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Anchor Our Special Ale (2004)

 (RETIRED)

Anchor Our Special Ale (2004)

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

San Francisco, California USA

bottled
available

on tap
unknown

Regional Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
3843.65/5.03.65/5.0Winter5.5%97.1Lager glass, Tumbler P  Stats

Commercial Description:
This is the thirtieth special ale from the brewers at Anchor. It is available from early November to mid January. The ale's recipe is different every year, but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. In ancient times, trees symbolized the winter solstice, when the earth with its seasons appears born anew.

 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 RSRIZZO (1078), Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
2.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/55/102/59/20

Dec 2, 2007  
Had this beer on 11/20/2004. Aroma is roasted and sweet. Color is a deep dark amber with a tight thin head. Taste bright and clean with a mild roasted flavor. Starting with light/medium body it goes down crisp and light. The finish comes on with a mild roasted flavor backed by a smooth bitterness that leaves you with a clean feel. I like this beer, its crisp, clean and easy drinking, but its not what a good winter brew should be. Overall its just not rich and bold enough for a winter brew. Looking back it seems this is the mildest they have made it and it also likes like 2002 was the best so far.

 yespr (7788), Copenhagen O, Denmark
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/103/515/20
Nov 21, 2008  
12 fl oz bottle. Pours dark brown to black with a huge and tan head. Chocolate and roasted malty aroma. Light dark fruity note too. Light wooden ad dark fruity flavoured with a light oxidised note. Lingering fruity and roasted malty finish with a lasting mild spice note.


 badbeer (419), Iowa, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/514/20
Nov 1, 2008  
Dark brown with a red hue, nice tan head that retains pretty well. Lots of nutmeg and ginger in the aroma, but some cinnamon bread and spice are there too. Taste is of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, brown sugar, and maybe a bit of licorice. A little thinner on the tongue than I would have liked, carbonation is about medium levels. Pretty good and has held up pretty well. I’d drink this again.


 SuperDave70 (929), Beautiful Sunny Mesa, Arizona, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/515/20
Sep 30, 2008  
A bunch of this stuff just showed up at Sun Devil Liquors, which I thought was odd given the vintage. But, I couldn’t help but pick one up. Pours a dark brown with a foamy tan head that recedes to a ring. Aroma is lots of spice; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger. Also sweet roasted malt. Flavor is sweet, but not overdone. Some dark fruit and malt, and the spice comes through nicely. Very enjoyable. I may have to pick up another!


 ChainGangGuy (1721), Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/103/514/20
Sep 16, 2008  
Appearance: Pours a deep, dark brown body with a full, though quickly thinning, light beige head. Smell: Earthy, smokey dark maltiness, some chocolate and caramel with notes of aniseed, nutmeg, cinnamon, and even allspice. Taste: Dark malts with minor hints of sweetened cocoa and dark caramel. There’s still a big sprucy spiciness present, but it’s definitely died down over the years. There’s still a dull, earthy bitterness surrounding the maltiness. Touch of fruit, along with citrus and candied ginger in the background. Wisp of smoke. Drying finish with a lingering taste of spiced cocoa powder. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium low carbonation. Drinkability: A pleasing wintery treat from yesteryear.


 Alldaydrinker (475), Norwood, Massachusetts, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/515/20
Sep 4, 2008  
Courtesy of Irishboy, Thanks Richard! Pours a chocolatey dark brown color that is opaque. Head is fizzy dark brown that dissapates to small ring. Nose is very sweet, fruity, fig, plum, nutmeg and other spices. Initial taste is of cocoa, light roasted malt, cloves, nutmeg and red fruits. Mid palate displays the cocoa and tanginess of fruits. Finishing with a good palate, duration is above average. Light bodied. Velvety smooth mouthfeel. Minor hop balance on the finish. Interesting brew.



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