Prickly Pear is Shiner's new summer seasonal

Image credit: The Gambrinus Company

Just for fun, imagine a world where Mother Goose wrote nursery rhymes about beer. Not just any beer mind you, but Shiner Prickly Pear, the brewery's new summer seasonal. Such a sonnet might go something like this:

Peter Piper poured a pint of Prickly Pear.

A pint of Prickly Pear Peter Piper poured.

If Peter Piper poured a pint of Prickly Pear,

Where's the pint of Prickly Pear that Peter Piper poured!?

You know the drill...say it ten times fast.

Getting back to reality, Shiner announced in January that Ruby Redbird would be transitioning to a year-round offering, and they followed that up yesterday with news that Prickly Pear would be taking its place as the brewery's warm weather rotator. As it just so happens, samples arrived at my door on exactly the same day, packaged along with cactus leaves, tweezers, band-aids and gauze. Apparently there's an element of danger in drinking this particular beer.

Prickly Pear, as it turns out, is likely familiar to many, since the returning recipe was originally released as the third beer in Shiner's Brewer's Pride series. And, from what I can tell, things haven't changed much in terms of the ingredient list, as the beer still features prickly pear (and other natural flavors) added to a mash of mixed grains and a combination of Citra and U.S. Goldings hops.

Now, having had a few prickly pear beers in the past, I will say that this incarnation differs quite a bit in terms of its color cast. Others I've had were more distinctive visually, most times with deeper pinkish hues. This one is perhaps best described as having no more than a tinge of pink color, or if we were to borrow a term from the wine world, the look of a rosé amber lager. Appearances aside, though, what really matters is whether the beer is any good.

On that note, the beer's aroma has a fairly strong floral element to go along with the prickly pear and other fruit flavors that are more strawberry-like than citrusy. Things tone down somewhat in the taste, as the tartness fades away almost completely, leaving soft but lingering fruit tones and a finish that is awash in wheat grain. It's a well-carbonated brew, with a light-to-medium body and a slightly more than mild bitterness.

So, would I drink it? Yes...as long it's ice cold. Just out of the cooler, Prickly Pear is refreshing and unique, but once it starts to warm up the sweetness and intensity of the fruit picks up and it's just a little too much for my particular taste. If you like fruit infusions, though, this might be just the thing for your poolside or patio, especially if you're the type that likes a beer that doesn't really taste like one.

It's probably not a coincidence that the last statement above can also be said for Ruby Redbird, the brewery's now former summer seasonal. It's interesting to note, though, that Ruby Redbird is referred to by Shiner as "The Perfect Summer Beer." As for Prickly Pear...it's now "The Official Shiner of Summer."

Prickly Pear is available in 6-packs, 12-packs and cases of 12-ounce bottles or cans, as well as in 24-ounce bombers and on tap. Look for it wherever Shiner is sold.

On Rotation set to debut house brews Saturday, March 7

Image credit: On Rotation.

After operating for just over a month with the "soft opening" tag, not to mention having to re-schedule due to a late arriving Old Man Winter, On Rotation is set to celebrate its official Grand Opening on Saturday, March 7, at their taproom and brewery near White Rock Lake.

Doors open at noon, with the big draw expected to be house brews on tap and available to the public for the first time. According to Jacob Sloan, who co-founded the concept with wife Lindsay, a total of four selections will be on the menu:


Cucumber Blonde (4% ABV) - an easy-drinking session beer brewed for optimum refreshment.

Jalapeño Saison (6.1% ABV) - maybe the buzziest of them all, this brew was the talk of local media in the days following Brew Riot last year. Plans are to have "mild" and "spicy" versions of this beer, but Sloan says the first keg out of the brewery comes in about middle of the road.

Raspberry Tart (5% ABV) - another holdover from Brew Riot, the beer formerly known as Project Raspberry actually took home the award for best fruit beer from that annual competition. Built on a wheat-beer base, it's targeted towards those who enjoy sour beers and/or fruit infusions.

Orange Wit (4.8%) - a surprise one-off created just for opening day, Sloan describes this beer as "a citrus-filled witbier that is way better than a mimosa."

Mashing in Cucumber Blonde on the first brew
day, February 8, 2015 (On Rotation).

In addition to the beers above, On Rotation will also tap a few special kegs they've had waiting in the wings. A complete list can be found on Taphunter, but lovers of local brews will want to take note of Martin House Salty Lady, as well as a pair of beers tapped in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day like Peticolas Irish Goodbye and a dry-hopped version of Shannon Irish Red.

As for some of the last minute details they've been working on, Sloan says that in addition to ramping up brewing operations, they've added purse hooks (a feature requested even more than the now-installed TVs), adorned the walls with the work of a local photographer, and spent time acclimating the staff to the overall concept of On Rotation.

That last part has led to what he describes as one of the most exciting times around the bar. Given the limited nature of kegs they acquire and their commitment to constantly rotating stock, rarely will the same beer be tapped right away once a keg blows. This leads to much anticipation among patrons as to what might be destined for the tapwall next, and in that spirit Sloan tells me he's brewing a West Coast IPA and a Cafe au Lait Coffee Milk Stout that will debut in the coming weeks.

Going forward, Sloan says they won't fill growlers with house beers on day one in order to make sure there is enough beer to go around for Saturday attendees. Sunday, though, taps will be open for those wishing to pick up a taste of On Rotation to take home. A similar approach will likely apply to future release days as well. Time is also running out on your chance to get in on an Inner Circle membership (priced at $200), as they plan to cut off sales on March 14. For more information on that, click here to visit the brewery's website.

In the meantime, make plans to head to East Dallas in the coming days to get a taste of the area's newest brewing operation. It's a place the Sloans hope evokes the "tasting room" and "coffee shop" vibe they were aiming for, and that "everyone feels welcome and comfortable when they stop in" to try their beers.

Rabbit Hole to release new series of wheat beers

Image credit:
Rabbit Hole
Brewing Company

Continuing to draw inspiration from characters and themes created by author Lewis Carroll, the Rabbit Hole Brewing Company of Justin today announced a new line of seasonal brews created in the spirit of Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

Tweedleyum, a strawberry hefeweizen, will be the first in a series of wheat-based beers, all of which will have the tag "Tweedle" as part of the name. The new beer was "designed specifically for spring" and spending time out on the patio. It weighs in with a relatively light ABV of 5.5% and the brewery says it's the kind of beer you'll "look forward to cooling off with...when the Texas heat returns."

The primary ingredient in Tweedleyum is an all-natural strawberry puree from Oregon. According to Chief Sales Sensei, Tait Lifto, "It's a more subtle strawberry flavor, but it's real - it's actual fruit that comes out of the ground, and we want our beers to always have real ingredients. We don't compromise even though it's cheaper to use chemicals and flavorings."

Expected to be released in April, Tweedleyum will be draft only and available through June. Look for it to be on tap at establishments in Austin and North Texas that typically carry Rabbit Hole brews.

29th Annual Bluebonnet Brew-Off to be held March 20-21

Image credit: Bluebonnet Brew-Off

After having long been established as one of the largest homebrew competitions in the country, the Bluebonnet Brew-Off returns for its twenty-ninth year on March 20-21.

For years, the Bluebonnet has staged their annual get-together at a local hotel. This year, however, the festivities will be held at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. According to a press release, the move was made in response to the "recent growth of interest in homebrewing and local craft beer. The change in venue should allow many more visitors to enjoy the event, with greater participation from both local and national craft brewers, [as well as] beer-related vendors."

Activities associated with the Bluebonnet include technical discussions, pub crawls, the ever-popular Commercial Beer Sampling and a keynote address by Justin Crossley of The Brewing Network. This all leads up to the Competition Awards Ceremony, which occurs on Saturday evening. In addition, this year the Rabbit Hole Brewing Company has been named the Official Brewery of the 2015 Bluebonnet Brew-Off. In honor of this recognition, the Justin-based brewery will brew and release a commercial batch of the beer named Best in Show.

Tickets for the Friday night Commercial Beer Sampling and keynote speaker are $25, which includes a commemorative tasting glass and program. A full weekend ticket, which adds access to most things going on Saturday, may be purchased for $35. For more information, or to get your tickets, visit the official website at www.bluebonnetbrewoff.org.

Attendees may also book accommodations for a special rate at the nearby Dallas Marriott Las Colinas. Rooms are available for $101/night, but you must make reservations by Wednesday, March 4. Click here for a link to the online reservations page.