Double What?

The beer I'm sippin' on today was created to celebrate the anniversary of Spoetzl Brewery. Spoetzl, which if you are unaware (like I was until 5 minutes ago) is the brewer of Shiner beers. And today we will be having a little chat about Shiner's 102 Double Wheat.

The 102 is for the number of years the brewery has been in business. 102? Yea. The internet tells me that they've been making 'anniversary brews' annually since their 96th year. That's cool, I guess. I would have waited until the century mark, but then again I don't own a brewery. [yet]. It seems as though Shiner has a quirky way of thinking and it unfortunately shows in this beer.

When I saw this bottle on the shelf I was quite intrigued. I thought to myself, "Self, you like a good wheat beer. This should surly be doubly good! Why don't you be a good chap and give it the old college try?" Then I tried it, and now I wish I could kick my own as twice. Once for this beer, and once for pretending that I talk to myself like that.

The 102 pours to a golden straw color, and kind of smells like an unfinished Bud Light that gets left out in the sun, and then chilled in the refrigerator again. There is a real lack of anything I'd consider 'wheat' in the flavor profile, or even how it looks. Practically no bitterness (14 IBUs [lower number, less bitter]), non-existent hop notes, and the malt taste just leaves you wishing for more.

Needless to say this is going into the won't drink again category. Mostly because I don't want to waste my time and tastebuds on something like this when the world is full of countless other amazing beverages.

Shiner Beers (Spoetzl Brewery)
102 Double Wheat
Wheat ale
6.2% abv
"Prosit!"