Health & Fitness
Narragansett Del's Shandy: Best Summer Beer of 2014 So Far?
Re-posted from my blog: Malted Musings.
If you've read my blog at all then you know that my go-to "cheap" beer is Narragansett. Similarly, though, if you've read my blog then you know that 'Gansett has been working their tails off to have beer that goes beyond just "ok cheap beer." Their latest entry into this category, in my opinion, knocks it way out of the park.
I'm talking about their Del's Shandy. This beer, while fairly inexpensive (around $10 for a sixer of tall boys!) is one of the best summer beers I've had this summer, if not ever. Though I am given to hyperbole fairly often, I swear that this beer fits the summer season better than most beers that slap the "summer seasonal" label on their can. Lets start with the pour. The beer is a medium yellow-gold with a lively head on top. Smelling very faintly of light lemon citrus this beer tastes immediately slightly sweet and bright (much like the frozen lemonade that is this beer's namesake) then builds to a dull hop note. From here the taste drops out very quickly and settles into a slightly clinging malting that sits with a slightly-sour tone on the palate.
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Though not a perfectly balanced beer, or one that has ludicrously high IBUs or ABV, this beer is one of the best summer beers I've had due to the amazing taste combination of the dense (and slightly sour) malting that 'Gansett has, mixed with the bright and clean notes of Del's frozen lemonade. The result is a highly drinkable beer that is cool, refreshing, and very clean on the palate. For the price point, the amount of beer you get, and the great refreshing taste, Narragansett's Del's Summer Shandy is the summer beer to beat so far this year. As a sidebar, this is also the only beer I've drunk so far with the word "shandy" in it that I've actually really enjoyed. So what're you waiting for? I guarantee this beer will disappear VERY fast: go out and buy some for yourself! Then, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and G+ for more tasting notes and brew news.
