The name is the joke and the product delivers on the premise. Shandgri-la takes the classic British shandy and brews it properly, rather than just pouring lemonade into a pint. The base is Golden Promise, oats, and wheat, which gives it enough body to feel like a beer, not a soft drink. Lemon and lime juice go in as ingredients rather than flavouring agents, and the difference shows. On the nose it is citrus-forward: lemon zest, a touch of lime, and a faint biscuity grain underneath. The palate is tart and lively, with good carbonation carrying the citrus through the mid-palate. There is genuine malt presence behind it, which stops the whole thing from collapsing into fizzy lemon water. The finish is clean and crisp, the acidity fading quickly. At 0.5% and under £3.50 a can, it is the kind of thing you want in the fridge on a hot day. It does contain gluten, so it is not suitable for coeliacs. Cold storage applies.