Sunday, October 21, 2007

I Love Shiner Bock




One of my favorite brews is Shiner Bock. I've even been to the brewery in Texas. Shiner is not distributed in PA for unknown reasons. I have even carried a case home on a Plane from Texas, this was before 9/11, of course. In PA, we have the Yuengling brewery, which I would say is somewhat similar in history and brewing different beers.


Known as the "Little brewery in Shiner," the Spoetzl Brewery is an American brewery located in Shiner, Texas that is wholly owned by the Gambrinus Company. The brewery is most well known for producing Shiner Bock, a dark Czech-style beer. Long a regional favorite, particularly among college students, Shiner Bock is now distributed in 39 states; as far west as California, as far north as Alaska and as far east as Virginia.


Beginning in 2005, Shiner began producing a yearly brew to celebrate their upcoming anniversary. The centennial program develops one special beer each year that is produced in small batches. Each beer is named after the age of the brewery, thus in 2005 the beer was named Shiner 96, the 2006 beer Shiner 97, the 2007 beer Shiner 98, and 2008's beer is Shiner 99. With 96 and 97, the beers were only brewed from September through December. By mid-December the beer production is stopped and that beer was retired. In the case of Shiner 98, Shiner has varied things up, releasing 98 for the summer of 2007, with cases of 98 hitting store shelves in late May 2007. The Spoetzl Brewery claims that the program will end in 2009 with Shiner 100.
Below is a listing of each beer and their respective style:
Shiner 96 — Märzen/Oktoberfest Ale
Shiner 97 — Bohemian Black Lager
Shiner 98 — Bavarian Style Amber


I so want to try the Shiner 98!! I think a road trip maybe in order to find some Shiner 98 in Delaware? Shiner 97 became so popular that Shiner Bohemian Black Lager was created — Originally a limited edition in honor of the Spoetzl Brewery's 97th anniversary, this classic schwarzbier became a permanent part of the Shiner family in late 2007. Black uses imported Austrian Saaz and Styrian hops and dark-roasted malts to create a distinctive taste that honors the German and Czech immigrants who settled the town of Shiner.

4 comments:

Eric said...

Shiner does have distrubution agreements in Pennsylvania. Bock, Light, Blonde and Kolsch are sold there.

Their newest beer, Bohemian Black Lager will be available November 1, but I don't think PA is on the intiial list.

Anonymous said...

Do you know if Shiner is available anywhere new Philadelphia?

Against the Force said...

Shiner is having a huge party for the 100th brew. Come down then. Try to see if you can get a liquor store to order it for you. But I must say, I live in Houston and the special brews are always sold out!

Anonymous said...

nearest place I have found was three years ago in State College, PA, Nittany Distributors. Also on DE rte 13.