April 19, 2009: Shiner Bock

If you've grown up in America, you've undoubtedly heard the phrase "Don't mess with Texas". There's just something about the huge, hot state that commands respect. Maybe it's the twangy accent. Maybe it's the almost maniacal obsession with small town high school football. Maybe it's the fact that there are more rodeos than hospitals in Texas. Whatever it is, Texas commands a level of respect that only California and New York share. I mean, who has ever said "Don't mess with Vermont?" or "Everything's bigger in Utah"? There is something special about that that dusty red state, and you better believe that Texans are well aware of it. Few citizens of other states have the pride that Texans have, and they're absolutely uncompromising. They demand only the best, and Shiner Bock is a great example of the unyielding spirit of Texas.

Shiner Bock as the name implies, is indeed a bock. If you can't remember what a bock it, allow me to refresh your memory. Bock is simply a term for a strong German style lager that was originally brewed by monks during the season of lent. Because they were required to fast during lent, the monks created bocks which were much higher in terms of calories and food energy that lighter pilsners or lagers. Essentially a meal in a bottle, bocks were brewed to satiate the hungry monks, and are still popular today. Since bocks were traditionally brewed during the lent season, it was hard to find any during the rest of the year, and this was also true when Shiner Bock was first brewed here in the states. Shiner Bock proved to be so popular however that it was soon produced year round to meet customer demand. Today, 80% of the beers brewed at Shiner are bocks, and this brand helped tremendously in raising the popularity of bocks here in the states. Shiner Bock has the typical rich and almost smoky flavor that one can expect from a bock. This beer can be a little on the heavy side, so don't plan on consuming a lot of it if your stomach can't take it. Shiner Bock is currently sold in 41 of the 50 U.S. states, and I'd be willing to wager that it won't be long before the remaining 9 states follow suit.

Cheers Y'all!
Ian

www.shiner.com