The Classic American Lager That's Been A Wisconsin Staple Since 1857

There are few things as central to Wisconsin culture as football, cheese, and beer. Several popular brewing companies are based in the Dairy State, including Miller, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Leinenkugel's (maker of the warm-weather staple Summer Shandy, which we named one of the 40 best beers you should be drinking). But it's also home to a handful of small, cult-classic beer companies, from New Glarus, which only sells its beers in Wisconsin, to Stevens Point Brewery, one of the oldest beer brands in the U.S. and maker of the highly rated lager Point Special.

Stevens Point Brewery was founded way back in 1857 by Frank Wahle and George Ruder, two German immigrants who relocated to Stevens Point, a city smack-dab in the center of the state. They set up a bustling brewery and managed to stay afloat throughout the Great Depression and Prohibition era. While there isn't a clear indication of when Point Special was first created, locals claim it was the flagship brew from the beginning.

In 1954, the company introduced a new Point Special design just in time for Fourth of July — blue with hints of red and white as a nod to the American flag. It's been a fan favorite ever since, winning the top spot in a 1973 taste test covered in the Chicago Daily News, and earning gold medals at both the 2003 Great American Beer Festival and the 2019 U.S. Open Beer Championships.

Point Special Lager is made year-round and has a 4.8% ABV. That's slightly higher than other light lagers like Miller Light and Bud Light but lower than premium European pilsners such as Stella Artois and Heineken. A 2013 Isthmus review described it as smooth and pleasant, lightly hoppy, and moderately malty. Over on BeerAdvocate, some drinkers note a surprising and distinctly Midwestern hint of sweet corn. Others mentions grassy and floral flavors. With an IBU of 9 out of 100, the bitterness should be low, though some BeerAdvocate reviews note a slightly sour finish.

Overall, Point Special is a supremely drinkable, goes-with-anything beer best enjoyed at a summer cookout or by the lake. It comes in both bottles and cans and is on tap at select bars in Wisconsin. Across the Midwest, it's primarily available in specialty liquor stores like Binny's, as well as some Wisconsin-based grocery chains like Woodman's.

Stevens Point Brewery offers a strong selection of other beers, from blonde to pale ale. One of its brews even supports the athletic department of its hometown school — University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point — called Pointers All-American Beer, as well as an Oktoberfest option that's available August through October. Four of its beers are available in non-alcoholic versions, and it also offers a selection of cream sodas and root beer. The brewery is open for tours and also has a tasting room, patio, and seasonal events, so it's certainly worth a visit if you're in the area.