Point Special Lager 6Pk is a classic American-style lager at 4.8% ABV, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles from one of Wisconsin's oldest breweries. This flagship brew from Stevens Point Brewery earned a Gold Medal at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival in the premium lager category, cementing its reputation as a benchmark Midwest lager. Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8% | Origin: Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA | Style: Classic American Lager | Brewery: Stevens Point Brewery (Est. 1857) Production & Heritage Stevens Point Brewery has been producing beer in central Wisconsin since 1857, making it one of the state's longest-operating breweries. Point Special Lager draws on German brewing heritage, using a grain bill of both two-row and six-row barley paired with Yakima Valley hops from Washington State. The result is a well-balanced, full-bodied American lager that reflects European pilsner traditions filtered through more than 160 years of Wisconsin brewing know-how. Tasting Notes Aroma: Light hay and grain lead the nose, followed by a pleasant hop aroma. A subtle sweetness rounds out the bouquet without dominating. Taste: The entry is clean with mild malt sweetness, transitioning at mid-palate into light corn and cereal grain character. A hint of fruitiness emerges before the hop bitterness gently asserts itself to balance the malt backbone. Finish: Crisp and moderate in length, with lingering light corn and a dry, refreshing close. The mouthfeel stays light and easy without feeling thin. How to Drink Point Special Point Special is best served cold at 38–42°F in a standard pint glass or pilsner glass, where its clear yellow-gold color and dense white head can be appreciated. A Shandy works well here — the lager's mild sweetness pairs naturally with fresh lemonade. It also holds up in a Michelada, where the clean malt profile complements lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice without clashing. For a simple summer option, a Radler with grapefruit soda highlights the beer's light, balanced character. Best For Backyard cookouts and summer grilling sessions Introducing someone to craft-adjacent regional American lagers Stocking a cooler for tailgating or fishing trips Pairing with Midwest comfort food like brats and cheese curds Frequently Asked Questions What does Point Special taste like? Point Special delivers mild malt sweetness with light corn and grain character, balanced by moderate hop bitterness and a clean, crisp finish. It drinks smooth and easy at 4.8% ABV with a pleasant hop aroma on the nose. How does Point Special compare to Leinenkugel's Original? Both are heritage Wisconsin lagers, but Point Special leans into a slightly more full-bodied malt profile with noticeable hop aroma from its Yakima hops, while Leinenkugel's Original tends toward a lighter, more neutral character. Point Special also has a longer continuous brewing history, with the Stevens Point Brewery operating since 1857. Is Point Special good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced malt-to-hop ratio and smooth, moderate body make it a satisfying standalone lager that does not require food or mixers to enjoy. Where is Point Special made? Point Special Lager is brewed at the Stevens Point Brewery in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a facility that has been in continuous operation since 1857. The brewery sits in central Wisconsin, a region with deep German-American brewing roots. What foods pair well with Point Special? Bratwurst and mustard complement the malt sweetness; Wisconsin cheese curds echo the creamy mouthfeel; grilled chicken benefits from the beer's hop-driven crispness; fish fry — a Friday night tradition in Wisconsin — matches the lager's clean finish; and soft pretzels with beer cheese mirror the grain-forward character. What sizes does Point Special come in? Point Special Lager is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles, and has also been sold in 12-packs, 24-packs, and 30-packs depending on market availability. Is Point Special worth the price? Point Special positions as a value-tier to mid-tier regional lager, and its GABF Gold Medal pedigree and 160-plus years of brewing heritage make it a strong choice among American lagers at its price point. Why Point Special? Few American lagers can claim an unbroken production history stretching back to 1857 and a Gold Medal from the Great American Beer Festival to match. Point Special's use of both two-row and six-row barley creates a grain complexity uncommon in the category, while Yakima hops provide genuine hop aroma rather than the anonymous bitterness found in many mass-market lagers. Additional accolades — including gold at the 2015 Los Angeles International Beer Competition and silver medals at both the U.S. Open Beer Competition and World Beer Championships — confirm this is a regional lager that competes well above its weight class. For drinkers who want an honest, well-made American lager rooted in German tradition, Point Special remains one of the Midwest's most reliable standards.
