The iconic brewery behind the venerated Shiner Bock beer has launched the long-awaited comeback of 'Prickly Pear,' a summer-centric craft lager that makes use of the prickly pear cactus in the brewing process, giving rise to a truly unique flavor profile.
The simply named 'Prickly Pear' craft lager comes in at 4.9 percent ABV. It is brewed with authentic prickly pear that is native to Texas. Golding and Citra hop varieties are utilized in the brewing process, with a combination of malted wheat, 2-row barley and Shiner's in-house lager yeast giving rise to a brew that deftly combines sweetness and tartness along with a boldly fruity taste.
Although refreshing and enjoyable as summertime lagers should be, the 'Prickly Pear' craft lager stands out on its own due to the unique taste given to it by the inclusion of cactus.
Image Credit: Shiner
What's Driving This Trend
- Cactus-infused Craft Lagers
- The use of cactus in craft brewing creates a unique flavor profile and offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for the beer industry.
- Summer-centric Craft Lagers
- Craft breweries focusing on creating seasonal and refreshing lagers, like the 'Prickly Pear,' tap into the demand for unique summer beer experiences.
- Flavor Innovation in Craft Beer
- Incorporating unconventional ingredients, such as prickly pear cactus, in craft beer production presents an opportunity for breweries to differentiate and attract adventurous beer enthusiasts.
Who This Affects Most
- Craft Brewing
- Craft breweries can seize the opportunity to experiment with unique ingredients, like cactus, to create innovative and distinctive beers.
- Beverage Manufacturing
- The introduction of cactus-infused craft lagers demonstrates the potential for flavor innovation in the beverage manufacturing industry.
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Breweries offering prickly pear craft lagers can attract tourists and beer enthusiasts seeking unique beer experiences during the summer season.
