Beer Food+Drink

CHEERS TO THAT: Leinie’s, Central Standard Distillery Debut Canned Old Fashioned

Summery Shandy is out early, Grapefruit Shandy is back, and collaborative Old Fashioned to release March 1

McKenna Scherer |

CRACK 'ER OPEN. Whether you're a shandy or an Old Fashioned person, Leinenkugel's has upcoming releases for you! (Submitted photos)
CRACK 'ER OPEN. Whether you're a shandy or an Old Fashioned person, Leinenkugel's has upcoming releases for you! (Submitted photos)

Thanks to Summer Shandy demand, Leinenkugel’s is slinging Shandy drinks to kick off the spring season, as well as launching a new collaboration with Central Standard Craft Distillery to satiate those with Old Fashioned-craving tastebuds.

Usually, we’d be about knee-deep in snow right now in Wisconsin, but an unseasonably mild winter has kept flurries at bay. The weather is fitting for the early release of the Chippewa Falls-based brewery’s iconic Summer Shandy, already back on shelves nationwide! For the first time since 2019, Grapefruit Shandy (ABV 4.2%) is also headed back to stores in standalone packs this March, delivering a Midwestern twist on the shandy tradition.

Perhaps the biggest surprise from Leinenkugel’s so far in the new year is a new a Midwestern collaboration: Thanks to a partnership with Milwaukee-based Central Standard Craft Distillery, folks will have the opportunity to snag a ready-to-drink canned cocktail, the North Brandy Old Fashioned.

“The RTD canned cocktail embodies the history of innovation from two renowned brands, honors the local heritage of Wisconsin’s official cocktail, and infuses the spirit of the Northwoods that brandy lovers chase,” a recent media release said.

Exclusive to Wisconsin, the new canned cocktail combines Central Standard’s North Brandy with iconic flavors such as cherry, cranberry, and orange from Leinie’s beers. With an ABV of 8%, get ready to crack ’em open and enjoy starting March 1, when the North Brandy Old Fashioned – sold in four-packs of 12-ounce cans – hits shelves.


Use the product locator on Central Standard Craft Distillery to see availability near you. The North Brandy Old Fashioned (exclusive to Wisconsin) and Grapefruit Shandy will arrive on store shelves March 1.