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Brewery Tour - Spoetzl Brewery

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• Spoetzl Brewery

I went to you for my birthday to enjoy the day with the wife. It was a great day and next time I... read more

The morning I visited the staff were celebrating being named the best brewery tour in Texas and... read more

Brewery Tour

Making your way through Shiner Texas? A pit stop at their brewery is a must! We have visited and toured multiple breweries around the world. This brewery is by far, one of our favorites for numerous reasons. It is staffed with friendly and highly knowledgeable Shiner beer connoisseurs who never intimidate you for asking about their product . Very large-spacious and clean establishment. We happened to visit when they were having their distillery grand opening. They have a very large beer garden with plenty of space for the little ones to play corn hole. They have a new section where they have bbq style menu available. Will definitely be back to taste that! Their guided tour is amazing! It's great that you get a cute souvenir bag as an added bonus!

This brewery tour is one of the best put together brewery tours I have experienced. You pay for the tour, guest bag with a few items and tokens to exchange for Shiner beer. The tour includes videos, demonstrations, and graphics that are easy to follow, interesting and educational and our guide was so good. We used one token for a beer we took along on the tour and used the additional tokens to enjoy beer in the outdoor beer garden area afterwards. There is a nice gift shop, restrooms and onsite BBQ vendor where you can purchase food. The line for the BBQ was very long and moving slowly the day/time we visited (Saturday around 12noon) so we passed on that, but have heard from others it is very good BBQ. Great experience, learned so much and enjoyed great beer.

We’ve been here before and boy has it grown! We were here this past Saturday, a great shaded area with fans, also picnic tables with umbrellas. They have Cornhole boards and washer games. On the weekends they have live entertainment. I bought a package for $150 which consisted of 75 beer tokens, 8 passes for the tour of the brewery, definitely the best value if you’re in a bigger group or live in the area and go often. The food there was very good as well, some of the best bbq I’ve had!

Came here years ago for the free tour, now the want 25 bucks... F that. I'm not going to pay 50 bucks for me and my wife to look at a brewery

We were driving through the area and had to stop. This brewery has really grown over the years. We had a knowledgeable tour guide and it was about an hour long tour. We were able to grab a beer to take along. Good value with three beers for the $25 cost. We liked everything we sampled. Next time we will check out the bbq restaurant. Too bad the state doesn’t let them sell to-go beer on site.

When people think of Shiner, what immediately comes to mind is Shiner Bock beer. This is an interesting factory tour where you can see the details of production, from filling the bottles to putting them in boxes. Be prepared to spend $35 for a small cooler or $27 for a gift bag as the price of admission for each visitor, but it is worth it. And, you will receive several tokens for fresh beer. Tours begin at 11 and end at 4. On site is a BBQ restaurant.

The Best Brewery Tour? Spoetzl Brewery – Shiner, Texas

When we had a free day during our trip to Texas, we looked for something to do. Visiting this place was always on my radar but now seemed to be the best time for a day trip.

The Spoetzl Brewery is located about 90 minutes from Austin, New Braunfels and San Antonio and just 2 hours from Houston.

While the brewery might not be a household name, many people will recognize their most known beer, Shiner Bock. If you’re in a Texas bar and order a “Shiner,” that’s what you’ll get.

The Spoetzl Brewery is located in Shiner, TX, population 2069 (for as long as anyone can remember).

If you’re looking to put the address into your GPS, it’s located at 603 E Brewery St, Shiner, TX 77984.

Brewery tours currently run from 11:00 a.m. on Monday through Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. The last tour is at 4:00 p.m. every day. The entrance fee is $15 that includes a token that can be exchanged for a Shiner beer of your choice. If you’re planning a visit, you can book your tour online reserving your place.

When you arrive at the brewery, the check-in is located in the original building.

From here, the tour group is led into the brewery building where the first stop is a film about the history of the brewery and its roots in Shiner, TX.

When telling a story, it helps if the founder of the brewery was a bit of a character and was arrested during prohibition for carrying alcohol across state lines (also known as bootlegging.) The brewery neither admits nor shies away from the claim that it may have happened.

While the brewery operated in Shiner for decades, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the beer became popular with the counterculture of Austin, TX. While Shiner was miles away from that scene in distance and culture, the brewery never tried to remove itself from what was growing to be their most loyal customers.

The brewery produced many beers but eventually one of their products became the primary brand. Shiner Bock.

After the history, the tour entered the brewery. They got the basics out of the way first.

We spent a few minutes in the room where we learned the ingredients of beer.

Then we were shown the vessels where the brewery made the beer.

From here, we were led to the observation area over the most amazing part of the tour, the bottling plant.

From the area where the bottles or cans are prepared.

To where the bottles are pasteurized

To where the bottles or cans are prepared for packaging into cases or boxes. I dare anyone who’s old enough to not think about putting a rubber glove on one of the bottles as it goes down the line.

In the next room is the machine that fills the kegs with Shiner Beers.

And the amazing robot arm that loads the empty kegs onto the filling line and stacks the filled kegs onto pallets for shipping. The robot is named after a former employee who would spend day after day packing full kegs. The story is once he retired, no one else could do the job so they purchased the robot.

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Shiner beers. He was working there for a while but was hired just before COVID shut down the tours. To the brewery’s credit, they didn’t lay off any employees. Instead, they put the guides to work dumping entire production runs of beer that didn’t meet quality standards. He said the crew spent several months opening bottles of beer and dumping them down the drain.

During our tour we learned the Shiner does not license any of the brewing of its beers to other breweries. For example, the Budweiser you drink is most likely made from a brewery near your home. If you buy a Shiner Bock anywhere, it was made in the brewery in Shiner, TX on this production line.

That’s pretty cool when I pick up a six-pack from the Publix around the corner from my home in Florida. There’s a certain Texas feel when you drink a Shiner, like how they encourage using their empty cans for target practice.

When we were finished with the tour, we cashed in our tokens for some beers from the bar.

There was a beer garden under a covering with picnic tables. If you wanted, it seemed like a place where you could spend some time enjoying a beer while the kids played a game of cornhole on the lawn.

The Shiner Brewery hit the perfect balance of education and storytelling to make a brewery tour interesting. They even had an interactive game to see if you could beat the bottling plant in putting a label on the bottle, but that was closed due to COVID.

If you’re in central Texas and have an afternoon with no plans or if you are a huge beer fan, I’d recommend making a side trip to Shiner, TX, and checking out the brewery.

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30+ years ago we drove often from where we lived in Manchester NH to my parents’ home near Boston. The drive took us past the Budweiser brewery in Merrimack NH. We stopped to take the tour one time and noticed that the place you went for the free beer after the brewery tour was right next to the barn where the Clydesdales were on display. You didn’t have to take the tour to see the horses. Several times after that we stopped to “see the horses” and then went from there in the door to the beer place and got a free one. That’s the way to do a brewery tour.

You can pasteurize milk. You can pasteurize beer. You cannot pasteurize bottles.

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Shiner Brewery Tour: 110 Years of Texas Beer History

Updated: Oct 21, 2022 · Published: Feb 2, 2022 by Dave Lee | May contain affiliate links

Shiner is synonymous with Texas beer, and there's no better way to learn more about it than on a Shiner brewery tour.

When the opportunity to join a media trip to tour the brewery came up, I jumped at the chance. Road trip!

Tours cover the brewery's 110+ year history and include tastings. I came away a new fan of several seasonal beers.

Table of Contents

Brewery Tour

Beer tasting, shiner at howard's, plan your trip, history of spoetzl brewery.

The Spoetzl Brewery, named after its first owner, Kosmos Spoetzl, was founded in 1909 by German and Czech immigrants.

Artisan well water under the town offered a limitless supply of a key ingredient.

As the brewery grew in popularity, they searched for a well-trained brewmaster.

Enter Kosmos, a Bavarian-born German brewmaster who spent his life brewing beer around the world, including stints in Cairo, Canada , and San Francisco .

He'd come to San Antonio, Texas, searching for warmer weather, and soon learned about the opportunity to buy the little brewery.

Kosmos became the owner in 1915 and worked there for nearly 50 years before passing the torch.

He helped the brewery survive Prohibition by selling ice and low-alcohol beer.

Spoetzl Brewery is the oldest independent brewery in Texas and the fourth-largest craft brewery in the U.S.

As you can tell from the photo above, I took a Shiner brewery tour in December, when the facility was decorated for Christmas. We began in the taproom with our beer of choice.

Feeling festive, I chose Shiner's Holiday Cheer, a Bavarian Style Dark Wheat (Dunkelweizen) beer made with local Hill Country peaches and roasted pecans.

After enjoying my first beer, our guide for the brewery tour led us from the taproom to a hallway with a life-size sculpture of Kosmos Spoetzl.

The lights dimmed, and we were treated to a multimedia presentation about this life and arrival in Shiner, TX.

When the show was over, we walked through a pair of doors into a nicely decorated room. Here, the beer-making process was explained.

The tops of the many fermenters used to brew Shiner beer were to our right.

There were silver stainless steel fermenters and original copper ones, too.

As is written on the wall, "every drop of Shiner is brewed in Shiner." Today, that's six million cases worth of beer annually!

I was reminded of the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, which relies on local well water for its product.

Like Shiner beer, every drop of Jack Daniel's ever made comes from the one distillery.

See also: Best Bars in Nashville

As the tour continued, we were led to an observation deck overlooking the bottling plant.

There's an impressive sculpture made from thousands of Shiner beer bottles in the shape of a ram's head.

And we learned about Miss Celie, the country's only female brewery proprietress, from 1950 to 1966.

The view of the production line for Shiner's beer reminded me of that 70s sitcom Laverne & Shirley .

I was old enough to watch this show about two women working at a beer plant in Milwaukee.

I could almost hear the theme song playing as the bottles went by.

The penultimate stop on our Shiner brewery tour was a memorabilia-filled bar.

There were black and white pictures of the founder, Kosmos Spoetzl, and posters from the Bocktoberfest concert series, which used to be held at the brewery each October.

Last but certainly not least, we were treated to a thorough beer tasting in the brewery's taproom, where we began.

Jimmy Mauric, Shiner's sixth brewmaster, was present to tell us all about the many (many) beers we were trying.

My favorite was the Sea Salt & Lime, which began as a seasonal summer brew and became so popular they started offering it year-round.

It's made with artisanal Mediterranean sea salt and natural lime peel.

I appreciate how Shiner invests in high-quality ingredients, whether they're sourcing local peaches for their Holiday Cheer beer or sea salt from Europe.

Once we'd run through at least a half-dozen beer samples, we moved on to the hard seltzers, which Spoetzl Brewery has also begun to produce.

Like Shiner's beer, they're using the same clean well water to make flavored seltzers, which is now a billion-dollar market.

The 100-calorie Watermelon Margarita was my favorite seltzer of the ones we tried.

Jimmy's joy for brewing beer was self-evident, and it was a fun and engaging way to conclude the tour.

After thanking Jimmy and our other tour guide, I wandered into the Shiner gift shop adjoining the taproom and perused their product line.

A large covered patio outside offers ample seating should you want to stay a little longer and enjoy the atmosphere. I imagine it fills up on weekends.

If you're planning a day trip to Shiner for a brewery tour, give yourself extra time to stop by Howard's (1701 N Ave E, Shiner, TX), a hangout spot for locals.

Howard's, as I quickly discovered, has a lot to offer:

• Gas station
• Convenience store
• Movie rentals
• Shiner draft beer on tap
• Shiner bottled beer
• Patio for drinking your Shiner beer

Since I wasn't driving, I took the opportunity to indulge in one of those Shiner Sea Salt & Lime beers I'd gotten a taste for back at the brewery.

Getting There

Address: Spoetzl Brewery, 603 E Brewery St, Shiner, TX 77984

The brewery is about 84 miles southeast of Austin and 92 miles east of San Antonio. It's about a 90-minute drive from either city, without traffic.

The drive from Houston is a little longer at 127 miles and about two hours.

Regardless of which major city you're coming from, it's worth making a day out of the trip.

If driving down from Austin, stop at Smitty's Market in Lockhart for a BBQ lunch.

The cost of a tour is currently $20 for adults and $10 for those under 21. Children nine and younger can go for free.

Brewery tours are offered hourly from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

For more details, visit shiner.com .

This story results from a media trip to Spoetzl Brewery; my complimentary tour and drinks didn't necessarily reflect the standard tour.

More Drinks

Spoetzl Brewery offers new tours, new BBQ restaurant in Shiner, Texas

See how shiner beer is made on new tours.

Spoetzl Brewery is offering new tours. Learn about the 114 year history of Shiner beer and how it's made.

SHINER, Texas - The Spoetzl Brewery is the oldest craft brewery in Texas and the oldest nationally distributed independent craft brewer.

It's also home to Shiner Beer and is situated in the heart of Texas barbecue country.

Every drop of Shiner Beer is brewed at the original location established in 1909 by a collective of German and Czech settlers.

In 1914, a Bavarian named Kosmos Spoetzl was recruited to join the brewery, helping to refine and master the Shiner brewing process with his innovative spin on traditional methods.

Inside the pilot brewing area at Spoetzl Brewery

The Spoetzl Brewery is the oldest craft brewery in Texas and the oldest nationally distributed independent craft brewer. It's also home to Shiner beer.

Bock beer was traditionally brewed in Germany to celebrate the coming of Spring, and beginning in 1972, Shiner Bock was enjoyed seasonally. 

Due to popular demand, the Spoetzl Brewery has been brewing Shiner Bock year-round since 1974.

Shiner Bock is now the No. 1 craft beer in Texas. Production has been overseen by brewmaster Jimmy Mauric since 2005.

After over 114 years of crafting unique and innovative brews, Shiner is pushing the boundaries even further with the historic opening of a distillery at Spoetzl Brewery.

What's on the menu at Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas

FOX 7's Tierra Neubaum takes us to Spoetzl Brewery to meet the pitmaster at Shiner Barbeque Co.

Shiner beer recently opened its first ever barbecue restaurant.

"We wanted to create a local BBQ option for our visitors so Spoetzl Brewery came to me because my family has been making BBQ at home for generations," said Pitmaster Tommy Schuette.

"Now, visitors in Shiner get to enjoy authentic BBQ on-site at the brewery and I get to keep doing what I love."

sHINER BreW vIEW

Coming soon.

Family owned and operated short term rental in Shiner, Texas

Small Town, Big Heart, and a Brewery View

Come and enjoy a backyard view of the Spoetzl Brewery, known world-wide for brewing Shiner Bock beer. We are in the heart of it all - only a two-block stroll to the brewery and downtown.   Enjoy being close to all the locally owned and operated shops, restaurants, and businesses in the heart of Shiner. You will experience, first-hand, what big hearts folks have in our small town!

Historic Shiner, Texas

Shiner began as a Native American settlement, which they called Half Moon because of the curious grove of trees growing in that same shape. Our family's ancestors lived here in the 1890s and were here when Half Moon became known as Shiner. Some of those relatives even operated one of Shiner's first hotels when the railroad came through. Looks like it runs in the family!

We're Famous!

You may have heard of our hometown because of the world-famous Shiner Beer that is made right down the street. The beer was named after our town, and it is still brewed right here at the Spoetzl Brewery. Come stay at Brew View! Not only can you hear live music from the brewery, but you can also enjoy a tour and a taste from our neighbor who helped put Shiner, Texas, on the map! 

We don't want to put the cart before the horse.

We are very excited to host our new guests (that's you!), but we are working hard to get our property ready (we are getting so close!). Send us an email and you can be the first to know when we are accepting reservations. 

Have any questions about Shiner? Email us!

Shiner, Texas, United States

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Sip Through History: A Texan Adventure at Shiner Bock Brewery!

Embark on an exhilarating journey through time and taste, as we delve into the rich heritage of Shiner Bock Beer , an iconic Texan treasure brewed in the heart of Shiner, Texas. The Spoetzl Brewery, a captivating landmark, opens its gates for beer lovers, history buffs, and thrill-seekers alike. Don’t forget to plan your route to include a stop at Buc-ees .

Quick Facts:

• Geographic Location: Shiner, Texas
• Unique Characteristics: One of the oldest independent breweries in the United States, with a rich history dating back to 1909.
• Beer Production: Over 600,000 barrels per year, equivalent to approximately 186 million 12-ounce cans!
• Factory Size: 523,000 sqft (about 9 football fields or 11 Olympic-sized swimming pools)

A Rich Brew of History

The Spoetzl Brewery was founded in 1909 by a spirited German immigrant, Kosmos Spoetzl. His expertise as a trained brewmaster blended with the time-honored European brewing traditions to craft a legacy that stands tall even today.

During Prohibition, Spoetzl Brewery was one of the few fortunate breweries permitted to produce beer for medicinal purposes. Their resilience and innovation were the yeast that kept their spirit alive during this period.

For over a century, the Spoetzl Brewery has been brewing Shiner Beers with love and devotion. They proudly boast of being one of the oldest and the largest independent breweries in the United States. With over ten different types of Shiner Beers, they continue to innovate while staying rooted in tradition.

Shiner’s Star Studded Line-up

Shiner Beers are a diverse array of brews that cater to a spectrum of palates. Let’s dive deeper into some of the brewery’s shining stars:

• Shiner Bock – The crowning glory and flagship beer, Shiner Bock, is known for its distinct amber hue and a slightly sweet, malty taste. With a 4.4% ABV, it’s perfect for those who seek a rich, yet smooth experience.
• Shiner Light Blonde – This is Shiner’s answer to the American Light Lager. With just 99 calories and 4.2% ABV, it’s the ideal companion for those hot Texan days when you crave something light and refreshing.
• Shiner Black Lager – A Bohemian Black Lager that offers a depth of flavors. With notes of chocolate and coffee, this dark beauty is surprisingly smooth and boasts a 4.9% ABV.
• Shiner Holiday Cheer – A seasonal favorite, this Dunkelweizen is brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. It’s festive, fruity, and nutty, making it perfect for holiday celebrations. It has a 5.4% ABV.
• Shiner Wicked Juicy IPA – A contemporary take on the classic IPA, Shiner’s Wicked Juicy packs a hoppy punch. Bursting with citrus and a hint of pine, this brew boasts a 5.7% ABV and caters to those seeking a bold adventure in every sip.

Spoetzl Brewery Tours

Quench your thirst for knowledge and beer with the Spoetzl Brewery Tours . Situated in Shiner, TX, the brewery offers guided tours where visitors are enveloped in the aromatic embrace of brewing barley and hops. Witness the magic that turns simple ingredients into the Shiner Beers you adore. Don’t forget to stop by the tasting room where you can sample various Shiner Beers.

Shiner Bock Festival – Bocktoberfest!

Shiner’s Bocktoberfest is an electrifying annual extravaganza, generally held in October. Spanning over a weekend, this festival is a cornucopia of entertainment.

• Music : With a variety of genres including country, rock, and Texas music, Bocktoberfest boasts an impressive lineup of local and national bands. The air is filled with the invigorating sounds of guitars, fiddles, and foot-tapping tunes.
• Food & Drinks : What’s a festival without a delightful culinary experience? Indulge in a variety of food vendors offering Texan BBQ, German sausages, and an array of mouth-watering treats. And of course, there’s no shortage of Shiner Beers to wash it all down.
• Activities & Attractions : The festival also features fun activities like beer stein hoisting competitions, barrel rolling races, and even a 5K Bock n’ Roll! Moreover, there are arts and crafts booths for those who want to take a piece of Shiner home.
• Camping : To fully immerse in the Bocktoberfest experience, many attendees opt to camp. The festival grounds offer camping options for those who want to enjoy both days without the worry of driving.

This festival is not just about the beers; it’s about the community, the music, and celebrating the culture that makes Shiner Bock and the town of Shiner so special.

Whether you’re a beer aficionado, history enthusiast, or simply looking for a memorable adventure, a visit to the Spoetzl Brewery is a Texan rite of passage. Shiner Bock Beer has carved a special place in the hearts of Texans with its rich heritage, range of flavors, and indomitable spirit. So, fuel up and hit the road to Shiner, where a frothy glass of Texan pride awaits you!

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Daytripping and sipping in Shiner, Texas

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I’m sitting at a picnic table on the grounds of Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, sipping a cold one that tastes like a Texas summer and thinking about all ​ of ​ the beers that have been swilled on this oak-shaded expanse of grass.  

A lot, I’m sure.  

Kosmos Spoetzl, a ​ brewmaster ​ ​ who immigrated here from Germany, founded this brewery ​ ––  ​ ​ a cluster of bright white buildings in a charming small Texas town ​ ––  ​ ​

in 1909. Today Spoetzl churns out 6 million cases of beer a year, of which about 70 percent is Shiner Bock, a dark American lager.  

That bock was once a seasonal brew, sold only around Easter.   

Read more: Discover more than fossilized tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park  

But after the Austin music scene discovered it in the 1970s, it became so popular ​ that ​ the brewery started making it year-round.  

“Today it’s beloved by hippies and country folk alike,” Tom Fiorenzi, Spoetzl’s director of brewery operations, says of the bock.  

Spoetzl BBQ Co. opened at Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner in April. Pam LeBlanc photo

The Ruby Redbird I’m drinking, made with a splash of grapefruit and a kick of ginger, goes great with the plate of barbecue now sitting in front of me. I picked it up at Spoetzl BBQ Co., which opened last month on the brewery premises. The sausage tastes best, the brisket could be more tender, and the pulled pork adds a little zip to the montage of meat. The restaurant does coleslaw right, without all ​ of ​ that soupy mayonnaise.   

In a few minutes, I’m going to check out another new offering here in what feels like the beer, booze, and barbecue lover’s version of Disneyland – a distillery tour washed down with a paloma made with Shiner vodka instead of tequila.   

The Cleanest Little Town in Texas  

I made the trip to Shiner, which a billboard at the city limits proclaims is “The Cleanest Little Town in Texas,” to do a little exploring. The town, population 2,127, is located about halfway between Houston and San Antonio.   

Honestly, I came for the beer, which I’ve always associated with true Texas bars and backyard gatherings.  

“Shiner for a Texan is like a warm blanket,” says Tom Fiorenzi, director of brewery operations. “It’s been around 115 years and you know what you’re going to get.”  

Read more: Eight beginner-friendly places to paddle in Central Texas  

The brew traces its roots to the German and Czech immigrants who settled in Shiner more than a century ago. They missed the suds they drank in the Old Country and began using the town’s artesian water to make beer the old-fashioned way.   

Today you can buy Shiner in all 50 states, plus Mexico and Puerto Rico.  

Now company officials hope that Spoetzl’s new line of vodka, gin, moonshine, and bourbon will prove just as popular.  

Tour the brewery  

Visitors pose in front of a wall of beer during a tour of Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas. Pam LeBlanc photo

First things first. No visit to Shiner is complete without a tour of the brewery.  

Here at the Spoetzl Brewery, you’ll find a dozen or more varieties on tap at any time, from the famous Bock to the Ruby Redbird I’m enjoying, to the feisty TexHex ​ IPA ​ Bruja’s Brew ​ IP A ​ , which, according to the website, is “forged with fire, magic and sin.”  

A 45-minute tour through the brewery gives you a behind-the-scenes peek at how it’s made. You’ll learn about how Kosmos got things rolling, stroll along an elevated walkway that offers a good view of the production and packaging lines, sniff a jar of fresh hops (which are stored in an undisclosed location) and sample up to three 16-ounce beers.   

Tours cost $25, and it’s best to make reservations in advance ​ , ​ because group size is limited.  

​ ​ T ​ he distillery    

The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner now makes craft moonshine, vodka and gin. Pam LeBlanc photo

Company officials began dreaming up the idea to make distilled spirits here at Spoetzl about five years ago.   

They reconfigured some unused space in the brewery, repurposed old beer storage tanks and ordered equipment from far-off Scotland. Now they’re writing the next chapter in Spoetzl’s story.  

“We shook the dust off and brought it back to life,” says Jessica Michalec, head of Spoetzl’s distilling operations.  

Lavaca County, home of Shiner, has a long tradition with adult beverages. Crafty residents looking for a revenue stream began making moonshine during Prohibition, and a ccording to local lore, hid it in underground caves around the county.  

Today, the distillers at Spoetzl use beer as the base alcohol to make gin, moonshine, vodka, and bourbon . The lineup of distilled spirits may eventually expand to include straight whiskey or rye.   

“We’re taking craft beer and turning it into craft spirits,” Michalec says. “ And because of our brewing capacity, we’re already set up for it.”  

“Every product that we will make will come from beer that we’ve crafted in our brewhouse,” Michalec says.  

The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner now makes distilled spirits, too. Pam LeBlanc photo

Spoetzl Brewery officials hope to start offering distillery tours and selling bottled spirits later this spring. In the meantime, belly up to the bar for a cocktail. (Bourbon ​ aficionados ​ will have to wait a little longer; it must be aged for two years before it’s ready to drink.)  

You can tour the distilling operations, too. Make reservations online before you go.    

Beyond the brewery  

If you make the drive to Shiner, don’t stop exploring after you’ve visited the Spoetzl Brewery.   

For a deeper dive into the Shiner’s history, drop by the Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum , 306 South Avenue I. There you can peruse an old-time country store, look at dinosaur bones, check out a display of antique dolls, peruse musical instruments and see tools once used by farmers in the area.   

The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.   

Shiner is home to one of Central Texas’ famous painted churches, too.  

The Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, at 306 South Avenue F, features vaulted ceilings and interior murals, including one depicting angels floating on clouds. The original church at the site dates to 1890, but it was damaged by a tornado in 1892. A larger church was built in the 1920s, and that building was restored in 1954. Berlin-trained artist Edmond Fatjo painted the murals shortly thereafter.   

Getting there:

It takes about 90 minutes to drive from Austin to Shiner, which is located at the intersection of Texas Highway 95 and Texas Highway 90.  

Tour Spoetzl Brewery, 603 E. Brewery Street. Learn about Shiner’s history at the Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum , 306 D. Avenue I. Visit the Saints Cyril and Methodius Church , 306 South Avenue F.   

Eat & Drink:

Try barbecue and beer at the Spoetzl Brewery , 603 E. Brewery Street; open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.   

Or drop by Friday’s Famous Fried Chicken at 122 Fifth Street.  

The 12 th annual Shiner Beer Run is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2023. Participants can choose from a 5K, 10K or half marathon.   

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15 Best Things to do in Shiner, TX

Located in the Texas Hill Country, Shiner is the perfect weekend getaway. You’ll find everything from shopping, parks, live music, antiques, and of course a tasting of Shiner beer at the famous Spoetzl Brewery.

Located between San Antonio and Houston, you’ll find this adorable small town that is filled with beautiful scenery, local parks, outdoor adventures, shopping, and delicious food!

There are so many fun things to do in this Lavaca Count town, making it a fun day trip of your passing through or a relaxing weekend getaway.

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Shiner is famous for being the home of Spoetzel Brewery, the producer of Shiner Bock, and is now distributed in 49 states. But beer isn’t all it’s known for. It also has the nickname the “Cleanest Little City in America.”

What to do in Shiner, TX

Antiques, art & beer.

This unique shop opened in 2003 and is a fun place to purchase unique items. Enjoy an adult beverage and snack on their homemade fudge while strolling through the boutique. 

The store features 300 beers, 180 wines, and antiques! The store is filled with an impressive collection of antiques souvenirs and memorabilia for purchase. 

Shiner Bluestem

This unique store is open from Wednesday thru Saturday and can be found on US Highway 90A.

It’s known for selling authentic Texas-made products. Everything from pies, organic meats, baked goods, noodles, artwork, souvenirs, furniture, jewelry, gifts, home decor, and more. 

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Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum

Whether you take a guided tour or walk through the museum at your own pace, you will enjoy several hours of exploring.

The museum features the history of Shiner and has large artifacts, rotating exhibits, vintage guns, musical instruments, antiques, and dinosaur bones. 

Gaslight Theatre

The Shiner Gaslight Theatre is a non-profit dinner theatre that holds132 guests. Opened in 1895, once hosted plays, political debates, and balls. It has since gone under major renovations, but the original proscenium arch remains.

Shows range from contemporary and classic theater and are a great family-friendly event. Productions take place three times per year and are always a popular event.

Green-Dickson Municipal Park

Situated on 148 acres, this park has it all. You can hook up your RV, catch a baseball game, and play on the volleyball courts. shoot hoops and enjoy the playgrounds. 

The park also features covered picnic areas and barbecue pits.

Hoffie & Lank Wolters Shiner Public Library

Most people may think a visit to the library isn’t their idea of fun. But if you love curling up in a corner with a good book or checking out the latest magazines, then this is a great option. 

Not only do they offer books, magazines, and free internet access, but also public meeting rooms, art displays, and cultural events.

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Howard’s Convenience Store

This is a unique and fun place to visit in Shiner. It’s a convenience store during the day and a music venue on the weekends.

Guests can enjoy Shiner beer on draft, listen to live music and enjoy the secret Biergarten. They do offer a small menu with light bites at the bar. 

Kaspar Wire Works

What began as a rancher using discarded steel wire fencing and turning them into steel baskets to transport hay and corn shucks. 

Today, Kaspar Wire Works is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of fan guards, fry baskets, and newspaper racks.

Plan to schedule a tour.

Maeker’s Sausage and Processing

A family-owned meat processing plant is where the locals shop for fresh meat. 

They offer a wide variety of meat both in large and small batches. Their handcrafted hickory-smoked sausages are a store favorite. 

Old City Hall

Built in 1927, once housed the town’s library and three firetrucks. It also features an auditorium that can seat 434 people and is where performances and political rallies took place.

Today, the City Hall is only home to the police station. It’s a unique structure to view and get a glimpse of Shiner’s past. 

Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

Placed on the US National Register of Historic Places in 1983, taking a self-guided tour of this stunning church is a must-do.

This is a great free thing to do with the family. The Romanesque Revival church architecture is stunning and the paintings and stained glass windows will have you feeling like you’re touring a batiste in Europe. 

Shiner Escape Rooms

Located near Spoetzl Brewery, the Shiner Escape Room is a fun place to go for a date night or out with friends. 

Choose from Evil Roy’s Mind escape room if you are looking for a scare. Or Cell Block D which has puzzles and riddles for you to solve before you can escape. 

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Shinerville Coffee House

Enjoy a slow morning and relax at this local coffee house. The coffee shop sources its milk from local dairy suppliers, and they buy their pastry offerings from local bakeries.

On sunny days, enjoy the spacious patio area while sipping on coffee. 

Spoetzl Brewery

A trip to Shiner, TX isn’t complete unless you take a tour of this brewery. Established in 1999, this family-owned brewery has a wide variety of Shiner Boch Beers for tasting and is Texas’ oldest independent brewery. 

After the tour, stop by the gift shop to purchase a few souvenirs. Then head out to the covered patio to listen to live music, play yard games, and enjoy a bottle of beer. 

Welhausen Park

If you’re looking for a spot to have a picnic or a place to let the kids burn off some energy, then Welhausen Park is a great place. Located on N Avenue E and has something fun for everyone. 

It’s located only a short walk from Downtown Shiner. Set up a picnic under the gazebo, play catch in the open field, or enjoy a few minutes on the swing set. The park also offers park benches and a giant chess set. 

About Chastity Velasquez

Chastity Velasquez is an outdoor enthusiast based in Fort Worth, TX. Chastity enjoys sharing affordable travel tips and bringing new places to life through her fun writing style. When she’s not writing or planning the next vacation, you can find her hiking, sipping on sweet tea, cheering on her son at his sporting events, or spending time with her husband.

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