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Shiner Pale Ale debuts
Shiner’s Wild Hare is rolling out to local stores as we speak.
The Wild Hare Pale Ale will be the newest addition to the year-round family of brews Shiner produces, alongside the Bock, Blonde, Light Blonde, Black Lager and Hefeweizen. It’s also the first ale Spoetzl Brewery has produced.
Golding and Bravo hops impart a light bitterness to the mix, and Munich and Caramel malts provide a light amber color and warm backbone. It’s definitely got more roasted malt flavor than what I am used to finding in a Pale Ale, but I’d argue that’s not a bad thing.
Get a taste of the new brew at the Whip In, who tweeted out that they tapped a keg today. Six-packs will hit local grocery and liquor store shelves next week.
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By anonymouse
January 25, 2012 4:04 PM | Link to this
Watch out Live Oak!
By notquiteso
January 26, 2012 8:24 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t Shiner make a couple of weizen-style beers? Those are ales. Also, they used to (or maybe still do) make a Kolsch style beer, which should traditionally use an ale yeast.
By Beer Drinker
January 26, 2012 11:44 AM | Link to this
notquiteso is right. Shiner makes a hefeweissen (or hefeweizen), a type of weissbier. Although Spoetzl is not technically bound by German law, all Weissbiers brewed in Germany must be top-fermented (meaning it’s an ale). Same with a Kolsch. Although a Kolsch is lagered (aged at a cool temperature), it is fermented with an ale yeast and is thus, an ale.
Emma- what was your source that this is Spoetzl’s first ale? Did that come from Spoetzl themselves (meaning that they’re brewing some weird, nontraditional hefeweissens and kolsches), or did you make that assumption because it was their first beer that had “ale” in the title?
By Emma
January 26, 2012 12:11 PM | Link to this
Hey notquiteso,
Thanks for bringing this up. Here’s the official word:
“It’s true that we’ve brewed beers that say “Ale” on the label, but that has to do with TABC regulations that required Texas-made beers with an ABV above a certain level to be called “Ale” no matter how they were produced (Shiner Hefe/Kolsch used lager yeast; thus, Wild Hare is the first true ale). The laws have recently changed, but the labels have yet to undergo the transition.”
Hope that helps clear up the confusion!
By Emma
January 26, 2012 12:23 PM | Link to this
Beer Drinker,
The source was in fact the Spoetzel people (no assumptions here!). However, I probably should have taken the time to explain why the beer is the brewery’s first ale, as that was a fact that caught my attention as curious also. My apologies.
By Beer Drinker
January 26, 2012 1:27 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the clarification. I didn’t consider TABC law when thinking about this. The TABC law seems pretty stupid (that’s putting it nicely) in that it would force a brewery to mislabel a lager just b/c it contains a certain ABV. Oh well, no one ever accused TABC of being smart.
Also, I assumed you wouldn’t assume. You’re reviews and info are usually spot on.
Keep up the good work. I know it must be hard to be a professional beverage critic.
By Emma
January 26, 2012 4:28 PM | Link to this
Thanks for reading, and for commenting too! :)