Day Trip: Shiner, TX Edition

In an attempt to stay local, keep costs at a minimum, and explore a bit more of Texas we decided to take a little trip to Shiner, Texas. Now let's be clear...I do not drink beer....but we decided to take in some semi local history and some good family fun (uuuh.... yeah, taking your kids on a brewery tour can be educational). And if you don't know by now, if we are road tripping in Texas, we are on the never ending quest for the best BBQ place around. On a hot tip from our neighbor we decided to stop here for lunch....

It is located in Luling..and there's nothing fancy about it....and as I've learned that's where the best BBQ is...in the unfanciest of places. Let's ask the kids how it is...mmm yeah, they are all too busy eating to say "super yum!"

We finished our lunch and headed to our destination....here.....

and more specifically, the Spoetzel Brewery...

We arrived to find a nice little facility that appears to be the heart of Shiner, TX.

We had a chance to learn:

• about the Czech and German immigrants who settled here and started the brewery, choosing this location because of its proximity to the railroad and the artesian well.
• that during prohibition they sold near beer nonalcoholic beer and ice to stay in business
• that they are employee friendly with no forced retirement
• that the Bock in Shiner Bock comes from the time when bock beer was first brewed by monks in the Lenten season for their 4o day fast. It was darker ale, higher in nutrients, to help them sustain themselves during their fast.
• to learn a little about the chemistry behind brewing

Many people who do not drink come and visit the brewery just to see the process. They offer water, lemonade, and tea for those who do not wish to sample the beer. Here are the kids sampling the lemonade in front of one of the original copper pots. The tour itself was fun as we were able to see the entire bottling process from start to finish. No pics allowed inside the factory so, suffice it to say, it was VERY Laverne and Shirley!!!!

When our tour was done we headed back home, stopping for some ice cream along the way. It was a long day, since it was a couple hours each way, but it was nice to be with the kids, set aside the time for our family, and enjoy our day.