Bottle/Tap – Bottle

Rule of Citrus – None

Here is a good dare: next time you’re at a bar and a friend has a few beverages, make them say Leinenkugel to the server or bartender until they can say it right. This is usually a good way to pass time. Another way to pass time is to try a Summer Shandy Ale. Brewed with natural lemon flavors, I had my hopes up for this one. The Sunset Wheat offering is a regular for me, considering it tastes like Fruit Loops, it is a refreshing beer.

The label on Summer Shandy says that it is a ‘Weiss beer with lemonade’, that made me a little skeptical. I like a glass of lemonade and I also enjoy a good Weiss beer, however I couldn’t really figure how they would both taste together. Let me be the first to tell you: it wasn’t good.

I popped the cap and the instant aroma of lemons attacked me. Pouring it into a pint glass I noticed the heavy carbonation and that lemon fresh scent. I went in for the kill and came back empty handed. This had very little lemon flavor and was way too carbonated for me. It was very watered down, and I didn’t enjoy it too much. I didn’t bother with any fruit slice, I was under the impression the brewers had taken care of applying fruit flavor for me.

I was disappointed that Summer Shandy tasted like a Bud Light with lemon extract; I had high hopes for the brewers that brought me Sunset Wheat. If you are in the mood for a bland, yet very rich smelling, summer ale then I would recommend the Summer Shandy. If you still want that lemon zing, grab a Mike’s Hard Lemonade. . .and what is a shandy anyway?