San Miguel Especial
San Miguel Fabricas De Cervaza Y Maltas S.A.


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- From:
- San Miguel Fabricas De Cervaza Y Maltas S.A.
- Spain
- Style:
- Lager - European Pale
Ranked #318 - ABV:
- 5.4%
- Score:
- 63
Ranked #29,956 - Avg:
- 2.6 | pDev: 21.15%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 19, 2022
- Added:
- Nov 22, 2005
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 40
SCORE
63
Poor
63
Poor


Notes:
None
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
2.5 by DOCRW from Washington on Jan 19, 2022
3 by altrio on Oct 04, 2021
2.54/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by Dakkyz
440ml can. 5.0% version, brewed in the UK by Carlsberg.
Drank from the can and a glass, tastes like copper nails, tastes far worse as it warms up, very metallic tasting.
Drank from a bottle previous times and really enjoyed it.
Jul 30, 2021
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by Dakkyz
440ml can. 5.0% version, brewed in the UK by Carlsberg.
Drank from the can and a glass, tastes like copper nails, tastes far worse as it warms up, very metallic tasting.
Drank from a bottle previous times and really enjoyed it.
Jul 30, 2021
3.29 by Biergerd from Germany on Jun 11, 2021
2.94/5 rDev +13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by Sigmund from Norway
This one (5,4% ABV) is far better than their 4,5% version lager, which most people have rated under the Philippines branch brewery, even though many of us obviously have had it in Spain. Anyway, the 5,4% version is quite malty, with a barely sufficient hoppiness. An acceptable premium lager, not great but well worth having with (or without) a meal in Spain. This rating is based on a bottle bought in Norway, had travelled well.
Apr 29, 2021
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by Sigmund from Norway
This one (5,4% ABV) is far better than their 4,5% version lager, which most people have rated under the Philippines branch brewery, even though many of us obviously have had it in Spain. Anyway, the 5,4% version is quite malty, with a barely sufficient hoppiness. An acceptable premium lager, not great but well worth having with (or without) a meal in Spain. This rating is based on a bottle bought in Norway, had travelled well.
Apr 29, 2021
2.5/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by Spike from England
440ml can. 5.0% version, brewed in the UK by Carlsberg.
L: Clear, golden colour with many streams of bubbles. Excellent head is big, white, soapy & long-lasting. Served in a cold glass with beads of condensation, this is exactly how you want a lager to look.
S: Absolutely nothing.
T: Sweet & grainy. Negligible hop flavour.
F: Thin mouthfeel almost saved by moderate carbonation.
O: Incredibly bland. Designed to be drunk ice cold. Looks great and is well sessionable, otherwise poor.
PS. DO drink ice cold. This beer becomes sickly sweet as it warms.
Oct 03, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by Spike from England
440ml can. 5.0% version, brewed in the UK by Carlsberg.
L: Clear, golden colour with many streams of bubbles. Excellent head is big, white, soapy & long-lasting. Served in a cold glass with beads of condensation, this is exactly how you want a lager to look.
S: Absolutely nothing.
T: Sweet & grainy. Negligible hop flavour.
F: Thin mouthfeel almost saved by moderate carbonation.
O: Incredibly bland. Designed to be drunk ice cold. Looks great and is well sessionable, otherwise poor.
PS. DO drink ice cold. This beer becomes sickly sweet as it warms.
Oct 03, 2020
2.25 by Askala from Spain on May 16, 2020
2 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on May 04, 2020
3.25/5 rDev +25%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by Dovers from Wisconsin
Had on tap in Barcelona.
Oct 07, 2019
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by Dovers from Wisconsin
Had on tap in Barcelona.
Oct 07, 2019
3 by Robertas from Lithuania on Aug 04, 2019
2.19 by misteil from Ireland on Jun 27, 2019
3.15/5 rDev +21.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by drmeto from Germany
L:
-pours a clear golden with a big,foamy,white head
-medium to high carbonation visible
S:
-honey,spicy,grainy,corn,floral
T:
-Follows the nose
F:
-medium carbonation
-light body
O:
More malty than most "Premium Lagers".The malt base reminds me a lot of Staropramen, but with the typical low bitterniss of other "Premium Lagers"
A drinkable,if unexciting Premium Lager with a heavier malt base than it's competitors.
May 21, 2019
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by drmeto from Germany
L:
-pours a clear golden with a big,foamy,white head
-medium to high carbonation visible
S:
-honey,spicy,grainy,corn,floral
T:
-Follows the nose
F:
-medium carbonation
-light body
O:
More malty than most "Premium Lagers".The malt base reminds me a lot of Staropramen, but with the typical low bitterniss of other "Premium Lagers"
A drinkable,if unexciting Premium Lager with a heavier malt base than it's competitors.
May 21, 2019
3.5 by David19457 from New Jersey on May 03, 2019
2.83 by samEBC from Belgium on Jan 06, 2019
2/5 rDev -23.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
by elnachooo from Spain
Cerveza de color dorado, de baja carbonatación y cuerpo ligero. Aroma a malta. El sabor en boca tiene detalles de malta y lúpulo. Sencilla para tomar, con pocas pretensiones.
Dec 17, 2018
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
by elnachooo from Spain
Cerveza de color dorado, de baja carbonatación y cuerpo ligero. Aroma a malta. El sabor en boca tiene detalles de malta y lúpulo. Sencilla para tomar, con pocas pretensiones.
Dec 17, 2018
3.6/5 rDev +38.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by Mclusal from Colombia
M53
Dec 12, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by Mclusal from Colombia
M53
Dec 12, 2018
3.01/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by JonnoWillsteed from England
There seems to be general confusion between the two listings for this beer, and it seems because it is brewed in several locations, and the relevent one might not be indicated on the can/bottle. [I know the San Miguel available in SE-Asia generally is the one brewed in the Philippines].
I bought my 440ml cans in Waitrose London. They show the ABV% at 5.0%. BB: 26/5/19. 'Brewed and canned in the EU by Carlsberg UK Ltd, Northampton'. Does that mean it's not brewed in Spain, it's unclear to me.
L-Quite pale gold, High carbonation. Pours with 3-finger white head slowly reducing to lacing.
S- A little sour, and not much else to note.
T- Quite hoppy dry, into a richer finish than expected. After I noticed the ambiguous origin I feared this was another industrial euro-lager, but it has something more to it than just that.
M- I think it is well balanced between dryness and richness, and maintains refreshing carbonation on the tongue.
O- Nothing particularly disinctive, but nothing actively wrong either. This would be a decent session-beer to me.
Aug 25, 2018
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by JonnoWillsteed from England
There seems to be general confusion between the two listings for this beer, and it seems because it is brewed in several locations, and the relevent one might not be indicated on the can/bottle. [I know the San Miguel available in SE-Asia generally is the one brewed in the Philippines].
I bought my 440ml cans in Waitrose London. They show the ABV% at 5.0%. BB: 26/5/19. 'Brewed and canned in the EU by Carlsberg UK Ltd, Northampton'. Does that mean it's not brewed in Spain, it's unclear to me.
L-Quite pale gold, High carbonation. Pours with 3-finger white head slowly reducing to lacing.
S- A little sour, and not much else to note.
T- Quite hoppy dry, into a richer finish than expected. After I noticed the ambiguous origin I feared this was another industrial euro-lager, but it has something more to it than just that.
M- I think it is well balanced between dryness and richness, and maintains refreshing carbonation on the tongue.
O- Nothing particularly disinctive, but nothing actively wrong either. This would be a decent session-beer to me.
Aug 25, 2018
3.52 by Renata78 from Sweden on Aug 11, 2018
2.08 by tottel from Netherlands on Jul 25, 2018
2.5 by snowmageddon from Massachusetts on Jul 01, 2018
2.93 by opd213 from California on Jun 03, 2018
2.66 by SoPeL from Poland on Apr 21, 2018
2.45 by TheCrowsEye from California on Jan 05, 2018
3.17 by Copix from Canada (BC) on Nov 30, 2017
2.5 by Hayley_86 from Netherlands on Oct 29, 2017
2.63 by GentleKnight1 from Illinois on Sep 28, 2017
1.9/5 rDev -26.9%
look: 1.75 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 1.75
by Ant777uk from England
It's kind of strange as when you drink the San Miguel in Mallorca, it's a pretty good beer, both as draft or in bottle. However when bought outside Spain, it seems to be different!
This apparently is brewed in Barcelona, and it actually called "Tradicion" as opposed to Especial. Not sure what the difference is, and couldn't tell from their website.
Spanish draft San Miguel I actually like and would give a good rating to. This however is very lifeless and not so great...
Anyway, aroma is very malty. Flavour is quite flat, but improves as it warms up slightly. Not much of an aftertaste and quite dry, very overtly pasteurized I would suggest.
Not a fan, it's a shame as the stuff in Spain is pretty good. Now sure about the Singapore version...
Interestingly on the bottle it does not seem to specify exactly where it is made, it's very possible this is a cheaper and totally different version of the Spanish one, from memory I have had a UK brewed one before that was not so great also...
Aug 23, 2017
look: 1.75 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 1.75
by Ant777uk from England
It's kind of strange as when you drink the San Miguel in Mallorca, it's a pretty good beer, both as draft or in bottle. However when bought outside Spain, it seems to be different!
This apparently is brewed in Barcelona, and it actually called "Tradicion" as opposed to Especial. Not sure what the difference is, and couldn't tell from their website.
Spanish draft San Miguel I actually like and would give a good rating to. This however is very lifeless and not so great...
Anyway, aroma is very malty. Flavour is quite flat, but improves as it warms up slightly. Not much of an aftertaste and quite dry, very overtly pasteurized I would suggest.
Not a fan, it's a shame as the stuff in Spain is pretty good. Now sure about the Singapore version...
Interestingly on the bottle it does not seem to specify exactly where it is made, it's very possible this is a cheaper and totally different version of the Spanish one, from memory I have had a UK brewed one before that was not so great also...
Aug 23, 2017
1.44/5 rDev -44.6%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
by schavuytje from Netherlands
A fairly drinkable pale lower, very bright, slightly slightly slightly yellow body, no foam, vague tones of fine malt with a bitter edge; advice good cold for the best taste
Jun 26, 2017
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
by schavuytje from Netherlands
A fairly drinkable pale lower, very bright, slightly slightly slightly yellow body, no foam, vague tones of fine malt with a bitter edge; advice good cold for the best taste
Jun 26, 2017
2.75 by 22Blue from Kansas on Jun 11, 2017
2.5 by fthegiants from California on May 25, 2017
3.1 by mishi_d from Romania on May 14, 2017
3.02/5 rDev +16.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by monkist from Hungary
The time has come to re-evaluate the San Mig. After a few years things tend to taste better, but not sure if this one made any difference since then. Tasteless lager with dry bitterness remaining in the mouth... German lager-esque? But it's okay, especially with food, despite its wateriness. Otherwise you might not want to be drinking it too much on its own...
May 14, 2017
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by monkist from Hungary
The time has come to re-evaluate the San Mig. After a few years things tend to taste better, but not sure if this one made any difference since then. Tasteless lager with dry bitterness remaining in the mouth... German lager-esque? But it's okay, especially with food, despite its wateriness. Otherwise you might not want to be drinking it too much on its own...
May 14, 2017
2.54 by Giangio from Italy on Dec 19, 2016
2.89 by yaron73 from Israel on Sep 05, 2016
3.29 by BlackVeg from Germany on Aug 13, 2016
2.6/5 rDev 0%
look: 2.75 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
by TobeerAs from Germany
Unpleasant bitter nose. Light sweet smooth taste. Hop notes rather hidden and unbalanced.
May 30, 2016
look: 2.75 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
by TobeerAs from Germany
Unpleasant bitter nose. Light sweet smooth taste. Hop notes rather hidden and unbalanced.
May 30, 2016
2.99 by emincems from Turkey on May 25, 2016
2.84 by Squire from Mississippi on May 22, 2016
2.75 by Campodog from Spain on May 10, 2016
2.17 by AD17 from New Jersey on Apr 25, 2016
San Miguel Especial from San Miguel Fabricas De Cervaza Y Maltas S.A.
Beer rating:
63 out of
100 with
188 ratings