The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner is the oldest independent brewery in Texas. Founded by German and Czech immigrants in 1909, the brewery is named after its first professional brewmaster, Kosmos Spoetzl.

Every year, riders gather in Austin to ride 100 miles from there to Shiner on the Great Austin to Shiner Pedal (GASP). The annual event started in the 1970s and at one point included a Houston-Shiner route in conjunction with the main Austin to Shiner route (making it GHASP) although that is no longer available.

For a pre-ride or post-ride night out may I recommend some of the great bars in Smithville:

Apparently open during construction...