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Texas’ Shiner Bock Brewers Get Into Spirits With New Distillery

The Spoetzl Brewery, makers of iconic Shiner Bock beer, recently announced the addition of a new onsite distillery.

A statement from the brewer notes that the new K. Spoetzl Distilling Company will make a line of Shiner Craft Spirits. This addition to their lineup comes after 114 years of craft beer making.

The new Texas distillery will make spirits including vodka, gin and moonshine, or what they’re calling “Shiner Shine.” Barrel-aged spirits are soon to follow.

K. Spoetzl Distilling Company
The Spoetzl Brewery, makers of iconic Shiner Bock beer, recently announced the addition of a new onsite distillery. (image via Spoetzl Brewery)

“The town of Shiner and surrounding areas have a colorful history of distilling that dates back to before Prohibition and ties into Shiner’s rich brewing heritage,” said Tom Fiorenzi, director of brewery and distillery operations. “The entire process – from grain to glass – will all be done by our team right here in Shiner; after all, great beer is the basis for great spirits.”

In one of the oldest cellars of the historic brewery, Shiner commissioned a distillation system, including a copper pot still and copper rectifying columns hand-made in Scotland.

Jessica Michalec, Spoetzl distillery manager, explained that as an ode to the past, each batch of spirits passes through the collection vessel designed by Shiner’s renowned brewmaster, Kosmos Spoetzl, in 1947.

“The copper from Kosmos’ grant refines the batch prior to its introduction to the still,” she said. “From there, each batch receives the same care and attention from our distillers that our brewers would apply to our craft beers.”

Visitors can tour the distillery and sample spirits seven days a week. The distillery also has a menu of craft cocktails, and bottles of spirits are available for purchase from the hospitality room.

“The incredible support from Shiner Beer fans over the years led us to this point where Shiner begins a new chapter distilling unique craft spirits that deliver on quality while paying homage to the brewery’s historic past,” said Nick Weiland, Shiner’s director of marketing.

The K. Spoetzl Brewery was founded in Shiner, Texas, in 1909, by Czech and German immigrants brewing beer with old-world traditions and recipes for South Central Texas.

Today, the brewery is one of the largest independent craft brewers in the country with beers available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and U.S. military bases around the world.

For more information, check out www.shiner.com.

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