Have you ever had a cold glass of Shiner 96? If you have then you’ve had Shiner Oktoberfest, a re-release of the beer Spoetzel brewed to celebrate their 96^th anniversary. The difference, of course, is that Shiner Oktoberfest will be a yearly seasonal brew released in August, just in time for the Oktoberfest festivities in late September.

Shiner Oktoberfest is not really an Oktoberfest, though only a few brewed in Munich, Germany really are. It’s not even in the same style really. The label calls this beer “Marzen-style”; I say it isn’t. Why? Vienna-Marzens are lagers, and this beer is an ale. Shiner admits as much on the label, where they call it a “deliciously festive seasonal ale.”

That makes this an amber ale in my book, albeit one brewed with malts and hops common to the Vienna-Marzen style.

More from the label:

Here in Shiner, TX (pop. 2,070), we’re suckers for tradition. Which is why this classic Oktoberfest brew is made with the highest quality two-row barley, Munich and caramel malts, along with German-grown Hallertau Tradition and Hersbrucker hops. It’s our way of honoring our ancestors and the beer they loved to celebrate with. So raise your stein to tradition and enjoy this utterly classic brew.

Sorry guys, but if you really wanted to honor your ancestors, you would have lagered this one. Why wouldn’t they you ask? I can only speculate, but I do know that ales are quicker to make, spending less time in the conditioning tanks and requiring less refrigeration to boot.

Shiner Oktoberfest pours to a bright orange amber color with a thick rocky head formation and a delightful nutty malty nose.  As I mentioned this is an ale, but still rather clean to me. There’s a very nice toasty nutty maltiness, a gentle hint of caramel, toasted nuts, Munich malty melanoidin goodness. The body is a bit thinner than I would like, but a subtle grassy hop finish balances nicely.

Overall, I like Shiner Oktoberfest, this is an easy drinking, quaffable late summer, early fall brew of strength 5.7% by volume. It could use a bit more body, and the asking price of $8.99 is a problem for me. Shiner beers used to be a great bargain; at this price point I would likely pass on Shiner Oktoberfest and go with a six of Spaten Oktoberfest, Victory Festbier, or Paulaner Oktoberfest for the same almost-nine bucks. All are better beers for the money; Samuel Adams Octoberfest has more character too and is about a buck less a six-pack.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



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