Spezial Hell
Klosterbrauerei Andechs

Spezial HellSpezial Hell
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From:
Klosterbrauerei Andechs
 
Germany
Style:
Festbier / Wiesnbier
Ranked #35
ABV:
5.8%
Score:
87
Ranked #16,414
Avg:
3.88 | pDev: 10.57%
Reviews:
88
Ratings:
178
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 20, 2023
Added:
Jun 18, 2002
Wants:
  18
Gots:
  19
Its clear gleaming look and firm, fine pored head goes hand in hand with its fresh and pure aroma. Malty nuances are the first impressions. Spezial Hell is pleasantly tangy with a full, round malt body that cannot fail to fascinate. The soft flavour carries a distinctive balance of sweet accents and bitter hoppiness. It concludes on equally soft malty nuances – a classical festival beer in the tradition of old Bavarian brewing.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by tottel:
Photo of tottel
Rated by tottel from Netherlands

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Apr 09, 2020
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.47 by misteil from Ireland

Dec 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.29 by 4DAloveofSTOUT from Illinois

Dec 16, 2023
Photo of defunksta
Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Pours a completely clear, light golden color with a soft white head. SRM of 6. (4.00)

Aroma: Strong aromas of pale and earthy Munich melts, some honey and smooth toasted Munich malts. (4.00)

Flavor: Strong and smooth flavors of pale milk mulch, honey, bread melts. Slight sweet bread and flower linger. Mildly sweet. (4.25)

Feel: Medium bodied, average carbonation to slightly low carbonation. Finishes smooth, mildly sweet. (4.00)

Compared to Paulaner Festbier 10/2023: Pours similar, milder head. Similar aromas. More earthy and smooth Munich malt. Less bread malts and yeast.

Compared to Tucher Brau Festbier 11/2023: Pours lighter, milder head and aromas. More pale malts, honeysuckle. Less rich and toasted bread malt. Lighter, similar sweetness.

Overall: First go at Andechs which makes some of the best German Lagers. Earthy and toasty pale Munich malts and honey. Less bready, yeasty than Paulaner. Sort of reminds me of Ayinger Jahrhundert Dortmunder, but slightly more toasty. Both of these are top notch, but Andechs had a more earthy and complex German malt flavor profile. This is one of, if not the best, festbiers I've had. World-Class. (Rating: 4.20)
Oct 15, 2023
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I had this on draft 10/5/23 @ Laschet's Inn.

See-through yellow/orange appearance.

Huge off-white head; decent lacing remained.

Fresh flowers, wheat bread & rye notes in the nose.

Creamy, medium mouthfeel.

Sweet corn & wheat bread flavors up front; mild rye & faint cream notes on the finish.

Easy to drink but extremely flavorful. A stunner.
Oct 12, 2023
Photo of VABA
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear golden color with a nice head and lacing
Aroma has malt and hop hints
Taste has balanced malt and hop flavors
A medium bodied well carbonated beer
A good Festbier
Sep 15, 2023
 
Rated: 4.17 by jjboesen from Maryland

Sep 06, 2023
 
Rated: 3.73 by BillyNoonan from Ireland

Aug 06, 2023
 
Rated: 3.65 by acurtis from New Jersey

Jun 30, 2023
Photo of sokol_1993
Rated by sokol_1993 from California

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A good hell, but not quite up there with the best of the best.
Apr 28, 2023
Photo of StJamesGate
Reviewed by StJamesGate from New York

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bright brass with a tower of fine steady white froth; crackery grain, yeast starter for bread, and daisies on the nose; fresh country loaf, slight copper penny, a touch of bread crust, and mild spice to end; round, almost medium, slight chew.

4 4 4 4.25 4.25

Similar to the Hell, not the biggest example of the style (Festbier, in this case) but attenuated to within an inch of its life, and typically German quality execution all around.
Compared to the Hell, however, this is beefier throughout. The maltiness is fuller without ever going sweet, the body is bigger, and the finish, while still bone dry, is not so severe. For me the hops could step up more (19 IBUs is a bit lame) but it’s still never sticky.
Ironically, I find Festbiers to cloy often, so this fixes a lot of what I don’t like about the style, slightly askew though it may still be compared to most Festbiers.

All the muscle of the style without the sugar.
Apr 14, 2023
Photo of Gatch
Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts

4.64/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
e0,5l bottle dated 17.10.2023
Pours darker than a traditional Helles. This is a festival bier but for which festival I do not know. Maybe spring/fruhlingsfest? Discernibly different than a true Helles, this has a fruitier, hoppier, and even funkier aroma and flavor. Almost a bit sour with some serious acidity. Like an enriched and strengthened Helles, I see where the “Spezial” earns its name. Very delicious.
Mar 27, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by Thunderduck22 from Ireland

Feb 18, 2023
 
Rated: 3.96 by smithj4 from New York

Jan 02, 2023
 
Rated: 3.5 by BeerWasp from Germany

May 22, 2022
 
Rated: 4 by iftcoach from Germany

Nov 07, 2021
 
Rated: 4.13 by Kubishark from Maryland

Oct 08, 2021
Photo of Jacobier10
Reviewed by Jacobier10 from New Jersey

3.99/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On-tap @ The Grand Delancey in New York, NY.

Pale gold, brilliant clarity, big white foam on top with great retention.

Lots of sweet malt and floral hops in the aroma and flavor. Medium bodied with a creamy, almost chewy texture. Finishes on the sweeter side. Really delicious. I don't know if I could make this my "all night" drinking beer due to its strength, but it's fantastic as it is.
Oct 08, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by paulish from New York

Sep 28, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by steverx8 from England

Sep 24, 2021
Spezial Hell from Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 178 ratings