Shiner 101 Czech Style Pilsner - Spoetzl Brewery

Billolick

New York

3.56/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle from the Shiner mixed box, that just started being distributed in my neck of the woods.

Pours clear medium almond. Minor of white head, film, thin colar and moderate low bits of lace.

Just a hint of malt on the nose.

Malty and quite dry pils. Dark malts, some light smoke and rye notes. Dry through the finish. Decent.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:57:04 | More by Billolick

Gmann

New York

3.21/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Pours a crystal clear toasted straw color. A few shades darker than your traditional pils. The white head is fluffy and slowly dissipates leaving some lacing on the glass.

The aroma is quite light. Slightly bready malt provides a sweet aroma and there is a touch of grassy hops. Overall, a bit weak for the style.

The flavor is light and dry. A cracker flavor from the pils malt but there is some depth from a breadier malt. The hops are light but grassy. A sweeter breadier pils basically.

The feel is light and crisp, very easy to drink. Good balance, good summer time brew.

Not the most flavorful pils but no off flavors. Again, easy drinking brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 19:20:14 | More by Gmann

kshizzle101

Washington

3.96/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass

A - pours clear straw color. 1 inch white head which has medium duration

S - grainy/bready malts, sweet smell of honey or fruits

T - slight grain, malty, hops and a little booze come through in the after

M - light/medium bodied. proper carb

Overall - good beer overall. for a pilsner it has quite a bit of flavor, one of the hoppier pils I've had. worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:16:48 | More by kshizzle101

mjurney

Texas

3.96/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance:
Golden-amber color, clear. Lots of carbonation rising up. Thick frothy head.

Aroma:
Sweet malts, bready, grassy.

Taste:
Rich pale malts, biscuit, slight caramel sweetness. Hop bitterness is mild-medium, mainly grassy-herbal. Finish is crisp and lemony. Medium bodied, slight tangy, a little dry, refreshing.

Overall:
Well made Czech Pilsner.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 07:19:47 | More by mjurney

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark straw color with hints of copper, fomy head about an inch thick that shrinks to just a small layer lying on top.

Smells clean and simple. A bit oft malt with slightly spicy hops on the back end

Taste is smooth and well balanced. Great balance of malt and hops, very clean.

Overall this is a great example of a great simple beer. If it were more readily available in my area, I would gladly replace this with any of your typical lagers or pilsners. Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 00:27:55 | More by Treyliff

Francepants06

Louisiana

3.53/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It poured a light yellow to light orange color with an average size head which dissipated fast. It smelled citrus, lemon grass, yeast, some bread, malt.
I tasted a slight fruit with a good malt with a little bit of yeast residue. It is a fairly light beer. It is a great beer for a good hot summer lawn mowing day. Not bad for football season.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 08:45:31 | More by Francepants06

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

2.55/5  rDev -28.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This beer pours a clear, gold color with half-inch head and lasting lace. It's aroma is citrusy with hints of bread and hops. The flavor has notes of lemon and dough with some vanilla in the background. There is a mild bitterness that fades quickly. This has a light mouthfeel and is very sessionable and refreshing. Spoetzl Shiner 101 Czech Style Pilsner is a good beer. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 23:28:57 | More by B967ierhunter177

PokerGod

Minnesota

3.35/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A 12oz bottle poured into a pilsner glass...

Appearance- A moderate golden color thats not at all hazy or cloudy, seems to have a lot of carbonation activity at the bottom of the glass. When first poured, it produced a very thick foamy head that quickly dissipated. Brought back with a little agitation, but then dissipates quickly again. Does leave a nice lacework that I really like.

Smell- Very mild aroma, not strong at all. Bready, and a little hoppy. It does have a nice 'fermented' smell to it that I like. Kind of like moldy bread, but I mean that in a very good way.

Taste- Smoothe at first, with a very malty pilsner taste up front, and then at the finish a bit of hops.

Mouthfeel- Fine, not great, not bad.

Overall: I really like Pilsner Beers. This isn't quite as good as others I've had, like Urquell, but a nice tasty beer. Only available for a little longer as Spoetzel should have the Shiner 102 out any day. But if I find more, I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 02:27:46 | More by PokerGod

albertjr21

New York

3.9/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One day I'd love to sneak a good Pilsener into an "American Adjunct" drinking friend's glass when they ask for a pint fill of fizz...Just to rattle the cage a bit and see what happens...Perhaps I'd use a Shiner 101 for the experiment. Into a brandy glass this reveals a clear and yellow golden color under a blotchy thin head with a good lacing. Aroma is a light but bright one with the classic pilsener malt nose and those sharp metallic and hop notes. A sweet and bright, generously bodied malt feel quenches over the palate with an equally crisp and refreshing finish. It truly is "simple and refined" as the brewer states. A simple and refined display of Saaz hops. Prosit!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2011 17:15:19 | More by albertjr21

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.28/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, best by Jan 20, 2011.

Pours clear gold with a one finger white head that leaves some spotty lacing and holds a light cap.

Aroma is noble hops with some grass and musty notes along with some lemony citrus and biscuit.

Flavor is grassy hops, a little musty, a little adjunct-lagery, some sweetness, mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel is light, medium to high carbonation.

Average Pils.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 02:24:23 | More by elgiacomo

soju6

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a golden color with a fair head that fades slowly to lacing.

S: Mild herbal aroma with some traces of malt sweetness.

T: Has a mild malty sweetness with a touch of bitterness and a fairly dry finish.

F: Light body, crisp, clean and refreshing.

D: Easy Drinker. Not quite a Czech Pilsner but a good everyday beer. Beter than most lawnmower or BBQ beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2011 23:36:31 | More by soju6

titusgroan

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

shiner - just got done kicking your ass on another beer - but THIS ONE I LIKE. 101, BOCK and BLACK should be your main focus. this is good like BUD should be - simple beer.. nice and cold. good flavor - tastes like beer. not watery. now stop trickin up your line up and concentrate on getting more hops and flavor into your main stays!

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 05:52:40 | More by titusgroan

IoniaAtlantic

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours with a nice fluffy white head, that dissipates to a thin layer with nice legs left on the glass. Gold and clear as it should be.

Smell: Light malts notes, with an earthy straw-like aroma

Taste: Crisp and refreshing, more on the light side for a Czech Pilsner and not as bitter as most that I have had. overall I think it a good representation for an American production.

Mouth Feel: Medium body. Nice carbonation, with the finish lasting a good 20 seconds that ends clean.

Drinkability: Very Drinkable, easy going down and not too bad on the budget.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 00:20:03 | More by IoniaAtlantic

shand

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Czech pilsner glass. This bottle is two weeks beyond it's pull date.

Poured a golden, transparent color with head cresting the top of the glass. The carbonation is very apparent. Looks like a good pilsner, leaves plenty of lacing on the way down the glass. Smell is about average, dominated by grainy malts with just a touch of Saaz hops. Smells like a theoretical Pilsner Urquell Light, if anything.

The taste also reminds me of the "Pilsner Urquell Light", but with less of the Saaz hops and more of the malts. This could be partially due to it being slightly past the pull date, causing the hops to fade. Either way, this is a pretty decent tasting Czech pilsner. The grainy malts work in tandem with the noble Saaz hops. It's less bitter than other Czech pislners I've had.

The mouthfeel is quite interesting. It's slightly heavier bodied than most pilsners of the type, and it's also very dry. It works though. It's also very drinkable. All in all, I'm glad I took a shot on the Shiner 101. This is the first beer of theirs I've had, and it makes me want to try more. There's nothing wrong with a brewery who focuses on drinkable lagers, in my book.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 04:59:16 | More by shand

digitalczech

California

3.68/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Czech style or not. It's a decent pilsener. While I've traveled in the CZR a few times and tried a lot of beer. I can see how this isn't a tradition CZ Pilsener but like some of the pilseners I've had there.

A - nice light color pouring with a decent head. Nothing special but not bad by any means.

S - Malty, grainy, something...

T - nice and smooth... more malty than I had expected making it slightly sweet and less hoppy (bitter).

M - light to medium bodied. I expected lighter

D - very drinkable. This beer goes down well and I enjoyed it. I was surprised on how much I liked it. I expected worse.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 19:35:24 | More by digitalczech

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

2.78/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a finger of white head that fades down to a thin layer. Color is a clear golden yellow.

Aroma: Noble grassy hops, pale biscuit malts. That is about it. Pretty simple.

Taste: Biscuit and pale malts. Grassy/crisp earthy hops. A little oily. Simple.

Mouthfeel: Crisp with a touch of bitterness. Light bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends really dry and a bit sticky.

Overall, I have had better pils. This one just wasn't too hoppy. Somewhat drinkable, but more flavor would be nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 02:37:56 | More by mothman

AgingWarrior

Florida

3.73/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a traditional pint glass. Poured a light to medium gold color with about a finger of off white head.

Smells grainy with some floral notes. Overall a pleasant scent.

Tastes crisp and smooth. A little sweetness on the front, with a bit of a bite on the finish. Smoother than most Pilsners.

Feels pretty smooth in the mouth, medium body and carbonation.

Very drinkable brew. I followed this one up with two more.

One of Shiner's better brews.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2010 16:10:55 | More by AgingWarrior

Duff27

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours mid-golden. Nice one inch white head that lasts a few minutes. More lacing than normal for this style is left on the side of the glass. A few streams of carbonation bubbles speeding to the head. Looks very pleasant.

S- Sour lemon notes. Noble hops somewhat detectable.

T- Grassy, bread-like taste. Lemon zest.

M- Nice and full mouthfeel.

D/O- Overall, not a bad pilsner...an easy drinker. If I were in the mood for a pils and this was the best beer I could find...well, I certainly have had worse days than that. Thanks Spoetzl.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 04:03:15 | More by Duff27

chilidog

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got ahold of one, the last one, found on a singles shelve. I thought i missed thisone so i grabbed it.

Pours a well carbonated yellow. Off-white head was nice only to settle and fade to a colar. Though the trail of lace was nice.

The aroma is of grass, earthy hay.

The taste carries that grassyness with pine. Little hop or malt to be found. The colder the beer, the better it crisps up.

The mouthfeel is a bit thin or watered.

Drinkability is there esp cold. I'd like the chance to get six in the summer. A hot day try-out seems in order.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 16:12:18 | More by chilidog

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

This is a quite drinkable beer. For the style, it's a bit light in hops and malt. If people who live on BMC but want a bit something different, go with this one. A semi light golden pour. The head starts as a fluffy mess, but it turns abit rocky with some soapiness. A bit more rock could make it look better.

aroma is light. slight grain and huskiness. i don't get a whole lot of spiciness or hops in the nose.

Flavor is good, just a bit light on all accounts: malt, hops, yeast. Flavors are there, they just don't pop.

All in all, though, this makes it easy drinking. Not filling or over powering. Good beer to start the Halloween party night.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2010 22:35:04 | More by Mebuzzard

lordofthewiens

Maine

3.53/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a few of these the day after drinking some Shiner Oktoberfest. While not a great beer, this one was light years ahead of the Ofest.
Nice clear gold color with a medium-sized white head.
Grassy, hay-like aroma. Some sweet malt.
Big malt presence in the taste. Little bit of hops.
A passable Czech pilsener. Pretty nice.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 01:30:45 | More by lordofthewiens

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A vigorous pour into my 25cl tulip produces a two finger thick, pale, off-white colored head. The beer is a rich gold hue that shows a brilliantly clear, bright, almost metallic gold hue when held up to the light. The aroma smells of dried hay, some spicy herbal hop aromatics, cracker like malt and perhaps a hint of herbal menthol as the beer warms up.

A bit prickly from the carbonation as it first hits my tongue, the beer also has a soft sweetness to it and perhaps not enough biting bitterness to it (though this is here). The finish is mostly hop bitterness, but does have a touch of herbal honey notes to it as well as some bread-like malt character. Very light and refreshing and it doesn't really have the richness of a properly decocted Czech Pilsner. As the beer warms up the honey-like notes become a bit more prominent.

Not bad, but definitely falls short of a well made Czech Pilsner. It is refreshing if drunk cold on a hot day though.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 19:04:25 | More by Gueuzedude

TexIndy

Texas

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Shiner's usually have the bottle date on the neck but this one didn't for some reason. It was a clear pale straw color with good carbonation. It had an average sized head that settled into a collar and foam patches. Some lacing that slowly slides back.

Aroma was grassy and floral hops along with a cooked veggie aroma. A little below average for the style. The taste was good for the style with biscuity malt base and slight spice from the hops. Mouthfeel was light with very crisp carbonation. Decent aftertaste.

Overall, an average CP that seems to fit the Shiner mold lately of not really pushing it. Obviously available here in TX. Rotation - not really one of my goto styles and it didn't stand out so one is enough for me. [N;N]

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 01:35:57 | More by TexIndy

Chaz

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a golden straw in color, topped with a sizable tightly packed off-white head. The head falls at a moderately slow pace and leaves plenty of lacing behind.

Noble hop profile drives the nose, along with a touch of pale and crystal malt; lightly bready, and fairly true to the style . . .

Smooth and relatively creamy on the first sip, it's also semi-sweet and tangy-bitter. The aromatic hops and bittering hops work wonders here, making for a fairly textbook interpretation of the style*.

Good if-not excellent mouthfeel, and very good drinkability -- this is truly a beer worthy of being called "session-able".

* Note: when this beer is fresh it is much, much better. I was almost blown-away by the beer upon it's initial release, but over time it has really faded. Think on this when you buy those Pilseners imported from German and Czech Republik!

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2010 02:50:33 | More by Chaz

grittybrews

Washington

3.85/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a dull straw yellow into a chalice with a finger of quick-receding fluffy white head. Slight grassy aroma with lemon citrus.

Moderate carbonation and a crisp, full mouthfeel. Good malty backbone with slight caramel sweetness and some mild lemon on the finish. Not overly complex, but drinkable and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 03:59:40 | More by grittybrews