Obere Königstraße 10
96052 Bamberg
Tel: 0951-24304
brauerei-spezial.de
Bamberg Station 700 meters
Opening hours:
Daily from 9:00
Saturday and May 1st 9:00-2:00 PM
Closed for two weeks at the end of August for vacation
Closed December 24-26th, 31st, January 1st, Rose Monday, Fat Tuesday & Ascension Day
Output: 6500 HL
Founded in 1536, Spezial may not be as famous as Schlenkerla but it’s even older and perhaps more the locals’ favorite. The old world pub rivals its more known nemesis and though a bit less busy, don’t waltz in at mealtimes and expect a table all to yourself. Another plus in Spezial’s favor is they have very nice good value rooms above the pub and it’s a shorter walk to the train station.
Hasenkeule, Schweinebraten & Spezial’s signature Lagerbier
I try to stay here every year for my birthday so have eaten here numerous times. I’ve had some great meals from Hasenkeule (rabbit leg), Schweinebraten (roast pork) and Sauerbraten (beef in sourish sauce) to great snacks like Blauer Zipfel (boiled bratwurst in vinegar). Their smoke beer is a notch or two below on smokiness but exceptional nonetheless. Their Bock is not to be missed, either.
Sauerbraten & Blauer Zipfel
Just back from another visit to Spezial and their Bock was as good as ever. My wife had an enormous and great quarter duck and I had Rehbraten (roast deer), which was excellent, as well.
Spezial Bock, Rehbraten & Duck
Another stay at Spezial has come and gone. As always, we were super impressed with everything from breakfast to full meals, snacks and beer. My wife wanted something small and was surprised by the size of the Kalterbraten plate. She was also a bit smoked out, which gave me a chance to try and get a photo of their non-smoky beer, the “U.”
Spezial “U” and another great group of meals
After many visits in the cooler months and hearing good things about their Hof seating, we finally got a chance to experience eating outside at Spezial. It was a really nice day but perhaps a bit on the warm side for our sunny spot. That said, it’s a lot more charming area than I’d imagined and will keep it in mind for future summer visits. We both enjoyed a great Roulade washed down with their tasty Lager.
enjoying a meal in Spezial’s Hof
After a long Lockdown, Spezial has reoppened and it was nice to return for yet another fantastic meal. The Sunday we stopped by it was still only allowed to sit in the courtyard but happily the next day, indoor dining also resumed. It’s a good thing as the outside seating is quite limited. Since it was quite early when we arrived, I had their Weissbier for the first time in ages and quite liked it. We both had goose breast and it may have been the best one we’ve ever had.
Weissbier starter & Gänsebrust mit Wirsing & Kloß
I had a great birthday dinner in December 2021, a lovely Biergulasch which went really well with their often-overlooked amazing Bock.
a lovely birthday dinner
I had about a half hour to kill before my train and noticed a sign saying they had their Märzen on tap. I don’t tend to go to the brewery in the warmer months and likely why I’ve missed this lately. I had it a long time ago but was glad to see it. It was even better than I’d remembered and will be sure to seek it out more often.
too long since my last Spezial Märzen
Since I’ve had more tours in Bamberg this spring and Spezial is so close to the station, we’ve been a few times for Sunday lunch before heading home. My wife loved the Märzen but it seemed filtered on this visit while clearly unfiltered just a few weeks earlier? It went well with a stuffed Wirsing, something neither of us has ever seen but will look for again.
Stuffed Wirsing with filtered Märzen
A few weeks later, we found Roulade on the menu but no more Märzen so we had to make due with their Lager and U. Life could be worse.
another lovely lunch at Spezial
Beers: Spezial Lager (Rauchbier), Spezial Märzen (Rauchbier), Spezial Weissbier (Rauchbier), Spezial Ungespundetes (their very popular non-smoke beer).
Beer calendar:
Bockbier Anstich is the beginning of November
Bockbier November and December
Back to Bamberg breweries.