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Published 11:22 am, Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Shiner Beer fans, there is a reason why you haven’t seen your favorite summer seasonal beer on store shelves this year.
Shiner isn’t making its Prickly Pear fruit-flavored beer in 2017, taking a year off from the limited-run Texas hit which is a part of its Brewer’s Pride selections.
GRAB A COLD ONE: 22 cool facts about Shiner every Texan should know
The tart, citrusy brew has been replaced in that role this summer by Shiner Strawberry Blonde, which features strawberries from Poteet, the Strawberry Capital of Texas.
Shiner Beer fans, there is a reason why you haven’t seen your favorite summer seasonal beer on store shelves this year. Shiner isn’t making its Prickly Pear fruit-flavored beer in 2017, taking a year off from the limited-run Texas hit which is a part of its Brewer’s Pride selections.
Click through to learn more about the history of Shiner Beer…
Shiner Beer fans, there is a reason why you haven’t seen your favorite summer seasonal beer on store shelves this year. Shiner isn’t making its Prickly Pear fruit-flavored beer in 2017, taking a year off from
Shiner beer was born after Czech and German immigrants really missed the beer they drank at home. Click the gallery for more interesting Shiner facts.
Shiner beer was born after Czech and German immigrants really missed the beer they drank at home. Click the gallery for more interesting Shiner facts.
Photo: Eric Gay, AP
Photo: By Kristen Alligood, For MySA.com
Shiner is made in Spoetzl Brewery, which was born Jan. 19, 1909.
Shiner is made in Spoetzl Brewery, which was born Jan. 19, 1909.
Photo: Terry Scott Bertling / San Antonio Express-News
“Bock” is a German word for “goat.” But don’t be fooled, that’s a ram on the label, not a goat.
“Bock” is a German word for “goat.” But don’t be fooled, that’s a ram on the label, not a goat.
Photo: Danita Delimont, Getty Images
Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle
The brewery was named Shiner Brewing Association when it first set up shop in Shiner, Texas.
The brewery was named Shiner Brewing Association when it first set up shop in Shiner, Texas.
Photo: Terry Scott Bertling / San Antonio Express-News
A brewmaster who trained in Germany, Kosmos Spoetzl bought the brewery and renamed it after himself.
A brewmaster who trained in Germany, Kosmos Spoetzl bought the brewery and renamed it after himself.
Kosmos Spoetzl used to leave cold bottles of Shiner on fence posts around town for hardworking farmers. He gained a loyal following and invented the “Shiner beer break.”
Kosmos Spoetzl used to leave cold bottles of Shiner on fence posts around town for hardworking farmers. He gained a loyal following and invented the “Shiner beer break.”
Photo: JERRY LARA, Staff
The brewery made it through prohibition by offering malt beverage low in alcohol, referred to as “near-beer.” Only four other breweries in Texas could do that.
The brewery made it through prohibition by offering malt beverage low in alcohol, referred to as “near-beer.” Only four other breweries in Texas could do that.
When Shiner gained popularity across Texas, an “eclectic group” in Austin began drinking the beer for 30 cents a glass.
When Shiner gained popularity across Texas, an “eclectic group” in Austin began drinking the beer for 30 cents a glass.
The brewery has its own band! The Shiner Hobo Band was formed after World War I. Spoetzl suggested passing out beers behind the band when they played parades and a partnership was born.
The brewery has its own band! The Shiner Hobo Band was formed after World War I. Spoetzl suggested passing out beers behind the band when they played parades and a partnership was born.
Photo: special to the San Antonio Express-News
Spoetzl brewmaster Jimmy Mauric began working at the brewery when he was 17.
Spoetzl brewmaster Jimmy Mauric began working at the brewery when he was 17.
Photo: Fairfax Media
Shiner, Texas, is home to 2,069 people. And one stop light.
Shiner, Texas, is home to 2,069 people. And one stop light.
Photo: Terry Scott Bertling / San Antonio Express-News
Photo: Eric Gay, –
Shiner residents struck water in 1909 and the brewery has used the well water to create Shiner beer ever since.
Shiner residents struck water in 1909 and the brewery has used the well water to create Shiner beer ever since.
Photo: Terry Scott Bertling / San Anton
Shiner was sold exclusively in Texas until 1991, when the beer was distributed in Nashville.
Shiner was sold exclusively in Texas until 1991, when the beer was distributed in Nashville.
You’ll often here “prosit!” around the brewery before people take a drink. It’s a German expression used when toasting to someone’s health.
You’ll often here “prosit!” around the brewery before people take a drink. It’s a German expression used when toasting to someone’s health.
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Matt Levin
Nine beers are brewed all year round at the Spoetzl brewery.
Nine beers are brewed all year round at the Spoetzl brewery.
Photo: Terry Scott Bertling / San Antonio Express-News
All reviews so far from beer nerds place it is another summer win from Shiner but still Prickly Pear’s prickly fans persisted and demanded answers from Shiner itself.
“We do like to mix things up from time to time, to try out new styles and sometimes bring back old ones,” Shiner spokesperson Eric Webber said Tuesday. “At the same time, like all breweries that make multiple styles, we struggle with the problem of limited available shelf space.”
GIG ‘EM: Shiner Beer drops off thousands of bottle caps to Aggie favorite the Dixie Chicken
There simply isn’t enough room for Prickly Pear this season. Hence the sadness among Prickly Pear fans.
Maybe next year guys. Who knows, maybe if enough people make a stink the Shiner people could make Prickly Pear a year-round thing, like Ruby Redbird.
The Spoetzl brewery down in Shiner is the oldest independent craft brewery in Texas. Shiner’s been brewing the good stuff since 1909 which makes the brewery 108 years old in 2017.
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