Heileman's Special Export Light
Pabst Brewing Company

Heileman's Special Export LightHeileman's Special Export Light
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From:
Pabst Brewing Company
 
Texas, United States
Style:
American Lager
ABV:
4.4%
Score:
69
Avg:
2.38 | pDev: 34.45%
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
15
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 25, 2021
Added:
Jun 21, 2003
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
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Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 2.08 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 25, 2021
 
Rated: 2.53 by tommy5 from Michigan

Apr 20, 2016
 
Rated: 2.06 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Jan 31, 2015
 
Rated: 2.1 by BigAl18 from Minnesota

Oct 02, 2014
 
Rated: 1 by CoryR from Oregon

Mar 10, 2014
 
Rated: 1 by DOCRW from Kentucky

Feb 23, 2014
 
Rated: 2 by IchLiebeBierZu from Minnesota

Sep 22, 2013
 
Rated: 2.75 by spycow from Illinois

Jan 17, 2013
 
Rated: 2 by Eaglefan344 from Missouri

Oct 23, 2012
 
Rated: 2.5 by Bighorn from Minnesota

Jun 30, 2012
Photo of Chaz
Reviewed by Chaz from Minnesota

3.47/5  rDev +45.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a brilliant, pale straw in color, topped with an eggshell white head. The head drops quickly and leaves minimal lacing on the sides and a film of white cap atop the glass; looks pretty good for the style.

It's worth noting that from previous go-rounds, carbonation is a notable aspect of this one. Still, while it drinks very light and bubbly it never seems "too light", even for a diet beer.

Sweet/tangy/metallic nose, with a lighter biscuit-malt note blending with what I take to be adjunct (but what might well-be six-row malt.) Actually smells better than average for a light beer, but maybe I'm cutting the recipe too much slack? Somewhat fruity, like a hint of green grapeskins and a touch of lemon/citrus zest -- hops?

Fairly brisk on the palate from the first sip onwards, and as this is not (typically) the kind of beer I will let get warm, the brisk character remains throughout the drink. Although there's definitely a note of lemony-hop (!) going forward, the bitterness is quite mild. The malt profile throughout is as it was on the nose, and seems to be some specialty in addition six-row. Rather dry and thirst-quenching but not insipid or overly dumbed-down...

The mouthfeel is fuller than I expect from the style, and there are no off-flavors to speak of (whether intentional or not), just a clean, commercial rendition of the style.

For the past few years I've enjoyed Special Export "silos" at my favorite dive bar and have noticed that it's been an excellent beer when fresh. And while this Light version is new to me, it definitely shares a taste-alike quality with its bigger, green-canned sibling. This can I've just poured from is fresh (from a 30-pack; I can no longer find 18-packs) and I'm looking forward to another purchase.

Worth a shot!

Served in a Peter Bub Brewery -centennial- glass : )
Best-by date: APR0212 (bottom of can)
Mar 15, 2012
Photo of kilustration
Reviewed by kilustration from Illinois

3.1/5  rDev +30.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Not bad light beer for the price. Taste is compared to any BMC light beer. Surprised that was so good compared to Old Style.

Compared to Special Export (Regular): Very similar in all aspects, the other may be just a touch better. I agree with previous post on bottles versus cans...go bottles all the way - although the can aint bad.

Cant go wrong with a 30pack for 11.99. When this case+ is finished, I will move on to the next brand..but will never be afraid of SE Light again.
Mar 29, 2009
Photo of douglasmoran
Reviewed by douglasmoran from Minnesota

1.74/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
The best way to describe Special Ex Light is... ..this is to beer as Velveeta is to cheese.
A: Pale, like a cave fish species that hasn't seen the sun in 3 million generations
S: Beer-like at best
T: The Velveeta of beer. It resembles something beer-ish...but then again, more like a tongue-less person's impression of beer-ish.
M: Like a mouthfull of water, yet, oddly, a slight beer-ish feel to it. Sort of. Maybe.
D: Only reason to drink would be to get hammered & tonged up, which you could do w/this delight, but then, save the money & trips to the biffy & just drink gin.
Jan 02, 2006
Photo of wgk
Reviewed by wgk from Wisconsin

4.02/5  rDev +68.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
This is an exceptional light beer for the price. It has a much richer taste than virtually any other light beer in it's price range and it presents you still with a true light beer drinkability.

This beer compared to its' parent beer, Special Export, in my opinion is more drinkable, but it is very similar in appearance, smell and taste. Bottles of Special Export Light tend to be smoother in mouthfeel and taste than the canned product, which is a bit more sharply carbonated, as are many light beers in cans compared to the same product in bottles.
Nov 01, 2003
Photo of Redrover
Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

3.28/5  rDev +37.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Beer poured a slightly darker than normal macro yellow. Large initial head. Surprisingly good lacing.

Beer does not have a ton of smell. Bit of hops and a little grass smell.

Taste is better than most light beers. You can actually taste the hops and there is also some corn sweetness which is not bad in this beer. Not a great tasting beer except when you are comparing it to its peer group.

Very good carbonation. This beer is smooth and poundable. I don't really drink much light beer, but this is one of the better ones in my book.
Jun 21, 2003
Heileman's Special Export Light from Pabst Brewing Company
Beer rating: 69 out of 100 with 15 ratings