Anchor Our Special Ale (2003)

...Picea sitchensis... Apearance: deep, dark color, just about black, with reddish tints at the sides, and topped with an enormous, nay Brobdignagian head of creamy, cocoa-tan foam, leaving lovely, delicate lace, a truly beautiful sight to see. Aroma: oh, goodness! Glory, gracious, this is the stuff! Spruce and maybe pine on top, then cinnamon sticks out, cloves in there, too, and many more spices than I can rightly discern, though they are so smoothly and sweetly blended it, it's hardly worth tearing them apart. Just gorgeous, rich, sublime! Taste: Ah! Magnificent, full-bodied, full-flavored, those spicey flavors return on the palate and richly ring the tastebuds. Utterly delightful, though somewhat thick in mouthfeel, almost syrup-y. An altogether excellent ale, one that annually makes December somehow bearable. Mmmm, the taste never quits, the flavor lingers on the palate, the finish is thoroughly established and this beer is an extraordinary reward. I've got to go something worthwhile, to make myself feel worthy of this brew.

A deep red beer with a beutiful beige head. The aroma is dominated by spruce. The flavor is sweet with notes of spruce and ginger. The flavors really brings back memories of Christmas - but they are rather weird to have in a beer. I think this beer is more special than it is good, but definatly worth a try. I expected more.

dark brown colour with a fine head and a beautiful lacing, a deep assault of ginger, some cinnamon, sweet, the body is short, the finish is medicinal with a rough bitterness - I cannot really decide if I like this or not ...

Toasted malt aroma. Slightly sweet balanced well with moderate spiciness. Toffee mollasses liquorice and plums. A hint of vanilla and woodiness. mild esters.Spices are less pronounced than in previous years.

I expected a little more from this one. Though, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and orange shells in the aroma. A bit thin texture. Some raisin or plum in the palate. A bit sour finish.

light fizzy yellow head. dark brown color. very odd smell and slight veggie taste.

Coffee colored with a medium off-white head. Aroma of cloves and slight chocolate. Taste of coffee and mincemeat spices. Not bad but dont see why this is $9/sixer. Not worth the price.

An interesting brew like none other. Pours a deep deep amber/brown, with an off-white head and nice lacing. Spicy aroma of flowers and spices. Flavors of the same. Hoppy and spicy, in perfect balance.