Leinenkugel's "big, hairy, audacious goal"

Somebody bought me a fall sampler of Leinies this past year, I could barely stomach the beer. I used to like Leinies, not much anymore. If they are using their "success" in the shandy market as reason to think they'd knock craft beer outta the park...they have some waking up to do.

 

Once again, GREED over quality which is fine by me. I am fed up explaining to people why most Craft beers are better than adjunct crap. Please corner the market and let the morons in this country drown in Leinekugles swill. This will give more of an advantage to drink some badass craft.

 

Summer Shandy is waaaaay better than Porch Rocker, IMO. We considered having Porch Rocker at our wedding instead of Summer Shady last summer but we had over 20 people try both beers and EVERYONE preferred Summer Shandy. Summer Shady is just a great summer beer if you dont mind fruit beers. To me, Summer Shandy tastes like beer with a little lemon in it, whereas with Porch Rocker, all you taste is the lemon.
Being originally from Wisconsin, I have a soft spot in my heart for Leinie's, although their beers are hit and miss with me. I'll admit that Im not a fan of most of their Shandies (other than Summer Shady, obviously) and didnt really like Snowdrift. Helles Yeah, Oktoberfest and Sunset Wheat are all pretty awesome though. I recently tried their, "Winter's Bite" and its pretty good too.
I always find it interesting when people trash Leinie's for greed yet Sam Adams, Yuengling and New Belgium seem to get a pass.

 

What about New Glarus?

 

Theres no comparison between a Leinie's Shady and any of the NG fruit beers. Thats not to say that I dont enjoy the heck out of Summer Shady during the summer though. Ive got room in my heart for Leinie's, NG and Capital. Sconnie pride, baby!

 

My favorite summer beer from them used to be Summer Wheat. Drank many cases of it. Never liked any others. Especially Shandy (Orange, Summer, etc.) Too much damn lemonade in 'em!

 

Now Chaz, that's just creepy!! On a side note: Does 1st Ave still pour 16oz 2 buck original draft Leinie's? Those were the days: Los Lobos, Warren Zevon & cheap Leinie draft!!

 

I'm not ashamed to admit that I enjoy the occasional summer shandy when on a hot, sunny day. They're pretty refreshing.

 

Sweet Jesus on a pogo stick, SON! First hasn't sold cheap draught Leinies of any sort since Craft Beer became the hottest thing since Mena Suvari in rose petals (1999 or or so.) I think they might still have Honeyweiss in bottles?

The last, cheap beer I had at the Ave or the Entry was buck cans of "Schmidt's*" for at an event called Schmidtfaced in the Entry, in 2003. It was an epic night of drunken foolishness, but downtown these days? $7, 12oz pour of Summit last night is about as cheap as it gets...

(*That's the Pabst Charitable Trusts's comingled Schmidt's of Philadelphia and Jacob Schmidt loss-leader brand, ya know.)

 

A couple of months ago my local store was blowing out 1/2 barrels for summer shandy for $37 just to get rid of it

 

Ok, I have a question: why is Leinenkugel not considered to be a craft brewery but Yuengling and Sam Adams are, even though Yugengling and Sam Adams product more than Lenie's does? Is it because they are owned by SABMillerCoors?

 

Gotcha. Thanks for the explanation. Not sure that I agree with their definition of what a, "craft" beer is but to each their own.

 

So

 

Snowdrift Vanilla Porter is one of the best tasting beers I had ever had at the time

 

Too much vanilla flavor for me. People seem to love it though and I know that Leinie's sold out of it 2 months sooner than they expected to last season, so clearly people are buying it.
I actually liked Creamy Dark and Fireside Nut Brown more than I do Snowdrift. I absolutely love Winter's Bite too, I just wish you didnt have to buy the Winter Explorer Pack in order to get it. Hopefully soon they will start offering it in it's own 6-pack, like they did with Cranberry Ginger Shandy.

 

hey im not a hater or a man of scruples, even if anheuser busch, Coor or Miller came out with a high quality product that made a IPA in the same catogory as Piney the Elder or a RIS that was better than Old Rasputin, i would buy it and drink it without giving it a second thought. I just want a good tasting beer made from top notch ingredients and a fair price.

 

Ugh...Cranberry Ginger Shandy Good lord, "I'll take beverages mistaken for furniture polish" for $200 Alex. Much like a black & tan or the south of the border michelada these just don't measure up when commercially produced. The main reason is that it's personal taste that dictates the ratio of the mix & talk about a broad spectrum to have to hit upon to only come out a C average at best.

 

Leinenkugels has found its niche just as Miller/Coors and AB has. Good for them I say. I don't personally don't drink any of it-but we shouldn't be busting on anyone because they do like the offerings.... to each their own. Cheers.