Beer Chili

1909... Recently immigrated Germans and Czechs who have settled in the new town of Shiner bring many of their traditions and tastes with them to the New World. Still yearning for their classic Bavarian brews, they form the Shiner Brewing Association. In a makeshift brewery, the beginning of Shiner Beer makes its debut as Shiner Premium.

1913... A seasonal beer, Shiner Bock is first introduced by the “little brewery.”

1914... The local brewing association recruits Kosmos Spoetzl as the first brewmaster to bring his Old World recipes and experience to the brewery.

1915... Kosmos Spoetzl upgrades the equipment and brewing process to begin crafting his original recipe beer. He then exercises his option with the association and buys the “Little Brewery.”

1916... Kosmos begins using glass, returnable bottles to package his brew.

1929... Prohibition takes effect on Jan. 16, 1929 in the form of the 18th Amendment. Known as the “Great Experiment,” the measure makes the manufacture, distribution and sale of all alcoholic beverages illegal throughout the United States.

1930... Despite the restrictions of Prohibition, the “Little Brewery” keeps working making ice and birch beer – sometimes known as “near beer.” This keeps Shiner in business along with the “rumors” that Kosmos continued to produce Shiner Premium for local farmers.

1933... The end of Prohibition sees the Shiner brewery as one of only five Texas breweries to survive the “Great Experiment.”

1939... As Kosmos Spoetzl continues his dual roles of brewmaster and head salesman, he ships his Shiner Premium to dock workers in Houston for the first time.

1947... Giving the brewery a facelift, Kosmos resurfaces the exterior in white brick and purchases adjacent land to raise cattle and sheep along with a real menagerie of peacocks, deer and other animals. Aluminum kegs are also introduced during this year of innovation.

1950... Kosmos Spoetzl dies, and his daughter, “Miss Celie," takes over, renaming the facility

K. Spoetzl Brewery.

1958... The brewery begins using non-returnable, disposable beer bottles for the first time.

1964... Expanding the packaging, the brewery introduces party kegs during the same year that “Miss Celie’s” daughter, Rose, joins the firm.

1966... Miss Celie, the daughter of Kosmos Spoetzl, hires John Hybner, who goes on to be the brewery's longest serving Brewmaster.

1970... Cans are added as an option for Shiner beers.

1971... The brewery is honored with a state historical marker on the site.

1973... Shiner Bock becomes available as a year-round brew.

1989... Shiner establishes a true distribution network, beginning with a Shiner of Austin wholesaler in the Texas capital. Sales double by the end of the year.

1992... fter being distributed exclusively in the Houston, Austin and San Antonio areas, Shiner finally reaches into North Texas “officially.” But this is not locals' first taste of the brew, as it has been “bootlegged” northward for generations.

1993... Shiner celebrates its sale of one million cases with a “Thanks a Million Concert” held on the grounds of the not-so-“Little Brewery.”

1994... Shiner Honey Wheat beer is introduced. The successful “Thanks a Million Concert” of the previous year evolves into the first ever Bocktoberfest concert.

1995... Shiner's state-of-the-art brewhouse expansion opens.

1997... In October, the first seasonal product is introduced, Shiner Winter Ale.

1998... The second seasonal brew, Shiner Summer Stock, makes its debut in March and is available in 14 states. Shiner's limited edition, Kosmos Reserve, is retired in December.

1999... The brewery stages its biggest Bocktoberfest in the history of the event, with over 17,000 in attendance! The annual G.A.S.P. (Great Austin to Shiner Pedal) bike rally grows into the Shiner B.A.S.H. The Bike Austin San Antonio Houston becomes the ultimate South Texas pilgrimage to the Spoetzl Brewery.

2001... Shiner's popular Honey Wheat becomes Hefeweizen, and the new brewery Hospitality Room opens. With the closure of the Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, the Spoetzl Brewery becomes the last of the independent Texas breweries.

2002... The Shiner Blonde label gets a facelift.

2003... Shiner Light, the first light beer worthy of the Shiner name, hits the market. And, for those wanting to carry a piece of the “Little Brewery” with them after the tour, the Gift Shop opens in the Hospitality Room.

2005... John Hybner, the longest-serving Brewmaster, retires, and Jimmy Mauric takes over the tradition established by Kosmos Spoetzl 90 years earlier.

2006... For Shiner's 97th birthday, the brewery premieres Shiner 97 Bohemian Black Lager, which like its special edition predecessor, is only brewed from September through mid-December.

2007... Released in May, Shiner 98 Bavarian-Style Amber continues the countdown to the 100th Anniversary of the brewery.

2008... The next anniversary brew in our countdown to the brewery's 100th birthday is introduced. Shiner 99 Munich-Style Helles Lager is unveiled in March. The final limited edition brew, Shiner 100, will culminate these special beers in 2009. Also in celebration of its 99th year, Shiner introduces Spezial Leicht, its first beer with only 99 calories.

The city of Shiner, Texas... Deep in the heart of Texas, on a little spot hardly bigger than a postage stamp, sits Shiner, Texas. In fact, you’d miss it if you blinked while zipping by on either US Highway 90A or State Highway 95, where the town sits at the crossroads, off the beaten path between Houston and San Antonio. But, the 2.4 square miles of Shiner, Texas sure packs a wallop!

Begun with a 250 acre donation by Henry Shiner as a railroad right of way, the “Cleanest Little City in Texas” now boasts over 2,000 residents and and serves as home to several renowned commercial enterprises, not the least of which is the K. Spoetzl Brewery home of Shiner Beer. But, while Shiner both the beer and the town may be the most recognized name around these parts, we have a number of claims to fame, so if you are in the area, stroll around town, talk to a few locals and don’t forget to have yourself a cold Shiner beer. After all, it’s just not a visit to Shiner without enjoying a Shiner!

By http://www.shiner.com

I'm not a beer drinker, but I do love to cook with beer.

If you have any questions or just want to say something that's on your mind, please feel free to send me an email, at christinespantry@gmail.com. If you leave a comment and ask a question please come back for your answer. 

Beer Chili

Copyright 2011 Christine's Pantry. All rights reserved.

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef

1 (15 oz) can spicy black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15.5 oz) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (1.25 oz) package chili seasoning mix

1 (12 oz) can beer (I used Shiner Bock Beer)

2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

1 heaping tablespoon garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

cheddar cheese, garnish

Directions:

In large pot, over medium heat, add ground beef, salt and pepper. Breaking meat up as it cooks. Cook meat until no longer pink. Spoon off excess grease. Add remaining ingredients except cheese. Reduce heat, simmer for 30 minutes. Garnish with cheese. Enjoy!

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