Shiner Holiday Cheer - Spoetzl Brewery

Labeorphile

Texas

2.73/5  rDev -22%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle into pint glass. Minimal head that quickly disappears. Artificial coloring per the label. Seriously? Dark amber color I guess.

Aroma is complicated. Lots of sweetness, a lot of peach. Flavor is much the same. Not a bad drink, but it doesn't taste like beer. Overwhelmingly peach, but tastes like artificial peach flavoring.

Mouthfeel is probably about right, but overall I feel like Shiner is just doing a bit with this and I can't take it seriously.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 03:19:45 | More by Labeorphile

goldenboi187

2.25/5  rDev -35.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

This beer tastes 10x better on tap than bottle. The bottle taste reminds me of sour milk on the after taste. Have you ever tasted your own ear wax? Well after drinking this you might be able to recall that. Now, why I say ear wax??...well I tasted my ear wax numerous times out of curiosity. I wouldn't buy this beer. I'd rather bum off someone else.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 07:05:29 | More by goldenboi187

Maltmaiden

Alabama

3.2/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark amber brown. Clear. Big carbonation. Very pretty.

S: Gummy bears/ jolly ranchers upfront. Maraschino cherries. roasted malt.

T: Cherry coke. Very very sweet. Malty. Gummy bears. Strawberry. I do not taste pecan though. Does not taste like beer...

M: Medium body and smooth with a tickle on the tongue.

O: Not my cup of tea. Too much like drinking a candy.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 21:02:57 | More by Maltmaiden

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

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

12oz poured in a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

A - Clear medium brown, off-white head creates a thin cap.

S - Peaches dominate the aroma from fresh to candy like.

T - Peaches, lightly toasted malt, wheat malt is there but you have to search for it. Peaches pretty much dominate. Mild spice note, maybe clove or coriander. Some light hops on the back end/

M - Very creamy with a velvety feel, ample carbonation.

This seems to be more of a fruit beer. The peaches are nice though. The wheat shows on the fell more than the flavor. This could be a great summertime beer as well.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 23:08:53 | More by StaveHooks

fsimcox

California

2.63/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear transparent ruby-red amber color. Off-white foamy head that dissipates after a few minutes to a long lasting thin white cover. Some lacing.

Smells of sweet peaches, candied fruit, and some faint hops citrus. Some hints of malt and spice in the background. I was a bit surprised by the strong peach smell.

Taste is sour apple, hop citrus, and spicy floral notes. The finish is peach and apricot sweetness, with a lingering of dried apricot.

Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, with carbonation, and a slightly thin finish.

An interesting holiday beer. It was worth trying, but probably not one I will revisit.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 21:02:01 | More by fsimcox

FickleBeast

New Jersey

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

12 oz bottle poured into a nonic.

Pours a clear ruby brown color with a finger of off white foam. Aroma is strong with a sour peach flavor. Interesting... but not really appetizing.

Strong sweet peach flavor. Almost like a peach Jolly Rancher, but the sweetness isn't cloying. I'm not really detecting any other strong flavors. This does have a decent body, and doesn't finish too dry or too sweet. This tastes a lot better than I thought it would. Actually fairly drinkable.

A must try if you like peach flavored beers. An interesting diversion, and one of the better Shiner beers that I've had.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 03:20:31 | More by FickleBeast

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: A coppery pour shows up a weathered garnet red in the vessel. A whispy peanut shell head holds only slightly before dissipating to a polished surface. Lacing is minimal, a few speckles while the visible effervesce is fair with only a moderate paced rise.

S: Dry caramel on the nose, apple malt, dry cherry skin with a very low awareness level. Not very cheerful thus far.

T: Flavor is cherry malt fruitiness, sweet vienna grains, toasty apple and honey malt. A touch of christmas pine and spruce hops mix with a specialty grain dry sweetness on the close.

M: Fair amount of carbonation and maltiness on the tongue, some syrupy content feel with a slight holiday spiciness off the tongue.

O: Malt forward xmas beer, fruity and somewhat respectable without being overbearing spice wise.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 23:08:27 | More by beerthulhu

ZAP

Minnesota

3.4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Woa...a peach/pecan dunkelweizen...what will they think of next....spurred a purchase from me of a Shiner product which I usually stay away from (don't hate them but just so many better products out there to chose from).

A-Chestnut brown colored...minimal head..

S-Peaches...more like the peach syrup in a can of peaches...just a general malty aroma...

T-Pleasantly surprised....the peach flavor is evident and in front but refreshing and not sticky sweet...there is also a nutty malty dimension that to be honest I could not identify as pecan but definitely nutty maltiness....not a bad drinker at all..not getting much of any yeasty weizen notes...drinks more like a dark wheat ale perhaps..

M-Malty but not cloying like I feared....lighter bodied and a bit thin but not mich ultra thinnish or anything like that...just not a lot of heft to to it...was hoping for more of a medium body on this.

O-I'm kind of glad I bought this...something a little different and while not an all-time great it's interesting enough.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 06:29:48 | More by ZAP

BigBarley

Texas

2.15/5  rDev -38.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A - Pours a deep amber, very dark but still see-through. Not a very dunkel looking beer. 3 fingers of a heavy wheat head, that recedes to a thick lacing.

S - Peaches, with mild wheat and sweet malt undertones. Extreme overpowering peach notes take away from any real beer ingredients. Not pleasant, smells artificial.

T - Peach blast. And not a very pleasant blast at that. Mild yeast notes as the taste fades out. No real wheat presence. Strange flavor, not all that enjoyable from my end.

M - Might as well be a light lager. I've never tasted a dunkel that was this thin and bubbly. Little thicker than a light lager I guess, but not nearly the wheaty body you'd expect.

O - Disappointing is the name of this beer. If you're REALLY into peachy flavors and thin beer, go for it. But if you're looking for an actual dunkel, steer clear of this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 15:44:09 | More by BigBarley

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.83/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a light brown/mahogany color with a two finger cream-red tinted head. The head has a decent level of retention, fading to give a light level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is big of a sweet sugary smell of peach and apricot. It almost smells like a peach candy or a peach fruit roll-up. Mixed with the intense sweet and sugary fruit aroma is a little bit of spice as well.

Taste – The taste starts out of the sweet fruit that was detected in the nose. These flavors are mixed with a light wheat and roast flavor upfront. Some spice flavors soon come to the tongue with a sugary/candy flavor accompanies this to produce a spiced fruit candy flavor on the tongue. Toward the end the peach and apricot flavors surge in strength along with a slight increase in the spice and roast flavors to leave a sweet and spiced peach and apricot taste on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the slightly creamier side with a carbonation level that is a little on the lower side. A little more carbonation may have been nice for the sweet flavors of the brew, but with that said, the creaminess was quite good for the spice, lighter roasted flavors, and the overall smoothness of the beer.

Overall – While a little too fruity and sweet for the style, it was actually a very tasty brew. Easy to drink and one to go to from time to time.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 01:42:33 | More by Darkmagus82

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a medium reddish brown in color with some garnet red and tea-like brown highlights when held up to the light and light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall light beige that slowly fades to a thin film covering the entire surface of the beer and a slightly thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of peaches over the top of lighter notes of spices - there is a moderate amount of sweetness in the smell.

T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of toasted bready malts with much stronger flavors of peach sweetness over the top of it. Lighter notes of spices - cinnamon and nutmeg - along with some very light hints of pecan. Faint notes of bitterness in the finish.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly thin/watery.

O: The addition of peaches to a holiday beer is an interesting but completely successful...it leaves the beer a little too sweet, especially in the smell. It goes down pretty easily but I don't think I would want to drink more than one of these in a session.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 23:52:41 | More by dbrauneis

fallopia

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into an ale glass.

Appearance: Clear, tea-brown color with a thick, creamy, lacy head with staying power.

Aroma: Bright, distinctive aroma with orange and cherry flavors

Flavor: Excellent balance of malt and hops with a clove/pepper finish

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a very pleasant lingering, hoppy finish.

Overall, I really enjoyed this beer. I'm having a difficult time describing the very distinctive, non-beer flavor. Maybe it's just the 'holiday' in the title, but it does have a yuletide feel.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 02:59:15 | More by fallopia

mactrail

California

3.1/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Apricot jam in a bottle with a touch of hops. Golden orange in the glass with a very nice head and spritzy on the tongue.

Light body. This is just so sweet and fruity. I taste peach, then apricot, then orange marmalade. Malty but not exactly rich. If only it swerved into a dry and bitterish Belgian yeasty flavor-- but no such luck. There doesn't seem to be much aroma. Breathing out through the nose is like exhaling peach brandy from the gas station liquor store. Still, it's quite drinkable, just hard to get your palate around. If they called it "Orchard Amber" for a summer quaff, it might go down easier. Totally weird and worth a try if you like fruit flavors.

I think this one should be in the Fruit/Vegetable category. If this is a Dunkelweizen, it's well disguised. From the 12 oz bottle bought at Pinkie's in San Angelo.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 04:34:03 | More by mactrail

phideltashaggy

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass.

A- looks medium brown, but is beautiful dark red when held up to light. Vaguely off-white head that disappears quickly but leaves nice lacing.

S- Lots of peach and a little bit nut.

T- Love this. Starts with loads of peach, has a very round, nutty taste in the middle, and finishes with a little citrusy-pine hops.

MF- Meh. Not bad, but a little under-carbonated to be great. If you're looking for a sweetish session brew, the mouthfeel makes this a decent choice.

Overall- this is one of my favorite beers, i look forward to it every year. I might love it less if it was available year round, but drinking a few six-packs in the winter months is a blast. Perfect for Christmas parties for BA's and beer-normies alike.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 04:43:15 | More by phideltashaggy

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured in a Kasteel goblet.

Appearance- Dark brown to the eye, but when put to the light a dark blood red is revealed. White tiny head that disappears like a rabbit in a hat.

Smell- Tons of peach with toasted pine nuts.

Taste- Once again lots of peach but not to much to over take the actual beer itself. A piney hops on the back end.

Mouthfeel- Light mouthfeel that is very properly carbonated. Makes for a very easy drinker.

Overall- A nice tasty change of pace holiday beer. My biggest gripe is that I've had it 3 years in a row and the taste changes every single time. I would prefer more consistency.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 15:53:51 | More by BrownAleMale

Offa

California

3.8/5  rDev +8.6%
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

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