Summer is here, allowing all of us who live in a four-season climate to enjoy the things that only summer can bring. For me, bring on the shandy (or radler if you prefer), perhaps the greatest beer cocktail.
Like so many drinks, the origins of the shandy are fuzzy and hotly debated. Some have suggested that the drink’s origins lie with Henry VIII, who enjoyed it during marital discord. It’s hard to imagine this as a few shandies could never leave one in the mood to separate your spouse’s head from her body. However, he may have had issues beyond the shandy’s mood-lifting properties.
Early shandies, known as shandygaff, are believed to be a contraction of ginger half-and-half. They were a simple 50/50 mix of beer and ginger beer. Through the years, the shandy has evolved to include lemonade and other citrus-based soft drinks mixed with beer. Of course, you can stick with the ginger beer and beer combo to create a zesty and very refreshing drink.
In recent years, the Shandy and its lost German twin, the Radler, have become extremely popular in the US. Today, it’s commonplace to find commercial bottlings of shandies from American craft and regional producers, as well as imports from Germany and Austria. While beers are becoming increasingly more potent, a 50/50 mix of beer and soft drink is a welcome choice when hydration is key in the hot summer months.
While the commercial shandy offerings are often delicious, it’s a shame that the homemade shandy is somewhat of a rarity. Most bars offer a quality ginger beer, so the ingredients are there. However, the drink’s beautiful simplicity inspires you to introduce your favorite lemonade by adding a cold, fizzy beer.
Beer Styles I like for the New Classic Shandy
The beer style used for the shandy is essential and logical. It’s easy to see that a Pilsner is great while a Chocolate Stout is a regrettable choice. The shandy is a refreshing drink, so it’s a good idea to use a beer with a moderate alcohol content. Because we first evaluate beer by its appearance, it is important that the beer be light in color and effervescent. Strongly hopped beers should be avoided as it can clash with the citrus or over accentuate the citrus flavors in the shandy. Styles I like for the shady include: Dortmunder, Helles, light Pale Ale, Pilsner, or Wit. The shandy is perfectly poised to be a non-alcoholic drink with the addition of your favorite NA pale-colored lager.
My Favorite Citrus-ade for the Shandy
While it is perfectly acceptable to purchase your favorite lemon/lime soda for your homeade shandy you can achieve a better product by making a simple soda at home. The recipe below requires no special skills but it yeilds a delicious result that will impress your friends and family. If you do buy a soda may we suggest the tasty San Pellegrino Limonata.
- 1.5 cups of freshly squeezed citrus (I like a combo of lemon, lime, and grapefruit)
- 1 cup of citrus simple syrup (1 cup each of water and sugar, with the sugar fully dissolved in boiling water). Remove from the heat and add strips of the peel from one lemon and one lime. Cool, strain, and refrigerate the syrup.
- 2 cups of soda water
- ice
Mix the fresh juice and citrus simple syrup in a pitcher, stirring to combine. Add soda and give a quick, gentle stir. Add ice and serve immediately.
Be sure to check out our cocktail section for more beer cocktails as well as other refreshing drinks for summer.
Sounds extremely refreshing, but what are the proportions?
12 oz pale ale to 2, 3 or 4 oz of “lemonade”?
THANKS! Rich
Start with the classic proportions 50/50. If you desire more or less beer add or subtract accordingly. I like the 50/50 ratio.
It’s hard to locate knowledgeable persons on this subject, but you sound like you are aware of what you’re talking about! Thanks
The finish is balanced, with a moderate citrus tartness that lingers awhile. The crisp citrus flavors, light creamy wheat body, lively carbonation and low ABV combine to make this an ace summertime lawn-mowing beer.