Anchor Our Special Ale (2003)

Formerly brewed at Anchor Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
San Francisco, California USA

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker, Tumbler

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Dark ruby coloured. Similar to traquair. Lingers on the tongue quite a bit. An excellent beer from an excellent company.

UPDATED: JAN 7, 2004 Drank 11/26/03 bottle labeled 30A: I'm pissed that I can't find a whole case of the SNCA 2003, but then run into a case of AOSA 2003. Come to me baby, come to Volgon...Anyway, this is my first one and I've had a few SNCA 2003's before this (hey, I never said that they weren't out of six-packs) Deep dark ruby body, thick medium bubbled head that slowly and lacefully (yeah, like lacefully is a word, heheheh) ends in a thin tan small-bubbled ring with a bunch of big bubbles in the middle. I smelled it right after the pour and I was overwhelmed by ginger and pumpkin. Now I'm done staring at the glass, time to take a sip. A harsh but drinkable flavor hits me with licorice and allspice. All the raw tastes explode on my tongue then end surprising dry (and a bit sharp) Thick syrupy body that never really leaves. Certainly a beer to ponder, sip and age. After smelling this for 15 minutes, I would also say that hints of milk duds and pine needles are in this brew, yup, I can taste the pine now.

On tap at Taco Mac Kennesaw and Virginia highlands. Poured a very dark color with tinges of red around the edges where light could penetrate. Nice tan head that lasted much of the glass. Left nice lacing. Very spicy nose that resonated with nutty spices. Tastste mirrors the nose very spicy with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg. Excellent body and mouthfeel. After drinking this on tap went and bought a case at the store. Will enjoy some on Thanksgiving and probably put 12 or so away for a later date. ery nice seaosonal.

Bottle. Dark brown with maybe a hint of a ruby finish. The head is small, tan, and goes away quickly. Aroma is of xmas spices mixed with a slight bitter hop. There is a smooth malt flavor and is very easy to drink. There's a sweet vanila/licorice taste It ends with a slight roastiness that lingers and leaves a mild cloyingness (smooth up until that finish). Good but not great.

Clear dark walnut color with a head that settles to a half inch of tan bubbles. Small bubles line the edge of the glass. German spice cookie aroma with hints of clove, nutmeg, anise, cardomon backed up by mild malt and alcohol. Tamer flavors (not always easy with all these spices). Initail malt sweetness, followed by a spicy bite and a mild vanilla twang. Quite acidic in the finish which I would imagine will settle out as it ages. I like the spices, but the acidity in the finish does pull this one down a touch. Dry finish with a touch of licorice. Later in the linger, a grainy oat malt flavor comes out. A nice fulfilling winter brew.

This is a fantastic brew and probably the best in it's style that I've had. Great pour, dark amber with sizable head. and good lacing. Wonderful aroma of roasted malt with lot's of holiday spices. Cinnamon, ginger nutmeg etc. Nice body that is round and full. Flavor is a great roasted malt with balance of hops and spiced just right. Overall an excellent brew that I will be buying more of soon!

This is my first OSA; it is amazing. Let's start with the label: red and green, pine tree with latin name, shout out to the winter solstace...AMAZING. I didn't even have to crack this bottle open to know it would be a treat. Fizzy light brown head sits upon a dark, stout-like body. Aroma is spicy. Ginger, nutmeg, clove, and classic "anchor" aroma. Taste: wow. Ginger is there. Awesomely smooth. wow. Hops fight their way through near the end. Overall a wonderful brew that is truly synonymous with the holidays. Cheers!

Pours a beautiful dark reddish-brown. Smells great - nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and just overall Christmasey! Excellent flavor - it reminded me of ginger snaps cookies that you get around Halloween. This was my 1st Anchor OSA and I'm looking forward to my next.

UPDATED: DEC 3, 2004 Black with a dark brown head. Spicey wood aroma full of alcohol, scotch, cedar flakes and other neat things. Soft mouthfeel, very smooth plums and wood flavors. Even though it’s smooth, there is a residual grittiness that is pleasent. Very very bland compared to the 02 and 04 in a vertical... like there’s nothing to taste, no depth at all. Same thickness, but no flavor.

12 oz. stubbie brown Anchor bottle. Poured out a very dark brown, with red highlights to it. Aromas are of pine trees, spices, and dark malts. Still kind of green tasting, maybe some aging would help it mellow out. Hops make a brief but bright appearance. Malty & thick on the tongue, but only average in mouthfeel, to me at least. Since it's my first OSA, i'll have to try it next year & see how it ages.