Surf Rock Candy Shandy by Pontoon Brewing is an interesting take on the BJCP 10A German Wheat/Weissbier style, with tropical fruits being added to the base Weizen beer. As such, this is being evaluated as a BJCP 29A Fruit been with a category 10A base. The selection and the level of fruits used were quite complementary to the base beer flavor profile, delivering a delicious marriage of flavors.

The aroma of this beer is very typical for a weizen, with a combination of clove-like phenolics and banana character. The clove is a bit stronger than the banana. There is a tropical fruit character behind this that blends well with the clove and banana notes. No real hop aromas were noted. The beer is very hazy, with the overall appearance being like a slightly clarified pineapple juice. The white small bubble head is fair and is a bit weak for the style.

The base beer flavor is solid. There is good wheaty grain flavor with moderate clove and banana flavors. The tropical fruit flavors blend in well to deliver an interesting subtle complexity. Pineapple is more obvious than the mango. This character is retained throughout the drink from sip through aftertaste. Hop impact is quite subtle in both bitterness and flavor, as expected for the style. The finish is dry, the body is light/medium, and the carbonation is moderate.

Overall, Surf Rock Candy Shandy is a successful experiment to build upon a good weizen to deliver an even more complex and interesting beer. This a great summer refresher!