The Sunfest Strawberry Lemonade Shandy hits select stores this week.

Wawa fans know their Strawberry Lemonade is a summer essential, but this latest launch might give it a run for its money.

The gas station chain and 2SP Brewing have come together to create a first-ever summer beer. Called the Sunfest Strawberry Lemonade Shandy, the 4-percent ABV refresher is described as "a crushable, light-bodied shore beer with a touch of strawberry sweetness and a delightful pucker finish."

2SP Brewing Co.'s Bob Barrar and Wawa's Michael McLaughlin developed the breezy beverage by combining a unique yeast blend with the tart bite of the lemonade.

"The collaborative approach to the Sunfest beer was to find that balance of upfront strawberry sweetness with a refreshing lemon citrus finish that comes from the lemonade," 2SP Brewing's director of sales and marketing Michael Contreras said in a press release. "What's the result? A Strawberry Lemonade Shandy that sings summer crusher."

But this ain't the first rodeo for the duo. The partnership between the Pennsylvania-based businesses goes back as far as 2018 when they released the Winter Reserve Coffee Stout. Since then they've produced exclusive beers each holiday season, with three brews alone last year--the Holiday Reserve Coffee Stout, the Reserve Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Coffee Stout, and the Reserve Reserve Rum Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (trying to say that three times fast).

The beer, which retails at $8.99 per six-pack, is available starting June 24 at select stores. Philadelphia's new Stadium Store on Penrose Avenue will be hosting a release party the same day at 4 p.m., where beer lovers will get to try it for themselves. But if you're outside Pennsylvania, don't fret. Stores in Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland's Eastern Shore will be stocking it as soon as June 28.

Just in time for beach season, this shandy will go swimmingly for catching some rays. And in case you're craving more Wawa news, their website hints at a winter release on the horizon. So stay tuned!

Are you a fan of Wawa's beer? What other varieties would you like to see? Sound off in the comments.

Brianna Persons
Brianna is an Oregon native who made her home in the DMV over two years ago. She loves scouting out new restaurants and drooling over Van Gogh’s landscapes in the National Gallery’s East Building. When she isn’t writing for Our Community Now, she’s tackling short fiction and working her baking magic in the kitchen. She resides in Maryland with her husband Nick and their black cat Sable.
RELATED ARTICLES