Leinenkugel's Variety Beer 12Pk

Leinenkugel's Variety Beer 12Pk is a mixed assortment of 12 beers from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. As a product of America's seventh-oldest brewery — founded in 1867 — this variety pack showcases the range of styles Leinenkugel's has become known for, from fruit-forward shandies to more traditional lagers and ales. Note that the specific beer selection in this pack may rotate seasonally.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by style  |  Origin: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: Mixed Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company (est. 1867)

Production & Heritage

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company has operated continuously in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, since 1867, making it one of the longest-running breweries in the United States. Now a subsidiary of Molson Coors, the brewery still draws on Big Eddy Spring water — once dubbed "the purest water in the world" — as a core ingredient in its recipes. Leinenkugel's is best recognized for its fruit-infused wheat beers and shandies, though its portfolio spans a wider spectrum of American craft styles. The variety pack format allows drinkers to sample multiple expressions from the lineup without committing to a full 12-pack of a single beer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Depending on the style, expect anything from bright citrus and stone fruit in the shandy offerings to biscuity malt and mild hop character in the more traditional selections. Fruit-forward beers in the assortment tend to lead with noticeable natural fruit aromas.

Taste: The shandy and fruit-wheat styles typically deliver a clean, sweet entry with ripe fruit notes balanced by light wheat maltiness. Hop-forward selections in the pack will show more bitterness at mid-palate with citrus peel or piney undertones. Across the board, Leinenkugel's brews tend toward approachable, sessionable profiles rather than aggressive intensity.

Finish: Most styles in the Leinenkugel's range finish clean and refreshing with moderate carbonation. The fruit beers leave a mild sweetness on the close, while any IPA or lager variants tend to dry out more crisply.

How to Drink Leinenkugel's Variety Pack

These beers are built for straightforward enjoyment — poured cold into a pint glass or enjoyed straight from the bottle or can. The fruit shandies and wheat beers make excellent warm-weather drinking, while any darker or hoppier selections in the rotation suit cooler months. A Beer Shandy Spritz — combining a Leinenkugel's shandy with sparkling water and a lemon wheel — amplifies the refreshment factor for outdoor gatherings. A Michelada works well with the lighter lager-style offerings, adding lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire for a savory twist. The fruit-wheat beers also make a surprisingly good base for a Beer Margarita, blended with tequila, lime juice, and ice.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for a backyard barbecue or cookout
• Introducing friends to a range of Leinenkugel's styles in one purchase
• Casual gifting for fans of fruit-forward, easy-drinking American beers
• Tailgating or game-day gatherings where variety keeps everyone happy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Leinenkugel's Variety Pack taste like? The pack spans multiple styles, but Leinenkugel's is best known for fruit-forward shandies and wheat beers that taste bright, refreshing, and lightly sweet with clean malt backbones. Hoppier or more traditional selections in the mix offer a drier, more balanced counterpoint.

How does Leinenkugel's compare to Shock Top variety packs? Both brands occupy the fruit-wheat beer space, but Leinenkugel's has a significantly longer heritage — dating to 1867 — and brews with Big Eddy Spring water in Wisconsin, while Shock Top is produced by Anheuser-Busch InBev. Leinenkugel's shandy styles tend to lean slightly drier and more citrus-driven than Shock Top's Belgian-style wheat ales.

Is Leinenkugel's Variety Pack good for beginners? Yes — the approachable, fruit-accented flavors and moderate ABVs across most Leinenkugel's styles make this an accessible entry point for people new to craft beer.

Where is Leinenkugel's made? Leinenkugel's is brewed at the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a facility that has been in operation since 1867. The brewery is now owned by Molson Coors.

What foods pair well with Leinenkugel's beers? Grilled bratwurst or sausages complement the wheat and malt notes nicely. Fish tacos pair well with the citrus-forward shandies. A summer salad with stone fruit and goat cheese echoes the fruity character of the lighter styles. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese stands up to the hoppier offerings. Lemon bars or fruit tarts mirror the shandy flavors for a dessert pairing.

What sizes does the Leinenkugel's Variety Pack come in? This variety pack contains 12 bottles or cans, which is the standard format for Leinenkugel's mixed packs.

Is the Leinenkugel's Variety Pack worth the price? It positions in the mid-range domestic craft tier, offering solid value by letting you sample multiple styles from a heritage American brewery without buying individual six-packs of each.

Why Leinenkugel's Variety Pack?

Few American breweries can claim over 155 years of continuous operation, and Leinenkugel's has earned its reputation by consistently producing approachable, flavorful beers rooted in Wisconsin brewing tradition. The use of Big Eddy Spring water gives the entire lineup a clean, distinctive base that separates it from competitors using municipal water sources. A variety pack is the most efficient way to explore what the brewery does well — from its signature shandies to its broader portfolio — in a single purchase. For anyone drawn to fruit-forward, sessionable American craft beer with genuine heritage behind it, this 12-pack delivers a well-rounded introduction.