When it comes to summer shandies, there are several breweries that have mastered the art of creating refreshing and flavorful blends of beer and citrus. Here, I will highlight some of the best summer shandies available, along with a brief history of these delightful beverages.
1. Scooter Blood Orange Radler – Braxton Brewing Company: This radler combines the tartness of blood oranges with a crisp and clean beer base. Braxton Brewing Company is known for their innovative and balanced brews, and the Scooter Blood Orange Radler is no exception.
2. Tart Cherry Radler – Waterloo Brewing: Waterloo Brewing has crafted a delightful shandy with the perfect balance of tart cherries and crisp lager. The result is a refreshing and fruity beverage that is perfect for hot summer days.
3. Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale – Hoppin’ Frog Brewery: Hoppin’ Frog Brewery takes the shandy to the next level with their Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale. This beer is bursting with citrus flavors, including lemon, lime, and orange, creating a zesty and refreshing summer drink.
4. Light & Squeezy – Lemon-Raspberry Radler – Confluence Brewing Company: Confluence Brewing Company has created a unique and delicious radler with their Light & Squeezy Lemon-Raspberry Radler. The combination of tangy lemon and sweet raspberry creates a flavor profile that is both refreshing and satisfying.
5. Grapefruit Radler – Stiegl Brewery: Stiegl Brewery, based in Austria, is known for their exceptional radlers. Their Grapefruit Radler is a perfect blend of crisp lager and tangy grapefruit juice, resulting in a refreshing and citrusy drink that is perfect for summer.
6. Summer Shandy – Leinenkugel’s Brewery: Leinenkugel’s Brewery has been producing their famous Summer Shandy for over 150 years. It is a classic combination of wheat beer and natural lemonade, creating a light and refreshing beverage that is synonymous with summer.
7. Citrus Wheat Shandy – Boulevard Brewing Company: Boulevard Brewing Company’s Citrus Wheat Shandy is a delightful blend of their popular Unfiltered Wheat Beer and natural citrus flavors. The result is a bright and citrusy beer that is perfect for those hot summer days.
8. Radler – Paulaner Brewery: Paulaner Brewery, a German brewery with centuries of brewing tradition, produces an exceptional radler. Their Radler combines their classic lager with natural lemonade, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and tangy flavors.
9. Grapefruit Shandy – Traveler Beer Company: The Traveler Beer Company specializes in crafting unique and flavorful shandies. Their Grapefruit Shandy is a refreshing blend of wheat beer and grapefruit, creating a citrus-forward and refreshing summer beverage.
10. Summer Love Ale – Victory Brewing Company: While not a traditional shandy, Victory Brewing Company’s Summer Love Ale is a perfect summer beer. It is a golden ale with a light and crisp profile, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more subtle citrus flavor.
The history of shandies dates back to 19th-century Britain, where they were popularized as a way to dilute strong ales and make them more refreshing. The term “shandy” is derived from the word “shandygaff,” which referred to a mixture of beer and ginger beer or lemonade. Over the years, shandies have evolved to include a variety of fruit flavors and beer styles.
Today, breweries around the world continue to experiment with different combinations of beer and citrus to create refreshing and flavorful shandies. These 10 breweries have proven themselves to be masters of the craft, producing shandies that are perfect for enjoying during the summer months.
So, whether you prefer a classic lemonade-based shandy or a more adventurous citrus blend, there is a summer shandy out there to suit your taste. Cheers to a refreshing and delicious summer!