more education about proper disposal.
• Share the message – conversations about recycling with friends and family can make a real difference.

Looking Forward With A Can-Do Attitude

We recognise that this project is just one small part of what needs to be a much bigger effort. Governments, companies, and individuals all have roles to play in improving education, access to recycling, and awareness about proper disposal.

The fact that only two-thirds of our aluminium cans currently get recycled shows there's work to do. We hope initiatives like Re-In-Can-Ation can highlight what is possible when we work together and contribute to conversations about creating a circular economy that works better for everyone.

A Simple Ask

Next time you finish a Stone & Wood, we'd be grateful if you could make sure that can makes it to the recycling bin. It's a small action, but when lots of people do it, it adds up to something meaningful.

We believe in the potential of aluminium recycling, and we appreciate everyone who takes the time to recycle properly. Together, we can help more cans have that eternal life.

Interested in learning more about our recycling initiative? You can find additional details and links about the Re-In-Can-Ation project on our website.

We get it. Sometimes you want a cold one, but not a big one. Something tasty, a little zesty, and refreshing enough to go back for seconds, but not so heavy it knocks you flat. That’s exactly where our Citrus Radler rolls in.

It’s beer, but it’s lighter. It’s zesty, not sweet. It’s brewed, not blended. And if you’ve ever found yourself torn between reaching for a beer or a seltzer, this might just be your perfect middle ground.

So… what is Radler?

Think of a Radler as beer’s easy-going cousin, relaxed, sessionable, and great company on a warm afternoon. Traditionally, it’s a mix of beer and citrus soda, but ours is brewed a little differently (we like to do things our own way). We start with a familiar base, not too far off our Pacific Ale, and add real Australian lemon puree during the brew. Post-ferment, we throw in a touch of natural orange and grapefruit to round things out.

The result? A clean, zesty, properly brewed beer that hits the spot when you want something light but still full of flavour.

Bridging the Beer – Seltzer Divide

If you’re a fan of hard seltzers, crisp, fruity, and lower in alcohol, but miss that malty backbone and hop character only beer can bring, Radler is your happy place. It’s got the refreshment of a seltzer, but the craft of a beer. It’s citrusy, lightly hopped (with Galaxy, no less), and sits comfortably under a Pacific Ale (4.4%) but just above Easy Pale (3.5%). 

It’s perfect for those in-between moments:

• The beach hangs that roll into sunset
• Sunday lunch when you’ve promised to “take it easy”
• A knock-off without the knock-out
• Your mate’s BBQ where you’re the designated driver (or just pacing yourself)

Why It Works in Aussie Weather

Whether you're floating down the Brunswick, pulling together a backyard lunch with mates, or setting up the esky for a long arvo in the sun, Citrus Radler just makes sense. It's got that real thirst-quenching energy, refreshing like a summer breeze, but with enough flavour to keep things interesting.

Not too heavy. Not too sweet. Not too boozy. It’s the beer you’ll want when the sun’s high and the vibe’s cruisy.

Lighter Doesn't Mean Less

One of the things we love most about Radler is that it brings big character in a light way. It's got colour and clarity, but it’s not as hazy as Pacific Ale. It’s zippy and lemony but never overpowering. And it’s brewed the same way we do all our beers, with real ingredients, local love, and respect for the planet we call home.

Brewed Better: Our B Corp Backing

Like all our beers, Citrus Radler is brewed in our certified B Corp and carbon neutral brewery in Murwillumbah, just 40 minutes up the road from our spiritual home in Byron Bay. That means every can supports our mission to leave the Earth in a better place than we found it, through sustainable brewing practices, local partnerships, and community give-back programs like our Ingrained Program.

We're Australian. We love our beer, we love our community here in the Northern Rivers, and we’re committed to leaving the Earth better than we found it.

Pull Up an Esky

Citrus Radler isn’t trying to be beer with training wheels, it’s made for beer drinkers who know exactly what they want: a lighter option that still feels like a beer. It’s something to share, to sip slow (or fast), and to bring along wherever the good times take you.

So next time you’re after something a little less boozy, but still full of flavour and story, look for the bright citrus burst in your local fridge.

We’ll meet you somewhere in the middle.