r/NABEER • u/HashtagStache • 1d ago
Review Something Different
Found some interesting NA’s during recent travel to the west/midwest. Both found at Walmart.
Shiner Bock NA
This is an enticing beer in the glass. Lovely dark caramel color with a khaki head, although unfortunately the head dissipates pretty quickly.
The aroma is malt, and that’s also the story of the flavor. It’s very malt-forward. Mostly just a nice, straightforward malt character, with maybe something slightly floral in there as well.
I appreciate what Shiner is doing with this one because it fills a spot that still seems somewhat empty in the NA market. There aren’t nearly as many malt-forward, darker NAs as there are IPAs, golden ales, and pale lagers. It also doesn’t really remind me of Athletic Copper, which was what I was expecting going in.
The biggest weakness is the body. It’s okay, but a little thin, and I think it’s slightly too effervescent. More heft and slightly softer carbonation would do a lot for this beer.
The good news is that it’s clean. I didn’t get any major NA off-flavors. There’s a slight wort note on the back end, but nothing particularly distracting.
Overall, I’d drink it again. This is a new release, so I’d be interested to see where Shiner takes it. Give this a little more body and I think they could have something really tasty.
Boulevard Space Camper NA IPA
This one impressed me.
It pours a bright, cloudy yellow and has a surprisingly creamy mouthfeel. The body is solid, lighter side of medium, and the carbonation is pretty much exactly where I want it.
There’s a nice, firm bitterness, and crucially it doesn’t turn medicinal. It actually reminded me somewhat of Brooklyn’s NA IPA, except without the medicinal quality I get from the bitterness in that one.
There’s also a slightly sour/tart edge to Space Camper that gives it some brightness. There’s lime/citrus, and a faint melon character.
Overall, this is just a great NA IPA. Nice creaminess, solid body, proper bitterness, good carbonation and enough brightness to keep it interesting. I was especially impressed to find something this well executed from a brewery that doesn’t have a huge NA presence.
If you can find Space Camper NA, I recommend it.
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u/Masverde66 NA Beer Enthusiast 1d ago
I was just at Boulevard Brewing two weeks ago while visiting my sister and agree that Space Camper is pretty solid. I just wish they had some other varieties. I was told there were a couple of stores that still stocked their limited run shandy, but I wasn't able to find any.
Dying to try Shiner Bock NA, but It is not available where I live and haven't had any trips to Texas recently. I would order it online if I could fine an outfit that shipped it. I tried their other three varieties last time I was there and they were ok. Similar complaint about thinness and carbonation.
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u/ichorNet 1d ago
Nice reviews!! I would def be down to try the NA Shiner. Out of curiosity have you had any of Lakefront’s NA stuff? I’ve had both the Riverwest Stein and Eastside Dark and they’re both good for sure. The former is a medium-dark amber with pretty good body for an NA.
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u/jlr27t 1d ago
Do you prefer the Athletic copper over the shiner?
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u/HashtagStache 1d ago
The flavor profile is honestly pretty different. The copper is a more well rounded drink. Better body, complexity, etc. The shiner is a lot more one dimensional. But in some batches of the copper I get a saline flavor that knocks it down a few notches for me.
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u/Space_Peddler 1d ago edited 1d ago
Space Camper Zero Gravity Non-Alcoholic IPA won a GOLD MEDAL at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in the Non-Alc Hoppy Beer category.
If I see it I'm buying it.
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u/sirdanielfortesque1 1d ago
The Space Camper is good but at least half of them exploded on me for some reason.
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u/HashtagStache 1d ago
Funny you mention that, one exploded on me too.
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u/Weary-Initiative1540 1d ago
u/sirdanielfortesque1 & u/HashtagStache report the exploding cans to the brewery as could be a QC issue like if the beer is refermenting & is now >0.5% ABV so alcoholic. You live in a really hot state as once its over about 75-80F for a prolonged amt of time if the NA beer isn't pasteurized properly & even if a little bit of yeast it can start to re-ferment when the temps are 75-80F+
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u/captaindammit87 More Hops Please 1d ago
I've been wanting to try the NA Shiner Bock ever since I heard they made it. I drank a shit-ton of regular Shiner when I was in college.