Shine On: 100 Years of Shiner Beer

by Mike Renfro

Commemorating the 100-year anniversary of Shiner Beer, this entertaining history tells the complete story of a famous Texas establishment. Shiner Bock has entered into the pantheon of Texan icons, and this book chronicles its development, from the improbable beginning of German and Czech immigrants who founded the brewery to the successes and struggles of a growing business, recalling the many times the brand was as good as dead. For beer connoisseurs, Texas-history buffs, or simply those who appreciate a story of beating the odds, this is a tribute to an independent and well-made beer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Beer

187 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2008

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lively, personal history of Shiner Beer. Book includes many illustrations and photos. Introduces the reader to the Shiner culture which involves so much more than just beer. Shine On is the story of the Mayberry-esque town of Shiner in the heart of Texas. It is also a tribute to the 55 employees (at the time of publication) that produce the millions of gallons of various Shiner styles each year, as well as two immigrants who have owned the brewery -- one German, one Mexican. The German (Kosmos Spoetzel) came to the fledgling brewery in 1914 and turned a struggling operation into a fine producer of the German & Czech styles of his homeland. The Mexican (Carlos Alvarez) purchased the near-to-failing brewery in 1989 with a vision to expand sales and territory. Somehow this little brewery has survived Prohibition, the Great Depression, the growth & consolidation of Big Beer from 1950-80, and the various booms and busts of the craft beer movement since the 1980's. All the while the little town of Shiner and the brewery that calls it home have continued producing great beer for people to enjoy. My only criticism of the book is the lack of data and facts about the beers themselves. A short description of each style produced and year-by-year sales figures would round out this book nicely.

[Nolan Egly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining historical and biographical work that ranges from how in the 1800's the state of Texas became home for German and Czech settlers, the founding of the city of Shiner, the immediate efforts of the townfolks to create a brewery to make beer like "back home", to the lives of the notable brewmasters and owners (one of them a woman, practically unheard of back then!), a slow slide into near bankruptcy, and finally it's meteoric rise in popularity from the 1990's through today.

While this book is probably only going to draw the interest of Shiner beer fans, it's very accessible to all readers. Mike writes in a plain, down-home manner that makes you feel like you're listening to a beloved radio broadcaster. The tale is always about the people and how they make the brewery and products special without dissolving into overly boring facts about how beer is made, or lingering too long on any particular character or time period. As you would expect, there are plenty of pictures from across the years.

If you have any interest in Shiner beer at all, I would highly recommend putting this on your coffee table, and taking a few nights of your life to gain an even higher appreciation for one of the best brews out there. Not a Shiner fan, or even beer at all? If you enjoy stories about immigrants surviving against incredible odds, or the intense loyalty and family culture that certain brands like Apple and Harley Davidson manage to cultivate, I would also recommend giving this book a try.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shhh. . .birthday present for dad. About to read and drink a Shiner at the same time--this thrills the nerd in me!

Probably of limited interest to non-Texans or non-beer drinkers but. . .
This is a wonderful, chatty history of one company, one small town, and some very interesting people. Read most of it on the bus back from Thurber (another Texas industrial history place) and finished it with a Shiner in hand.
I've only been a beer drinker for a few years, but Shiner has become my beer of choice. And now that I've read the book, I love the stuff even more. Did you know that it was the first (and for many years, only) brewery run by a woman in the US? Or that two immigrants, generations apart, essentially saved the company? Good, tasty stuff!

[BeerDiablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice history of the soon to be 100-year-old Spoetzl Brewery, which produces Shiner beer, a favorite brand in Texas. Be warned that the writing style is a contrived, folksy/ awe shucks experience that is grating at times. This book probably will be of little interest to non-Texans.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beer is good and Shiner is good beer...

Especially a Hefeweizen!

[Jadrian Wooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written biography about a small town brewery in Texas. The author does a great job relating the characters with the history of the beer itself.

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of one of mankind's greatest achievements. Renfro manages to capture heaven in book form.