Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy helped popularize the American shandy category when it launched, and it remains one of the best-selling seasonal-style beers in the country even though it is now brewed year-round.
At a Glance
| Style | Weiss beer with natural lemonade flavor (shandy) |
| ABV | 4.2% |
| Calories | 136 to 166 per 12 fl oz, depending on retailer/package |
| Bitterness | 11 IBU |
| Brewer | Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin |
| Availability | Widely available year-round across the US |
| Typical price | Around $16 to $20 for a 12-pack |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Summer Shandy is built for maximum drinkability, leaning hard into citrus over traditional beer bitterness.
The full review
Summer Shandy pours a hazy pale gold with a thin white head. The aroma leads with lemon, moderate to strong, layered over a bready wheat malt base and a light spicy hop note underneath.
The flavor mirrors the nose closely: real lemonade-style sweetness up front, a soft wheat beer body in the middle, and a tart, refreshing finish that avoids feeling syrupy. Bitterness is almost a non-factor here, which is exactly why it works so well as a warm-weather, easy-drinking option rather than a beer for hop fans.
Compared to other American shandies, Summer Shandy leans sweeter and more lemonade-forward than a beer like Blue Moon’s citrus wheat offerings, and it has held its position as the category benchmark since it first launched.
“This is less a beer for beer people and more a beer for people who want something cold, citrusy, and easy on a hot afternoon, which is exactly what it delivers.”, Beer Is My Life
- Widely available year-round, easy to find almost anywhere
- Genuinely refreshing lemon flavor that holds up in hot weather
- Low bitterness makes it approachable for non-craft-beer drinkers
- Very sweet, lemonade-forward profile won’t suit traditional beer drinkers
- Modest 4.2% ABV means it’s not built for a stronger drinking session
- Calorie count creeps higher than a standard light lager depending on package
Who it is for
Drinkers who want a citrusy, low-bitterness warm-weather beer, and anyone easing into craft or specialty beer from mainstream lagers. Prefer to build your own? Our radler and shandy recipe guide shows how to mix a similar lemon shandy at home.
Where to buy Leinenkugel Summer Shandy
Summer Shandy is one of the most widely stocked specialty beers in the US, sold at grocery stores, liquor stores, and on beer delivery apps nationwide. Use the button above to check availability and pricing near you.
FAQs
What is Leinenkugel Summer Shandy?
A traditional weiss beer blended with natural lemonade flavor, 4.2% ABV, brewed by the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
Is Summer Shandy only available in summer?
No, despite the name it is now brewed and sold year-round.
How many calories are in Leinenkugel Summer Shandy?
Between about 136 and 166 calories per 12 fl oz, depending on the retailer’s listing.
What does Summer Shandy taste like?
Bready wheat malt with a moderate to strong natural lemon flavor, low bitterness, and a tart, refreshing finish.
Where is Leinenkugel Summer Shandy brewed?
At the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a subsidiary of Molson Coors.
