Spoetzl has a couple of new beers out right now: Shiner 102 Double Wheat, the latest edition in their annual anniversary series, and Shiner Spring Dortmunder.Well, okay, the Spring isn't really new – it's just a repackaging of Fröst. Remember that, the winter seasonal from last year? As I noted then, I thought it was strange to market Fröst as a winter beer, as it just wasn't heavy enough, so they smartly decided to re-market it as a spring seasonal.
My great weakness in trying to write about beer is describing the flavors. I just don't have the descriptive facility that some reviewers have, and I really have no idea how to describe these beers, except to say that they both taste similar to one another, which makes it puzzling why they'd be released at the same time.
Okay, they're not exactly alike — I think 102 is definitely the better beer, although I really have no idea what a "double wheat" is. The label talks about the “bright beer" style, and yes, bright does seem to describe this flavor, if that makes sense. It is maltier, sweeter, and a bit more flavorful than the Dortmunder. The Dortmunder just doesn’t have as much going on. My tongue gets more excited with the 102. I suppose in hot weather the dortumunder might go down a little easier, like a light beer. Dortmunder has a nice balance of hops and malt, slightly on the maltier side.
You know what the 102 really reminds me of? Shiner 99, the Helles lager from three years ago. I really wish I could have one of those right now to compare.
They're both pretty good beers, although I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to get either of them. But offer one to me, and I'll take it.
6 comments:
have you ever turned down a free beer?
To me, the double wheat could be described as an "imperial koelsch."
arborworks: I can honestly say I'd turn down a free Coors. That's some nasty shit.
oh, I thought we were talking about beer.
I have been drinking an embarrassingly large amount of the 102 during the last few weeks. Very interesting and satisfying beer.
I picked up the Dortmunder a few weeks ago and really wasn't too happy with my purchase. It could be that I'm heavy on IPAs right now... just waiting for this KC winter to blow by, so that could be the reason.
The 102 wasn't bad, but again, nothing that made me say "I can't wait to have another."
Both are sitting happily in my fridge, waiting to be consumed... however, they're behind my bottles of Boulevard Chocolate Ale, which dwarfs their presence.
Prost!
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