Shiner Bock

Brewed by Spoetzl Brewery (Gambrinus Company)
Style: American Dark Lager
Shiner, Texas USA

If you’re not expecting too much, Shiner is not bad. Except when it is. If the choice at a backyard BBQ is Shiner or Bud/Miller/Coors/Corona/etc., I’ll take the Shiner every time. However, the quality can be uneven -- sometimes you’ll come across a really skunky one.

I had this beer poured for me at the Sportsman’s Grill in Grapevine, TX, in a pint glass. It was poured with a small, off-white, rocky head with a deep amber-red body. Throughout the session, there was very little , if any nose. Upon tasting, I found this beer to be watery, with slight bitterness and light carbonation. This was a nice looking beer which ultimately disappointed me. I found out later from my friend living in Texas that this is a popular beer that goes great with burgers. I suppose, as it doesn’t have much to impress or take away from a burger experience.

Rating 1062, from the bottle. This is a drinkable beer that appears to have a strong following from my Texas friends. They are just as passionate about this beer as my brother is when he proclaims that Bud Light is the beer that gawd would drink. Anyways, had from the bottle provided by my employer while at a happy hour for the meet and greet with my advisor. Skunky malty with just a hint of malts. The taste was moderate with some strong malts, roasted with just a bit of cream. Watery and thin with a fairly strong skunkyness to it. Finishes dry and slightly bitter. As I said before, drinkable and pleasant.

Skunky, black berry, and malt aroma. Watery, flat, and red brown appearance. Malty with hints of berries and wood. Mildly bitter, watery (served too cold) with dry finish.

Sixer on sale so I figured it would be a prime time to finally sampling this sucker. About what I anticipated, not grand by any means just an easy going drink with some solid character. Minimal scent of sweet bready malt, and that’s it for the aroma. Nice light brown/amber pour with an initial thick off white head. Easy on the palate very drinkable, light, and smooth. Quenching and simple. Flavor is a watery sweet malt with some biscuit characteristic. Sweet with a dry honey quality. Fairly simple beer, should agree with the majority.

Bottle. Dark amber with whitish head. Not much in the nose but some hop and malt. Tastes rather bland for the style.

Bottle.Dark amber.Off-white head.Some malt sweetness offset by a slight bitterness.Light bodied.Not bad.

12oz. bottle. Pours reddish copper with short-lasting thin off-white head. Aroma mildly spicy. Taste is a surprise - sour bitterness grabs the attention upfront, which moderates after a couple sips. Thin body, very dry finish. Taste of dark malt and spices. Not bad, but I’ll pass on this one in the future.