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Point Special

Stevens Point Brewery
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🌍 United States · American Lager · One of 70 American Lagers in hopIQ

Point Special has been the brewery's flagship since 1857, a classic American-style lager with a soft malt base and a modest hop presence. It pours clear yellow-gold under a dense white head. The nose carries light hay, grain and a touch of sweet corn, with faint grassy and floral hop notes behind. On the palate mild malt sweetness moves into cereal and corn and a hint of fruit, before a crisp, dry finish with barely noticeable bitterness.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Mild9 IBU
SRM
pale gold4
See all American Lager alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2022
U.S. Open Beer Championship
American Premium Lagers
Gold · 2022
New York International Beer Competition
Silver · 2020
New York International Beer Competition
Gold · 2019
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Bronze · 2019
New York International Beer Competition
Bronze · 2018
Denver International Beer Competition
Silver · 2018
World Beer Championships
Silver · 2017
Denver International Beer Competition
Gold · 2017
New York International Beer Competition
North American Lagers
Silver · 2017
World Beer Championships
Silver · 2016
Los Angeles International Beer Competition
Gold · 2016
World Beer Championships
Bronze · 2016
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Gold · 2015
Los Angeles International Beer Competition
Silver · 2015
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Silver · 2013
World Beer Championships
Silver · 2012
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Silver · 2012
World Beer Championships
Silver · 2011
World Beer Championships
Bronze · 2011
North American Beer Awards
Silver · 2010
World Beer Championships
Gold · 2003
Great American Beer Festival
American Style Premium Lager
Bronze · 2000
World Beer Cup
American Style Premium Lager
Bronze · 2000
World Beer Championships
Bronze · 1996
Great American Beer Festival
American Style Premium Lager
Silver · 1995
Great American Beer Festival
American Style Premium Lager
★Gold — U.S. Open Beer Championship (American Premium Lagers)
★Gold — New York International Beer Competition
★Silver — New York International Beer Competition
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Mildly bitter and crisp.

Trim and gentle — the beer moves through with an unforced, easy rhythm.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Lager.
No character signal.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Point Special

◎ Appearance

Point Special presents a clear, bright yellow-gold hue with excellent transparency. A dense white head forms on the pour and persists with stable Schaumhaftung down the glass. Fine carbonation is evident throughout, lending a lively visual character to this classic lager.

clear yellow-golddense white headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with delicate notes of dried hay and grain, followed by subtle sweet corn character typical of the style. Behind these grain-forward impressions sit restrained grassy and floral hop notes that suggest a light Edelhopfen presence rather than assertive aromatics. The overall bouquet remains soft and inviting without aggressive or complex layers.

hay and grainsweet cornlight floral hops

◐ Taste

The palate leads with gentle malt sweetness before transitioning into cereal and corn flavors that mirror the nose. A hint of fruit—likely from clean fermentation—appears mid-palate before the beer moves toward a crisp, dry conclusion. Bitterness remains barely perceptible at 9 IBU, allowing the soft malt character to remain the focal point throughout.

soft malt sweetnesscereal and cornvery low bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and dry, with the minimal hop bitterness fading quickly to leave a clean palate. Aftertaste remains subtle and grain-forward, without any lingering sweetness or harsh notes.

crisp, dryclean palate
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
74
Taste
75
Appearance
78
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Point Special

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Point Special

About American Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Lager?

American Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar American Lager

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

Other American Lagers in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →