Shiner Travel Guide

 keeweechic Says:  The Spoetzl Brewery is Texas' oldest independent brewery. The original tin brewery was founded in the centre of an Austrian, German, and Czech farming community near the railroad tracks in 1909. Kosmas Spoetzl, a German immigrant brewmaster, learned of the Shiner operation... 

 twoinluv Says:  If you are going to drink the best beer in the world (Shiner Bock), then you must pay homage to the brewery itself, the Spoetzel Brewery in Shiner, Texas. It is located in a tiny town between San Antonio and Houston. There are some B&Bs, and a small hotel that is just about... 

 ShinerBlonde Says:  Shiner's first Opera House lives again. Originally the setting for plays, balls, political debates, church socials, town meetings and "social hops", the opera House claimed a center of Shiner's social life from 1895 until 1927. Inactive for many years, The Gaslight Theatre... 

 ShinerBlonde Says:  This is an outstanding legacy of Shiner's history. It graciously displays an antique gun collection, old-time country store, dinosaur bones, embroidery and hand stitchery collection, a delightful doll display, musical instruments, an implement shed, and many other... 

 ShinerBlonde Says:  The Kasper Wire Works which is across the street from the brewery, also has tours, but by appointment. They celebrated their Centennial in 1998. The introduction of barbed wire in 1874 put a serious crimp in smooth wire sales. It was either attach all those barbs or find... 

 ShinerBlonde Says:  This is perhaps the main draw for those who visit Shiner. As you may have gathered by their recent ad campaign, Shiner Beer is "Brewed with an attitude". You can tour the brewery (Monday thru Friday 11a.m. & 1:30p.m.) and find out for yourself what kind of attitude. Just... 

 barbipez Says:  after your tour at the brewery, it's a good idea to hit Howard's store for a brewsky on tap. you can get any of the shiner beers available. a pint for something like a buck and a quarter. it's basically a gas station, but for the small town of shiner, is also a movie rental... 

 barbipez Says:  where Shiner Bock is made, along with Shiner Blond, Heffewisen, Shiner Light, and the winter and summer stocks. you can take a tour - given daily around 1:30 every afternoon.before and after the short tour you can sample some of the beer. i prefer the heffenwisen - non... 

 keeweechic Says:  Approximately 5,600 cases a day are produced which does not include kegs. They bottle only one brand a day (Bock, Blonde, Honey Wheat, Hefeweizen, Winter Ale or Summer Stock) which is based on distributor demand.(photo courtesy of Spoetzl Brewery) 

 barbipez Says:  a yearly event that combines great beer, great food and great music (this year -2003- to feature Nickelback) come rain or shine, the act will go on.expect long lines at the port-o-potties, but it's just a way to meet someone new, run into an old friend, or just stand... 

 keeweechic Says:  There are almost 25,000 barrels produced annually and almost all of these are marketed in the surrounding area. Don't forget to visit the gift shop, museum which features memorabilia from the brewery and the town of Shiner. Open daily, except Sunday. 

 keeweechic Says:  Unfortunately you were not allowed to take photos inside. This brewhouse apparently was the last built of this caliber in the last 20 years. The beautiful shiny copper cookers are kept in immaculate condition and you are not permitted to touch them. There are something like... 

 keeweechic Says:  The main ingredients in beer are water, malt (barley), hops and yeast. The water in the Spoetzl beer comes from a pure Artesian spring that runs deep beneath the ground. An important ingredient in beer is hops. Hops is a natural preservative and gives beer individuality,... 

 keeweechic Says:  Welhousen Park is located downtown and occupies a city block. There is a playground, water fountain and gazebo as well as a historic cannon. 

 barbipez Says:  it's basically the "fanciest" restaurant in this town of 2000. has the local country atmosphere - animal heads mounted on the walls, and they know how to make a great chicken fried steak with homemade gravy. you can't go there without knowing someone (unless you've never...