Leinenkugel's Seasonal 6Pk Cans

Leinenkugel's Seasonal 6Pk Cans is a six-pack of 12 oz cans featuring the brewery's rotating seasonal release, most prominently their Summer Shandy, at 4.2% ABV. This lemon-forward wheat beer earned a Silver Medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival in the Fruit Wheat Beer category, and Leinenkugel's accounts for roughly nine out of every ten shandies consumed in the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.2%  |  Origin: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin  |  Style: Fruit Wheat Beer / Shandy  |  Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company was founded in 1867 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the state. Summer Shandy, the flagship seasonal offering, is brewed as a traditional weiss beer blended with natural lemonade flavor, using a grain bill of barley malt, wheat, and corn syrup (maltose and dextrose), along with honey, hops, and citric acid. The brewery's dominance in the American shandy category — producing the vast majority of shandies sold domestically — speaks to their mastery of this particular style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with wheaty grain and bright lemon zest, followed by a subtle honey sweetness. It reads clean and inviting, like fresh-squeezed lemonade layered over soft bread dough.

Taste: The entry is crisp and lightly sweet, with lemon flavor arriving immediately on the palate without overwhelming the wheat beer base. At mid-palate, honey rounds out the tartness and adds a distinctive lemon-honey character. The balance lands on the refreshing side — not overly sweet, with enough citric bite to keep things interesting.

Finish: The finish is clean and surprisingly lingering, leaving behind a pleasant lemonade-like impression. Medium body and solid carbonation give it a creamy mouthfeel that carries more weight than the low ABV might suggest.

How to Drink Leinenkugel's Seasonal

Summer Shandy is best served ice-cold, straight from the can, ideally on a warm afternoon. Pour into a tall weizen glass to release the lemon aromatics and showcase the hazy golden color.

• Beer-a-Rita: Combine with tequila and lime juice over ice for a shandy-meets-margarita crossover that amplifies the citrus profile.
• Shandy Spritz: Top with a splash of club soda and a lemon wheel for an even lighter, more effervescent warm-weather drink.
• Summer Radler Float: Pour over a scoop of lemon sorbet for a playful, dessert-style serve at backyard gatherings.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and outdoor cookouts during warm months
• Introducing non-craft-beer drinkers to flavorful wheat beers
• Poolside or beach day drinking where low ABV is an advantage
• Casual gifting for fans of refreshing, fruit-forward seasonal beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Leinenkugel's Seasonal taste like? The Summer Shandy expression tastes like a crisp wheat beer blended with natural lemonade — bright lemon citrus balanced by light honey sweetness, with a clean, refreshing finish that recalls fresh-squeezed lemonade.

How does Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy compare to Shock Top Lemon Shandy? Both are wheat-based shandies, but Leinenkugel's leans more heavily on natural lemon flavor and honey, while Shock Top tends toward a more straightforward citrus sweetness. Leinenkugel's also holds the 2012 GABF Silver Medal in the Fruit Wheat Beer category, giving it stronger competition credentials.

Is Leinenkugel's Seasonal good for beginners? Absolutely — the 4.2% ABV keeps it approachable, and the lemonade-forward flavor profile appeals to drinkers who find traditional beers too bitter or heavy. It frequently serves as a gateway into craft wheat beers.

Where is Leinenkugel's Seasonal made? It is brewed by the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a brewery founded in 1867 that remains one of the oldest in the state.

What foods pair well with Leinenkugel's Seasonal? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the citrus character. Light salads with vinaigrette mirror its acidity. Soft pretzels with honey mustard echo the wheat and honey backbone. Lemon-herb roasted chicken creates a seamless citrus pairing. Fresh fruit platters or key lime pie work well as dessert options.

What sizes does Leinenkugel's Seasonal come in? The Seasonal is widely available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, as well as 12-packs and variety packs depending on the season and region.

Is Leinenkugel's Seasonal worth the price? It positions squarely in the accessible craft tier — priced competitively with other mainstream craft seasonals while delivering a well-executed shandy backed by a GABF medal and over 150 years of brewing heritage.

Why Leinenkugel's Seasonal?

Leinenkugel's near-total dominance of the American shandy market is not accidental. The Summer Shandy, their most recognizable seasonal release, combines a genuine wheat beer base with carefully balanced natural lemon and honey flavors — a formula validated by a Silver Medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival. With roots stretching back to 1867 in Chippewa Falls, the brewery brings genuine heritage to a style that lesser producers often treat as an afterthought. For a low-ABV, high-refreshment seasonal beer with real category authority, this six-pack delivers exactly what it promises.