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Spezial Keller
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Ratings by cichief:
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Reviewed by Bierman9 from New Hampshire
3.99/5 rDev -3.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3
3.99/5 rDev -3.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3
First time visit on 30SEP21, though I had tried in the past and they were closed....
Take the decent hike up the Stephansberg, past the large pasture, then through the parking lot to the Keller. There's a main building on the left, though I didn't venture inside. I strode past the outdoor, covered tables to the open air Biergarten. There you'll find the best view of Bamberg imaginable! The spires of many churches are visible, along with the lovely, rolling hills in the distance. Ahhh!
They only had about 3 Biers to choose from, and I stuck with their gold standard - the Rauchbier! It was as solid as ever. The service was top-shelf, and the atmosphere is second to none. One MUST make the trek up the Stepahnsberg if in Bamberg....
Prosit!
3.99/5 rDev -3.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | $
324
Sep 17, 2022Take the decent hike up the Stephansberg, past the large pasture, then through the parking lot to the Keller. There's a main building on the left, though I didn't venture inside. I strode past the outdoor, covered tables to the open air Biergarten. There you'll find the best view of Bamberg imaginable! The spires of many churches are visible, along with the lovely, rolling hills in the distance. Ahhh!
They only had about 3 Biers to choose from, and I stuck with their gold standard - the Rauchbier! It was as solid as ever. The service was top-shelf, and the atmosphere is second to none. One MUST make the trek up the Stepahnsberg if in Bamberg....
Prosit!
3.99/5 rDev -3.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | $
324
Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan
4.1/5 rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
4.1/5 rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
We found our way up here after some confusion. The gate that I thought was the only access to the place was locked and had a couple signs posted in German that we could not read, so I thought they were closed. After finding a neighbor walking up the street, he told us to simply walk up the road through the parking lot to the Bierkeller at the top of the hill. Problem solved. It was before the dinner crowd, and we were told that all of the tables were reserved, but we could sit for a meal and a beer if we didn't take too long.
There were only two beer – the Spezial Rauchbier and their Weissbier – on the menu (plus a Radler, a Russ and a non-alcoholic beer), so we ordered both beers. Both were very tasty, but we decided we liked the weissbier more than the rauchbier.
The food that we ordered arrived very promptly, and it was very good. After we had finished and left the place before the crowd arrived, we had a chance to look at the view from the outside. The vibe inside isn't much, but the outside ambiance and view makes the walk up here worth it.
Jun 13, 2017There were only two beer – the Spezial Rauchbier and their Weissbier – on the menu (plus a Radler, a Russ and a non-alcoholic beer), so we ordered both beers. Both were very tasty, but we decided we liked the weissbier more than the rauchbier.
The food that we ordered arrived very promptly, and it was very good. After we had finished and left the place before the crowd arrived, we had a chance to look at the view from the outside. The vibe inside isn't much, but the outside ambiance and view makes the walk up here worth it.
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia
3.96/5 rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
3.96/5 rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
Outstanding views of Bamberg! A bit of a hike to get there, but well worth the effort! ...and they have Spezialbier on draft! Great in summer! Recommended!
Aug 30, 2015Reviewed by CampusCrew from Florida
4.18/5 rDev +1.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 3
4.18/5 rDev +1.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Wow, what an amazing place, beutiful view of the city and hills and a short walk to Schlekerla the brewery part. This place is more of a relaxing beer garden to have a beer. Probably one of th best settings for a beer garden that I have been to. Can't remeber if they even serve food, but the beer to order are limited. They do have an amzing low smoked lager that it crisp, fresh with a touch of smoke. Again, this is a place to relax and re-energize from all the waling europe has to offer. This place it a must but don't expect anything more than a great beer with an all world view ber garden.
Jun 23, 2011Reviewed by crossovert from Illinois
4.01/5 rDev -2.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3
4.01/5 rDev -2.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3
My second stop in Bamberg, stumbled upon it randomly. It is at the top of a hill with a magnificent view of the Altstadt.
It serves Spezial Rauchbier and Weissbier. The other 9 people all had the rauchbier, but since I have already had it I went with the Weissbier. It comes in a bottle that you pour yourself and it is decent. I was surprised because all of my friends are not avid beer drinkers but they all seemed to love the Rauchbier.
The waitress was prompt and friendly. The beer is pretty inexpensive.
This one is yet another phenomenal drinking hole in the historic city of Bamberg.
May 02, 2011It serves Spezial Rauchbier and Weissbier. The other 9 people all had the rauchbier, but since I have already had it I went with the Weissbier. It comes in a bottle that you pour yourself and it is decent. I was surprised because all of my friends are not avid beer drinkers but they all seemed to love the Rauchbier.
The waitress was prompt and friendly. The beer is pretty inexpensive.
This one is yet another phenomenal drinking hole in the historic city of Bamberg.
Reviewed by ohmesohoppy from Massachusetts
4.43/5 rDev +7.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
4.43/5 rDev +7.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Drinking a beer at Spezial Keller was definetly one of my top beer drinking experiences thus far. Its a bit removed from the downtown and a small hike up a hill, but its worth it. Theres inside and outside seating and luckily it was such a nice day out that I was able to enjoy my beer on one of the tables outside overlooking the roof tops of the city. It really is a great view. The beer was also excelent I had their weiss beer and of course their rauchbier which was one of my favorites while in bamberg. Since I sat outside it was self serve and you had to go up to a little windo and order your beer. Not going to lie it was a bit intimidating when you dont know a lick of german, but the guy serving the beer was very nice and didnt get the "stupid american" vibe at all. Overall, a great place to enjoy a beer in Bamberg probably the best especially if its a nice day.
Dec 24, 2007Reviewed by petemoss14 from Germany
4.13/5 rDev +0.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
4.13/5 rDev +0.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Up up up the hill, I made my wife do the climb twice, since the first time we arrived before the late afternoon opening. Oh, the look I got! And deservedly so, as the opening time was readily available at my side in the form of the Good Beer Guide Germany.
Well worth even a second climb for a single visit...
A -- On the road, a small arched wooden gate opens to reveal a looping path which leads uphill (of course) around a sprawling lawn to the keller above. Outdoor seating surrounds the keller and offers an awesome view of Bamberg.
Q -- The atmosphere alone would be worth the treck, but a spezial bonus is the gravity-fed rauchbier lager awaiting you.
S -- Sat outside where it was self-service.
S -- No other drafts aside for the gravity rauchbier. Other Spezial selections in bottle form.
When the weather is nice, you can't find a better outdoor bier experience than being nestled atop Bamberg at the Spezial Keller.
Aug 28, 2006Well worth even a second climb for a single visit...
A -- On the road, a small arched wooden gate opens to reveal a looping path which leads uphill (of course) around a sprawling lawn to the keller above. Outdoor seating surrounds the keller and offers an awesome view of Bamberg.
Q -- The atmosphere alone would be worth the treck, but a spezial bonus is the gravity-fed rauchbier lager awaiting you.
S -- Sat outside where it was self-service.
S -- No other drafts aside for the gravity rauchbier. Other Spezial selections in bottle form.
When the weather is nice, you can't find a better outdoor bier experience than being nestled atop Bamberg at the Spezial Keller.
Reviewed by UncleJimbo from Massachusetts
4.13/5 rDev +0.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
4.13/5 rDev +0.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
I finally made it to Bamberg other than in November when I visited last September. I was glad I had the opportunity to visit Spezial Keller while it was still open for the season, though it was a somewhat rainy day when I visited, and therefore I had to sit inside, but no matter, it was still an enjoyable visit. Spezial Keller is located high on a hill overlooking Bamberg. I road the #18 bus from the ZOB to Laurenziplatz (~ 5 minutes by bus) and then walked down and up to the Keller (~20 min walk).
Spezial Keller is a building located behind a huge lawn, with a tree-line walk. There is an outdoor seating area with some nice large shade trees, but there is also seating inside. The indoor room with the bar is a nice room lined with windows that look out over Bamberg, and at the Cathedrals (looking North, NW, and NE). This "sun room" has about 8 tables, and seats maybe 42 people. There is also dining room attached with fewer windows, and these two rooms make an L. There was pop music playing. The grounds are very beautiful, and I hope to return someday earlier in the season to enjoy the outdoor seating.
The beers served are from Brauerei Spezial in town (though this Keller is not owned by the same people who own the brewery), and they were just as delicious here as in town. The food was very tasty as well, and they were generous with offering extra bread to go with the meal. Typical Franconian pub fare on the menu.
The staff was very friendly.
Overall, a very comfortable place, serving some of the best beer in Bamberg, with fantastic views. The only downside is the steep walk up the hill, but this only makes the beer seem more worthwhile. :-)
2005-09-29
Made it back during the summer, and sitting outside in the warm Bamberg evening air was fantastic. Definitely a must-visit in the nicer weather. I began the evening farther up the hill at Wilde-Rose Keller, then walked down to Mahrs Bräu Keller, and finally down and back up to Spezi Keller. Simply wonderful.
2006-07-05
Mar 20, 2006Spezial Keller is a building located behind a huge lawn, with a tree-line walk. There is an outdoor seating area with some nice large shade trees, but there is also seating inside. The indoor room with the bar is a nice room lined with windows that look out over Bamberg, and at the Cathedrals (looking North, NW, and NE). This "sun room" has about 8 tables, and seats maybe 42 people. There is also dining room attached with fewer windows, and these two rooms make an L. There was pop music playing. The grounds are very beautiful, and I hope to return someday earlier in the season to enjoy the outdoor seating.
The beers served are from Brauerei Spezial in town (though this Keller is not owned by the same people who own the brewery), and they were just as delicious here as in town. The food was very tasty as well, and they were generous with offering extra bread to go with the meal. Typical Franconian pub fare on the menu.
The staff was very friendly.
Overall, a very comfortable place, serving some of the best beer in Bamberg, with fantastic views. The only downside is the steep walk up the hill, but this only makes the beer seem more worthwhile. :-)
2005-09-29
Made it back during the summer, and sitting outside in the warm Bamberg evening air was fantastic. Definitely a must-visit in the nicer weather. I began the evening farther up the hill at Wilde-Rose Keller, then walked down to Mahrs Bräu Keller, and finally down and back up to Spezi Keller. Simply wonderful.
2006-07-05
Reviewed by FrankenBier from California
4.08/5 rDev -1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
4.08/5 rDev -1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Connected by family with the brewery in town (the eldest son got the brewery in town, the eldest daughter the keller) they serve all the Spezial beers, but usually just the Lagerbier (rauchbier) on draft. In the summer it is served gravity fed from wooden kegs, in the colder months as regular draft beer.
The keller is open year round (opens at 3pm, weekends at 10am and closed on Mondays) with an indoor pub and restaurant. The view is so spectaular that on sunny days during the winter you will find people sitting at the outside tables. If you are in Bamberg from (roughly) May thru September a visit to the Spezi-keller is an absolute must. There is outdoor seating for nearly a thousand people and its often that full. On summer Sunday evenings there is often music.
The food is traditional Franconian fare, similar to what you'll find at any of the breweries in town. Some locals claim the Sunday chef is a better cook, but I've never noticed a difference.
It is a bit of a hike up the hill, but that just makes the beer taste better when you get there. The address is on Obere Stephansberg, but is more directly reached via Sternwartstrasse (Observatory Street after the 19th Century Observatory next door). Follow Obere Stephansberg up hill from town until you see the Heller-Trum("Schlenkerla") brewery. Turn left and continue uphill. Parking is very limited, so its best to go by foot.
Dec 14, 2003The keller is open year round (opens at 3pm, weekends at 10am and closed on Mondays) with an indoor pub and restaurant. The view is so spectaular that on sunny days during the winter you will find people sitting at the outside tables. If you are in Bamberg from (roughly) May thru September a visit to the Spezi-keller is an absolute must. There is outdoor seating for nearly a thousand people and its often that full. On summer Sunday evenings there is often music.
The food is traditional Franconian fare, similar to what you'll find at any of the breweries in town. Some locals claim the Sunday chef is a better cook, but I've never noticed a difference.
It is a bit of a hike up the hill, but that just makes the beer taste better when you get there. The address is on Obere Stephansberg, but is more directly reached via Sternwartstrasse (Observatory Street after the 19th Century Observatory next door). Follow Obere Stephansberg up hill from town until you see the Heller-Trum("Schlenkerla") brewery. Turn left and continue uphill. Parking is very limited, so its best to go by foot.
Spezial Keller in Bamberg, Germany
Place rating:
4.12 out of
5 with
13 ratings
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