 Drnk_McDermott (1519), Park Forest, Illinois, USA
Sep 29, 2003 Updated: Mar 31, 2008
Why pick this as my 100th RateBeer? I don’t have any exotic or rare brews handy, having already rated the World Wide Stout. I thought of going the other way and sampling a Santiago; but even for a 7-Eleven beer, it was overpriced, and I’d be left with five more bottles. Then I saw this on sale for $5 a sixer at the store. Here’s a long-standing brand that’s returned to local control after a disastrous period of ownership by Barton Brands, and is now back in the Chicago market. That’s the kind of beer story we need to hear more about!
And it’s a nice beer. A foamy head that dissipates quickly, but underneath is a noticable darker beer than most pilseners, with a constant stream of tiny bubbles. The malt has a slightly toasty taste, with a nice hop balance and nice effervescence. Some adjunct is hinted at, but not noticeable. It leaves a nice malty aftertaste behind. It’s a standard beer that’s almost good for sipping slowly.
Re-visited, 3/30/08. Found a loose bottle at Binny’s on Rt. 83, and thought it was time for a revisit. It’s not an "Anniversary Beer," but just has label info that this is the brewery’s 150th anniversary. I think my original rating may be higher than I might give it today, but not by much. It is darker than other pale lagers, but middlin’ compared to pilseners, true. But it still has some decent malt character you’d never find in a BMC, a light hop presence, and a hint of cereal adjuncts. Better than more than a few German imports to have crossed my palate, and one of my default "cheap brews."
MrBunn (800), Western, Pennsylvania, USA
Jun 28, 2008 Bottle. Pour is amber with not much head. Aromas are sweet, apple juice concentrate with not much else to offer. Flavor is completely pointless. Why bother? I would expect more from a small-scale opperation... but this borders on macro-swill. And I though this would be a "special" lager...
AndrewKScott (246), Lemont, Illinois, USA
May 31, 2008 Pours clean yellow with a thin head. It’s sweet, and corny in the aroma. Taste is well balance, grains, grass corn. Good crisp mouth feel and crisp finish.
Walt (2257), Chicago, Illinois, USA
May 19, 2008 Pour is clear golden yellow with a thin white head...smell is sweet and lightly grainy and grassy...very enticing...sweet light grassy flavor...I think this is well done...nice chewy mouthfeel....maybe it is a touch too sweet in the finish...
jeremyd365 (66), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
May 15, 2008 Straight from the can after a brutally hilly 16 miles, this thing was a gift from god. This may have been mild dehydration already set it, or maybe the nectar of the gods is found in Wisconsin. Ignoring my possible impared judgement, this wasn’t a bad brew. It was surely the best beer I’ve ever had out of a can. I would much like to try it again, but I’m not sure if it can be easily purchased in my area (mid-Michigan)
pumpkinheart (63), Aurora, Illinois, USA
May 12, 2008 Bottle into Shaker glass. Pours a golden lemony color with a rocky white head. Aroma is light, floral hops and some grains. Flavor is a hopped bitterness, some subdued pale grains. Palate is actually fairly pleasant. To be fair, Special is the kind of beer that I would have picked up on a cycling or rafting trip in Northern Wisconsin back in my late teens or early 20’s. For that purpose, this is a really refreshing, simple beer. I mean really: who’s really going to take bottles of Chimay or FFF Dark Lord on a camping trip?!?! A local, easy drinker is the way to go.
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