Welcome back to FTW’s Beverage of the Week series. In this space, we mainly discuss and review a variety of beers, but we don’t limit ourselves, any drink that pairs well with sports is welcome. Indeed, even cookie dough whiskey.

Shiner Bock occupies a unique position in the realm of smaller beers that have achieved widespread popularity. It’s a beer that is mass produced but it still maintains a strong connection to its local origin.

Just as Sam Adams is intrinsically linked with the city of Boston, Shiner is unquestionably Texan. Although the iconic Massachusetts brewer is known for being a trailblazer in the craft beer sector, Shiner has a more universally appealing vibe. It seems more accessible. It lacks pretentious airs.

A lot of this down-to-earth appeal stems from Shiner Bock, the company’s centerpiece beer, which is just refreshingly simple to drink. It’s basic, unpretentious, malty goodness that’s a notch above the generic golden lagers found in most supermarkets or bottle shops. And you can often get it for just a tiny bit more than what you’d pay for a Miller High Life or a Coors Banquet beer.

Shiner is known for more than its Bock. Do the other beers produced by the company meet the expectations set by its well-regarded headliner? The arrival of cooler weather, although still mild by Texas standards, has introduced a collection of new seasonal beers from the brewery. It’s time to try these new options.

The first taste confirms this. Its roasted malt leans toward caramel instead of chocolate, but overall its taste mirrors its aroma: rich and full-bodied. A subtle note of hoppiness emerges towards the end, adding a touch of bitterness.

The roasted malt hints at a bit of coffee. Despite its lack of complexity, it’s a high-quality beer that’s readily available at most liquor stores at reasonable prices for a six-pack. It’s easy to enjoy, and not one that would become tiresome after two or three drinks. Whilst the chilly weather sets in, this beer may not exactly be a warmer, but it’s a good choice to sip by a fire, or more likely, while enjoying a lineup of bowl games from the comfort of your couch.

The beer is a rosy golden yellow shade when poured, topped with about half an inch of frothy white foam. The aroma reveals a touch of juicy citrus – perhaps tangerine or pineapple – along with some light hops.

Enriched with fruity flavors yet having a dry finish that imparts a subtle bitter hop taste. Far from overwhelming, it gives you gentle reminder of its pale ale roots, veiled under a vibrant pour and tangy aroma. The dry inclusion keeps the juice from dominating the brew and encourages repeat tasting.

However, the flavorful quotient could have been enhanced a notch. It stands in the good range, missing out on greatness. That said, having in mind the $7 cost per six-pack, it presents good value and is conveniently available everywhere.

This beer has less than 100 calories, comes with a large frothy head that fades away quickly indicating that the carbonation’s main role here is to make a less memorable taste linger on your taste buds only briefly. The aroma is refreshing and slightly like soap, this quality diminishing when you pour it out of the can.

Overall, the beer experience can be summed up as a smooth, carbonated journey devoid of any robust flavor. You’ll get some corn and light beer traits but mostly, it’s an unremarkable 99 calorie beverage. Still it’s alright. Perhaps it trumps a Miller or Coors light, but remember, taste preferrences can differ.

Releasing the seal on the can brings out a potent blend of citrusy sweetness with a hint of floral nuances. It offers a two-inch froth that promptly fizzles out. Everything indicates this would be an ideal beer to gulp down during hot weather conditions.

However, the balance seems a bit off. It’s sort of halfway between fructose sweetness and being a lager, without fully gratifying either aspect. The aroma is delightful but tastes slightly lacking, like an Abita Purple Haze that gave up midway between brewing and bottling. It’s a perfect choice on a scorching day, but there’s not much to it. It’s a disappointing start in a can, but not entirely off-putting.

The pour is consistent with Shiner’s other beers; showcasing a sizeable head that scurries away before you can whinge about the froth. It gives off a malty fragrance with a hint of fruitiness. It reminds one of grainy malts and carbonation, in the most wonderful manner. It’s an easy-to-drink beer that tastes distinctly like beer, a touch that works exceptionally well at a tailgate, a gathering, or a formal dinner.

Shiner Bock is like a chameleon, a budget-friendly beer that surpasses its expected taste and exudes an elegant look uncharacteristic of a Southeastern Texas origin. It’s an ideal choice for those shopping at Target, being more reasonably priced than the overhyped craft beers that a bulk retailer with minor interest in beer tends to promote, and outshines the other typical beers lined up beside it. Although options better than Shiner Bock are available, but in terms of accessibility and cost, the Spoetzl Brewery’s has got your covered.

Shiner exists on the same plane as Hamm’s for me. Inexpensive and utterly drinkable. I don’t quite hold it in the same reverence as Hamm’s — seriously, Hamm’s is great, dirt cheap beer — but I’ll never turn one down. Except maybe the Prickly Pear. That was a little disappointing.

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