Special Export Beer is an American-style lager with a crisp and smooth flavour, dating back to the 1930s. It is now produced by the Pabst Brewing Company, which has been contract-brewing the beer since 2001. Special Export is available in cans and bottles and has a clear, light golden colour with lots of bubbles and a white head that clears quickly. It has a light to medium body and a primarily malty aroma with a grainy, skunky, and slightly fruity finish. The beer is vegan-friendly and pairs well with light dishes such as Italian cuisine, barbecue, and seafood, as well as spicy foods and cheese. It has an alcohol content of over 6%, which is slightly higher than the average American-style lager. Special Export Beer can be found in restaurants and bars in select cities in the United States, including Chicago, California, and Milwaukee.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Brewing Company | Pabst Brewing Company |
Brewery Location | San Antonio, Texas, United States |
Beer Style | American-style lager |
Taste | Crisp, smooth, sweet, slightly bitter, malty, grainy, corn, grassy, slightly fruity, acidic |
Alcohol Content | Over 6% ABV |
Calories | 155 calories per 12 fl oz |
Carbohydrates | 10g per 12 fl oz |
Protein | 1g per 12 fl oz |
Colour | Clear, light golden |
Head | White, almost thick, clears quickly |
Body | Light to medium |
Carbonation | Light |
Mouthfeel | Light to medium, slightly sweet, crisp, thin |
Food Pairings | Italian cuisine, barbeque, pork, noodles, chicken, shellfish, light seafood, spicy foods, Asian dishes, Latin dishes, salads, cheese, pizza, sandwiches |
What You'll Learn
Special Export Beer History
Special Export Beer was once produced and sold by the G. Heileman Brewing Company, based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The brewery was founded in 1858 by Gottlieb Heileman, an immigrant from Württemberg, and John Gund, an immigrant from Baden. The pair initially founded The City Brewery, producing beer for local hotels and bars. However, in 1872, the pair had a falling out due to differing business goals, and the partnership was dissolved. Following Heileman's death in 1878, ownership of the company passed to his widow, Johanna Heileman, who controlled the company with her brother-in-law and son-in-law until their son, Henry, was old enough to take over.
Under the new name G. Heileman Brewing Company, the brewery created its flagship label, Old Style Lager, in 1902. Special Export was introduced in 1934 as the company's second house brew. While Old Style Lager had an alcohol content of around 4%, Special Export was over 6%. Special Export was advertised as a premium version of Old Style and was priced higher.
The G. Heileman Brewing Company continued to operate until 1991 when it declared bankruptcy. The company was then sold to the Stroh Brewery Company in 1996. Overwhelmed by debt, Stroh's failed, and the G. Heileman brand names, breweries, and intellectual properties ended up with the Pabst Brewing Company in 1999. Pabst continues to brew several well-known Heileman brands, including Special Export, under contract.
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Special Export Beer Stats
Heileman's Special Export is an American-style lager with a clear, light golden colour and lots of bubbles. It has a white head that clears quickly, leaving little to no lacing. It has a light to medium body with light carbonation and is brewed to be crisp and smooth with a true European taste profile. The beer is sweet with a little bitter aftertaste and a malty flavour with grainy, corn and a little skunky note. It is best served at 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The beer has been available in cans and bottles for many years and is now a product of the Pabst Brewing Company, which contract-brews it in the United States and exports it to other countries. It is made in Milwaukee and Michigan and can be found in restaurants and bars in Chicago, California, Milwaukee, and surrounding cities. It can also be purchased online.
Special Export has an alcohol content of over 6 percent, which is slightly higher than the average American-style lager, and a 12 fl oz can contain 155 calories, 10g of carbohydrates, and 1g of protein.
The beer dates back to 1934 and was the second commercial beer of the Gottlieb Heileman brewing company after the Old Style Lager, which was introduced in 1902.
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Special Export Beer Tasting Profile
Special Export Beer, an American Adjunct Lager, has been brewed in the United States since 2001 by the Pabst Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas. It is described as a pale lager with a 4.5% ABV and ~100 calories.
Taste Profile
Special Export is described as having a "true European taste profile". It is said to be crisp and smooth, with a clean, sweet taste. There are notes of old-world grassy hops, grains, and corn. It has a dry finish and is described as having a slight hop bite. The beer is highly carbonated and has a thin body.
Reviews
Reviews for Special Export are mixed. Some describe it as "not bad at all" and "pleasant", while others find it overly sweet and stale-tasting. It is often compared to other beers in its price range, such as Bud Michelob and Miller Lite, and is considered a "cheap beer". Special Export is said to be more bitter than its label-mate, Old Style.
History
Special Export was previously produced and sold by the Heileman's Brewing Company, alongside Old Style, which was brewed with an extra step called krausening. Special Export was marketed as a stronger version of Old Style, with a higher ABV.
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Special Export Ingredients
Special Export is an American-style lager with a distinctive, crisp and smooth flavour. It is a pale lager with 4.5% ABV and ~100 calories. The beer is brewed to have a true European taste profile.
Special Export's ingredients include all-American northern barley and northwestern hops. The beer also includes hop, cultured yeast, malted barley, filtered water, and corn syrup. These ingredients are transformed into a fine lager, imbued with old-world craftsmanship.
The beer has a light golden colour with a thick white head that clears quickly, leaving little to no lacing. It has a light to medium body with light carbonation, making it a refreshing choice for any season. The beer's aroma is predominantly malty, with a grainy, skunky, and slightly fruity finish.
Special Export is versatile when it comes to food pairings. Its thin body and light flavour make it a perfect match for Italian cuisine, barbecue, pork, noodles, chicken, shellfish, and light seafood. It also complements spicy foods, Asian dishes like sushi, and Latin dishes. The beer is vegan-friendly, making it a good choice for salads, and it pairs well with cheese and cheese-based dishes.
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Where to buy Special Export Beer
Special Export Beer was once produced and sold by the Heileman's Brewing Company, but it is now contract-brewed for Pabst Brewing in San Antonio, Texas. Pabst no longer owns its own brewery.
You can buy Special Export Beer in Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. In Chicago, you can purchase a six-pack of 12-ounce cans for $3.99. In Wisconsin, it is available in 30-packs of 12-ounce cans. In Minnesota, it is available in 20-packs for $10.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Special Export Beer is still available for purchase.
Special Export Beer is available in restaurants and bars in Chicago, California, Milwaukee, and surrounding cities. You can also buy it online.
Special Export Beer is an American-style lager with a light golden colour, lots of bubbles, and a white head that clears quickly. It has a malty, grainy, and slightly fruity flavour with a thin, bitter aftertaste.