Shiner Holiday Cheer | Spoetzl Brewery / Shiner
Brewed by:
Spoetzl Brewery / Shiner
Texas, United States
shiner.com
Style: Dunkelweizen
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.40%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Atlas1 on 10-26-2008
Ratings: 1,580 | Reviews: 403
Reviews by MDekker:
More User Reviews:
3.7/5 rDev +4.8%
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.
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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.
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3.7/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Being from Texas, I've tried just about every Shiner product. This beer literally tastes like Christmas. Dark amber, cream to tan .5"to 1" head. Subtle fruity flavor gives way to a sweet,caramel and "Christmas Dessert" flavor. Not too bad from a nostalgic stand point.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Being from Texas, I've tried just about every Shiner product. This beer literally tastes like Christmas. Dark amber, cream to tan .5"to 1" head. Subtle fruity flavor gives way to a sweet,caramel and "Christmas Dessert" flavor. Not too bad from a nostalgic stand point.
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3.29/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
I enjoy this as a good holiday beer. It tastes like Christmas. Seems it came out pretty early this year but hey, seems the holiday season starts earlier and earlier each year. Why not enjoy it with a good beer.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
I enjoy this as a good holiday beer. It tastes like Christmas. Seems it came out pretty early this year but hey, seems the holiday season starts earlier and earlier each year. Why not enjoy it with a good beer.
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2.33/5 rDev -34%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
From the 12 fl. oz. bottle. 2016 batch. Sampled on December 30, 2016.
Attractive looking amber-mahogany pour with a quick lasting head that fades fast with no lacing.
Ack! That aroma is crazy. Peaches, peaches, and more peaches. Smells like peach juice. No barley malts or hop sensation that I can pick up. Vegetable oil too. Highly disappointing.
Light body.
The taste is a tad better than the abrupt peach-like aroma but not by much. I get this peach juice character, a vague (very vague) bready note, and only the slightest of hop bite. But this might as well be a peach drink.
After 8 years on BA I do really try to keep an open mind and "respect beer" but I can't get why this is getting the better than average ratings it is getting. It seems so artificial. Maybe I got an old or bad bottle. Yeah, that will be my excuse.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
From the 12 fl. oz. bottle. 2016 batch. Sampled on December 30, 2016.
Attractive looking amber-mahogany pour with a quick lasting head that fades fast with no lacing.
Ack! That aroma is crazy. Peaches, peaches, and more peaches. Smells like peach juice. No barley malts or hop sensation that I can pick up. Vegetable oil too. Highly disappointing.
Light body.
The taste is a tad better than the abrupt peach-like aroma but not by much. I get this peach juice character, a vague (very vague) bready note, and only the slightest of hop bite. But this might as well be a peach drink.
After 8 years on BA I do really try to keep an open mind and "respect beer" but I can't get why this is getting the better than average ratings it is getting. It seems so artificial. Maybe I got an old or bad bottle. Yeah, that will be my excuse.
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4.15/5 rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Great fruity nutty taste. Body is light and refreshing. It might be a bit too sweet for some. Body could be a slight deeper. This definitely a fall wheat. This will get me through the holiday season. This is another great Shiner spin. There is nothing really tasting quite like this. Great job.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Great fruity nutty taste. Body is light and refreshing. It might be a bit too sweet for some. Body could be a slight deeper. This definitely a fall wheat. This will get me through the holiday season. This is another great Shiner spin. There is nothing really tasting quite like this. Great job.
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3.62/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I always look forward to this beer! I enjoy the suble peach and other flavored. Slightly sweet and malty. Had it first this year on draft into a pint glass. Fruity smell, comforting taste and feel. Looking forward to drinking this over the next couple months.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I always look forward to this beer! I enjoy the suble peach and other flavored. Slightly sweet and malty. Had it first this year on draft into a pint glass. Fruity smell, comforting taste and feel. Looking forward to drinking this over the next couple months.
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1.57/5 rDev -55.5%
look: 2 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.75
There was something very off-putting in the nose and flavor of this brew, akin to sugar that's been cooked down too far past the point of caramel and into acridity, combined with what I can only describe as slightly rotten Vidalia onions. Considering the ratings and the fact that I got one bottle of this in a create-your-own six pack at a grocery chain not known for its beer selection (beers kept warm, by the way, in lieu of refrigerated), I may have been bitten by the skunk bug. But considering I don't have a high opinion of any Shiner products so far, I'm willing to forego any benefit of the doubt.
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look: 2 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.75
There was something very off-putting in the nose and flavor of this brew, akin to sugar that's been cooked down too far past the point of caramel and into acridity, combined with what I can only describe as slightly rotten Vidalia onions. Considering the ratings and the fact that I got one bottle of this in a create-your-own six pack at a grocery chain not known for its beer selection (beers kept warm, by the way, in lieu of refrigerated), I may have been bitten by the skunk bug. But considering I don't have a high opinion of any Shiner products so far, I'm willing to forego any benefit of the doubt.
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2.71/5 rDev -23.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Dunkelweizen? Hmmmm....mostly sweet tree fruit, pecans barely noticeable. Decent head, light weight body and mouthfeel. Nothing memorable here, trying to place peaches in the realm of winter seasonal flavors, doesn’t work...
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Dunkelweizen? Hmmmm....mostly sweet tree fruit, pecans barely noticeable. Decent head, light weight body and mouthfeel. Nothing memorable here, trying to place peaches in the realm of winter seasonal flavors, doesn’t work...
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3.73/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
So to me the scent of this beer is actually enviting. Peaches on the edge of a malty base if not seeming a little too peachy. Maybe a little grape juice scented. I like the flavor. It's a beery drink with a peach ending. I like the sweet/bitter fight at the end of this beer. The only downside is the sweetness does linger on the palate a bit. It's really carbonated and a bit watery. Decent holiday beer if you ask me.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
So to me the scent of this beer is actually enviting. Peaches on the edge of a malty base if not seeming a little too peachy. Maybe a little grape juice scented. I like the flavor. It's a beery drink with a peach ending. I like the sweet/bitter fight at the end of this beer. The only downside is the sweetness does linger on the palate a bit. It's really carbonated and a bit watery. Decent holiday beer if you ask me.
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3.46/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Wow a holiday beer in mid October...it gets earlier every year it seems like.Poured into a weizen glass a deep reddish infused russet color with a thinner pillow-like head atop.Peach and toasted wheat in the nose,not bad but the peach seemed artificial,maybe its not,just seemed so.Alot of peach flavor and there is some of the roasted pecan flavor in there,its smooth and surprisingly rich.A bit of toasted wheat malt to go with the fruity and nuttiy flavors.Not a bad beer,I bought it for my wife and I came out liking it more than her.Again Shiner gives me a pleasant surprise.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Wow a holiday beer in mid October...it gets earlier every year it seems like.Poured into a weizen glass a deep reddish infused russet color with a thinner pillow-like head atop.Peach and toasted wheat in the nose,not bad but the peach seemed artificial,maybe its not,just seemed so.Alot of peach flavor and there is some of the roasted pecan flavor in there,its smooth and surprisingly rich.A bit of toasted wheat malt to go with the fruity and nuttiy flavors.Not a bad beer,I bought it for my wife and I came out liking it more than her.Again Shiner gives me a pleasant surprise.
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3.23/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A- Awefully clear for a Dunkelweisse. Red/amber with, I think, the most bubbles i've ever seen rising to a frothy head.
S- Peachy? Yes. Also, somewhat of a dirty dish sponge note that is off-putting and some sweet malt.
T&M- Fairly muddled taste, but clearly peachy. Slightly nutty in the finish, but the highlights for me were caramel and vanilla in the mid-palate, and a nice malty mouthfeel. Gets a little better as it warms.
Not a very desirable beer by any means and definately a stretch calling this a Dunkelweiss.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A- Awefully clear for a Dunkelweisse. Red/amber with, I think, the most bubbles i've ever seen rising to a frothy head.
S- Peachy? Yes. Also, somewhat of a dirty dish sponge note that is off-putting and some sweet malt.
T&M- Fairly muddled taste, but clearly peachy. Slightly nutty in the finish, but the highlights for me were caramel and vanilla in the mid-palate, and a nice malty mouthfeel. Gets a little better as it warms.
Not a very desirable beer by any means and definately a stretch calling this a Dunkelweiss.
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3.53/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Notes from 11/30/2010; best by 2/17/11
Pours a deep reddish brown w/1-2 fingers of light brown head.
Smell is massive peach aroma. It is interesting but a little domineering. Wheat and malt aromas come through as well.
Taste is peach, wheat and malt predominately, though some faint notes of pecan do come through. Interesting flavor combination, actually tastes pretty good.
Mouthfeel is light and clean.
Overall, the peach is a bit much after awhile, but I though this was an unexpectedly interesting, easy drinking holiday brew.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Notes from 11/30/2010; best by 2/17/11
Pours a deep reddish brown w/1-2 fingers of light brown head.
Smell is massive peach aroma. It is interesting but a little domineering. Wheat and malt aromas come through as well.
Taste is peach, wheat and malt predominately, though some faint notes of pecan do come through. Interesting flavor combination, actually tastes pretty good.
Mouthfeel is light and clean.
Overall, the peach is a bit much after awhile, but I though this was an unexpectedly interesting, easy drinking holiday brew.
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Shiner Holiday Cheer from Spoetzl Brewery / Shiner
3.53
out of 5
based on 1,580 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I wasn't going to spend the time reviewing this beer until I read that it was brewed with peaches and pecans. So...
A: Forms a nice head that sticks around. Quite dark in color, but the fact that they mentioned the addition of caramel color makes it feel like their cheating.
S: Sure enough - dominant peachy smell, with butty, bready underlayers.
T: Peachy keen. Somewhat sour, and malty flavors, but they fade pretty quickly, and there's not much finish to it.
M: Almost creamy, but tends toward watery. Somewhat insufficient carbonation. Not terrible, but nothing great.
D: The peach flavor is novel, but I'm not compelled to have more. I'll add the bottle to my Christmas collection, but I'm think I'm pretty much done.
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