Special Export Beer: Where To Buy And Enjoy It

Special Export Beer is a pale lager with 4.5% ABV and ~100 calories. It is brewed by the Pabst Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Special Export is known for its crisp and smooth taste, reminiscent of traditional European beers. The beer has a dedicated following, with some considering it a go-to option for a long night. While it used to be more widely available, it seems that Special Export may be harder to find in certain locations nowadays.

Special Export beer history

Special Export beer was first introduced in 1934 by the G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States. The company was founded in 1858 by Gottlieb Heileman, an immigrant from Württemberg, who co-founded The City Brewery with John Gund, an immigrant from Baden. The pair had a falling out in 1872 due to differing business goals, and Heileman retained sole ownership of the brewery, which was renamed the G. Heileman Brewery.

Following Heileman's death in 1878, ownership of the company passed to his widow, Johanna Heileman, who was one of the first female CEOs in US history. Under Johanna's leadership, the company began to expand, and by 1880 they were producing over 7,000 barrels of beer per year. In 1902, the company launched its historic Old Style Brand, and by 1915, Heileman had expanded to serve over 30 states.

In the 1930s, following the end of Prohibition, the company introduced Special Export as its second house brew. With an alcohol content of over 6%, Special Export was significantly stronger than Old Style Lager, which had an alcohol content of only 4%.

Over the years, the G. Heileman Brewing Company continued to expand and acquire new breweries and labels. By the 1980s, the company had achieved the #4 market share position in the brewing industry, with annual sales of $1.3 billion. However, intense marketing pressures and hostile takeover attempts by corporate raiders led to the company's decline in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In 1994, the private equity firm Hicks, Muse bought the company for $300 million, and two years later, it was sold to the Stroh Brewery Company. The G. Heileman brand was eventually dissolved in 2000, and its brewery names, brands, and intellectual properties ended up with Pabst Brewing Company, which continues to brew several well-known Heileman brands, including Old Style and Special Export.

Where to buy Special Export beer

Special Export beer is a product of the Pabst Brewing Company, which is based in San Antonio, Texas. The beer has been contract-brewed for Pabst since 2001, as Pabst no longer owns its own brewery.

Special Export is a pale lager with 4.5% ABV. It is brewed to be crisp and smooth with a true European taste profile. It is made using all-American northern barley and northwestern hops.

Special Export was first brewed in 1934 by Heileman's brewmaster, who was asked by the workforce to create an especially "strong" beer for the company picnic. It was one of the flagship labels for the Heileman's Brewing Company, along with Old Style.

Special Export beer can be purchased at the following locations:

• Liquid Johnny's
• Chicago Export
• Chipp Inn
• Greenmont Park
• Untappd at Home
• Jewel-Osco
• BeerMenus
• BeerAdvocate
• Hand Family Companies

Special Export beer reviews

Special Export by Pabst Brewing Company is an American-style lager with a history dating back to the 1930s. It has a clear, light golden colour with lots of bubbles and a white head that clears quickly. The beer has a light to medium body and light carbonation, making it a refreshing choice for any season.

In terms of taste, Special Export offers a malty flavour with grainy, corn and slightly fruity notes. It is sweet with a little bitter aftertaste. The bitterness is sharper and richer than regular American-style lagers, giving it a unique flavour profile. The bitterness is also described as Euro lager-like by some.

Special Export pairs well with a variety of dishes due to its thin body and light flavour. It goes well with Italian cuisine, barbecue, pork, noodles, chicken, shellfish, and light seafood. It is also a good choice for spicy foods, Asian dishes like sushi, and Latin foods like guacamole and Mexican rice. For those who enjoy cheese, Special Export is a great match, complementing cheese-based dishes such as pizza and sandwiches.

• "Go-to for a long night of session beers. Could be better but it's not that cheap anymore in Minnesota. Better than Bud Michelob or Miller Lite."
• "Falls right into place with other US adjunct lagers. Not much of a nose, but the faintest hint of old-world grassy hops. Thin body with minimal white head atop pale yellow colour."
• "Clear yellow, good head. Bready, hay aroma. Mild sweetness, slight corn taste, mild bread, somewhat dry finish. Not bad at all."
• "Deep gold colour, 'clean beer' smell, lots of bubbles. Taste has lemon, corn, grain, and grass. Why have I spent so much on Heineken when Special Export is half the price?"

Special Export beer ingredients

Special Export Beer is an American-style lager with a unique blend of ingredients that give it a distinct taste. The beer is contract-brewed by the Pabst Brewing Company and has been a favourite since its inception in 1934.

The primary ingredients in Special Export Beer include hops, cultured yeast, malted barley, filtered water, and corn syrup. It uses all-American northern barley and northwestern hops, which are transformed into a fine beer with a smooth, slow-brewed taste and a hint of old-world craftsmanship.

The beer has a light golden colour, a thin white head, and a light to medium body. It is known for its refreshing, crisp, and smooth taste, with a hint of bitterness. The aroma is predominantly malty, with subtle grainy, skunky, and fruity notes.

The unique blend of ingredients in Special Export Beer results in a well-rounded, versatile drink that pairs well with a variety of dishes, from light foods to spicy and Asian cuisines. Its light carbonation and neutralized blend of flavours make it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a chilled, relaxing beer.

With an alcohol content of over 6 percent, Special Export Beer offers a full mouthfeel and is suitable for both light and heavy drinkers. Its nutritional content includes approximately 155 calories, 10g of carbohydrates, and 1g of protein per 12 fl oz can.

Special Export beer ABV

Special Export beer is a pale lager with an ABV of 4.5%. It is brewed by the Pabst Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas, and has been since 2001, as Pabst no longer owns its own brewery. Special Export is described as a crisp and smooth beer with a true European taste profile.

The beer is made with American-grown ingredients, including northern barley and northwestern hops, and is said to have an old-world craftsmanship flavour. It is a popular choice for those looking for an affordable beer with a higher alcohol content than similar beers in its price range.

Reviews of Special Export note its sweet and bitter taste, with hints of corn and grass. Some describe it as an easy-drinking beer, while others note that it has an acidic alcohol tang. It is often compared to other American adjunct lagers, such as PBR and Bud.

Special Export was once produced and sold by the Heileman's Brewing Company, where it was one of their flagship labels alongside Old Style. It is now more challenging to find Special Export in some areas, and it may be cheaper to buy in bulk, with 20-packs selling for $10 in the past.

Frequently asked questions