Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy (Chippewa Falls, WI)
Alison: 3.5
It’s refreshing, but almost too refreshing if there is such a thing. Instead of surfacing on the lemonade flavor it almost hits you with it. At times I expected to find lemon pulp stuck in my teeth while drinking, but this is something I would probably reach for if I was going to be at the pool all day.
Jabez: 3.5
This is a nice light wheat beer with a splash of lemon flavor. I am not a fan of lemon flavored beers but this is the best one so far. I am a big Leine fan and love everything else they put out. It has more character than the other lemon or lime flavored beers that I have tried.
Tom: 2
A shandy is a mix of lager and lemonade, and that's exactly what this looks, smells, and tastes like. Cloudy yellow with a strong lemon scent. A little too watery and has an artificial quality to it. I am not a fan of fruity beer and this did nothing to change my mind.
Todd: 2.5
The pale, cloudy appearance isn't too impressive up front for this summery lemonade-infused wheat beer. The initial citrus smell isn't bad, though, but what really counts is the taste, and here it just reminds me far too much of Pledge furniture polish.
Upland Rad Red Amber Ale (Bloomington, IN)
Alison: 2
I will admit I am a lighter beer girl by trade, but this Upland has got me thinking. Its rich amber color comes across when it touches the tongue as it is not too bubbly as much as it is smooth. The preliminary taste is deep and sweet while it ends with a malty bite I am not used to in my “girlie beers.”
Jabez: 4
I was introduced to Upland wheat by my friend Paul, and this one was just as good. Since this beer was made in Bloomington, I liked it even more. It is nice to see some fellow Hoosiers putting out a good beer.
Tom: 3.5
Pours a dark, amber red with a frothy tan head. Nose is citrusy, sweet, with a hops presence. Sweetness up front with a light fruitiness, a little spiciness, some hints of grapefruit. A somewhat atypical red, but a good quality beer nonetheless.
Todd: 4
A nice, rich, amber as promised upon pouring into my ale glass, followed by a hoppy (but balanced) flavor. Rad Red's not flashy, showy, or "extreme" (by a long shot), but with hints of maple and citrus, this one's got a nice and complex flavor profile. Maybe I'm being pretentious for deciphering those flavors, but this one's unquestionably steady, sturdy, heady and brings joy to my palate.
Michelob - Beach Bum Blonde Ale (St. Louis, MO)
Alison: 3
While this beer has a nice golden blonde color, and gives good head, there isn’t much separating this from other light beers. It does a good job quenching my thirst initially; I can’t say I would sip on these all summer afternoon due in part to the noticeable Michelob aftertaste.
Jabez: 3.5
This beer poured a clear gold color with the head fading fast. It had a crisp hop smell. It had a light malt taste with a little sour hop flavor. It had good carbonation with a lingering aftertaste that was somewhat spicy. Also was surprised by the brewer, Michelob/Anheuser-Busch.
Tom: 3
Golden see-through body with subdued sweet hop aroma. Medium to thin and slightly creamy mouthfeel. Goes down surprisingly easy with a clean finish and a hint of spice. Nothing spectacular, but a decent drinker.
Todd: 3
This rich ale pours golden with medium lacing, and though it doesn't offer anything too remarkable or unique, it does shine with a crisp maltiness that walks all over the usual summer lager lineup. More than drinkable, Beach Bum would be an ideal middle-point for an inexperienced drinker (or seasoned lager fan) to be gently swayed into the wide and wonderful world of ales. Decent enough.
Landshark Lager (Jacksonville, FL)
Alison: 4
Just as Jimmy Buffett appeals to the masses, so does his beer. Crisp and smooth this beer goes down so easy one forgets they have finished one beer and quickly moves onto a second beer without notice. Which may be a downfall, yet it has a surprising bit of a sea-salty aftertaste one doesn’t normally find in beer which matures it in ways other light beers can’t.
Jabez: 4.5
To me this beer is just like a Corona but better. The look is similar but I don’t feel I have to stick a lime in it to drink it. You could but it isn’t mandatory. I enjoyed the light lager taste and it is a good summer beer. The beer just has more character than a Corona. The more I drink this beer, the more of a fan of it I become.
Tom: 2
Pours a clear, golden yellow with a faint, crisp pilsner aroma. Thin, almost watery, with soft carbonation. Weak, pilsner flavor that’s true to the style, but slightly less sweet. It’s begging for a lime. Not my preferred style, but would do just fine on a hot summer day.
Todd: 3.5
This light beer has all the attributes of a classic lager – pale golden appearance and an easygoing flavor profile that's more on the malty side. The clean, crisp taste compares more than favorably to Corona, so summer beer fans looking for a light and tasty alternative to the more mainstream "light beers" should find Landshark ultimately satisfying. I say give this one a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised.
