I am a big fan of Spoetzl brewery’s Shiner beers. I’ve tried just about all of them except their Kolsch. Until now. I had a hard time finding it in my area, but a couple of weeks ago Sam and I heard of a place about 30 miles from here that has hundreds of different beers. I found it!
You know how some days just happen to turn out special? Well I thought I’d save these for a day like that. A week or so later, an old friend of mine, who I haven’t seen in a year or so, just happened to show up on the porch. So we fired up the grill and out came the Kolsch. Ron spent some time in Germany in his younger days as a defender of our freedom with the U.S Army. It was there that he developed a taste for darker and heavier beers. This was turning out to be one of those days.
When we poured it in our mugs, we didn’t see anything special. It had a clear golden color and it 
looked just like typical volume beer with very little head that didn’t last. It smelled a little stale, but not skunky. After we were done pretending to be professional beer tasters, we drank it. It had a smooth feel in the mouth, a little tingly (carbonation?) with some hops. It started out like a light ale but it quickly turned sweet. I thought it had a clean finish and Ron said it “invites the next drink”. (I think he was still pretending). We both liked it a lot and it’s almost as good as their Bock. A decent beer but I don’t think I’ll drive 30 miles to get it unless I’m already somewhere that carries it, then I’ll get it. It went great with our burgers.
P-O-R-C-H rating: R-
Posted by Mr. Porch
2 Comments »
All day I was looking forward to coming home from work, sitting in the back yard, drinking this Spezial Leicht that the good folks at Shiner sent us and enjoy a cigar. I think the cigar will have to wait, since it’s pouring down rain outside so instead I’ll sit here and write about this beer.
First impression from the pour was how fast the head disappeared, but the aroma of the brew was appealing. The color is almost identical to that of apple juice.
My first sip, I was reminded of the American Lagers, such as Budweiser, etc but there is something different about this beer.(Less head?) It was good, but maybe the setting is wrong. This is a picnic or outdoor event beer, and I’m inside settling down for a night cap. I’m not much for light beers anyway, so I think this beer would be better suited for a game of horseshoes or something similar.
Marketed to only contain 99 calories, this is a good light beer if you’re into such. If you like American Lagers, you need to try this. Me, I tend to prefer beer a bit darker.
Posted by Sam
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Sam and I tried this one cold at Baumbach’s BBQ in New Paris Ohio and liked it. A couple of days ago we met on the porch and tried it at room temp. I liked it better cold. It is a very sweet brew with a lot of roasted malt flavor. It has a jet black appearance with a tan head that lasted a while. For all you guinness drinkers, I say try it, you just might switch. It went great with a 5Vegas Gold cigar. Shiner Black Lager is one I would drink with or after a good hearty meal. Rated: “C” on the P-O-R-C-H scale.
Posted by Mr. Porch
1 Comment »
A clean crip golden lager. Not much head, but a very refreshing beer. Best served while dishing out a butt whuppin at the horshoe pits or the shuffleboard court on a hot sunny day. This a brew that no campers cooler should be without. If you are looking for a full flavor thick beer to sip on, this is not it. It pours a golden yellow with a thin white head that doesn’t last long, but you can drink three or four without feeling full and bloated. If you are looking for a different beer to drink other than the boring national brands but don’t want to buy something you won’t like, then this beer is for you. It has a pretty cool label too.
Posted by Mr. Porch
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Maybe I was spoiled by the taste of the Shiner 98 but I was a little disappointed by the light lager flavor of the 99. I think I understand the history of this anniversary brew, and I don’t want to take away from that, but the head didn’t last and neither did the taste. It poured a nice copper color and has a pleasant aroma. A very good looking beer. If I hadn’t had the “98″ I would probably like it more. The “pro’s” would say “It had a quick finish”. I, on the other hand, enjoy a beer that doesn’t leave a heavy aftertaste. This beer would be good for a family picnic or a golf outing. One you can drink three or four of and not feel like you just ate a six course meal. My rating: “C”. I can’t wait for the 100th anniversary brew.
Posted by Mr. Porch
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Of all the beers to come out of the Spoetzl Brewery, this one is my favorite. Upon pouring it into my mug, I smelled the sweet aroma of the malts. The head was a little light as far as bock beers go, but it lasted through my fourth or fifth drink. It had a very pleasant taste. The flavor lasted long enough to get me to the next drink and it didn’t leave a heavy, filmy aftertaste. I would rate this beer a “C+” on the “P-O-R-C-H” scale. There is a local tavern here in my home town that keeps it on tap and it will be my beer of choice when I go there. This is a beer that would go great with a steak or BBQ ribs.
Posted by Mr. Porch
No Comments »
I am a big fan of Spoetzl brewery’s Shiner beers. I’ve tried just about all of them except their Kolsch. Until now. I had a hard time finding it in my area, but a couple of weeks ago Sam and I heard of a place about 30 miles from here that has hundreds of different beers. I found it!
looked just like typical volume beer with very little head that didn’t last. It smelled a little stale, but not skunky. After we were done pretending to be professional beer tasters, we drank it. It had a smooth feel in the mouth, a little tingly (carbonation?) with some hops. It started out like a light ale but it quickly turned sweet. I thought it had a clean finish and Ron said it “invites the next drink”. (I think he was still pretending). We both liked it a lot and it’s almost as good as their Bock. A decent beer but I don’t think I’ll drive 30 miles to get it unless I’m already somewhere that carries it, then I’ll get it. It went great with our burgers.
