Beer Review: Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Serving Type: Draft

ABV: 4.2 percent

Appearance: Summer Shandy pours a pale version of a straw/gold color. It also appears to be very thick, hazy and foggy. The head begins thick and fluffy, but fades away fairly quick. Don't expect much lacing as you continue to sip it.

Smell: The tartness of the lemonade that makes up most of this beer is ever so present. The wheatiness of the rest of the beer's body is just an afterthought when compared to the strength of the lemony scent in this brew.

Taste: The lemon and citrus is what hits your tongue first. The first inclination I got upon sipping this beer was that it was a very powerful lemonade. The wheat and yeast kicks in for a faint and malty after taste.

Overall Rating: 

I've been looking to try this beer for a good while now. I was fairly pleased with it. It doesn't exactly taste like your typical beer, nor should any shandy. This is a crucial aspect I think one needs to know before drinking one of these. It will be a very different experience from any ordinary beer. This was far from the paved roads, so to speak. I love adventurous beers like this one.

The Fruity Pebbles Beer: Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat

Sunset Wheat, brewed by the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. is what I've referred to as a cult beer. Beers made my Leinenkugel seem to remain virtually unknown to people outside of the craft beer world, but to those of us in it the brewery has provided us with a few of our favorite beers out there.

Serving Type: Bottle

Appearance: Sunset Wheat looks like your typical hefeweizen or witbier. In my opinion, this beer is classified as a witbier because of the origins of the Belgian style. It's very cloudy and looks crisp and golden. The white head is very thick and takes longer to dissipate than some soft drinks. Because of that, it's a very tough pour if you're not very patient.

ABV: 4.9 percent

Smell: If you do some deep research, you will find that most people get a scent of both blueberry and lemon. From my experience I get a scent that reminds me of breakfast time during my childhood. Those that I've asked agree on the sentiment that this beer smells like a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

Taste: If you take the prior research that's been done with this beer, along with my opinion on the smell, you'll get the gist of the taste. Blueberry and/or Fruity Pebbles.

Overall Rating:   

This beer is one of my favorites. It has such a unique smell and taste. Just a unique experience for a fan of craft beer. Look into it.