Has you favorite "State" brewery changed?

They changed the recipe in addition to the branding, so it's noticeably different, and much better imo, though the old Full Moon recipe was solid as well.

Jester King isn't a go-to everyday beer for most people. And even if it is, they don't have any offerings that are readily available any time of the year. Hell, some of their best recipes were brewed only once or twice and then never touched again (translation: BRING BACK THRASH METAL!!!!).

 

Yes!



Community Mosaic and the gose's from Anderson Valley are my only go to's lately.

 

My favorite changed to Real Ale since around 2008 and has stayed Real Ale since. First taste was at a brewery tour where the highlights were Empire and Devil's Backbone. Empire was the first IPA I liked and it opened the door to IPAs for me. Today Lost Gold and Full Moon are staples and they keep nailing the bombers and MV series.

Before Real Ale, Shiner was my favorite. I kind of outgrew Bock and they got rid of Dunkelweizen around the same time I first went to Real Ale and they have since discontinued the Hefeweizen. Now I occasionally buy the Black Lager.

 

I hadn't had Full Moon Rye Pale Ale since I first tried Real Ale in 2008 and didn't like it. I don't know how much they changed the recipe but I tried after and it got really good. I assumed it was the recipe tweak combined with my tastes changing.

 

Weedwhacker was never supposed to be competition for wheat beers like Weisse Versa or Live Oak hefe. It had some of the yeast flavors but whenever I've had it I always thought of it as a little more flavorful light beer.
It's still a lawnmower beer while Weisse Versa is a stronger wheat beer.

I'm not trying to say there's anything wrong with your opinion on this. I'm just saying that I think the beers have different purposes and goals.

 

I am impressed by Real Ale. I think it's one of the most solid breweries from TX. I didn't try a lot of their beers but I love their Gose (although a bit too limey but still good), Hans' Pils was great, and I've tried their Quad Belgium-style, which blew me away because I got it for 5.99 at HEB (22oz) and it was as good as any other Quad I've had but half the price.

I also like Oasis brewery from Austin, their Homesick and Metamodern really well done.

But I am getting tired of Shiner these days. When I first came to TX I really enjoyed Shiner Bock. I wasn't a craft beer drinker at the time or anything like that but that beer I really enjoyed. Now I can't drink it anymore and I don't know what it is. All of their new offerings making me go "ugh" as well.

I am also over Revolver, I got a lot of it for free and it just sits in my garage. Not bad but it gives me hangover. Rahr & Sons didn't really impress me either.

 

I like Oasis as well. I love the London Homesick, and Metamodern is probably my favorite session IPA (That isn't saying much because I don't really care for the style).
I want to really like the Luchesa, I think I've liked it some times I've had it but I recently bought a 6'er and struggled to drink it. It didn't taste clean like a lager but more like a blonde ale, and it seemed to coat my palate reducing my desire to take another sip.
I want to get another 6'er to see if it was just a batch or packaging problem, or if it was just old.

Shiner on the other hand... It's not something that I'd choose over any craft lager or session beer (although if my choices are all over 8% abv or Shiner then the Shiner will be a serious contender).
I still definitely do like Shiner Bock, and have few complaints when I buy it. The Bohemian Black Lager is actually really good, possibly one of my favorites and I love dark lagers. The rest of their beers I'll pass up, not a fan of their seasonals although the 2013 Oktoberfest was delicious, more recent ones have been less so.