Hoegaarden Speciale | Brouwerij van Hoegaarden
Brewed by:
Brouwerij van Hoegaarden
Belgium
hoegaarden.com
Style: Witbier
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.70%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 07-05-2002
Ratings: 38 | Reviews: 30
3.46/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a regular drinking glass from a 25 cl. bottle.
-The color is very opaque and it has a dinstinctive orange color, unusual for a witbier, as they use to be more yellow. It has a small foam head.
-Less citric than other witbiers.
-The mouthfeel and taste are quite good, it isn't neither heavy nor bitter.
-The feel is nice
Overall, I would describe it as an unsual witbier but still within the guidelines of the style and definitely worth trying it.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a regular drinking glass from a 25 cl. bottle.
-The color is very opaque and it has a dinstinctive orange color, unusual for a witbier, as they use to be more yellow. It has a small foam head.
-Less citric than other witbiers.
-The mouthfeel and taste are quite good, it isn't neither heavy nor bitter.
-The feel is nice
Overall, I would describe it as an unsual witbier but still within the guidelines of the style and definitely worth trying it.
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3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.92/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
250ml bottle from Beers of Europe website (£1.89):
Slightly hazy, light amber a 2cm, foamy white head that holds well & shows signs of carbonation.
Clove & wheat initially followed by some clove and a little orange. A few citrus notes along with some spice and a touch of yeast also make an appearance.
Clove & hints of coridander upfront with some orange coming through and a little spice. There is some citrus as well and this one does a fairly good job of mirroring the nose. There is spice and various fruits with a slightly sour taste towards the end.
Smooth for the most part with some spice on top of a medium body and good, solid carbonation that gives the beer a nice kick.
Quite a nice beer but very similar to Hoegaarden itself, to be honest I can't tell what the difference is meant to be and am questioning whether this is a gimmick or not. Regardless this one is an enjoyable beer that runs the original very close & is a touch stronger in taste.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
250ml bottle from Beers of Europe website (£1.89):
Slightly hazy, light amber a 2cm, foamy white head that holds well & shows signs of carbonation.
Clove & wheat initially followed by some clove and a little orange. A few citrus notes along with some spice and a touch of yeast also make an appearance.
Clove & hints of coridander upfront with some orange coming through and a little spice. There is some citrus as well and this one does a fairly good job of mirroring the nose. There is spice and various fruits with a slightly sour taste towards the end.
Smooth for the most part with some spice on top of a medium body and good, solid carbonation that gives the beer a nice kick.
Quite a nice beer but very similar to Hoegaarden itself, to be honest I can't tell what the difference is meant to be and am questioning whether this is a gimmick or not. Regardless this one is an enjoyable beer that runs the original very close & is a touch stronger in taste.
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4.31/5 rDev +14.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
As a big lover of the famous Hoegaarden whitebeer I was interested whether this Speciale wheatbeer would have an own style or that it would be something the same (or worse) than the orginal. I'm quite suprised that this beer is something completely different - and of great quality!
L: the looks are quite bad; no retention;
S: comes close to the origal, but with more depth, real lemon smell;
T: the taste is really interesting and suprising; it doesn't look like any other Belgian whitebeers or German Weisener; spiciness, tiny orange, honey;
M: this is absolutely great; perfect alcohol, very drinkable; nice, bit dry finish and aftertaste;
O: could drink this one almost as often as the famous brother; if that one's sold out, I will fill my evening with this one!
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look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
As a big lover of the famous Hoegaarden whitebeer I was interested whether this Speciale wheatbeer would have an own style or that it would be something the same (or worse) than the orginal. I'm quite suprised that this beer is something completely different - and of great quality!
L: the looks are quite bad; no retention;
S: comes close to the origal, but with more depth, real lemon smell;
T: the taste is really interesting and suprising; it doesn't look like any other Belgian whitebeers or German Weisener; spiciness, tiny orange, honey;
M: this is absolutely great; perfect alcohol, very drinkable; nice, bit dry finish and aftertaste;
O: could drink this one almost as often as the famous brother; if that one's sold out, I will fill my evening with this one!
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3.9/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
250ml bottle served in a tulip glass.
A: Pours a slightly cloudy yellow to orange color forming a small bubbled white head, Small retention and few lacings formed and left in the glass
S: Sweet and spicy. Sweet grains, honey, wheat, cloves, cinnamon, orange zest, flowery hops, Belgian bready yeasts
T: Slightly sweet malts upfront. Notes of honey, cloves, cinnamon, orange zest, wheat, Blegian yeasts. Mild hops bitterness in the end
M: Light body and medium carbonation. Aftertaste is slightly sweet and quite spicy, mainly made of wheat, cloves and orange zest
O: Easy drinking beer. Very smooth and pleasant in the mouth. A sweeter version of the classic Hoegaarden with stronger notes of the spices used. Recommended
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
250ml bottle served in a tulip glass.
A: Pours a slightly cloudy yellow to orange color forming a small bubbled white head, Small retention and few lacings formed and left in the glass
S: Sweet and spicy. Sweet grains, honey, wheat, cloves, cinnamon, orange zest, flowery hops, Belgian bready yeasts
T: Slightly sweet malts upfront. Notes of honey, cloves, cinnamon, orange zest, wheat, Blegian yeasts. Mild hops bitterness in the end
M: Light body and medium carbonation. Aftertaste is slightly sweet and quite spicy, mainly made of wheat, cloves and orange zest
O: Easy drinking beer. Very smooth and pleasant in the mouth. A sweeter version of the classic Hoegaarden with stronger notes of the spices used. Recommended
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3.32/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
19th Oct 2012: bottle in 't Puur Genot, a strange irish type bar in Diest. Noticed the advertising card on the table when we poured into the pub from it's outside area when the rain started: decided to risk one.
Cloudy, murky and misty: once I'd cleaned the glass I poured the beer in, it too was cloudy, murky and misty. No head to talk of, just a few bubbles exploding on the surface.
Usual Hoegaarden lemony/orangey/citrusy notes: whats special about this speciale then? certainly not the smell.
Tasted very simular too (as the normal brew): they may have added some sweeter fruit syrup into the brew to make it less tart and refreshing, would like to compare side by side with the original Hoegaarden.
Not unpleasant, but not great either: a kind of sweeter less fizzy Hoegaarden in my eyes.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
19th Oct 2012: bottle in 't Puur Genot, a strange irish type bar in Diest. Noticed the advertising card on the table when we poured into the pub from it's outside area when the rain started: decided to risk one.
Cloudy, murky and misty: once I'd cleaned the glass I poured the beer in, it too was cloudy, murky and misty. No head to talk of, just a few bubbles exploding on the surface.
Usual Hoegaarden lemony/orangey/citrusy notes: whats special about this speciale then? certainly not the smell.
Tasted very simular too (as the normal brew): they may have added some sweeter fruit syrup into the brew to make it less tart and refreshing, would like to compare side by side with the original Hoegaarden.
Not unpleasant, but not great either: a kind of sweeter less fizzy Hoegaarden in my eyes.
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3.89/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
exp 8/25/12
A: Hazy, pretty bright orangy yellow. Basically no head, and just a few sporadic bubbles jumping to the top. Poured without the yeast at the bottom.
S: Like a solid wit, I don't have this side by side a standard Hoegaarden, but I feel it's pretty similar. Orange citrus yeast, sweet, refreshing and inviting.
T: Not as sweet as the nose, generally more sedated than the nose, nothing negative, not bitter at all, a hair of sourness, not as bright as a standard hoegaarden. It's good, but doesn't take your breath away.
Edit: But wait, as I'm nearing the bottom of the glass, a sort of childrens, fruity medicinal flavor enters. Interesting.
M: More of a sense of pushing outward, but not carbonation pops felt. Nice.
O: Very decent wit.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
exp 8/25/12
A: Hazy, pretty bright orangy yellow. Basically no head, and just a few sporadic bubbles jumping to the top. Poured without the yeast at the bottom.
S: Like a solid wit, I don't have this side by side a standard Hoegaarden, but I feel it's pretty similar. Orange citrus yeast, sweet, refreshing and inviting.
T: Not as sweet as the nose, generally more sedated than the nose, nothing negative, not bitter at all, a hair of sourness, not as bright as a standard hoegaarden. It's good, but doesn't take your breath away.
Edit: But wait, as I'm nearing the bottom of the glass, a sort of childrens, fruity medicinal flavor enters. Interesting.
M: More of a sense of pushing outward, but not carbonation pops felt. Nice.
O: Very decent wit.
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2.67/5 rDev -29%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Nice aroma, but the rest leaves a bit to be desired. Taste is wet paper, honey, lemons, with abrupt and dry finish. SHould have known this was going to be disappointing
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look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Nice aroma, but the rest leaves a bit to be desired. Taste is wet paper, honey, lemons, with abrupt and dry finish. SHould have known this was going to be disappointing
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2.83/5 rDev -24.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Nose smells of wheat but also the traditional Witbier fruity apricot-peach in a way. The mouth is warmer than the classic Hoegaarden and there sees a strong aspect syrupy not always really nice with the aforementioned fruit and slight nutty palate. Finish softer but also more syrup and unfortunately less refreshing.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Nose smells of wheat but also the traditional Witbier fruity apricot-peach in a way. The mouth is warmer than the classic Hoegaarden and there sees a strong aspect syrupy not always really nice with the aforementioned fruit and slight nutty palate. Finish softer but also more syrup and unfortunately less refreshing.
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3.84/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours very pale yellow with large white head that quickly subsides. Aroma is sweet lemon and yeast.
Taste is fruity spice, wheat and very light bitterness. The beer becomes sweeter towards the end and light warming feel sets in during the faint citrusy aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium-full with moderate carbonation.
Speciale is rather drinkable, but seemed a bit too sweet at the end of the glass.
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours very pale yellow with large white head that quickly subsides. Aroma is sweet lemon and yeast.
Taste is fruity spice, wheat and very light bitterness. The beer becomes sweeter towards the end and light warming feel sets in during the faint citrusy aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium-full with moderate carbonation.
Speciale is rather drinkable, but seemed a bit too sweet at the end of the glass.
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4.16/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Pale hazy yellow, almost no head
S: Grains, lemon and a hint of vanilla
T: Grains and hops, and a citruslike vanilla flavour in the back.
M/D: Kind of flat, very thin carbonation, not very pleasant. Very drinkable though.
Not really my cup of tea but pretty good.
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look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Pale hazy yellow, almost no head
S: Grains, lemon and a hint of vanilla
T: Grains and hops, and a citruslike vanilla flavour in the back.
M/D: Kind of flat, very thin carbonation, not very pleasant. Very drinkable though.
Not really my cup of tea but pretty good.
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3.98/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a cloudy tan color with an off white head that leaves some lacing around the glass.
Smell has yeast, bread, some floral notes.
Taste starts out with some yeast up front which then changes to a floral spice, has some bread flavor, some hints of orange, finishes with more yeast. Wish I had more than a 25cl bottle of this to review with. It's like a tease of what regular Hoegaarden could be.
I really enjoyed this beer and wish I had bought more. I don't if it's just me or not but Hoegaarden original has been really crap lately, this is what they should be selling in the huge 66cl bottles.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a cloudy tan color with an off white head that leaves some lacing around the glass.
Smell has yeast, bread, some floral notes.
Taste starts out with some yeast up front which then changes to a floral spice, has some bread flavor, some hints of orange, finishes with more yeast. Wish I had more than a 25cl bottle of this to review with. It's like a tease of what regular Hoegaarden could be.
I really enjoyed this beer and wish I had bought more. I don't if it's just me or not but Hoegaarden original has been really crap lately, this is what they should be selling in the huge 66cl bottles.
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4/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Alas. We come to the third and final installment of this seasons Hoegaarden family brews.
Pours a fully clouded brown hued orange. Thin white head that falls fast. Nose is earthy, doughy, floral tones. Flavor brings much of the same. Leans on the earthy side over anything else. Hints of biting citrus are there as well. Feel is thick and smooth on liquid. Carbonation is lower but slightly biting. I like this one. Quite earthy, but with nice subtle characteristics balancing it out.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Alas. We come to the third and final installment of this seasons Hoegaarden family brews.
Pours a fully clouded brown hued orange. Thin white head that falls fast. Nose is earthy, doughy, floral tones. Flavor brings much of the same. Leans on the earthy side over anything else. Hints of biting citrus are there as well. Feel is thick and smooth on liquid. Carbonation is lower but slightly biting. I like this one. Quite earthy, but with nice subtle characteristics balancing it out.
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3.82/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Looks like pale lemonade with a bit of foamy head that sticks the the glass fairly well. Smells of Belgian yeast, some citrus, and European hops. The taste is primarily the Belgian yeast, but there's a balance of wheat malt and citrus, and the citrus lingers into the aftertaste. Lighter medium body, easy to drink, pretty well-rounded.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Looks like pale lemonade with a bit of foamy head that sticks the the glass fairly well. Smells of Belgian yeast, some citrus, and European hops. The taste is primarily the Belgian yeast, but there's a balance of wheat malt and citrus, and the citrus lingers into the aftertaste. Lighter medium body, easy to drink, pretty well-rounded.
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3.65/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
25cl bottle obtained at "The Cave" on Great Western Rd. in Glasgow. Expiration date of 2 10 09.
Pours a semi-cloudy tangerine colour, with minimal head-even with a vigorous pour.
Smell is sour wheat, some citrus, and lots of orange. Flowery character lingers in the background.
Taste is fruity citrus up front, some spice in the middle that fades into an acidic fruitiness with a sourness lingering.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, leaving a chalky feeling on the palate.
Drinkability is pretty good. Not the most interesting beer in the world...
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
25cl bottle obtained at "The Cave" on Great Western Rd. in Glasgow. Expiration date of 2 10 09.
Pours a semi-cloudy tangerine colour, with minimal head-even with a vigorous pour.
Smell is sour wheat, some citrus, and lots of orange. Flowery character lingers in the background.
Taste is fruity citrus up front, some spice in the middle that fades into an acidic fruitiness with a sourness lingering.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, leaving a chalky feeling on the palate.
Drinkability is pretty good. Not the most interesting beer in the world...
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3.92/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (33cl.), tasted in 2007.
Appearance : golden blond color, with white foam head.
Smell : slightly spicy and releasing a pronounced smell of coriander
aromas of yeast, fresh spices, a hint of citrus.
Taste and mouthfeel : round in the mouth, it develops a taste for slightly roasted malt with hints of honey.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style Witbier
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (33cl.), tasted in 2007.
Appearance : golden blond color, with white foam head.
Smell : slightly spicy and releasing a pronounced smell of coriander
aromas of yeast, fresh spices, a hint of citrus.
Taste and mouthfeel : round in the mouth, it develops a taste for slightly roasted malt with hints of honey.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style Witbier
367 characters
3.47/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
25 cl bottle sampled on 7 April 2008. This beer is pretty easily available in Luxembourg supermarkets. I forget which one I picked it up at.
Beer poured a cloudy golden color with some floating particles in the body. There was a sold but not thick head. Leaves a lasting ring on the glass edge. The nose had some decent wheat and citrus tones. The taste was a bit peppery and accompanied by a wheat taste, along with a bit of earthiness and citrus. Slight hop presence on the back end. Easy to drink and a decent beer overall.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
25 cl bottle sampled on 7 April 2008. This beer is pretty easily available in Luxembourg supermarkets. I forget which one I picked it up at.
Beer poured a cloudy golden color with some floating particles in the body. There was a sold but not thick head. Leaves a lasting ring on the glass edge. The nose had some decent wheat and citrus tones. The taste was a bit peppery and accompanied by a wheat taste, along with a bit of earthiness and citrus. Slight hop presence on the back end. Easy to drink and a decent beer overall.
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4.13/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
25cl bottle poured into 30cl tulip.
A- Explosive 4 finger head with excellent retention and lacing. Cloudy pale yellow
S- Oranges, coriander, some bready malts, citrus, vanilla
T- As in the tastes, lots of orange and coriander, some passionfruit. Sweet citrus finish.
M- Spritzy, light
D- Very drinkable, much more flavoursome than the original but without the alcohol kick of the grand cru. Super!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
25cl bottle poured into 30cl tulip.
A- Explosive 4 finger head with excellent retention and lacing. Cloudy pale yellow
S- Oranges, coriander, some bready malts, citrus, vanilla
T- As in the tastes, lots of orange and coriander, some passionfruit. Sweet citrus finish.
M- Spritzy, light
D- Very drinkable, much more flavoursome than the original but without the alcohol kick of the grand cru. Super!
403 characters
Hoegaarden Speciale from Brouwerij van Hoegaarden
3.76
out of 5
based on 38 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5