If a 7 out of 7 will get more people to visit Spezial, then go ahead and consider it a 7, but technically, the ministry has this one jotted down with 6.8 smokestacks. As the head ministry official, I must maintain a hierarchy of order, so here we have Spezial. At least this brewery gets the high-ground in Bamberg, Germany. Spezial sits on top of the mountain that neighboring brewery Aecht Schlenkerla resides, and if you can make it to one, you must visit the other. Upon exiting Schlenkerla, I walked up the hill, to Spezial, no reservations, and was sat across from a gentleman nice enough to share his table with me (please read up on German restaurant etiquette before travelling). And while this heavy set gentleman facing me, sloppily ate scrambled eggs, I ate and drank in yet another unforgettable setting, although I don’t remember as many crucifixes as I saw in the Schenkerla restaurant. And to talk about the beer, comparatively speaking, this beer is a little more toned down on smokepower, although the untrained palate will not use the term toned down at all. Still, this is one of the top 5 best examples of a traditional Bamberg smokebeer. And, it tastes better at the brewery. I will return. 6.8 smokestacks of happiness out of a possible 7. Splendid.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it… probably the game plan with this website, which I support.