Better Summer Beverage: Narragansett - Del’s or Curious Traveler Shandy?

Two New England Shandies Offer Distinctive Flavor

Looking for a lighter, more refreshing summer beverage? Try a Shandy - a mixed lemonade / beer beverage. In New England, the Curious Traveler Shandy and the Narragansett - Del's Shandy are two of the most popular options. With distinct flavors, these Shandies offer refreshing uniqueness for anyone looking for a summertime specialty beverage.

Curious Traveler Shandy - An All Year Round Favorite 

The Curious Traveler Shandy, by the Traveler Beer Company (a subsidiary of Boston Beer Company), is a smooth and refreshing summer beverage. The first taste you experience is a vibrant, but not overpowering lemon. The back end is where the beer flavor shines through. The beer essence of the Curious Traveler Shandy resembles a darker, heavier brew (similar to a Samuel Adams Light).

The supple mixture created by lemon and beer flavors has little overall bitterness. But, it does retain more beer flavor, reminding you that you are drinking an "adult" beverage. The sugars of the lemon flavor mix effortlessly to eliminate any potential brackishness of combining two bitter beverages together. Overall, the Curious Traveler Shandy is quite an easy and refreshing beverage to partake.

Narragansett - Del's Shandy - A Combination of Two Rhode Island Classics

A new entry in the field of Shandies, the Narragansett - Del's Shandy is a combination two Rhode Island traditions: Narragansett Ale and Del's Lemonade. Similar to the Curious Traveler Shandy, the first flavor of a Narragansett - Del's Shandy is the distinct flavor of Del's lemonade. Powerful and sweet, the Del's lemonade flavor consumes your taste buds, leaving only a slight amount of subtle beer taste on the back end.

The lack of strong beer flavor is curious, but probably for the best. Narragansett Ale alone is a dull flavor and somewhat stale tasting beer. But, the ale takes a back seat to the sugary lemonade that is distinctively Del's. It is remarkably smooth, light, and quite refreshing. Overall, Narragansett - Del's Shandy is heavy on the Del's, light on the Narragansett, and remarkably strong and smooth on the lemon flavor.

The Decision

Both - but for different reasons. If you are a fan of beer flavored drinks, then the Curious Traveler is for you. If you are light on beer flavor, then Narragansett - Del's Shandy is your choice. Better yet, get yourself both and enjoy the summer!

Originally posted atYahoo! Voices