Prepare yourselves for the epitome of TEXAS BEER!!! In fact, this beer is so amazing and life changing, I’ve decided to devote an entire week to the “Little Brewery” down in Shiner, Texas. I will admit right now that I am super biased to this brewery and will look past it’s faults no matter what. 🙂 Well, at least for today. For the 6 days, (excluding Tuesday) I will be reviewing the heck out of Shiner beers. I bought a mix pack and have officially dubbed this, THE WEEK OF SHINER!!
Shiner Bock
Shiner Bock was literally one of the first 3 beers I ever tried. I loved it when I first tried it and have made it a faithful standby anywhere I go. While it honestly is not a great beer, and doesn’t even begin to touch some of the amazing craft beers that are available to consumers today, I have a bit of an affinity for this one and for nostalgia purposes refuse to give it a bad review. Here’s my completely biased and slanted review on this guy…
Spoetzl Brewing Company has been in business since 1909. Their Bock is currently their biggest selling flagship beer, and has been for several years. It was introduced in 1913 as a seasonal offering but didn’t become a year round offering until 1973. Don’t be mistaken! Even though it says bock on the label, this beer is actually classified as an American Dark Lager. A true bock is much heavier, thicker in malts and higher in alcohol. I am sure that originally this beer was closer to it’s German roots, but over time and due to marketing ploys, has drifted further and further away from the true style. Either way, now it is a smooth drinkable beer that causes Texans everywhere to get misty-eyed and spontaneously burst out in a rousing version of “Deep in the Heart of Texas”. Wait I haven’t even reviewed it yet! Guess I should open the bottle first before talking about how great it is…
This beer pours a very clear dark orange color that might even have touches of red in it. The white head that appears disappears just as quickly as it shows up.
The aroma is lots of grains, dusty smelling even with a faint hint of sweetness. There is a sense of rice or corn in this also. I’ve got a feeling that they use adjuncts in the making of this beer.
Flavor is slightly sweet with some soured grain notes. Faint hints of metal can also be detected. The finish is lightly bitter and bready.
This beer, while not being great is awesome at the same time. It is perfect for chillin in the backyard with some buddies talking about life, or for floating down the river in a tube with a beer in hand. As mediocre as this beer is, I will always return to it and give it my love.
Cheers to you Shiner! Here’s to another century of Texas beer!
A Year in Beer 