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Point Special

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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
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession

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
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
maltycleangrassy
malty
clean
grassy
floral
fruity
Aroma
The nose opens with delicate notes of dried hay and grain, followed by subtle sweet corn character typical of the style.
not found:hoppy,caramel,sour,smoky

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
Serve at 4–7°C

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

Stein

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Point Special

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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 dry, crisp, malty character as Point Special will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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