Old Nation Shandy 4Pk

Old Nation Shandy 4Pk is a German-style shandy from Old Nation Brewing Co. that blends their Helles lager with real Guernsey Farms lemonade at 4.8% ABV. What separates this from mass-market shandies is the foundation: the brewery's own Fritts Helles Lager, a proper Munich-style base beer, paired with locally sourced lemonade rather than generic citrus flavoring.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%  |  IBU: 7  |  Origin: Williamston, Michigan  |  Style: German-Style Shandy  |  Brewery: Old Nation Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Old Nation Brewing Co. operates out of Williamston, Michigan, and has built a loyal following behind flagship releases like their acclaimed M-43 N.E. IPA and the Fritts Helles Lager. The Shandy takes that Fritts base — a clean, traditionally brewed Helles — and combines it with lemonade sourced from Guernsey Farms, a Michigan dairy and beverage producer. This local collaboration gives the beer a distinctly fresh, authentic lemonade character that sets it apart from shandies relying on artificial citrus extracts or high-fructose sweeteners. At just 7 IBUs, hop bitterness is nearly absent, letting the lager-lemonade marriage take center stage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright lemon zest leads immediately, followed by subtle honey-like sweetness and faint dried florals. A soft, bready grain note from the Helles base lingers underneath.

Taste: The entry is clean and citrus-forward, with real lemonade sweetness hitting the palate before a light biscuity, baguette-like malt character emerges at mid-palate. The lemon intensity builds without becoming cloying, balanced by gentle hop presence and a touch of grain.

Finish: Crisp and refreshing with lingering citrus zest and a slight mineral dryness from the lager component. The finish is short and clean, encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink Old Nation Shandy

Serve this shandy well chilled, straight from the can or poured into a Willi Becher glass to catch the aroma. It drinks best ice-cold on a warm day without any additions. For those looking to mix, a Shandy Spritz — topped with a splash of sparkling water and a sprig of fresh mint — amplifies the refreshment factor. A Radler Mule using the shandy in place of ginger beer with vodka and lime brings a lemon-forward twist to the classic. It also works in a Beer-garita, blended with tequila and a salted rim, where the lemonade component replaces the need for additional citrus juice.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions and summer cookouts
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to Michigan's brewing scene
• A low-ABV session option for afternoon drinking
• Replacing mass-market shandies with a locally sourced alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Nation Shandy taste like? Old Nation Shandy tastes like fresh-squeezed lemonade layered over a clean, bready Helles lager, with bright lemon zest, subtle honey sweetness, and a crisp, dry finish. It is citrus-forward without being overly sweet.

How does Old Nation Shandy compare to Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy? Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy uses a standard American wheat beer base and natural lemonade flavoring, while Old Nation builds on a traditional Helles lager and incorporates real lemonade from Guernsey Farms. Old Nation's version tends to taste less artificially sweet, with a more pronounced lager backbone and a cleaner finish.

Is Old Nation Shandy good for beginners? At 4.8% ABV and just 7 IBUs, this is an extremely approachable beer with virtually no hop bitterness, making it an excellent entry point for anyone who finds craft beer too bitter or intense.

Where is Old Nation Shandy made? Old Nation Shandy is brewed at Old Nation Brewing Co. in Williamston, Michigan, a small city east of Lansing in Ingham County. The lemonade component is sourced from Guernsey Farms, also based in Michigan.

What foods pair well with Old Nation Shandy? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the beer's citrus brightness. A summer Caprese salad mirrors its light, fresh character. Fried fish and chips find a refreshing counterpoint in the lemonade acidity. Lemon bars or fruit tarts echo the shandy's citrus and honey notes for a dessert pairing.

What sizes does Old Nation Shandy come in? Old Nation Shandy is available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard offering from the brewery for this release.

Is Old Nation Shandy worth the price? Old Nation Shandy positions as a craft shandy at a modest premium over mass-market alternatives like Leinenkugel's, justified by its use of real Guernsey Farms lemonade and a proper Helles lager base rather than flavoring extracts.

Why Old Nation Shandy?

The defining advantage here is ingredient sourcing: real Guernsey Farms lemonade paired with a proven Helles lager recipe, not artificial citrus flavoring dumped into a generic light beer. That local Michigan collaboration gives the shandy an authenticity most competitors in the style cannot match. With an Untappd rating of 3.7 across over 5,100 check-ins, it has earned consistent approval from a broad drinking audience. For anyone who wants a sessionable, low-bitterness warm-weather beer that actually tastes like lemonade and lager in proper balance, Old Nation Shandy delivers without pretension.