Leinenkugel's Summer Variety 12Pk Cans

Leinenkugel's Summer Variety 12Pk Cans is a seasonal 12-pack of 12 oz cans featuring four fruit-forward wheat beers from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, ranging from 4.2% to 4.9% ABV. The pack anchors around Summer Shandy — the top-selling shandy in North America and a Silver medal winner at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival in the Fruit Wheat Beer category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.2%–4.9% (varies by style)  |  Origin: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin  |  Style: Fruit Wheat / Shandy Variety  |  Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company has been brewing in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, since 1867, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the United States. The Summer Variety pack includes four distinct beers: Summer Shandy (4.2% ABV), a traditional weiss beer blended with natural lemonade flavor; Juicy Peach (4.4% ABV); Lemon Haze IPA (4.9% ABV); and Grapefruit Shandy (4.2% ABV). Summer Shandy uses a wheat beer base where the wheat contributes a characteristic smoothness, then the beer is mixed with natural lemonade — a traditional shandy production method that has made Leinenkugel's responsible for nine out of every ten shandies consumed in the United States.

Tasting Notes

Summer Shandy — Aroma: Sweet citrus dominates the nose, reminiscent of fresh-squeezed lemonade without veering into artificial territory. Soft wheat undertones round out the bouquet.

Summer Shandy — Taste: Light and crisp on entry, the lemon character arrives immediately and carries through the mid-palate with balanced sweetness. The wheat base provides a smooth, slightly creamy body that prevents the citrus from becoming one-dimensional.

Summer Shandy — Finish: The finish is short and clean with a lemonade-like aftertaste that lingers pleasantly. Moderate-high carbonation keeps everything refreshing and snappy.

Across the Pack: Juicy Peach leans into stone fruit sweetness, Grapefruit Shandy delivers a more bitter citrus punch than its lemon sibling, and Lemon Haze IPA adds a hop-forward edge at 4.9% ABV — the strongest pour in the lineup.

How to Drink Leinenkugel's Summer Variety

All four beers drink best chilled to 38–45°F straight from the can or poured into a wheat beer glass. These are sessionable, low-ABV beers designed for warm-weather drinking. Summer Shandy works as a base for a Beer Margarita, replacing part of the mixer for a lighter riff on the classic. Grapefruit Shandy pairs naturally with a Beergarita twist using tequila and a salted rim, playing off its bitter citrus profile. Lemon Haze IPA can anchor a Hop Shandy Spritz topped with soda water and a lemon wheel for a low-proof patio drink.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and poolside afternoons where easy-drinking variety keeps things interesting
• Introducing shandy-curious friends to the style through a built-in tasting flight
• Summer hostess gifts or housewarming contributions during warm-weather months
• Tailgating or beach cooler packing when committing to a single beer style feels limiting

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy taste like? Summer Shandy tastes like a light, crisp wheat beer blended with fresh-squeezed lemonade — citrus-forward with balanced sweetness and a clean, refreshing finish.

How does Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy compare to Samuel Adams Porch Rocker? Both are lemon-flavored wheat beers at similar ABVs, but Summer Shandy tends to taste sweeter and more lemonade-forward, while Porch Rocker leans slightly more tart and beer-forward. Leinenkugel's dominates the shandy category with roughly 90% of U.S. shandy market share, making it the more widely available of the two.

Is the Summer Variety pack good for beginners? Absolutely — the four beers range from 4.2% to 4.9% ABV, all fruit-forward and approachable, making this an easy entry point for anyone new to craft-style beer or shandies.

Where is Leinenkugel's made? Leinenkugel's is brewed by the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a brewery that has been operating since 1867.

What foods pair well with the Summer Variety pack? Summer Shandy pairs well with grilled chicken or fish tacos, where its lemon character brightens rich or smoky flavors. Juicy Peach complements fresh fruit salads and light salads with goat cheese. Grapefruit Shandy stands up to spicy shrimp or Thai-inspired dishes, its bitter citrus cutting through heat. Lemon Haze IPA matches well with grilled burgers or bratwurst, where its hop edge meets charred, savory notes.

What sizes does the Summer Variety pack come in? This variety pack is available as a 12-pack of 12 oz cans, with each of the four beer styles represented by three cans.

Is the Summer Variety pack worth the price? The pack positions in the entry-to-mid-tier craft variety range and delivers strong value by bundling four distinct styles into a single purchase — particularly useful for sampling across the Leinenkugel's summer lineup without committing to a full six-pack of each.

Why Leinenkugel's Summer Variety?

This pack centers on the single most dominant shandy in America. Nine out of every ten shandies sold in the United States come from Leinenkugel's, and Summer Shandy's 2012 GABF Silver medal confirmed what drinkers already knew — the wheat-and-lemonade formula works. The variety format expands the range into peach, grapefruit, and hazy IPA territory, giving each can a distinct personality while staying within a cohesive, fruit-driven session framework. For warm-weather drinking that goes beyond a single flavor, this 12-pack covers more ground than most seasonal variety offerings in its price tier.