Anchor Our Special Ale (2001 and earlier)

A must for the season. Some years the spice bill is just too dense, some the nutmeg too off the hook, but if you’re gonna drink it today, who knows what’s in store. I wish I were you.

The 2001, 8 years later. Pours a dark slightly cloudly brownish-red, well carbonated with great lacing. A 1/6" long-lasting head. Smells banana-ey and spicy with evergreen notes and mint, moderately roasted. And for whatever reason, clocking in at only 5.5% abv, there is a mild presense of alcohol on the nose. Considering how many different attributes are present on the nose, this should be easily hidden. Everything is very rounded-off and subtle though. Tastes "dark green," reminds me of Christmas trees, evergreen, and spinach (just saying), but very good. Spiciness is very noticeable ... curry, slight cloves. Very "earthy" in roastiness, dry and not sweet. Well-aged. My impression at first was "gee, maybe this has been in the bottle for TOO long and may have expired its deliciousness point." But after letting sit for a while and aerate, this 2001 Anchor Holiday Ale has really proven itself. Dig it.

2001 bottle from Liquid Solutions. Pours a very dark amber brown with a few tan bubbles for head. The aroma is a single thing. But that thing is a blend of evergreen and spice. Full bodied and mildly carbonated. Flavor is evergreen and spice. A touch of dark fruit. Could be cinnamon. Less than dry. Incredibly smooth. Very tasty. Rich. Wish I had another.

2001 bottle. Consumed 09.07.2009. Pour is a deep dark brown color with a virtually invisible head - carbonation still exists (great!). Aroma has mellowed quite a bit but retains notes of spices, malts, and cinnamon, with (in this bottle) just a tinge of soy - but not as distracting as many other aged beers I’ve had. Very sweet. It’s still as complex as a newer vintage, and just as enjoyable.

2000 bottle courtesy of my Secret Santa – thanks! Pours cloudy swamp water brown with chunky floaters and a half finger tan head. The nose is molasses, dark fruit and cocoa. The taste is Redman Tobacco, ashy cocoa, burnt malt and coffee grounds. Thinner mouthfeel. It’s amazing what some age does to this beer. This is pretty damn good. Thanks for the opportunity to try this Wayne!

Picked up a 92 and a 94 in a trade, and brought ’em to DDG release at LA. 92 was light brown with a slight haze. Warm nose. Oak, vanilla, booze, and soy sauce. Taste is sweet and dark. Lingering sweet spiciness on the end. 94 was a bit darker, and had hints of sourness on the nose. The taste was definitely more tart than the 92. It had a clean smack finish. Interesting parking lot discussion followed the comparison.

Magnum of 1997 vintage courtesy of eyedrinkale at the "Drink for Charity" event at Rattle N Hum. Deep brown pour. The aroma is bit and very intense. Heavy pine, spruce and tobacco. A bit of honey and light cherry along with more spicy cinnamon and clove. Still drinking incredibly well.

Bottle at the “Drink for Charity” event at Rattle & Hum thanks to Mike (who brought a ridiculous vertical of this).Tried the 1983, and 1997 I believe. Notes from the 83. Interesting to see how this held up after all this time… it’s nearly as old as me. Poured a clear brown with no head. Aromas were surprisingly nice. Plums, sweet old malt, and figs. Thin to medium bodied. Flavors were similar on a thin to medium body. Amazing? No… but it wasn’t terrible either.