Tastes like…Summer!

Bright lemonade aroma gives way to lipsmacking notes of sweet-tart lemon in this refreshingly citrus-forward Lemonade Shandy. So good, you’re gonna want a pitcher. Read on for the full forecast on our new Lemonade Shandy!

Reviews are done by our Sensory Specialist Travis Houston, a Certified Cicerone and FoBAB judge.

Malt: Pilsner, White Wheat

Hop: Enigma

This brew is the latest addition to our seasonal can lineup. What does Summer Shandy bring to the table compared to our other seasonal offerings?  

Summer is a Shandy, a style of beer that originated in mid 19th century England. Mentions of a drink called “shandygaff” from the time describe a mix that was part beer, part ginger ale. Over time, “gaff” was dropped from the name, and other soft drinks, often citrus based, found their way into the blend. Today, lemon-lime flavored sodas are the most common. Shandies have long been associated with sporting events, often used as a refreshment for both athletes and fans. The German version is called Radler, which means “cyclist.” The story goes that a cycling club stopped at a bar that was low on beer. To make sure they didn’t run completely dry, they started blending beer half and half with a soft-drink. Everyone loved it, and German Radler was born. Summer is a lemonade shandy, pairing the classic flavors of citrus and beer to create a refreshing, lemonade-forward brew.

Summer Shandy is a Lemonade Shandy, perhaps a little less traditional than a normal lemon shandy. What are the notable characteristics of Summer Shandy? 

In a traditional English Shandy, beer is blended with a lemon-lime soda, similar to Sprite. Summer is blended with American lemonade, which has slightly more lemon flavor, and a better balance between acidity and sweetness to match the slightly wheaty base beer. Sweet, smooth lemon is the predominant flavor, backed by a mildly tart, citrusy ale base.

What makes you want to drink Summer Shandy? 

We named it Summer for a reason! This beer is built for sunny days- it’s light but flavorful, delivering delicious lemonade flavor with a refreshing wheat ale base. 

What are some other shandies that you really enjoy? Stiegl and Schofferhofer both make iconic Grapefruit Radlers. Shiner also makes a great lemonade shandy.

Appearance: Light yellow with the slightest bit of haze and thin, white foam.

Aroma: Fresh lemonade with hints of wheaty malt.

Taste: Bright, sweet lemonade with a light wheat base.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and effervescent.

Overall: Summer is infused with real lemonade, creating a refreshing, flavorful shandy with a light, wheat base and sweet citrus flavor.

What foods would pair well with Summer Shandy? Summer is the perfect pool beer, and would go great with a sandwich and chips. Or even a sandwich with chips ON it!

Ideal glassware for Summer Shandy? A shaker pint glass.