Shiner Holiday Cheer - Spoetzl Brewery

diamondc

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Got a six pack of this on clearance, half off.

A: Dark garnet, filtered, some foam witch dissipates quickly.

S: Canned peach syrup, cloves, very subtle pecan shell.

T: Mostly peaches, unsweetened grape flavored Kool Aid, almost veering into pumpkin pie type spices. Really weird, but it fits the holiday theme.

M: Kind of cloying, weird aspirin like aftertaste at the end. This beer is out of season, so its definitely fading quickly.

O: Not a bad beer ... on a cold, winter night with some dessert it would be more appealing.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 08:40:58 | More by diamondc

312HopBomb

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Medium head rises from a moderate pour into globe glass. Little lacing. Clear garnet in color.

Smell is peaches and caramel malt.

Tastes like peaches and pecans and medium roast malt with a somewhat artificial flavor but not bad.

Light mouthfeel and light moderate carbonation.

Overall a good value with decent flavor for an inexpensive fruit beer from Shiner.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 04:10:34 | More by 312HopBomb

capt_rob934

4.3/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(11/11/2011) Poured into a Sam Adam's Perfect Pint Glass. Thin white head fading quickly from the glass.

A: Beautiful aroma of peach, pecan, and caramel

C: Light brown color, very wintery looking

Sip: Peachy combined with pecan initially, light wheat flavor comes through in the end for a clean and refreshing finish

OV: Great winter warmer with a very fun profile. Full bodied and very warm.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 05:13:17 | More by capt_rob934

UTCengOwl

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought a six pack of Cheer over the holidays. Probably my second favorite Shiner after Ruby Redbird. Let's give this a whirl on a BA review. Poured a 12 oz. brown bottle into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass.

The beer pours with a nice off-white head... as long as I pour it as vigorously as possible. The body is wonderfully clear, though. Nice clean amber color. Maybe a bit too clean for a solid beer... but that's not a truly valid complaint. Decent stuff.

The nose has a sweet tang to it to start. Must be the peaches. There's also a unique nuttiness that rolls with it. I'd give it a higher score, but this bottle has a slight putrid aroma to go along with those two awesome components.

The beer isn't putrid, it's interesting. Very sweet and peachy. The caramel malts come through, too. The nuttiness is fatty and rounded. It makes for a nice aftertaste. I don't get any of the characteristic Shiner metallic flavor in this... so huzzah! Still, I wish the beer would jump a bit more with these flavors. Can someone else make this beer?

I have a Texas license, but I'm not a Texan. Maybe that explains why I don't love Shiner. It's better than the standard AAL... and this is completely unique and better than the Bock... but Shiner still isn't great in my book.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 04:26:25 | More by UTCengOwl

rexbock

Texas

4.65/5  rDev +32.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured thicker than anticipated, which was a welcome revelation compared to previous renditions of SHC.
S - The creamy brown sugar, caramel, and peachy notes can knock your socks off if you're not careful. Very forward with smell, but doesn't overwhelm.
T - Such a wonderful departure from the previous version of SHC. Mild, but thick warm-your-fireplace-and-get-those-chesnuts-roasting start. I was so much caught off guard by the new flavor that I had to have another to assure myself I wasn't dreaming. Sweet, peachy, dessert notes to start with a wooden, nutty finish thanks to the pecan.
M - Deceivingly smooth and complex. I cannot attribute the carbonation to my pour, the bottling, or coincidence, but the lightness of it was surprising.
O - I was monumentally surprised at the changes in SHC for '11. It was a delight. It was impressive and will replace all other cozy, holiday beverages in my household.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 06:13:30 | More by rexbock

jsisko01

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a dark brown/amber color with a small head that dissipates instantly. Has thin lacing.

Smell - Strong aroma of peaches.

Taste - Very sweet with peaches, a strong clove flavor, toasty and nutty, cinnamon, and a slight bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with pretty high carbonation.

Overall - This is my first time trying this style of beer, I like it. It's a lot different from other styles. I wouldn't be able to drink a lot of this though because it's so sweet..

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 06:06:37 | More by jsisko01

soju6

Missouri

2.95/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a dark amber color with a decent head that fades to some lacing.

S: Aroma of citrus, fruit which is mostly peaches with some grain and nuts in the background.

T: has a fruity sweet flavor dominated by peach with some grain and nuts. There is a nice bitterness in the background and a slightly sticky finish.

F: Light body, smooth, but too sweet.

O: Not what I enjoy in a holiday beer, but a good novelty beer for non-craft beer drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 15:15:13 | More by soju6

crashdavisinoh

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A-dark amber w/ small/medium head

S-peaches, cinnamon and malt

T-The taste is the key to any beer...this is where this beer excels. Peaches is the clear dominant flavor...which is appreciated...nuttiness (assuming pecas)...thought I got some cinnamon flavor as well. but IMO takes a backseat to the more dominant flavors.

M-Easy easy easy to drink

O-I was throughly impressed by this beer. I really enjoyed the peach flavor along w/ the other flavor combinations. When I had this on tap...they rimmed the glass w/ brown sugar and cinnamon...fantastic...I copied this at home as well on a couple bottles. One of my favorite, shockingly, holiday releases.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 18:43:02 | More by crashdavisinoh

jwc215

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours clear dark amber with a nice-sized head that leaves some lacing.

The smell is of fresh peaches with some toasted malt and a hint of pecans.

The taste is of peaches. The peach aspect is nicely done - fresh and real tasting. Some toasted caramelish malt and a hint of pecans back it up. Sweetish, but with enough hops to make it not too sweet. Peaches linger in the aftertaste.

The feel is smooth and crisp.

This is a unique brew. I would not have expected it for a "holiday" brew - maybe it's "southern-style" though. And, it's certainly not typical for a dunkelweizen. Anyway, it's a nice "change of pace" brew with a refreshing peach and pecan character.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 16:10:58 | More by jwc215

cyclonece09

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a 9 oz glass. Pours a dark red with a small head that dissipates quickly, but lacing remains. Smell of peaches is dominant but is very appealing. Peaches also dominate the taste, but not overly powerful that it will offend. Goes down really smooth and leaves no real bad aftertaste. Overall, a good holiday beer that can be a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 02:46:04 | More by cyclonece09

devilben02

North Carolina

2.88/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

My wife was trying to do something nice and picked this one up for me. Although she could have done better, she also could have done much worse.

The beers pours a great garnet-tinted brown color, but there is nearly no head, making the beer look visually "flat." The aroma is more consistently good, with the peaches coming through for a pleasant, bright sweetness on top of a light, bready malt base. The flavor does not stand up, however, as the peaches are more artificially sugary, and although there is some additional complexity of a light, nutty earthiness, there is also a somewhat unpleasant astringency. Texturally, the beer is a bit thin, but it is generally pleasant.

Overall, although this beer is light and drinkable, the gimmicky, candy-sweet fruitiness is not something to come back to.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 16:15:40 | More by devilben02

Pencible

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev +0.9%
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

LiquidBread219

Indiana

3.15/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A= Nice, solid mahogany color. It also had a nice foamy head but it disappered rather quickly and left some spotty lacing.

S= The nose had some bready malts in there and some dark fruits. It kind of reminded me of fruit cake.

T= Taste really isn't that strong like I thought it would be it's kind of toned downed compared to the nose. I just thought it would be stronger because I really picked up items in the nose easily. The peaches do come out a little bit but I really picked up on bready notes and some spices.

M= Decent Carbonation, The beer itself is a little on the thin side and is light.

O= Overall, It's not that bad but I would basically buy it for a holiday party where not a lot of people are craft beer drinkers because this beer isn't that intense. I would rather have a Sierra Nevada's Celebration in the fridge for a holiday type beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 10:50:01 | More by LiquidBread219

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shiner Holiday Cheer has a thin, creamy, khaki head and a very clear, copper appearance with a few bubbles streaming up and a little bit of lacing. The aroma is overwhelmingly of peaches, but maybe one can detect some malt and water. As it warms, some sort of husk smell shows up. The taste is of peaches, nuts, barley, water, and a little touch of hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is light and watery, and Shiner Holiday Cheer finishes crisp, refreshing, mostly dry, and easy drinking. Overall, this is nice.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 16:28:34 | More by RonaldTheriot

gtermi

Texas

3.1/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a reddish brown with a white head that quickly fades.

S: This doesnt even smell like beer. It has a strong peach smell with some other fruity characteristics.

T: There is a lot of peach tastes in this beer. I had no idea this beer was suppose to be so peachy. I dont know what they are thinking. Peach is more a spring/ summer taste to me...

M: The beer is pretty average on the mouth feel. It has a strong amount of carbonation and just seems sort of boring.

O: Though I dont care for Spoetzl's beers, I ususally tend to enjoy their seasonal beers, but this one really let me down. I dont get the whole peach in winter thing. Just doesnt make sense to me.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 07:24:46 | More by gtermi

homebrew311

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +10%
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

match1112

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a: reddish brown body with a two finger tan head that leaves spotty lacing.

s: very peach forward, some nuts in there as well, along with some holiday spice and roasted malts.

t: like peach schnapps little brother. toasted nuts, spice and roasted malts.

m: medium to thin body, good carbonation.

o: this is one of the better holiday beers i've had. good flavors and aromas blend well together.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 14:31:29 | More by match1112

MTNboy

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: I found this to be a good looking beer with a lot of tan head and lace. There was just the right amount of carbonation to the body. The body was brown with a reddish hue.

Smell: It has a different type of smell. It is very roasty and the only other way to describe it is meaty.

Taste: It has a spicy but not hot. There are a good amount of fruit esters especially in the aftertaste. The peach is dominant but the aftertaste is melon like.

Mouthfeel: Medium and slick with some bite.

Overall: I thought this was great holiday beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 10:01:19 | More by MTNboy

hyprlt

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -12%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a mason jar.

A: short, half-inch creamy(ish) and cream-colored head. Caramel colored and quite clear.

S: slight peach aromas that may be enhanced by the hops. on-off scent, i can't really explain, just different.

T: the pecan flavor combined with the peaches jumps at you immediately, not in a good way. the back end is total peaches. after a few sips, its not appalling.

M: a little thick as a german style, but Im probably wrong on that. Not overly carbonated.

O: At first, I absolutely hated it. The aftertaste is definitely peaches, and that isn't a terrible thing. As a recommendation, I'd say you have to have it once.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 19:51:52 | More by hyprlt

brotherloco

California

3.63/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle x2. Best before 02/23/12. Served in a 22oz tapered glass.

Pours a clear dark copper with a red tinge. A finger of beige foam forms and quickly settles to a thin sheet. Only a hint of lacing.

Fruit aroma hits you right up front with the peaches the obvious strong note. I'm also getting hints of grape and cherry. Sweet malt is a more minor component of the aroma, with only a hint of hops. Some earthy spiciness.

Taste has a hint of sweetness and fruit up front, but quickly gets dry and slightly spicy. The peach flavor is still dominant, but not as strong as the nose. Not sure if I'm actually tasting the pecan contribution, but the finish has a darker earthy note.

Body is medium-low and carbonation is high. Fairly drinkable, but the carbonation is a bit too sharp.

If find the aroma of this beer the best part, and better than the flavor, but I like it overall. It's a refreshing break from the more heavy and spiced winter ales.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 04:53:45 | More by brotherloco

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass. Reviewed alongside Scuttlebutt 10 Degrees Below. Not a Dunkelweizen, but the closest thing I had.

A: Clear dark amber with one-finger, off-white, creamy head that lasted a couple of minutes. Okay lacing.

S: Smells like sweet fruit-punch. Not necessarily a bad thing, unless it tastes that way too.

T: Wow, peach (bad). Solid sweetness and light bitterness. The malt character comes through a bit.

M: Light to medium bodied with fizzy carbonation.

O: Eh, smells way to sweet and tastes almost as sweet. I guess this is good for holiday parties...or something. I won't compare to the Scuttlebutt since they were less similar than I had hoped they would be.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 04:02:16 | More by SolipsismalCat

TownDunkel

Texas

3.7/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Time for the holiday cheer! Instead of some spiked eggnog, I figured a holiday beer would be a nice try.

Appearance - Nice, solid mahogany appearance. Not everyday you get such a nice color in a beer.

Smell - Not the best smell ever, doesn't really seem to match the taste in my opion. More of a washy regular Shiner.

Taste - Peachy! If you like Lambrics but hate the price, this one will be a great sub. Aftertaste after a bit seems to be a bit much and overbearing, but sipped over time its a good one.

Mouthfell - Very similar to its parent beer - Shiner bock

Overall - a great specialty beer. I wouldn't have this every night, but definately in the winter.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 00:23:39 | More by TownDunkel

SuperSpy

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very clear and dark. The color of maple syrup. A big, thick head like you would expect from a weizen. The head dies pretty quickly though.

The beer has the smell of sweet dark fruits and spices. There is a medicinal sweetness that reminds me of cough syrup and fruit cake.

That same medicinal sweetness is in the flavor, but it's tempered with a nutty flavor and a very doughy and slightly bitter finish. There is a bit of sweet peach and pear. A hint of toasted nuts. The sweetness tastes a bit artificial but the mild hop bitterness levels things out and reminds you you're drinking a beer. It's all brought together in a very smooth, medium bodied brew.

Overall it's not something I would drink all the time, but one season out of the year I think this is a pretty decent beer. Also, it has all the qualities that it professes on the label. You get exactly what you're promised and it's worth including in your winter beer lineup.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 20:33:06 | More by SuperSpy

falloutsnow

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -20%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Bottled purchased from Hyvee in Omaha, NE.
No bottled on date.
Poured into a Weihenstephaner weizen glass.

Pours a fairly large (>4cm) head of light tan bubbles that quickly fades to a thin cap atop the beer. Leaves some modest lacing along sides of the glass. Body is a dark amber color out of the light, fiery reddish-orange with orange highlights when held up to the lamp. The beer is completely clear, so I guess it's a kristalldunkelweizen? Fairly minimal, sluggish carbonation. Minus points for being clear and calling itself a dunkelweiss, which isn't.

Aroma of very uprfront, "punchy" sweetness and canned peaches, maybe candied peaches. Slight bready character if inhaled deeply. Did they even use a German yeast with this one, because there are no banana, clove/allspice, bubblegum, or wheat malt scents.

Taste predominantly of sugary sweet peaches, a bit of clove or other phenol, and some brown malt. This continues until the back of the tongue picks up an aftertaste of some brown or toasted malt characters. As in the aroma, no detectable banana, citrus, bubblegum, or wheat malt flavors. Peach flavor is slightly cloying to me.

Mouthfeel is medium-light with a bit of wateriness around the edges. Carbonation starts fairly low and decreases so that by the end of sipping, this is almost a bit flat. Smooth, a bit creamy, finish is semi-dry. Not too far off from a dunkelweiss.

Is this a gateway beer for macrolager drinkers, as some have suggested? Only if they really want to drink artificially sweet, candy flavored beer that mocks its supposed progenitor. I don't need a beer with "natural flavors added" or "caramel color added," and this one has both. Essentially cloying, no need to revisit.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 06:21:55 | More by falloutsnow

Morey

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle with no freshness date. Well, at least it's obvious what time of year this one hits the shelves.

Pours a beautiful reddish brown color with really good clarity. Cream colored head stood about an inch tall following a medium pour. After several minutes, it's reduced to a thin layer covering the majority of the beer. Some decent lacing.

Peaches come through nicely in the aroma. Maybe just a hint of pecan nuttiness, caramel, and butterscotch.

Slightly fruity up front with the malts and and wheat all working well together. Not getting too much in the way of pecan, but I'm sure that they add some sort of mild flavor here. Very delicate/soft bitterness on the back end.

Medium bodied with the carbonation landing just below moderate. Slight syrupy feel in the finish.

Not bad actually. I could see this as more of a fall or early spring seasonal.

Morey's Bottom Line: I don't think the peaches are overdone here at all. After reading some other reviews, that's what I was expecting. If anything, this dunkel is a bit tame and thin. Still an enjoyable beer though. By far the best I've had from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 19:14:50 | More by Morey