Shiner Holiday Cheer - Spoetzl Brewery

Metalmonk

North Carolina

2.7/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a dark ruby red/brown color, with an off-white head that crackles and pops its way down to nothing in no time. Nice color, but this is my fourth bottle in a week and I've never been able to achieve much of a head on this beer. And life's too short to worry about THAT.

If this were fruit juice or soda, it would smell just fine, but I'm pretty close to being put off by the smell. It's peachy, because I've been told peaches are in this beer, but moreover I feel like I'm smelling a just-opened bottle of Juicy Juice fruit juice, if you're familiar with that stuff. Cherry, grape, peach...it's like a punch in here. The pecans this beer was also brewed with are indiscernible in the nose, as is any real beer-like quality.

Each bottle I've had has been less and less impressive to me, taste-wise. I get some pecans here, and that's nice, but there's a kind of burnt-sugar character that is unpleasant, and the peach flavor borders on nasty, not to mention overpowering, and the overall sweetness is very soda-like. A spiciness like that in various US winter warmers tries to peek through (are these the "natural flavors"?) and I don't get much "Bavarian-style dark wheat" character as promised by the label. Again: soda-like. There's a good beer in here somewhere, I swear, but as is I wouldn't ever buy another 6-pack. Finishes bitter and plastic-y and just really messy.

And again soda-like with the texture/feel...quite spritzy and tingly, also it avoids being harsh with an element of smoothness and slickness.

Dunkelweizen? Really? I wish it had struck me more like a dunkelweizen, I like a good DW. This Shiner Cheer just isn't for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2010 23:09:56 | More by Metalmonk

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - a robust pour into the Sam Adams curvy glass yields a nice two finger manila head atop a clear, dark amber beer. Crests and lattices of lace form as the head drops back to a thick cover.

Aroma - peaches for sure, fruity but not excessively sweet.

Taste - a base malty sweetness, built upon by the sweetness of the peaches. I wouldn't really think peaches and pecans would ever go together, but they work well here. The light tannic character of the pecan offsets the fruit sugars enough to prevent this from being quickly brushed off as just another fruit/veg beer. The peaches are at the fore of the taste, the pecans showing up on the swallow towards the back of the tongue. The swallow allows the tannins to join with whatever hops are there for some balancing bitterness, but I'm thinking pecans not hops at this point. The finish is still a remaining trail of peach, a certain dryness and a bit of roast from the nuts. Unusally tasty.

Mouthfeel - crisp, medium to a touch light in body. Some smoothness, all playing well to accentuate the flavor IMO.

Drinkability - maybe it's just a fad, but I'm digging this beer and contemplating a few more sixers to share around the family and 'hood. Kudos to HawkinMI for alerting me to these babies over in NKY.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2008 05:06:35 | More by brewdlyhooked13

emmasdad

Colorado

3.7/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My first thought here is WOW! Six and a half bucks from a brewery that is meh at best, and I am very impressed. Pours a medium amber color, with a bit of a white head on top. Light to medium bodied, with a good amount of carbonation. Huge peach aroma and flavor carry the day here, along with a hint of nuts, some light brown sugar and earth. A very surprising, inviting and delicious "holiday" beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 06:33:05 | More by emmasdad

prototypic

Ohio

3.3/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Holiday Cheer pours a darker, burgundy color. It's clear, and looks deep red with light behind it. I like the color. I was expecting a little haze, being a Dunkelweizen and all. Eh. The head is vanilla colored and only rises to a finger or so in depth before falling quickly. Lacing was definitely on the light side. Not bad.

The nose is rather average. It's fruity up front and features a nice peach scent. It's a little grainy and earthy. Where are the spices? No clove? Nothing? Hmmm. It does feature a light malty scent. Smells a little caramel-esque to me. Yeast is a little noticeable. It needs work. There's just not much going on...besides peach fruitiness.

The flavor may be a notch better. I haven't quite made up my mind. It does have a rather strong peach presence throughout. It's not altogether bad. There might be some light spices, but it's tough to tell. The peach flavor might mask a few things. A bit of a grainy flavor is noted throughout. I'm not appreciating a nutty presence at all. Maybe it's just me. It's a little malty and sweet. Alcohol isn't noticeable. Finishes peachy and sweet. It tastes alright. Better than it smells.

The body is light. Carbonation seems mid-range. There's not enough here to feel smooth, but it isn't a train wreck. Drinkability is rather average. I don't mind a bottle, but the flavor grows a little tiresome. There's just not quite enough flavor there to entertain for multiple bottles. For what it's worth, it goes down easy enough.

Spoetzl Brewery could really improve Holiday Cheer with just a little effort. It'd improve easily with a little less peach, and a little more spice and body. It's just okay. Probably worth a try if you're compelled. But, stick with a single or bottle or two. A six pack seems like a stretch.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 02:04:43 | More by prototypic

Pencible

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: This poured a clear dark copper with lots of fizzy light tan head.
S: It smelled like peaches and copper hops, with more peaches and a little nutty malt and bready yeast.
T: It tasted like peaches and copper hops, with some nutty malt and lager yeast. It had a mostly clean bittersweet aftertaste.
M: It was watery with moderate carbonation. Fairly light body.
D: This had an unusual scent and taste for a holiday beer, but it was clean and enjoyable. The peach character didn't mix with the copper taste too well, and the pecan wasn't very noticeable, but it was still easy to drink. Not a bad beer, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 19:38:28 | More by Pencible

atsprings

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Flying Saucer served in a standard pint glass a dark ruby with a thin diminishing head that leaves slight lacing on the glass. Aroma is very mild caramel and sweet fruit. The taste is an interesting blend of sweet fruits, caramel and mild spice. The beer is quite light but seems a bit undercarbonated. This one was worth trying, but I can't see myself drinking it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2010 17:15:28 | More by atsprings

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue XI:

Dunkelweizen meets fruitcake. Here is Spoetzl Brewery's take on making a holiday beer out of a Bavarian-Style Dark Wheat Beer. Brewed with peaches, pecans, natural flavor and caramel color. Hey, at least they admit they use flavoring and color. Worried? Perhaps, but we'll let our taste buds be the judge.

Yup, it's a wheat beer with its towering head, good retention and all. Peach aroma dominates the nose, yet there are hints of pecans and some toasted maltiness. Ample smoothness with a slick, medium body. Fresh wheat malt and toasted grain are a good base that hold this beer together. Peach flavor has a mild twang within the subtle sweetness. Nutty, with a light pecan note in the middle. Mild hop presence does not get in the way, though it does help to balance. Finishes dry with a toasted bread crust and lingering pecan flavor.

Interesting, a flavored holiday ale where we would possibly want more than one. Nice to see something different rather than the usual pie spicing that ends up tasting like organic toothpaste. A good pick for the holiday party, as it will definitely spark some interest if not conversation. This is without a doubt a beer that non-beer drinkers could approach and hopefully get pulled into.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 19:04:36 | More by BeerAdvocate

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Deuane for picking me up a few bottles of this while out in State College. This has to be one of the coolest, retro looking bottle of beer that I've ever come across, right down to the cap. Seems like it jumped out of a time machine from the 50's. Cheers to the graphic artist(s) that designed the artwork for this beer. Poured into my nonic pint glass a clear deep brown amber color reminiscent of cream soda with barely a finger of off white foam. Smells of toasted grain and fresh sweet peaches. Tastes of creamy caramel malt, fresh peaches, and a pleasant nutty bitterness. Medium in both body and carbonation. A very tasty and different take on a holiday beer. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2009 04:05:46 | More by ClockworkOrange

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is an odd duck.

Orange color, with a decently looking tan foam. Not much lacing, although the head retains its shape alright. The nose is quite peachy, to the exclusion of any other ingredients.

Dark wheat and peaches rule the flavor. The natural nuttiness of the brown ale style rolls over in deference to the more powerful flavors of fruit, so the pecans don't add much to me. I find the peach overbearing, and a confusing style choice.

Solid mouthfeel, nice and light, and I found it easy to drink without loving the flavor. Very interesting and unusual, but far from up my alley.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2010 01:22:44 | More by BretSikkink

harrymel

Washington

2.8/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottled: unk

A: Hazelnut brown with a finger of off-white foam which falls quickly to a torn sheet of the same. Excellent clarity. No lace.
S: Smells of plastic and some astringent malts. Not like.
T: Tastes sweet and like it has pecans. Some brown sugar tones. Taste far exceeds nose here.
M: Creamy. Thin. Absentee finish.
O: Well, it's okay. I would suggest to a novice to craft.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 04:27:19 | More by harrymel

allengarvin

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This new offering from Shiner, poured into a pint glass, comes out a nice reddish amber color with a dense, creamy head. The nose is very peachy (though, er, not peachy keen), to the exclusion of all else. The flavor is interesting--lots of peachiness, but not as sweet as I feared. Some nutty pecan comes through, and a light bittering hoppiness at the finish. Certainly different, and not all that bad.

I appreciate a fruit beer that isn't cloyingly sweet. This isn't a beer I'll seek out again, but I don't dread finishing the six-pack. In fact, it's quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2008 15:00:52 | More by allengarvin

armock

New York

3.1/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A - Poured a nice ruby mahogany color with an off white head that leaves lacing

S - Has a very peachy smell some malt sweetness

T - Has a sweet malt start then the blast of peach flavors

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - This isn't a bad beer as long as its pretty cool but as it gets warmer the peaches come out all that much more until its almost undrinkable but its worth trying as long as its cool

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 01:16:40 | More by armock

Offa

California

3.8/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I was rather surprisingly impressed with this one.

Copper brown, it has a small tan head soon thinning to thin ring.

Aroma is bright peach, plus nuts, wood, cheese, fermented bread.

Taste is toasted bread, faintly caramelized, plus light woody-peppery bitterness, hint of nuttiness. Peach is noticeable but barely so, being very faint (unlike in the aroma). Finish has light nutty caramelised toasted bread. Overall, it is fairly dry, balanced. It is good, enjoyable, and solid. It’s a little different, too, and in a way that works well. Feel is light but not watery.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 00:54:45 | More by Offa

bashiba

Iowa

2.95/5  rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured a nice dark amber with bright copper highlights and a lingering tan head with some mild lacing.

Smell like a bowl of peaches and cream.

Taste like a very muted peach with just a hint of caramel malt and with a bit of a coppery metallic finish. Typical fruit beer to much fruit not enough beer.

The mouthfeel is light and thin.

Another boring fruit beer, where is all the Dunkelweizen goodness.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2009 02:39:51 | More by bashiba

Brenden

Ohio

3.23/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This brew is a deep clear reddish color. An aggressive pour forms a smallish creamy head that dissipates somewhat quickly and leaves light lacing.
The aroma is almost entirely fruit (strawberry, peacher and/or apricot), perhaps some grains, and subtle spices. It's pretty light.
The flavor is likewise pleasant but light and makes for extreme sessionability. This is a lot like a soda, not the overly sweetened kind; more like an Italian soda.
The mouthfeel is pretty thin with a light to moderate carbonation giving it a crisp bite.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2009 23:45:22 | More by Brenden

homebrew311

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: deep chestnut brown, thin layer of white head, minimal lacing

S: nose is all peach with hints of strawberry and vanilla in the background, very fruity, I'm amazed by how peachy this is.

T: taste feature fruitiness up front, not quite as peachy as the nose, notes of cherry and pecan come through, herbal notes on the finish

Mf: light body, mellow carbonation

O: really nice aroma, not sure how they pulled off the peach but I'm impressed. Not really getting the dunkelweizen character, but for what it is, it's tasty

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 03:29:31 | More by homebrew311

Pegasus

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Clear medium amber body sport a dense, creamy, off-white head, with lots of scattered, thin lacing, and slight carbonation.

Aroma: Fresh peach notes are very, very prominent, to the exclusion of all else, overwhelming any malt characteristics, or pecans.

Taste: Opens with toasted malts, as the taste progresses, a moderately bitter, lingering herbal hop flavor. Later in the taste, some nut notes appear, presumably the pecans, and a prominent peach skin note. The peaches, with the bitter characteristic of the skins, blend harmoniously with the hops, and bring the taste to a graceful close.

Mouth feel: Smooth and full, fairly soft.

Drinkability/notes: I give Shiner high marks for using native Texas ingredients, the peaches and pecans, in an original way. However, the original Shiner Dunkelweizen was an excellent beer, and Holiday Cheer is certainly not its equal. If this beer is to be offered again, more emphasis on the pecans, as with 512 Brewing superb Pecan Porter, would be welcome, with the peaches taking on a lesser role. Its certainly not bad, but could be better.

Presentation: Packaged in a twelve-ounce brown glass long neck bottle with a twist-off crown, served in a standard pint tap glass.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2009 17:34:20 | More by Pegasus

HardTarget

Texas

3.68/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A) Dark brown with thick clear edges. A creamy tan head gives up some wispy lacing.

S) Great peach nectar aroma tops a toasted bread base with a hint of hops. Nice level on the fruit.

T) The peach is a bit heavy in the taste, giving a bit of a syrup element that's a bit overdone. The fruit overpowers any subtle underlying elements for me.

M) A bit fizzy, medium light body, lingering finish.

D) Flavorful, festive, not a bad beer and I'm glad I got the 6'er. High marks for creativity, but I would like to see the peach dialed down a mark or three.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2008 00:10:25 | More by HardTarget

nrbw23

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- Pours a clear copper color with a descent size off white head. Head has good retention and leaves some nice layered lacing.

S- Peaches are every where here. I can also pick up pecans even though the bar keep said it was made with almonds.

T- Just like the nose here.

M- Medium in body and nice carbonation.

D- Not to bad not something I'd have all the time.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2009 01:13:26 | More by nrbw23

Rayek

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Deep copper, with nice clarity and light carbonation. A soapy orange tinged cap has OK retention, but leaves little lace.

S: Peaches and nuts; especially the peaches, come through strong. There's a light baked bread aroma in the background that combines with the other aromas to give the beer a peach cobbler effect.

T: The peach theme continues. The beer is fruity, yet not too sweet, which is an interesting accomplishment. The pecans add a nutty dryness. Bitterness is very low and doesn't add any real flavor. A toasted bread flavor hangs in the rafters.

M: The medium-light body is somewhat dry and grainy. Carbonation feels about right.

D: If it were me, I would have filed this beer under Winter Warmer, as the peach and nut character are the true centerpiece, not the very faint weizen flavors. Overall, quite drinkable. I'm glad I picked it up.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2009 04:16:45 | More by Rayek

Haybeerman

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Red-amber color. Poured a 1 finger tan head that dissipated to a broken skim. Lacing washed down the glass.

S: Pecans and sweet caramel. Peaches in the background with some muted spices.

T: Sweet light fruit; primarily peaches. Sweet malt comes through a little in the middle; did not detect a wheeat character I expected.Mild bitter finish.

M: Light-to-medium body. Ample carbonation. Crips and clean.

D: Flavorful and drinkable. The dominant light fruit sweetness hinder sessionablity.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 22:38:46 | More by Haybeerman

popery

California

2.23/5  rDev -36.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Oh God, the peaches. It's not so much that the peach flavor is all that bad, in fact it's one of the more natural-tasting fruit flavors in a fruit beer that I've tried, but it's just extremely peachy, like someone mixed peach preserves and beer. The smell is particularly peachy, literally rather than figuratively. The flavor is like a cross between a strawberry soda, a light possibly decent dunkelweizen and a giant bowl of peaches (and a trace of bile - but I hate a lot of sweet fruit beers). I've never really associated peaches with the holiday season, so it leaves me a bit confused. Maybe, it's a Texas thing. Also, if anyone can taste pecan in this beer, my hat is off to you. It's really not a horrible beer, I guess, but it's not my thing.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2009 07:15:09 | More by popery

budgood1

Minnesota

3.03/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pours out a clear auburn colour with a respectable tan head that sticks a bit and stays a bit longer. light wisps of lace, too. aroma of peaches and popcorn....something i don't think i've ever experienced before in a beer. taste is good deal more of the peaches with a slight hint of roasted nuts, mingling nicely with the sweetness of the malts used. there is some underlying weizen notes of lemon and some spice which actually gives the overall flavour profile some depth and legitimacy. light mouthfeel with a medium at best body provides an easy drinking, yet sort of underwhelming performance. finishes on the dry side which helps things out because if this concoction was sweet and cloying it would be a lot less enjoyable. therefore drinkability is fairly decent.

overall, i don't hate it but do not necessarily like it too much, either. for a winter/holiday/x-mas ale it's interesting but not something i think i would want to revisit or look forward to every year.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 23:19:53 | More by budgood1

yemenmocha

Arizona

3.63/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark amber to brown color with light tan head that is nice at first, but recedes to a thin rim. Nose has plenty of peach and toasty aromas, maybe some black tea. On the palate the peach comes through nicely with a wheat cracker malt flavor. Extra nutty sweetness. Finishes like a dessert cake.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2010 03:03:04 | More by yemenmocha

Onenote81

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Extra toss-in from DeathbySexyBT.

12oz bottle poured into a goblet. Pours a crystal clear, dark ruby. No head at all; no lace. I like that color though. The nose is fruity with strong notes of peaches, and strawberry jam. This really smells like morning toast. Unexpected for the style, but it is pleasant.

Decent body. Carbonation is spot on. Finishes fine. The fruit is definitely the main player with flavors of strained peaches, more jam, cherries. I'm not getting any of the nutty quality others noted. Slightly drying on the finish. This is a decent beer, but is the style correct?? I'd just call this a Fruit Beer and be done with it.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2011 17:12:29 | More by Onenote81