A century in the making; historic beverage makes a splash with Canadians looking to beat the heat this summer

Rickard's revives classic lemonade and lager combination with Shandy

TORONTO, May 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Every spring Canadians emerge from winter to embark upon a time-honoured tradition - the search for a sun-filled patio and a classic summer beverage.

This year, we're taking the guess work out with the launch of Rickard's Shandy. Whether you're entertaining friends on the patio or relaxing on the dock, Rickard's Shandy is the perfect way to beat the summer heat.

Subtly sweet and light in texture, this classic lemonade and lager combination offers a crisp refreshing taste that is sure to please any palate. Brewed in Canada, Rickard's Shandy is made with no preservatives or artificial ingredients, as well as Rickard's own classically crafted lemonade.

The History

Enjoyed throughout Europe for centuries, a shandy is conventionally made with beer and lemonade. However, many varieties have been enjoyed over the years, often including citrus-flavored soda, lime, and ginger ale. Although the proportions and ingredients have varied over time, traditionalists have always considered the true shandy to be a mixture of fresh lemonade and finely brewed beer.

The Experience

Rickard's Shandy is a premium beverage made exclusively from premium ingredients. This commitment to quality is evident in every sip.

"When pouring a Rickard's Shandy you'll notice immediately the aroma of fresh squeezed lemons. The next thing that you'll notice is the colour which is slightly pale," says Gary Matthews, Rickard's Brewmaster. "This is produced when we add our classic lemonade to our premium lager beer, creating Rickard's Shandy. This perfect balance creates a crisp, clean, refreshing finish."

Rickard's Shandy represents the perfect beverage for beer drinkers who crave variety, and new experiences. For the food lover, Rickard's Shandy also pairs wonderfully with seafood, chicken, salads, as well as just about anything that can be cooked on the barbecue.

"We pride ourselves on listening to our customers and offering them products that exceed their expectations," says Julie Sanchez, Senior Brand Manager, Rickard's. "Canadians want versatility in their beer, which is why our skilled brew masters developed this standout-seasonal offering.  Rickard's Shandy is the perfect blend of premium lager and classic lemonade and we're confident our drinkers will agree."

Package Formats and Pricing

Rickard's Shandy contains 4.5% ABV (alcohol by volume). It will be sold in the following formats, although package availability and pricing will vary by province:

6 X 341 ml bottles
473 ml cans
Draught

Rickard's Shandy will be available only in Canada at beer and liquor stores starting May 1, 2013.

About Molson Coors Brewing Company

Molson Coors Brewing Company is a leading global brewer delivering extraordinary brands that delight the world's beer drinkers. It brews, markets and sells a portfolio of leading brands such as Coors Light, Molson Canadian, Molson Dry, Carling, Blue Moon and Keystone Light across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

It operates in Canada through Molson Coors Canada, in the U.S. through Miller Coors and in the U.K. and Ireland through Molson Coors (UK and Ireland). For more information on Molson Coors Brewing Company visit www.molsoncoors.com. For more information about Molson Canadian Wheat or Molson Canadian visit www.molsoncanadian.ca.

SOURCE: Molson Coors Brewing Company