Shandy Shack
Elderflower lager top
Before this golden age of alcohol-free beers, the next best thing to alcohol-free drinking was a shandy. If you’re not sure what that is it’s basically a lager beer topped with lemonade; actually a refreshing and light drink for a summer’s day. That said (in my experience) ordering a shandy in your local resulted in you getting all manner of stares (and not the good kind). So it was with a sense of nostalgia and intrigue that I saw Shandy Shack’s Elderflower lager top on the shelf.
If you’ve not come across Shandy Shack they are a bunch of young British lads who started out in a pop-up trailer pouring out shandies and experimenting with various tastes. Realising there was an increasing number of people who wanted low alcohol drinks they decided to build out a business and Shandy Shack was born.
There are currently three different flavours to choose from including an IPA shandy, a pale and ginger and the one I tasted today – the elderflower lager top. This particular shandy takes a lager and tops it with elderflower pressé.
So was Shandy Shack’s offering a great blast from the past or did it bring up old nightmares? Well, you’ll just need to read my review below.
Is Shandy Shack’s lager top any good?
Taste
When I first tasted this it certainly bought back memories of drinking shandy and then I was hit by the unmistakable elderflower flavour which added an interesting dimension to the drink. The lager itself is pretty refreshing and quite mellow and the elderflower gives it a hoppy, bitter taste. Overall pretty refreshing but I can only really drink one as the elderflower is a little overwhelming.
Aroma & Appearance
Expect classic shandy aromas with elderflower in the background. The shandy had a classic lager look to it when poured into the glass and there was a thin head accompanying it.
Bonus points
Although this low alcohol shandy does have 2.5% ABV you’ll be pleased to hear that it is suitable for vegans and gluten-free drinkers. It is also relatively low in sugars too. Availability-wise your best bet is to buy it directly from Shandy Shack’s site or Amazon.
Where can you buy Shandy Shack?
At the time of writing, it isn’t the easiest drink to find but you can find it on Amazon or check it out online from Shandy Shack’s site.
Key information
– per 330ml
Brewery – Shandy Shack
Country – UK
Alcohol content – 2.5%
Calories – 105
Vegan friendly? – yes
Gluten-free? – yes
Availability – medium/ hard
“Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness.”
-Seneca, AD 50 BC
