hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Larue Special

Heineken Vietnam
Vietnam·Lager·Rank 2 of 10 · The Best Vietnamese Lagers
Tap to rate

Heineken Vietnam's 2017 premium extension of the Larue family — the 1909 Da Nang brand originally founded by Frenchman Victor Larue, now under global Heineken quality control. Special sits above the 4.2% Original at 4.6% ABV, dialed for a cleaner balance between hop bitterness and malt sweetness. Central Vietnam's premium local lager.

ABV
4.6%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
SRM
pale gold2
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
cleanmalty
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose is subtle and restrained, leading with light grain and bread crust notes that evoke fresh-baked pastry.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Larue Special

◎ Appearance

Larue presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity characteristic of a classic Euro pale lager. The beer displays a delicate white head with modest retention, supported by fine carbonation that creates a gentle effervescence throughout the glass.

pale goldencrystal clearfine carbonationdelicate head

◌ Aroma

The nose is subtle and restrained, leading with light grain and bread crust notes that evoke fresh-baked pastry. Delicate herbal undertones and a whisper of noble hops add complexity without overwhelming the clean, malty character that defines this historic Vietnamese lager.

grain forwardbread crustsubtle hopsclean malt

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a crisp, refreshing entry delivering light malty sweetness balanced by gentle hop bitterness. The mid-palate remains clean and smooth with grainy notes and a touch of herbal character, allowing the beer's approachable nature to shine without demanding intensity.

crispmalty sweetsmoothclean palate

◑ Finish

A dry finish provides a satisfying conclusion with minimal lingering sweetness. The aftertaste is clean and refreshing, leaving the palate ready for the next sip.

dry finishclean aftertasterefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
75
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
80
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve well-chilled at 4–6°C. Carbonation and crispness are the main event — cold preserves both.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store cold and drink fresh. Lagers are at their crispest within 3–4 months.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Larue Special

More from Heineken Vietnam

Huda Beer
Huda Beer
Lager
4.6%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Tiger Vietnam
Tiger Vietnam
Lager
5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Lager?

Euro Pale Lagers are clean, refreshing lagers with 4–5.5% ABV and IBU 10–25. Soft malt sweetness, light hop bitterness and high carbonation make them supremely drinkable.

Finding a similar Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same clean, light, crisp character as Larue Special will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

Compare with another beer →Explore all Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse Vietnam beers →