Beer is a classic Kenyan drink,
and when I say Kenyan and beer, wherever you are, you automatically picture an ice cold Tusker, or as we lovingly refer to it here, “Ile imesweat.” , which translates to a nice cold sweaty beer. So, what if I told you there’s another way to enjoy your favourite beer? It’s not a new concept, just a new twist courtesy of Tusker Malt, which is cocktails and beer… SHANDIES!
I first had one at a YM Life Rodeo themed event and when they say behold the finest,
they really do mean the finest! There were several options in terms of flavour based on your palette, which was a plus for me. The options were cinnamon (Kenyan Nights), grapefruit (Kenyan Sunset) and strawberry (Kenyan Sunrise), and I got to try the first two.
The Kenyan Sunset had a sweet element to it, while still retaining the rich subtle taste that we all know and love Tusker Malt for. They use real grapefruit in the shandies, making it even more authentic. With the Kenyan Nights, the cinnamon gave it a real kick, like a burst of flavour in an otherwise really chill drink.
Let’s be honest, beer is an acquired taste but with the introduction of the shandies at the YM Life Rodeo,
I’m yet to find any naysayer attendees who weren’t converted by the beautifully crafted shandies made with the finest malt. Tusker Malt, Kenya’s first premium lager is really pushing the envelope with their smooth, crisp & satisfying shandies for everyone.The gentleman seated next to me, dressed in a modern interpretation of a cowboy’s attire,
would never have imagined that cinnamon and beer would go together, and was pleasantly surprised that it did.
Someone else remarked at how interesting it is to have actual fresh fruit in a beer, and how well beer acts as a nice base for all the flavours being infused together.
As I was sipping on my shandies and enjoying the country re-imagined music sets,
I kept thinking about how this would be the perfect thing for a cowboy after long days and nights out on the ranch, herding, milking and caring for their herds of cattle.
Fields and ranches are typically very hot and with all the dust that cattle will kick up, with your only protection from the sun being a hat- which we can compare to the hustle and bustle of city life, getting up to go to work five mornings in a week, braving traffic and bumping shoulders with strangers in Town, and getting back home sometimes late at night- a cold Tusker Malt shandy feels like worship on a Sunday morn’.
We can’t know for sure if cowboys out in the West already know about shandies, but we sure are grateful to Tusker Malt for diversifying the way we enjoy an already beautiful drink.
So put on your adventure boots, throw on a hat, and head out for a Tusker Malt shandies with your friends. Hey, remember to share these recipes with them, and your local bartender.
And most importantly, remember to hydrate, and don’t drink- or ride your horse- and drive!
