Feature Beer Friday! - Shiner Bock

Back to a classic, Shiner Bock used to be available at the Chimes for $8 per pitcher.  Faced with a fresh out of college salary and a few pitchers in my near future it always seemed like a great value and a decent step up from the BMC beers of the world.  (At the time, the BMC pitchers were generally also $8... go figure...)  Unfortunately Shiner pitchers don't go for $8 anymore, but they are still one of the cheaper "craft" beers out there, even if their inclusion in the world of craft beer is debatable. 

The Shiner Bock is the Spoetzl Brewery's flagship brand.  Yes, I'm sure most of you are aware that the brewery name is actually the Spoetzl Brewery, and Shiner is just their brand.  They're also located in Shiner, TX, hence the brand name.  Shiner Bock can be found throughout the country, but it does seem to have faded out a bit lately in Baton Rouge.  I know it's still out there, but it seems like at one point you could always count on a Shiner tap handle.  Maybe this is because of the emergence of local breweries like NOLA, Tin Roof, and Parish?  At any rate, it's still most certainly available on tap at many places, and in bottles at many more.

Reviewers: Eric Ducote (BR Beer Scene), Jay Ducote (Bite And Booze), and Jeremy Spikes  (Whiskeybomb.com). 

Serving: 12 oz. glass bottle. 

Appearance: Nice brown color, good head... nothing bad but nothing spectacular either. 

Aroma: Malty backbone, nice roasted notes.
 
Taste: Pleasant, malty, but nothing overwhelming.
 
Mouthfeel: Very thin, which makes the beer extremely drinkable, but lacks the pizazz you might want in a craft beer.
 
Overall: It's an easy to find and easy to drink gateway beer.  Jay described them as the "Abita of TX" and I can't disagree.  Jeremy really enjoyed the look and aroma, but thought the taste and mouthfeel was lacking.  I still think Shiner makes a good valued beer here, but it's nothing that really impresses.

 
Overall Rating: 60.67
My Rating: 60