shiner brewery tour reservations

The Best Brewery Tour? Spoetzl Brewery – Shiner, Texas

When we had a free day during our trip to Texas, we looked for something to do. Visiting this place was always on my radar but now seemed to be the best time for a day trip.

The Spoetzl Brewery is located about 90 minutes from Austin, New Braunfels and San Antonio and just 2 hours from Houston.

While the brewery might not be a household name, many people will recognize their most known beer, Shiner Bock. If you’re in a Texas bar and order a “Shiner,” that’s what you’ll get.

The Spoetzl Brewery is located in Shiner, TX, population 2069 (for as long as anyone can remember).

If you’re looking to put the address into your GPS, it’s located at 603 E Brewery St, Shiner, TX 77984.

Brewery tours currently run from 11:00 a.m. on Monday through Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. The last tour is at 4:00 p.m. every day. The entrance fee is $15 that includes a token that can be exchanged for a Shiner beer of your choice. If you’re planning a visit, you can book your tour online reserving your place.

When you arrive at the brewery, the check-in is located in the original building.

From here, the tour group is led into the brewery building where the first stop is a film about the history of the brewery and its roots in Shiner, TX.

When telling a story, it helps if the founder of the brewery was a bit of a character and was arrested during prohibition for carrying alcohol across state lines (also known as bootlegging.) The brewery neither admits nor shies away from the claim that it may have happened.

While the brewery operated in Shiner for decades, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the beer became popular with the counterculture of Austin, TX. While Shiner was miles away from that scene in distance and culture, the brewery never tried to remove itself from what was growing to be their most loyal customers.

The brewery produced many beers but eventually one of their products became the primary brand. Shiner Bock.

After the history, the tour entered the brewery. They got the basics out of the way first.

We spent a few minutes in the room where we learned the ingredients of beer.

Then we were shown the vessels where the brewery made the beer.

From here, we were led to the observation area over the most amazing part of the tour, the bottling plant.

From the area where the bottles or cans are prepared.

To where the bottles are pasteurized

To where the bottles or cans are prepared for packaging into cases or boxes. I dare anyone who’s old enough to not think about putting a rubber glove on one of the bottles as it goes down the line.

In the next room is the machine that fills the kegs with Shiner Beers.

And the amazing robot arm that loads the empty kegs onto the filling line and stacks the filled kegs onto pallets for shipping. The robot is named after a former employee who would spend day after day packing full kegs. The story is once he retired, no one else could do the job so they purchased the robot.

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Shiner beers. He was working there for a while but was hired just before COVID shut down the tours. To the brewery’s credit, they didn’t lay off any employees. Instead, they put the guides to work dumping entire production runs of beer that didn’t meet quality standards. He said the crew spent several months opening bottles of beer and dumping them down the drain.

During our tour we learned the Shiner does not license any of the brewing of its beers to other breweries. For example, the Budweiser you drink is most likely made from a brewery near your home. If you buy a Shiner Bock anywhere, it was made in the brewery in Shiner, TX on this production line.

That’s pretty cool when I pick up a six-pack from the Publix around the corner from my home in Florida. There’s a certain Texas feel when you drink a Shiner, like how they encourage using their empty cans for target practice.

When we were finished with the tour, we cashed in our tokens for some beers from the bar.

There was a beer garden under a covering with picnic tables. If you wanted, it seemed like a place where you could spend some time enjoying a beer while the kids played a game of cornhole on the lawn.

The Shiner Brewery hit the perfect balance of education and storytelling to make a brewery tour interesting. They even had an interactive game to see if you could beat the bottling plant in putting a label on the bottle, but that was closed due to COVID.

If you’re in central Texas and have an afternoon with no plans or if you are a huge beer fan, I’d recommend making a side trip to Shiner, TX, and checking out the brewery.

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30+ years ago we drove often from where we lived in Manchester NH to my parents’ home near Boston. The drive took us past the Budweiser brewery in Merrimack NH. We stopped to take the tour one time and noticed that the place you went for the free beer after the brewery tour was right next to the barn where the Clydesdales were on display. You didn’t have to take the tour to see the horses. Several times after that we stopped to “see the horses” and then went from there in the door to the beer place and got a free one. That’s the way to do a brewery tour.

You can pasteurize milk. You can pasteurize beer. You cannot pasteurize bottles.

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Shiner Brewery Tour: 110 Years of Texas Beer History

Updated: Oct 21, 2022 · Published: Feb 2, 2022 by Dave Lee | May contain affiliate links

Shiner is synonymous with Texas beer, and there's no better way to learn more about it than on a Shiner brewery tour.

When the opportunity to join a media trip to tour the brewery came up, I jumped at the chance. Road trip!

Tours cover the brewery's 110+ year history and include tastings. I came away a new fan of several seasonal beers.

Table of Contents

Brewery Tour

Beer tasting, shiner at howard's, plan your trip, history of spoetzl brewery.

The Spoetzl Brewery, named after its first owner, Kosmos Spoetzl, was founded in 1909 by German and Czech immigrants.

Artisan well water under the town offered a limitless supply of a key ingredient.

As the brewery grew in popularity, they searched for a well-trained brewmaster.

Enter Kosmos, a Bavarian-born German brewmaster who spent his life brewing beer around the world, including stints in Cairo, Canada , and San Francisco .

He'd come to San Antonio, Texas, searching for warmer weather, and soon learned about the opportunity to buy the little brewery.

Kosmos became the owner in 1915 and worked there for nearly 50 years before passing the torch.

He helped the brewery survive Prohibition by selling ice and low-alcohol beer.

Spoetzl Brewery is the oldest independent brewery in Texas and the fourth-largest craft brewery in the U.S.

As you can tell from the photo above, I took a Shiner brewery tour in December, when the facility was decorated for Christmas. We began in the taproom with our beer of choice.

Feeling festive, I chose Shiner's Holiday Cheer, a Bavarian Style Dark Wheat (Dunkelweizen) beer made with local Hill Country peaches and roasted pecans.

After enjoying my first beer, our guide for the brewery tour led us from the taproom to a hallway with a life-size sculpture of Kosmos Spoetzl.

The lights dimmed, and we were treated to a multimedia presentation about this life and arrival in Shiner, TX.

When the show was over, we walked through a pair of doors into a nicely decorated room. Here, the beer-making process was explained.

The tops of the many fermenters used to brew Shiner beer were to our right.

There were silver stainless steel fermenters and original copper ones, too.

As is written on the wall, "every drop of Shiner is brewed in Shiner." Today, that's six million cases worth of beer annually!

I was reminded of the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, which relies on local well water for its product.

Like Shiner beer, every drop of Jack Daniel's ever made comes from the one distillery.

See also: Best Bars in Nashville

As the tour continued, we were led to an observation deck overlooking the bottling plant.

There's an impressive sculpture made from thousands of Shiner beer bottles in the shape of a ram's head.

And we learned about Miss Celie, the country's only female brewery proprietress, from 1950 to 1966.

The view of the production line for Shiner's beer reminded me of that 70s sitcom Laverne & Shirley .

I was old enough to watch this show about two women working at a beer plant in Milwaukee.

I could almost hear the theme song playing as the bottles went by.

The penultimate stop on our Shiner brewery tour was a memorabilia-filled bar.

There were black and white pictures of the founder, Kosmos Spoetzl, and posters from the Bocktoberfest concert series, which used to be held at the brewery each October.

Last but certainly not least, we were treated to a thorough beer tasting in the brewery's taproom, where we began.

Jimmy Mauric, Shiner's sixth brewmaster, was present to tell us all about the many (many) beers we were trying.

My favorite was the Sea Salt & Lime, which began as a seasonal summer brew and became so popular they started offering it year-round.

It's made with artisanal Mediterranean sea salt and natural lime peel.

I appreciate how Shiner invests in high-quality ingredients, whether they're sourcing local peaches for their Holiday Cheer beer or sea salt from Europe.

Once we'd run through at least a half-dozen beer samples, we moved on to the hard seltzers, which Spoetzl Brewery has also begun to produce.

Like Shiner's beer, they're using the same clean well water to make flavored seltzers, which is now a billion-dollar market.

The 100-calorie Watermelon Margarita was my favorite seltzer of the ones we tried.

Jimmy's joy for brewing beer was self-evident, and it was a fun and engaging way to conclude the tour.

After thanking Jimmy and our other tour guide, I wandered into the Shiner gift shop adjoining the taproom and perused their product line.

A large covered patio outside offers ample seating should you want to stay a little longer and enjoy the atmosphere. I imagine it fills up on weekends.

If you're planning a day trip to Shiner for a brewery tour, give yourself extra time to stop by Howard's (1701 N Ave E, Shiner, TX), a hangout spot for locals.

Howard's, as I quickly discovered, has a lot to offer:

• Gas station
• Convenience store
• Movie rentals
• Shiner draft beer on tap
• Shiner bottled beer
• Patio for drinking your Shiner beer

Since I wasn't driving, I took the opportunity to indulge in one of those Shiner Sea Salt & Lime beers I'd gotten a taste for back at the brewery.

Getting There

Address: Spoetzl Brewery, 603 E Brewery St, Shiner, TX 77984

The brewery is about 84 miles southeast of Austin and 92 miles east of San Antonio. It's about a 90-minute drive from either city, without traffic.

The drive from Houston is a little longer at 127 miles and about two hours.

Regardless of which major city you're coming from, it's worth making a day out of the trip.

If driving down from Austin, stop at Smitty's Market in Lockhart for a BBQ lunch.

The cost of a tour is currently $20 for adults and $10 for those under 21. Children nine and younger can go for free.

Brewery tours are offered hourly from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

For more details, visit shiner.com .

This story results from a media trip to Spoetzl Brewery; my complimentary tour and drinks didn't necessarily reflect the standard tour.

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sHINER BreW vIEW

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Family owned and operated short term rental in Shiner, Texas

Small Town, Big Heart, and a Brewery View

Come and enjoy a backyard view of the Spoetzl Brewery, known world-wide for brewing Shiner Bock beer. We are in the heart of it all - only a two-block stroll to the brewery and downtown.   Enjoy being close to all the locally owned and operated shops, restaurants, and businesses in the heart of Shiner. You will experience, first-hand, what big hearts folks have in our small town!

Historic Shiner, Texas

Shiner began as a Native American settlement, which they called Half Moon because of the curious grove of trees growing in that same shape. Our family's ancestors lived here in the 1890s and were here when Half Moon became known as Shiner. Some of those relatives even operated one of Shiner's first hotels when the railroad came through. Looks like it runs in the family!

We're Famous!

You may have heard of our hometown because of the world-famous Shiner Beer that is made right down the street. The beer was named after our town, and it is still brewed right here at the Spoetzl Brewery. Come stay at Brew View! Not only can you hear live music from the brewery, but you can also enjoy a tour and a taste from our neighbor who helped put Shiner, Texas, on the map! 

We don't want to put the cart before the horse.

We are very excited to host our new guests (that's you!), but we are working hard to get our property ready (we are getting so close!). Send us an email and you can be the first to know when we are accepting reservations. 

Have any questions about Shiner? Email us!

Shiner, Texas, United States

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Spoetzl Brewery

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Spoetzl Brewery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

The Cleanest Little City in Texas

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The Best Things To Do in Shiner

Top Things To Do In Shiner

Despite its small population, Shiner, Texas, boasts an abundance of exciting things to do and see. Our top 8 list offers just a glimpse into the myriad of activities waiting to be discovered in and around town. However, we highly encourage you to venture beyond our borders and explore the neighboring towns for an even wider array of attractions and experiences. Get ready to embark on an adventure-packed journey filled with endless possibilities and unforgettable memories!

#1 The Spoetzl Brewery

A perfect day in Shiner typically involves a visit to the Spoetzl Brewery for some of the delicious Shiner beer that put our great city on the map. The brewery provides tours daily for all ages, but they have been known to book up in advance. To make a reservation, please click here to book a Shiner Tour .

If you want to relax and stay the night after a day of drinking and entertainment at the brewery, please consider a stay at the Shiner I nn , which is walking distance from the Spoetzl Brewery.  Located in the heart of town, they also provide free parking and clean rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms.

#2 Welhausen Park

Directly across the street from the Shiner Inn is the beautiful Welhausen Park . This one-square-block park is just west of downtown Shiner on Ave. E (Hwy 90-A). It features an historic bandstand, children’s playground and various monuments describing Shiner’s historic past. The picturesque setting is reminiscent of yesteryear America.

#3 Bluestem

At Bluestem , they don’t just buy products from Texas companies located in Texas, they don’t import products that are made to look like Texas products, they only sell products that are MADE IN TEXAS! Not only do they sell amazing products made in our great state, but they also have some of the best baked goods on the planet. If you are lucky enough to find a slice of key lime pie, don’t pass it up. That is your lucky day.

They sell art and furniture produced by local artists, artisans, and farmers throughout our Great State of Texas! Shop the amazing product line, or when you’re planning your next trip to this area of the Lone Star State, please come enjoy the rolling hills of the Shiner Prairie.

#4 Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

This structure, designed by F. Wahrenburger, was built in 1920-1921 by volunteer laborers led by the Rev. F.X. Wolf. An outstanding example of the Romanesque revival style of architecture, the Shiner Catholic Church features stained glass windows imported from Munich, Germany; Cut stone detailing in the pinnacles and buttresses; an arcaded front portico; and a soaring square tower with octagonal spire.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1983, it also features a magnificent painted interior. Be sure to make a stop at the Shiner Catholic Church for a photo opportunity.

#5 Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum

This museum is an outstanding legacy of Shiner’s history. Its displays include an antique gun collection, old-time country store, dinosaur bones, embroidery and hand stitchery collections, a delightful doll display, musical instruments, an implement shed, and many other interesting antiques.

This is a must-see attraction in Shiner, Texas. The Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing Shiner’s history. The Wolters Museum is located at 306 S. Avenue I and is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (closed from 12:00pm to 1:00pm for lunch), and Saturday 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

#6 Friday’s Famous Fried Chicken

If you want chicken in Shiner, there is one place you won’t want to miss.  The Friday’s fried chicken hits differently, and you are going to get hooked once you try it. They have been doing this in the same location for a long time, so you really need to give in to the hype and get yourself in line.

Of course, they also offer carryout if you prefer to order online in advance. They also have burgers, desserts, and other items. A must-visit location in Shiner, Texas for sure!

#7 Shiner Escape Rooms

If you are looking for some exciting entertainment, there are 5 challenges to consider at this facility in Shiner, Texas.  Currently featuring: The Last Stop Motel, Evil Roy’s Dark Mind, Shiner Beer Escape, Cell Block D Escape, and Stash House Escape. Fun for groups and team building, the escape rooms are a unique experience that won’t disappoint.

#8 Antiques Art and Beer

This is a really fun place if you are/are not looking for antiques in Shiner . Located in historic old town Shiner, Antiques, Art & Beer is a small little bar that offers a twist. They serve over 250 beers and wines. Additionally. AA&B offers customers a nice quiet place to sit and relax or visit with friends.

The walls are filled with various collectibles, art, and other memorabilia, are a spectacle. In addition, they have a bar, a back patio, a deck, and a ‘beach.’ They offer free wireless internet to any of their customers. Moreover, their homemade fudge is produced in-house. They have every variety you can think of including some made with local Shiner beer. Did we mention they are pet friendly?

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Daytripping and sipping in Shiner, Texas

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I’m sitting at a picnic table on the grounds of Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, sipping a cold one that tastes like a Texas summer and thinking about all ​ of ​ the beers that have been swilled on this oak-shaded expanse of grass.  

A lot, I’m sure.  

Kosmos Spoetzl, a ​ brewmaster ​ ​ who immigrated here from Germany, founded this brewery ​ ––  ​ ​ a cluster of bright white buildings in a charming small Texas town ​ ––  ​ ​

in 1909. Today Spoetzl churns out 6 million cases of beer a year, of which about 70 percent is Shiner Bock, a dark American lager.  

That bock was once a seasonal brew, sold only around Easter.   

Read more: Discover more than fossilized tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park  

But after the Austin music scene discovered it in the 1970s, it became so popular ​ that ​ the brewery started making it year-round.  

“Today it’s beloved by hippies and country folk alike,” Tom Fiorenzi, Spoetzl’s director of brewery operations, says of the bock.  

Spoetzl BBQ Co. opened at Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner in April. Pam LeBlanc photo

The Ruby Redbird I’m drinking, made with a splash of grapefruit and a kick of ginger, goes great with the plate of barbecue now sitting in front of me. I picked it up at Spoetzl BBQ Co., which opened last month on the brewery premises. The sausage tastes best, the brisket could be more tender, and the pulled pork adds a little zip to the montage of meat. The restaurant does coleslaw right, without all ​ of ​ that soupy mayonnaise.   

In a few minutes, I’m going to check out another new offering here in what feels like the beer, booze, and barbecue lover’s version of Disneyland – a distillery tour washed down with a paloma made with Shiner vodka instead of tequila.   

The Cleanest Little Town in Texas  

I made the trip to Shiner, which a billboard at the city limits proclaims is “The Cleanest Little Town in Texas,” to do a little exploring. The town, population 2,127, is located about halfway between Houston and San Antonio.   

Honestly, I came for the beer, which I’ve always associated with true Texas bars and backyard gatherings.  

“Shiner for a Texan is like a warm blanket,” says Tom Fiorenzi, director of brewery operations. “It’s been around 115 years and you know what you’re going to get.”  

Read more: Eight beginner-friendly places to paddle in Central Texas  

The brew traces its roots to the German and Czech immigrants who settled in Shiner more than a century ago. They missed the suds they drank in the Old Country and began using the town’s artesian water to make beer the old-fashioned way.   

Today you can buy Shiner in all 50 states, plus Mexico and Puerto Rico.  

Now company officials hope that Spoetzl’s new line of vodka, gin, moonshine, and bourbon will prove just as popular.  

Tour the brewery  

Visitors pose in front of a wall of beer during a tour of Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas. Pam LeBlanc photo

First things first. No visit to Shiner is complete without a tour of the brewery.  

Here at the Spoetzl Brewery, you’ll find a dozen or more varieties on tap at any time, from the famous Bock to the Ruby Redbird I’m enjoying, to the feisty TexHex ​ IPA ​ Bruja’s Brew ​ IP A ​ , which, according to the website, is “forged with fire, magic and sin.”  

A 45-minute tour through the brewery gives you a behind-the-scenes peek at how it’s made. You’ll learn about how Kosmos got things rolling, stroll along an elevated walkway that offers a good view of the production and packaging lines, sniff a jar of fresh hops (which are stored in an undisclosed location) and sample up to three 16-ounce beers.   

Tours cost $25, and it’s best to make reservations in advance ​ , ​ because group size is limited.  

​ ​ T ​ he distillery    

The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner now makes craft moonshine, vodka and gin. Pam LeBlanc photo

Company officials began dreaming up the idea to make distilled spirits here at Spoetzl about five years ago.   

They reconfigured some unused space in the brewery, repurposed old beer storage tanks and ordered equipment from far-off Scotland. Now they’re writing the next chapter in Spoetzl’s story.  

“We shook the dust off and brought it back to life,” says Jessica Michalec, head of Spoetzl’s distilling operations.  

Lavaca County, home of Shiner, has a long tradition with adult beverages. Crafty residents looking for a revenue stream began making moonshine during Prohibition, and a ccording to local lore, hid it in underground caves around the county.  

Today, the distillers at Spoetzl use beer as the base alcohol to make gin, moonshine, vodka, and bourbon . The lineup of distilled spirits may eventually expand to include straight whiskey or rye.   

“We’re taking craft beer and turning it into craft spirits,” Michalec says. “ And because of our brewing capacity, we’re already set up for it.”  

“Every product that we will make will come from beer that we’ve crafted in our brewhouse,” Michalec says.  

The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner now makes distilled spirits, too. Pam LeBlanc photo

Spoetzl Brewery officials hope to start offering distillery tours and selling bottled spirits later this spring. In the meantime, belly up to the bar for a cocktail. (Bourbon ​ aficionados ​ will have to wait a little longer; it must be aged for two years before it’s ready to drink.)  

You can tour the distilling operations, too. Make reservations online before you go.    

Beyond the brewery  

If you make the drive to Shiner, don’t stop exploring after you’ve visited the Spoetzl Brewery.   

For a deeper dive into the Shiner’s history, drop by the Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum , 306 South Avenue I. There you can peruse an old-time country store, look at dinosaur bones, check out a display of antique dolls, peruse musical instruments and see tools once used by farmers in the area.   

The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.   

Shiner is home to one of Central Texas’ famous painted churches, too.  

The Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, at 306 South Avenue F, features vaulted ceilings and interior murals, including one depicting angels floating on clouds. The original church at the site dates to 1890, but it was damaged by a tornado in 1892. A larger church was built in the 1920s, and that building was restored in 1954. Berlin-trained artist Edmond Fatjo painted the murals shortly thereafter.   

Getting there:

It takes about 90 minutes to drive from Austin to Shiner, which is located at the intersection of Texas Highway 95 and Texas Highway 90.  

Tour Spoetzl Brewery, 603 E. Brewery Street. Learn about Shiner’s history at the Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum , 306 D. Avenue I. Visit the Saints Cyril and Methodius Church , 306 South Avenue F.   

Eat & Drink:

Try barbecue and beer at the Spoetzl Brewery , 603 E. Brewery Street; open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.   

Or drop by Friday’s Famous Fried Chicken at 122 Fifth Street.  

The 12 th annual Shiner Beer Run is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2023. Participants can choose from a 5K, 10K or half marathon.   

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Welcome to our vibrant Shiner brewery escape! Step into our stylish apartment featuring two queen beds, perfect for a group of friends or family looking to immerse themselves in the craft beer culture of Shiner, Texas. Each memory foam queen bed promises a comfortable night’s sleep after indulging in the flavors of Shiner Brewery, while the full bath with shower provides a refreshing retreat. Kick back and unwind with your favorite shows on the flat-screen TV with DirecTV, and stay connected with complimentary WiFi throughout your stay.

But that’s not all – we’re all about providing a memorable experience for our guests. With free parking and WiFi, your Shiner brewery adventure is hassle-free from start to finish. Whether you’re here to sample the latest brews or explore the local attractions, our apartment is priced for occupancy up to four adults, making it the perfect spot to share the excitement with your fellow beer enthusiasts. Book your Shiner brewery getaway with us today and elevate your beer experience to new heights in the heart of Shiner , Texas!

Make A Unique Getaway

Take a look at  our experiences  – they’ll add that special touch that will make the trip even more memorable.

Booking information

Reserve with confidence. Our secure online booking system reflects real-time availability. Please call us at  361-594-3335  if you need assistance.

Billing and Cancellation Policy Summary:

• Book only when confident of your stay dates.
• We charge in full at the time the reservation is made to guarantee your accommodation.
• You may suspend your reservation any time up to 3 days before your stay without penalty.
• When you suspend your reservation, you receive a store credit that never expires.
• You may cancel your reservation up to 15 days before your non-holiday stay.
• You may cancel your reservation up to 30 days before a holiday stay.
• All cancellations carry a $100 fee and the balance is refunded to your credit card.
• Most guests prefer to suspend their reservations to avoid cancellation fees.
• Follow this link for our complete cancelation policy details.

Need more information?  Check out our policies page.

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Spoetzl Brewery

Updated by business owner 1 month ago

Popular drinks

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Shiner Bock

Shiner Ruby Redbird

Watermelon Margarita Seltzer

Review Highlights

“ Sampled lots of beer, the tour was very informative and I came away with a whole new respect of Shiner Beer . ” in 22 reviews

“ Gift shop was tiny but cool No bottling in Saturday's but tour Was still worth it Beer tokens my friend..... ” in 53 reviews

“ This Spoetzl Brewery has so much history and was by far one of the best brewery tours I've ever done. ” in 13 reviews

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Location & Hours

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603 E Brewery

Shiner, TX 77984

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About the Business

From its earliest time under the Shiner Brewing Association in 1909, to that fateful day in 1914 when Kosmos Spoetzl saw an opportunity to bring classic Bavarian brewing traditions to his fellow immigrants, through the "Great Experiment" of Prohibition and Great Depression, the "Little Brewery" has stuck to what they know best- handcrafting the finest beer! …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Are you able to purchase beer?

No you are not able to purchase beer. Tokens are included with your tour package . Bottled beer is included depending on what tour package is purchased. Totally worth the money.

Do they serve food with the beer? If so, what kind?

There is a food truck usually there.

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Overall rating

171 reviews

We had a terrific time touring the brewery with a very informative guide. Great price for tour 3 beer choices, bag,sticker,insulated cup,sunglasses, and a really educational fun time. Wonderful barbecue food establishment.

What fun this tour was. Was it more fun the more we drank/tasted? Well, of course! We did the FULL tour and also had lunch on the grounds. Service was fantastic. So as the Texans say everything is bigger in Texas... this tour was also bigger. Bigger fun. Just wish the actual brewery was in production the day we were there but nope. It had just finished something.... Try everything and have a designated driver!

Distillery tour

Brewery tour

This is a great place to take visitors to Texas. It's only a couple of hours from Houston and only an hour from San Antonio. They provide tours (reservations recommended) to either the brewery or the distillery. The tours include tasting. The regular brewery tour gives you three pints of beer for free. The tour is quite reasonably priced and if you add on the distillery tour you'll be out about $40 per person. You'll need about 2 hours to complete both tours and you can then eat some wonderful meats and sides. Lots of parking. Lots of outside seating. Great place to chill.

Love this place. Wife and I stopped in for a quick cold one on our way to S Tx for a BBQ cook off. This just got the mind in the right place for such an outing. Wasn't the 1st and won't be the last.

This is such a cool place to take the drive to if you're near San Antonio or heading to or from there. They have a very fine selection of brews and they are getting into fine liquor... gin, vodka, moon shine and soon to have bourbons . Patio area area to hang out on too . Tours available. Wish this was closer to home . Fun place, excellent staff... great brews. For those looking for a nice hot weather beer ... mix the shandy with the sea salt lime. Very nice. Look for Tammy in the taproom. She was excellent. Gave us such excellent service!

Was in the area and decided to stop by for a short tour! This brewery is pretty small, but the tour was great. Workers were nice and welcoming! At the end of the tour, I decided to go to the gift shop and buy a 6 pack of different flavored beer! Would recommend stopping by if you're in the area

If you ever want to know how a brewery works in making quality beer this is the place to go. Nice gift shop wirh plenty of stuff related to Shiner Beer. A must try is the black lager. A really nice pairing that works with the BBQ. Just so happens they have a BBQ restaurant within walking distance of tour. Tour last for about a half hour but has loads of intresting facts of the brewery and local town of Shiner TX. This is must do for all beer aficionados.

Their brisket sandwich was great and their beer always amazing. Tried the distillery, really good. Service outstanding, and always ambiance like being in your upscale back yard.

See all photos from Maddog K. for Spoetzl Brewery

It's been years since we last visited the brewery and were pleasantly surprised with all the new features added. It's now a more family friendly place complete with lots of green space for playing cornhole, tossing a football or just running around. They now have a BBQ restaurant on-site, K. Spoetzel BBQ. We didn't try it on this visit, but it was busy and there was a small wait. The gift shop is filled with lots of merchandise options with lots of cute designs. All of the t-shirts are the canvas make, which is my preferred t-shirt base. The shirts are a little pricey but this is partly why. The tasting room is gorgeous and large. You need to buy a glass at the gift shop to get your drink tokens. From there, you get a full glass of whatever is on tap. If you want to try something before you commit, they'll give you a sample. There is a lot outdoor seating (covered and uncovered) which is perfect for enjoying some tasty Shiner beer on a nice afternoon.

See all photos from Lauren M. for Spoetzl Brewery

Really enjoyed the tour. Decent length, not too short and not too long - interesting story. Cost was about $26 but you got three 16 ox glasses of beer. They had live music so we sat outside after, listened to music and enjoyed our beers.

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Shiner Brewery Tours and Food

Reserve your tour and order some grub.

 To secure your spot for the Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery, Home of Shiner Beers & Spirits Tour, kindly utilize the provided link for reservations promptly, as slots fill up rapidly. Tours will run every 15 minutes, accommodating up to 20 participants per tour, starting from 11:00 am. Additional tours may be scheduled every 15 minutes for 25 attendees if needed. The Hot Rod Tour of Texas will be present between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm on Friday, April 26th, 2024, making it the ideal time slot for reservation. In case slots are filled, please contact the Brewery to request additional tour openings. 

Along with the tours there is a restaurant onsite that has some delicious food. Because of the large crowd that is expected the restaurant is going to be very busy and has given an option of ordering a special online prior to the event.  Your choice of chopped beef or pulled pork sandwich, chosen upon arrival, with chips & a drink. Drinks options include soda, water, or tea!  All for 11 bucks.

Brewery Order Instructions

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