Beer Review: Shiner Bock

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 4.4 percent

Appearance: Shiner Bock is a dark shade of vivid brown, but is still light enough to see objects through it. The head is very white, but doesn't appear to be active. It starts as a very thin layer and quickly disappears. The beer's body doesn't appear to have a lot of carbonation either. I got the feeling just by taking this beer in with the eye that it was watered-down.

Smell: The aroma of Shiner Bock isn't that pungent. Some malts are clear to the nose as well as some dark fruits. I couldn't really figure out which dark fruits though.

Taste: The impression I got just from looking at this beer was proved true once I got to taste it. Aside from the weak caramel and dark fruit tones, this beer didn't lack too much punch. It tasted and even felt watered down.

Overall Rating: 

I was mostly disappointed with this one. Spoetzl Brewery had high expectations given that I sampled and loved its Holiday Cheer around Christmas time. I've also hear amazing things about Shiner Bock, but I wasn't too thrilled as some are.

Beer Review: Shiner Holiday Cheer Dunkelweizen

Serving Type: Draft

ABV: 5.4 percent

Appearance: Holiday Cheer is a much lighter version of the dark ales that we're used to seeing in the Winter. You can even see through this beer. The head of the beer is very white and bubbly. The beer appears very carbonated.

Smell: Shockingly enough all I smelled in this beer was fruit. Mainly citrus fruits that you'd expect to find in a hefeweizen. There was also a hint of peach too. It really lacked the usual spice scents you get from most Winter Ales, but I was pleased to not have to fight through the spice for once.

Taste: The peach is very dominant in the taste. Behind that you can pick up the lemon and the orange. I tasted just a very small hint of spice. If I ever make a Winter or Christmas style beer this is how I want the spices to mix with the rest of the beer.

Overall Rating:   

Spoetzl Brewery really hits the nail on the head with this one. It sticks out from all of the other ordinary Winter warmers. I've also always wanted to try a Dunkelweizen. I never knew what it actually was. I've had Pious Monk Dunkel by Church Brew Works which is one of my favorite beers and I've had all kinds of hefeweizen brews. I really enjoyed this beer.