Spezial Ungespundetes - Brauerei Spezial

Domingo

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this at the Spezial Keller in 06/11.
Arrived in a round 1/2L bubbled mug. Unlike some other kellerbiers, this one is a deep gold color with only a bit of haze to it. At first glance you might not know it's unfiltered, but the haze never settles. The gold color is great. The head on this was rocky to start with and the lacing turned out to be pretty massive as well.
Bready, malty flavors are more potent than expected. Pale malts cross-cross with bittering hops evenly. Lager yeast gives everything a faint honey character. Spezial has made the hops more of a balancer rather than the star of the show like in other kellerbiers further south. I like the sweetness going on, especially because the lager yeast gives it a bit of honeycomb character.
Tons of flavor, and it's still only around 5%. You have to like that.
One of the best kellerbiers I've had and nearly on par with the Mahr's example, which is my favorite. I really like their approach with it. In a brewhouse known for great smoked beers, give this one a go first!
Oh yeah - as an FYI, there's no smoke here. I'm pretty sure the kellerbier from Schlenkerla has none, too.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2011 11:43:41 | More by Domingo

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap @ Armsby Abbey.

A: Poured in a huge mug ala Oktoberfest in Germany. It holds not only the beer, but the large 3 finger creamy head that rises up, which also has great retention. The beer is pretty clear with touch of cloudiness golden yellow honey colored.

N: Very German lager like, with malty aromas, little Munich, lots of wheat, banana, some malty sweetness, little toastiness, touch of yeasty fruit, very light hops, and hint of lager aroma.

T: Lots of toasty malts, with wheat. Then a little tangy fruit flavors (?) hmm, a little weird at this point. But it gets a little more normal with lots of wheat, banana, some Munich malt flavors, etc. Then a semi strong bitterness comes about, not as much hop flavor, more bittering. Some light noble hop flavor, but lots of hop bitterness. Slight yeasty lager flavor with a little fruitiness. It has a slight sweet and sour like yeasty minerality that I can't really explain. It's really unique.

M: Medium body with good carbonation.

F: Bitter still with long bittering hops, some noble hop flavors linger but mostly just bitterness. A bit more of that strange sweet and sour minerality flavor. A little sweetness from the malts but mostly dry. A touch of wheat hangs out on the finish as well with hints of banana and some fruity yeast. With that is a very little sweet stickiness.

Overall and interesting German style beer. It has some nice bitterness, and some nice lager and wheat flavors, but also has some interesting and unique flavors. It's no Weihenstephaner, but a decent beer nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2010 17:50:31 | More by jlindros

Windigstadt

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured a honey color with a slight yeast haze and a frothy thick head.
S- Floral aroma with sweet honey and a touch of grassy noble hops.
T- Slightly tart up front, perhaps from the yeast, with a healthy hop contribution as well. As these flavors dissipate, the clean malt profile--slightly dry--comes through with the taste of bread crusts and perhaps just a hint of smoke. It then finishes with a moderate hop bitterness.
M- Not as flat as a real ale but certainly not as carbonated as your typical German lager. Seemed to enhance the flavor.
D- Definitely a sessionable beer.

Overall: A great example of a Kellerbier; it's just too bad the brewpub only had it in bottles and not on tap. Nonetheless, this is a beer that will straighten out those who think that lagers lack flavor. Definitely try this one if you get a chance.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2007 21:04:38 | More by Windigstadt

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on-tap at the brewery, July 2006. € 2.00 for 0.5 L

This U Bier poured a hazy, golden color with fluffy, white foam that persisted. There was no carbonation apparent from the bottom of the glass. The smell was slightly malty with a light floral hoppiness as it warmed. The taste was lager-malty with a hint of sweetness. There was a low hop presence overall (and no smoke). The mouthfeel was very smooth with medium body and low carbonation. The light but pleasant hoppiness lingered in the aftertaste. This was a very drinkable and enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2007 00:17:24 | More by UncleJimbo

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this from a wooden cask at the brewery.

A: Very clear, very pale yellow, slight haze; fluffy white head with good retention and lace.

S: Clean (almost soapy), fresh hop aroma.

T: Bready; slightly grassy with clean hop flavour; a little wood/vanilla. Nicely balanced with a crisp finish.

M: Light to moderate body and carbonation.

D: Very good.

Serving type: cask

04-07-2006 21:19:08 | More by Derek