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Home > Brewers > California > Anchor Brewing Company >

Anchor Our Special Ale (2001 and earlier)

 (RETIRED)

Anchor Our Special Ale (2001 and earlier)

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 Percentile 
92
overall
A Spice/Herb/Vegetable formerly brewed by
Anchor Brewing Company

San Francisco, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
available

Regional Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
3133.66/5.03.66/5.0Winter5.5%97.8 Lager glass, Tumbler P  Stats

Commercial Description:
Our Special Ale, a dark, rich, heavily spiced ale with a recipe that changes with each passing year. - The enticing ruby color is topped by a dark creamy head that emits both malty and spicy aromas with ginger being a prominent one. The full body is matched with complex dry and spicy flavors that produce a nice favorable combination before finishing on the dry side.

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 RSRIZZO (992), Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/56/102/513/20

Dec 2, 2007  
Had this beer on 10/28/1998. Color is deep dark brown, carbonation is good and head is good. Aroma seem like a cross between a Porter and a Barley Wine with rich roasted malt scents. Taste is odd, some what woody or maybe you could say earthy. It starts with a medium body and goes down a little sharp. The finish is where it gets odd the malt taste is light as well the bitterness but there is an almost citrus taste in there I believe maybe orange. I think they may have also put in a good bit of coriander or some other spice. Intresting beer but a bit odd.

 puzzl (1731), New York, New York, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/516/20
May 15, 2008  
2000 bottle at Mugs (for only $7!). Piney, tobacco, charcoal aroma, old and very mellow. Flavor is old and oxidized but not thinned or cardboardy. Some sherry, coal, tobacco notes, light cocoa in the flavor. Well aged and interesting.


 tupalev (2296), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Mar 16, 2008  
1996 Vintage Bottle, shared with and courtesy of Hogtown Harry - thank you very much for sharing this Harry! Nice murky dark brown, small tan head. Spruce, fig, cola, vanilla in nice aroma. First sip is a bit watery but then the flavours kick in as if on delay: lots of cinnamon, more fig. Great creamy mouthfeel. Less in your face spices than a fresh bottle, this one is just starting to show its age but has held up remarkably well, especially considering the alcohol percentage. Very good - a really nice rare treat.


 HogTownHarry (3200), Toronto (Harbourfront), Ontario, Canada
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Mar 15, 2008  
1996 Vintage Bottle (12oz). Shared with tupalev, my bottle via incredible trade with irishboy. Rating #2900. Murky brid-red pour, small creamy light yellowish-brown creamy head, plenty of white floaties. Okay, yes, it smells "mature" - dry, oily dark roast malt, dry cinnamon and oil-based paint - appealing though. The taste follows; initially mild, but the flavours opened up after a bit - dry, oily, deep chocolate roast, somewhat herbal and a wee bit of alcohol and plenty of cinnamon. Slick, creamy, somewhat still mouthfeel, nice soft astringency from the spice - 4+ because it felt awesome on the tongue. Thanks for sharing this, Richard - the flavours were somewhat muted by time, but it’s nicely blended and smooth.


beergeek86 (31), Clarksville, Maryland, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/517/20
Mar 9, 2008  
on tap at johannsonns in westminster, md. awesome beer. very satisfying. nice dark brown, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom and herbs in the aroma. taste was somewhat rich - lots of yummy spices and smokiness, coriander and cloves as well as raisins and maltiness with a bitter sweet finish with the spices lingering. perfect for sitting around the fireplace on a winter night. would love to have again


Guinnessman (68), VACAVILLE, California, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/516/20
Feb 20, 2008  
I soooo look forward to this beer every year. 2006 was by far my favorite thus far, but still a great beer year after year. Nice sweet clove flavor and sets off a cool winter evening with a sense of fullness you don’t get from a lot of other beers.




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