Narragansett Beer Releases New Del's Watermelon Shandy

Following the success of their Del's lemon shandy, local brewery Narragansett Beer has launched a new version for summer 2019 based on an equally-popular Del's flavor. The seasonal Del's Watermelon Shandy is now available, just in time for summer.

The new offering is the newest addition to the company's "Hi Neighbor Mash Up" series of beers, which focuses on iconic local flavors. Other flavors have included Autocrat Coffee Stout, Allie's Donuts Double Chocolate Porter and a Del's Black Cherry Shandy.

The new flavor is described as having "sweet and tart watermelon flavors, rich New England history and Ocean State pride." Narragansett's president, Mark Hellendrung, said in a statement that the new flavor is expected to only intensify the debate over the best flavor of the iconic frozen treat: lemon or watermelon.

"If you ever want a quick way to start a heated debate with your neighbor here in Rhode Island, and I know you do, just ask what their favorite Del’s flavor is," Hellendrung said. "While Del’s has made a ton of great flavors in the last 70-plus years, around here it’s the lemon and watermelon that we argue over the most. So we figured, ‘why not fuel the fire’? I suspect our Nobel Peace Prize is in the mail."

Del's lemonade, not quite a beverage and not quite shaved ice, has been Rhode Island's unofficial summer treat for decades, with stores opening as sure a sign of better weather as crocuses blooming or the first robin of spring.