Shiner beers move into Philadelphia with Origlio partnership

They say everything is bigger in Texas. As far as craft beer goes, it doesn’t get bigger than Shiner in the Lone Star state — it’s practically the official state beer. The brewery is in its 104th year and boasts that it’s the oldest independent brewery in the state. Now, Shiner is bringing its liquid southern hospitality north to the city of brotherly love. Origlio Beverage, a wholesale distribution company of beers, ciders and malt-based beverages located in Philadelphia announced its partnership with the Spoetzl Brewery for the distribution of the entire Shiner portfolio. The beers will be available in the metro Philadelphia marketplace on May 8.

“Philadelphia is an established craft brew town and our customers know a great beer when they taste it,” said Origlio’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Grant Barrett.

The brewery’s flagship brand, Shiner Bock, is a dark lager with a malty backbone. Since the 1980s, this beer has developed a fan base all its own that has grown well beyond Texas. This beer and the others in the Spoetzl portfolio are brewed in the German-Czech tradition. One of the original brewmasters from the early 1900s, a German immigrant named Kosmos Spoetzl, was trained in Bavaria and he set the bar for craftsmanship very high. The brewery’s beers have received many awards no doubt by sticking with Spoetzl’s authentic brewing methods.

Shiner offers a variety pack called Family Reunion. This six-pack contains the Bock, Shiner Bohemian Black Lager, Shiner Blonde, Shiner Hefeweizen, Shiner Brewer’s Pride (a limited edition rotating selection) and Shiner Kosmos Reserve, a hop-jacked lager that’s a real tribute to the founding brewer. Two of the brands, Shiner Bock and Bohemian Black Lager, received gold medals at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival.

Barrett added, “Shiner also has a summer seasonal called Ruby Red Bird that blends craftsmanship with some Texas Terroir. It’s brewed with Texas Rio Red grapefruit which makes it refreshingly tart. And it gets a touch of heat from natural ginger. These brands are a really nice addition to our lineup.”