12 oz bottle from a Liquor store in North Park. I have a long story I want to tell about this beer. First, I have been in search for this 2002 special ale since it was the only one I was missing in the lineup. Well, I went to this store since I had remembered it had vintage 6 packs left so I bought a 2005 six pack and when pulling out the first bottle to examine the year I noticed it said 2002. I was so excited and now I get a wish come true for Christmas. The aroma is mild with the slightest notes of dark roast malt and light spicing. The appearance is a deep brown with thick head still able to be created despite its age. The flavor is sort of bland and lost most of its original flavors I imagine it had but it still is smooth and drinkable. I honestly think its past its prime and still say the fresh batches of Anchor’s special ale will be the best tasting.

Bottled
Dark nut brown color, very small off-white head. Chocolaty, rye breadish "vintage aroma". Very coffeish, roasted flavor, some American hops. Liquerish, specially in the aftertaste. Loads of coffee and chocolate.

Bottled (thanks Degarth!). Deep amber colour, not much head. Aroma is spices, raisins some coffee and chocolate. Flavour is mildly oxidized, caramelly, quite hoppy and mild malts & raisins.

At a recent Champaign-Urbana Beer Club meeting, mamabeer and her papa provided a vertical tasting of these special ales from 2001 through 2007. Thanks Nancy and Tom. This 2002 was like a holiday fruitcake (and I love a GOOD fruitcake). Poured dark chestnut with a robust tan head. The aroma was spice, fruit, chocolate, caramel, well, as I said, a fruitcake in the best sense of the word. Same elements held in the flavor with a nice spicy finish. Nice treat.

2007 edition. Nice aroma but thin mouthfeel and bitter taste. Not as big as the inviting seasonal aroma would promise.