Leinenkugel’s says longer evenings call for more shandy…fair enough. I’m really feeling a spring fling coming on, and my lost one-hour notwithstanding, I’m finding every reason to celebrate.
The brewery is kicking things off with two moves designed to get citrus-loving beer fans paying attention: a brand-new High Shore Shandy and the long-awaited return of Orange Shandy, which is coming back after a seven-year break. If your warm-weather personality is already halfway to patio mode, this is the kind of beverage news that deserves at least a raised eyebrow and possibly a group text. Leinenkugel’s confirmed that both beers are available now, with High Shore Shandy rolling out regionally and Orange Shandy returning nationwide for a limited time.
Let’s start with the new one, because High Shore Shandy is not here to act shy. This is Leinenkugel’s higher-ABV take on the classic shandy format, landing at 8% ABV and blending the brewery’s familiar lemonade character with a stronger malt backbone. On paper, that means it is trying to do two jobs at once: keep the breezy citrus energy people expect from a shandy while also bringing a little more grown-up punch to the party. According to Leinenkugel’s official description, it pours cloudy lemon-yellow with a light lemon-peel aroma and a finish that balances sweetness with a subtle warmth. It is currently sold in 19.2-ounce cans and listed as regional availability on the brand’s site. (Leinenkugel’s)
In other words, if traditional shandy is the easygoing friend who shows up in flip-flops, High Shore Shandy is that same friend wearing sunglasses and insisting everyone stay for one more round.
Then there is Orange Shandy, which may be the real nostalgia play here. After seven years away, the beer is officially back, and the return feels aimed squarely at longtime fans who never stopped asking for it. Leinenkugel’s describes Orange Shandy as a blend of bright orange citrus flavor and its traditional wheat beer, resulting in a zesty, approachable seasonal pour. The official beer page lists it at 4.2% ABV with March through September availability, and the broader beer lineup shows it among the brewery’s seasonal offerings.
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That national return matters, because Orange Shandy is not just back in one lonely format tucked into a corner display somewhere. The rollout includes 6- and 12-pack cans, 6- and 12-pack bottles, and draft, making it much easier for fans to find it whether they are planning a backyard hang, a lake weekend, or just want something citrusy that tastes like it understands the assignment. Leinenkugel’s has even built some event promotion around the comeback, including an Orange Shandy-themed brunch at the Leinie Lodge, which gives a pretty good clue about how excited the brewery is to have this one back in the mix.
Of course, none of this happens in a vacuum. Shandy has become one of those warm-weather beer styles that people reach for almost automatically once temperatures start behaving themselves again. Traditionally, it is a mix of beer with lemonade or another citrus component, and Leinenkugel’s has had a major hand in making that style feel mainstream in the U.S. Its Summer Shandy has been one of the brewery’s best-known beers for years, and the official product page now lists it as brewed year-round, which tells you just how fully the brand has leaned into the citrus-beer identity. (Leinenkugel’s)
So where does that leave this year’s shandy lineup? Pretty clearly in a “something for everyone” position.
If you want a lighter, brighter, classic warm-weather option, Orange Shandy looks like the easy pick. It has the approachable 4.2% ABV, the citrus-forward flavor, and the limited-time comeback factor that tends to make fans suddenly very motivated to stock the fridge. If, on the other hand, you like your patio beer to come with a little more attitude, High Shore Shandy seems designed for exactly that lane. Same lemonade-inspired DNA, more muscle.
Either way, I’m betting that the return of longer evenings means people are ready to shift into full spring-and-summer drinking mode. Am I wrong??
For more on the brewery and its current lineup, readers can check out the official Leinenkugel’s website or follow the brand on Instagram. If your personal calendar begins with “when it stays light past dinner,” shandy season may have already started.
Editor’s Note: Shandy is a beverage that contains alcohol. Celebrate responsibly; drinking alcohol is only legal for those 21 years old and up.
