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Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

Score
9598
OVERALLStyle

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution

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RATINGS: 1434   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.56   SEASONAL: Winter   EST. CALORIES: 165   ABV: 5.5%
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
This is our special ale from the brewers at Anchor. It is sold only from early November to mid-January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year, but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons appears born anew.

Editor’s Note: due to the significant similarity in style and strength from year to year (despite potential differences in the exact spice blend), this beer is no longer separated by vintage.

4.3
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 18/20
BadAprilia1000 (104) - Johnson City, Tennessee, USA - JAN 18, 2012
This beer pours a nice ruby red color with a decent head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is of cinnamon, nutmeg, and yeasty gingerbread. Taste is very much so gingerbread and Christmas cookies in general with sweet malts flowing throughout, along with a very prevalent nutmeg note. Great flavor in this beer, big but drinkable

3.2
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
rob6239 (141) - Ontario, CANADA - JAN 15, 2012
Pours clear and dark. Very strong and spicy aroma. Has some nutmeg and maybe cinnamon perhaps gingerbread ? Taste doesn’t come through as strongly as the aroma and is dry and bitter.

3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
pet3rman (267) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA - JAN 15, 2012
A delicious blend of spices and maltiness. An unexpected holiday treat! Thanks Mom! 2011 - Pours dark ruby with small bubbly head. Aroma is complex (molasses and holiday spice) Taste is that of molasses, cranberries and a hint of nutmeg. Lasting spice finish. Great beer

4.1
   AROMA 10/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 4/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 18/20
maxi76 (4) - Brisighella (RA), ITALY - JAN 14, 2012 does not count
355 ml bottle. Dark ruby red color reflections. Compact foam. Pine, juniper, almost balmy. Certainly not the drinkability its prominent feature, but a high-class beer.

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
superhaffy (6) - NORWAY - JAN 13, 2012 does not count
This is a pretty good beer, I’m drinking it cold so I might miss out on some of the aroma. I’m not giving this top score or anything, but this beer is very enjoyable, it’s just me who’s used to beer that tastes more. Like Stone, Mikkeller, Nøgne Ø & my own home brew...

3.6
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
turboespresso (197) - Port Moody, British Columbia, CANADA - JAN 11, 2012
Bottle. Chestnut brown with thin head. Low-medium carbonation. The most interesting aroma, almost like fresh gingerbread out of the oven. Taste is surprisingly dry, but spicy. Cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate flavours are present. Mouthfeel is ok, a little bitter & muddy like you would get while having an espresso drink or dark hot chocolate. I like it because it’s so different.

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20
avantdagare (35) - Malmö, Sweden, SWEDEN - JAN 11, 2012
UPDATED: JAN 12, 2012 2011 edition. 2 finger beige-brown head that reduces to 4 mm, red-brown body. Nose: Licorice-root, licorice, cardemum, anis, plums and ginger. Aroma: cardemum, cinnamon, anis, licorice-root, licorice, plums, ginger, chocolate, star-anis and figs

3.6
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
TheJestersBeer (523) - SWEDEN - JAN 10, 2012
355ml bottle. Pours a dark brown, with a deep red hue, and a firm brown head. Very spicy aromas, lots of cloves, cinnamon, allspice, spruce, chocolate, mint (?), pine needles. Dry, medium body and bitterness, balanced CO2. Spicy, herbal taste, lots of cloves, spruce, hops, earth, dark chocolate, mint leaves, grass, caramel, malt. The finish is a bit thin, the spices dry out the palate, could need a tiny bit more sweetness too balance is out. Tried the tap version, which has that extra punch, and it is superior. (2012-01-09)


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Rating Notecard:
Beer: Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later) Rating Avg: 3.56 No. of Ratings: 1434
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