Lorraine, I'm Your Density

Back when I first turned 21-years-old I wasn't fully aware of what was available in terms of beer. At that point in time, great beer was Yuengling Traditional Lager, Guinness etc. I also remember walking into very generic bars and pubs to find mixed beers on special. These "mixed beers" included the likes of what I recall to be a Dark Side of the Moon (a combination of Guinness and Blue Moon) and Black Velvet (a combination of Guinness and hard cider). Still, I can't figure out whether or not Guinness is actually sought after anymore here in the states.

I've noticed this trend has taken a slight foothold in the craft world (Hoegaarden and Lindeman's Frambois), but that depends on whether or not you consider Hoegaarden craft. I've moved away from Guinness slightly, but I'm not in complete dismay if I have to have one. That and Yuengling are still considered to be among those first beer's I've had that ran the thought of amazing beer through my head for the first few times in my life. I'm forever thankful.

With the previous beer mixes I've mentioned, another popular one is shandy. I've had the Leinenkugel Summer Shandy. It's alright, but I'm kind of over it nowadays. That and the fact that a lot of people tend to shun it due to corporate aspects. I had a bottle of it recently (honestly was the best choice of the lot at the time) and had to force it down.

I've read in the past that mixing cider and beer is one of the tastier ways to go. Granted, I'd rather have a straight beer most of the time, but broadening one's horizons never hurt anyone. I'm interested in discovering which ciders go well with some craft beers. Why the hell not? I remember discussing that very subject a few months ago with my friend, Beer Snob Sr. I get the feeling that shandies contrived out of sheer experimentation are simply better than the commercially sold ones. To get back on the subject of Lenenkugel, wasn't its Lemon Berry concoction some form of a shandy? It tasted eerily similar to Robitussin.

Just watch this video from it's YouTube channel. Doesn't the story about the Summer Shandy just turn you off from it? it just doesn't feel that traditional to me. Someone wanted to conserve beer. So, he cut it with lemonade? For the second time this week, maybe I'm just nuts.

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.

Recommended Summer Samplers

Sometimes a craft beer fan is searching for a good sampler pack that will last them a good while, and at the same time has quite a few options in terms of trying some different beers. The versatility of sampler and variety packs is a key factor that helps me hold them in high regard compared to just a case of the same beer. In my opinion, an entire case of the same beer sometimes can get old.

Since it's almost summer (mine has already begun) here are a few of my favorite summer seasonals you can pick up almost anywhere in the Pittsburgh area. If you're lucky you can even find these quite a ways from here.

1. Troegs Anthology No. 1- This is not only my favorite  summer sampler I try to pick up, it's my personal favorite sampler pack in existence. Two beers set this pack apart from any challengers: Hop Back Amber Ale and Sunshine Pils.

Both are among my favorite beers. They contrast each other in color and in taste, but have similar hop characters. Very tasty beers. Troegs also includes DreamWeaver Wheat and its Pale Ale. Dreamweaver is a wheat beer that gives you strong hints of clove and banana, while Pale Ale is a bitter compliment to all of the other beers.

2. Leinenkugel Summer Sampler- The pride of Chippewa Falls brings us my second favorite Summer sampler pack. This variety pack features two of the Leinenkugel's flagship brews in Amber Ale and Sunset Wheat. Remember, Sunset Wheat is the beer that's apparently internationally known as the "Fruity Pebbles beer."

The second half of the sampler includes the ever-so-sweet Honey Weiss and the very underrated Summer Shandy.

3. Great Lakes Sampler- As far as I can tell, this sampler is sold year-round, but I feel that it can be included on this small list due to the fact most of the beer that comprise it fall into the summer category. This sampler is also one of my personal favorites.

You also get four with this purchase, but the lone beer that's not exactly known as a good summer drink is the infamous Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. Dortmunder Gold is a crisp, golden lager. Burning River is a decent pale ale with plenty of refreshing citrus. Holy Moses White Ale is a spicy, Belgian White.