Shiner in Lavaca County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Spoetzl Brewery

(Founded in 1909)

By Gregory Walker, September 1, 2012

1. Spoetzl Brewery Marker

Inscription. Built by the Shiner Brewing Association, a stock company of local men. Sold in April 1915 to Kosmas Spoetzl (1873-1950), native of Bavaria and former operator of a brewery in Cairo, Egypt.

This plant remained open in 1918-33 (Prohibition era), making "Near Beer" and ice. The owner's daughter, "Miss Cecelie", joined staff in 1922. (She became only woman in U.S.A. to be sole owner of a brewery in 1950.) A nephew, August Haslebeck, joined in 1934; granddaughter Rosa, in 1964. In family over 50 years, the plant retains historic name, although sold in 1966 to new owners.

Erected 1971 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5011.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 29° 26.007′ N, 97° 10.033′ W. Marker is in Shiner, Texas, in Lavaca County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 5th Street (State Highway 95) and Hilltop Road (County Route 355), on the left when traveling north. Marker is on corner of main building on John Hybner Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shiner TX 77984, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Kaspar Wire Works (approx. ¼ mile away); Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church (approx. 0.7 miles away);

Spoetzl Brewery Marker on corner of building. image. Click for full size.

By Gregory Walker, September 1, 2012

2. Spoetzl Brewery Marker on corner of building.

Saint Ludmila's Academy (approx. ¾ mile away); First Methodist Church of Shiner (approx. 0.8 miles away); Sarah Creath McSherry Hibbens Stinnett Howard (approx. one mile away); Half Moon (approx. 1.9 miles away); Herder Half Moon Place (approx. 2.6 miles away); Culak's School (approx. 8.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiner.

Also see . . . Spoetzl Brewery article in Handbook of Texas Online. (Submitted on June 26, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas.)

Spoetzl Brewery as seen looking right from the marker. image. Click for full size.

By Gregory Walker, September 1, 2012

3. Spoetzl Brewery as seen looking right from the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.