The Wait Is Over: Leinenkugel's Refreshing Summer Shandy Makes A Much-Anticipated Return For Parched Fans

Leinenkugel's best-selling lemonade-flavored seasonal brew returns for the summer.

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. - For those who could use a slice of summer after a brutal winter, the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Chippewa Falls, Wis., announces the nationwide return of warm weather refresher, Summer Shandy.

Leinenkugel's was the first brewer to bottle a shandy-style brew in the U.S. and now offers Summer Shandy, available April through August, in cans, bottles and on draft.

When Summer Shandy - an adventurous blend of select malted wheat and barley, lemonade flavor and a hint of Wisconsin honey - went into hibernation last September fans raced to grab the last case. Since then, thousands of fans anxiously awaiting its return have inquired about making Summer Shandy, the 144-year-old brewer's best-selling seasonal of all time, a year-round offering.

Initially introduced in the Upper Midwest in 2007, summertime adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts and beachgoers rejoiced when Leinenkugel's introduced Summer Shandy in 12-ounce cans in April 2010, offering more ways to satisfy summertime thirst.

"There's nothing like a cold Leinie's Summer Shandy on a warm summer day. When we bottled our combination of high quality craft beer with tangy lemonade, we never imagined fans would respond so passionately," says Jake Leinenkugel, fifth-generation brewer and president of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, who noted that fans can share a virtual Shandy and count down the seconds until the brew returns to shelves on April 1, thanks to a live Summer Shandy countdown clock at www.leinie.com.

The "shandy" (which is short for "shandygaff"), as it's called in England and Germany, is typically a mixture of beer and soda or lemonade which has been enjoyed across Europe since the 17th century. Another variation of a shandy is the "radler," which is a German term for cyclist. In September 1922, Franz Xaver Kugler developed the radler, when approximately 13,000 cyclists visited his tavern in Munich. His beer supply started to run out, so he cleverly mixed the remaining beer with lemonade and claimed to have created the blend especially for the cyclists.

Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy features a tangy character with malty undertones of hops. Its tart lemon flavoring complements spicy and robust grilling dishes, and its subtle hoppiness creates the perfect balance for summertime salads. See food recipe featuring Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy below.

Summer Shandy contains 4.2 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). It will be available where Leinenkugel's is sold in 12-pack 12-oz. cans, 6- and 12-pack bottles and on draft. Summer Shandy retails for approximately $6.99 to $7.99 a 6-pack.

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Put a fresh twist on Leinenkugel's summer brew this year with Leinenkugel's Grilled Shrimp Tacos. Ideal for ramped up baseball tailgates and summertime barbeques, this dish packs Summer Shandy's zest into every bite!

Leinenkugel's Grilled Shrimp Tacos, Charred Jalapeno Lime Slaw and Cilantro Cream
Serves 4

36 shrimp, peeled and deveined
12 corn tortillas

Shrimp Seasoning
1/4 cup Old Bay
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon celery salt
1 tablespoon cayenne

Cilantro Cream
8 oz. sour cream
4 oz. lime juice
1/2 oz. chopped cilantro
4 oz. mayo
2 oz. honey

Charred Jalapeno Lime Slaw
1/2 head cabbage, sliced as thin as possible
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 cup corn, frozen, defrosted
1/2 cup lime juice
2 tablespoons cilantro
3 jalapenos, grilled or roasted, sliced with seeds
2 oz. Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy

Mix the Old Bay, chili powder, celery salt and cayenne in a large metal bowl. Add the shrimp, coat well, and put in refrigerator.

For the cilantro cream, mix all ingredients with a whisk, put in small bowl and refrigerate.

For the slaw, mix cabbage, sugar, tomatoes, corn, lime juice, cilantro, jalapenos and Summer Shandy, let sit out and marinate (can be made up to a day in advance).

For the assembly, place shrimp on a hot grill and cook evenly on both sides. When all shrimp are cooked, place in a bowl, and quickly grill tortillas to soften. In the softened tortillas, place cabbage, then shrimp and finish by drizzling cilantro cream.

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"Trip to the Chip" Sweepstakes
Just in time for Summer 2011, Leinenkugel's is introducing an adventurous sweepstakes, "Trip to the Chip," offering craft beer fans the chance to win a trip to Chippewa Falls, the legendary spot where Leinenkugel's began 144 years ago. The grand prize will include a five-night stay for two at a Northwoods resort, a Leinenkugel's Northwoods dinner, a Leinie-branded canoe and $500 in Leinenkugel's gear. Running nationally, May through early September, the interactive "Trip to the Chip" sweepstakes invites craft beer fans to enter the official entry code found on neck labels from specially-marked packages of Leinenkugel's Classic Amber, Summer Shandy, Sunset Wheat and Honey Weiss via text or online at www.leinie.com.

About Leinenkugel's
Leinenkugel's, brewed in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, is the leading craft brewer in the upper Midwest. Year-round offerings include Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat, Honey Weiss, Berry Weiss, Leinie's Red, Creamy Dark, Original, Light and Classic Amber Lager. In addition to Summer Shandy, Leinenkugel's offers three other limited-release seasonal beers including Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest, Fireside Nut Brown and 1888 Bock. Leinenkguel's has a dedicated fan base of more than 200,000 Leinie loyalists living throughout the U.S. Leinie loyalists are a group of devoted fans of the specialty brewer who stay in touch virtually throughout the year via Leinenkugel's newsletters and gather for the Leinie Lodge Family Reunion in Chippewa Falls, Wis. every June. For more information on the rich history of Leinenkugel's, visit www.leinie.com or join virtual Leinie loyalists at www.facebook.com/leinenkugels.

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Comments welcome.

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Previously:
* Leinie's Listens!
* A Legendary Favorite Returns: Leinie Limited
* Leinenkugel's Prepares Football Fans For An Unforgettable Wisconsin-Style Big Game Party

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