Summary: For UK Alcohol Duty, shandy is beer mixed with lemonade or another specified non-alcoholic drink and remains classified as beer when no stronger than 5.5% ABV.
Reference: Alcoholic products technical guide (opens in a new tab)
HM Revenue and Customs · Reference checked 21 July 2026
Where to look: Section 2.1.1, beer-based mixed drinks between 1.2% and 5.5% ABV
The summary above is a concise paraphrase of the cited material. It is not a quotation or a complete statement of law.
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