Shiner Prickly Pear Lager (Spotzl Brewery)

Note - I really have no idea what type of beer I should be comparing this to.  It is in a class of its own, so keep that in mind as you read this review.

Appearance - 14

Shiner's Prickly Pear Lager pours well and looks great.  It is a dark reddish brown color, yet crystal clear at the same time.  A short but thick off white head tops off the beer, and lingers for a while leaving some interesting, and good, lacing for a lager in my opinion.  I kinda like the looks of this.

Aroma - 7

I am not a huge fan of the aroma here.  It smells super sweet, not like a beer, but not at all like a cider.  Strange.  It not pungent, it doesn't stink, it just doesn't smell like beer.  When you dig beyond the sweetness, you do pick up a little bit of dried grass, that I think might be some type of hops, or maybe even part of the mash, but really...I am not sure.  Maybe this is what it would smell like if you brewed yourself a nice barrel of mixed berry Cool-Aid in the hay barn.

Taste - 40

After looking at the beer I was excited to try it, after smelling it, I was afraid.  When I did take a swig, the first thought that came to my mind was, "dam, this stuff is actually pretty good."  The beer was sweet at first, sorta...its hard to explain.  You taste is a hint of berry, some caramel, and prickly pear (if you have tasted prickly pear juice, then you know what I mean.)  But its not really sweet.  I guess they added enough hops to knock down the sweetness without really showing the hops.  Its good.

 

Drinkablility - 10

This may be one of the easiest drinking beers that I have ever had.  It goes down smooth...almost too easy.  its refreshing and not overwhelming, its light but flavorful.

 

Hip-Hop - 9

Pretty cool stuff.  This is the first beer I have had with prickly pear in it.  First I have ever heard of in fact.  Its pretty cool, pretty Texas if you are into that.  The only thing is that some people might think your drinking a girly drink when they smell it.  You will just have to re-assure them that its not, without letting them try it, because it is only available in this year's family reunion packs, so you most likely won't even have enough for yourself!

Total Score - 80

Website: Shiner (Spotzl Brewery)