Spezial Lagerbier
Brewery: Spezial
Town: Bamberg
Style: Rauchbier
Color: light chestnut
Head: off white, rocky
Nose: light smoke
Body: medium
Palate: balanced, hoppy, unobtrusive but permeating smokiness
Finish: clean, bitter
Served: on tap at the brewery
Impression: The “other” Rauchbier is for many the favorite one. Spezial’s flagship beer is a more approachable session beer, with a cleaner and more bitter finish. The smoke is there and not light in any way but it’s not quite as prominent as Schlenkerla’s flagship. The comparison is perhaps not quite fair since Schlenkerla’s is a Märzen and Spezial also brews one (though not always available) and it is also smokier. All that said, this is one dangerously drinkable beer and having one a their atmospheric pub should be very high on any beer drinker’s list.
Hi Rich! Myself and two other Australian fans of yours will be visiting Bavaria from 4-17th Sept. We’re largely going to be spending our time in Munich, but we’ll also be visiting Traunstein, Bamberg & Regensburg. We love your book and website (which has been incredibly helpful in planning for this trip – thank you!) and was wondering if you are available to meet for a beer somewhere along the way. This trip is also in honour of our brewmaster buddy’s birthday and he is a HUGE fan of yours 🙂 Thanks again and I hope we cross paths soon.