Well dear reader, I’ve just polished off my last bottle of Shiner Summer Stock. Somehow, I had never managed to come across the beer before this year, and to be quite Frank I’m not quite sure what I make of this brew. Shiner dubs it as authentic German style and calls it a Kolsch Bier. They even use the German spelling for beer there.

The Germans might not like Shiner calling this beer a Kolsch, mainly because the name is appellation controllee. Not everyone can use it. A more appropriate description of the beer might be Kolsch style, but I don’t let such things stop me from drinking the stuff.

Here’s what the label says:

Inspired by its German and Czech founders, the Spoetzl Brewery is proud to bring you Shiner Summer Stock, an authentic Kolsch Bier. This refreshing German beer style originated in the 1800s on the banks of the Rhine river in Cologne (Koln). We brew our Kolsch according to the original process, adding a portion of wheat malt to the barley malt grist. This gives Shiner Summer Stock its golden color and extraordinary smoothness. Perfect for hot summer days. Enjoy!.

Now that they’ve told you all about the beer, I’ll admit that I find this to be a great summer beer, perfect for hot weather, just as Shiner says. Certainly, Shiner already has one winner on its hand with their ubiquitous (in much of the south) bock . But how does the Kolsch stack up?

I suspect that this beer was formulated with the non-craft beer drinker in mind. To be sure, the Kolsch style is indeed light bodied, meant to be refreshing and highly drinkable. In Koln, the home city of the stuff, the waiters supposedly keep refilling the small, cylindrical glasses Kolsch is served in until you tell them to stop.

That said, Shiner Summer Stock still seems a bit less flavorful than I would like. But let’s get down to the beer itself, and see how it tastes, shall we?

Shiner Summer Stock pours to a pale gold color with a thick head formation composed of tiny little champagne-like bubbles and a slightly sweet malt nose. This is a very light bodied beer indeed, with a subtle touch of grainy wheat and a slightly sweet biscuit malt character.

I find the body to be a bit too thin here, and I’m not getting much in the way of hops in the finish, which is again a bit sweet. Shiner Summer Stock could definitely use a touch of yeasty fruit, just a touch mind you considering the style, and a little more hops.

Sure, it’s a great beer for hot weather, but lots of beers are, many of them with more flavor.

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