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Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later) - Spice/Herb/Vegetable

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 Percentile 
91
overall
Brewed by Anchor Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable

San Francisco, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in 
10243.56/5.03.56/5.0Winter5.5%95Lager glass, Tumbler
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Commercial Description:
This is our special ale from the brewers at Anchor. It is sold only 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. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons appears born anew. <br /><br /> Editor’s Note: due to the significant similarity in style and strength from year to year (despite potential differences in the exact spice blend), this beer is no longer separated by vintage.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 bsp77 (199), Minnesota, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/518/20
Nov 10, 2009  
Poured from bottle into Nonic Imperial Pint. Dark brownish-ruby with creamy tan head that mostly recedes with slight lacing lines. Aroma of faintly sweet spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, orange and gingerbread; nice chocolate and caramel undertones. Bittersweet roasted malts with light notes of coffee, chocolate and caramel. The spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger) are subdued overall, especially compared to the smell, but provide a nice counterbalance. Slight bitter finish from the roasting. Almost seems a little stale, akin to an English Old Ale. Moderate carbonation, medium body, somewhat dry finish. This appears to be a Robust Porter with a fairly subdued holiday spice profile. This is a must purchase every year.


redeyeloon (5), Colorado, USA
does not count click to see why this rating of Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later) does not count
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/515/20
Nov 9, 2009  
12oz bottle 2006 vintage cellared @ 63°F. Goblet. Nose is molasses with slight granny smith apple.
Appearance is dark brown with off-white head. Head not too lacy and thins out quickly.
Flavor is a toffee and alder smoke duet with nutmeg and juniper notes.
Palate - carbonation is crisp but mellow. Very smooth mouthfeel.
Overall I liked this cheery ale better than 3yrs ago. It cellared quite well. Too bad I don’t have any left. )-;


 neepsntatties (284), Portland, Oregon, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/516/20
Nov 5, 2009  
12 oz. bottle of the ’09 vintage. Colour... dark brown with a thin off white head. Nose... redolent of crushed juniper berries, rosemary and cola bean. Palate... generous carbonation on the pour, then gently carbonated on the palate, lots of cola flavours up front, followed by juniper needles, savory herbs and spice and a long finish. Not quite as "full bodied" as previous vintages I’ve tried but still quite nice. Here’s to happy holidays and a happy [winter] solstice!


manuchampions (95), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/514/20
Nov 5, 2009  
12oz bottle from BC Liquor @ 39th/Cambie. Nose is sticky pine needle with malt back. Light spicing also evident. Crisp and bracing taste that combines sour cherry with juniper. There are some hops mixed in there but subtle and hard to distinguish. They fade off fairly quickly leaving a pleasing fruitcake and malt finish. Decent.


 Defreni (994), Frederiksberg, Denmark
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/515/20
Nov 5, 2009  
Flaske:Flot mørkebrun øl med et kæmpe skumhoved. Duft af julekrydderi. Smagen er urtet på en delikat måde. Tydelig old ale. Virkelig en spændende øl med et godt humlebid til sidst. Årgang 2008.


 cgreb (173), Marburg, Germany
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/513/20
Nov 4, 2009  
bottle (asheft) 2007 - dark brown beer with a thick beige head. Spicy aroma like cinnamon. Flavour has a lot of fruits and spices.


 vtafro (452), , New Jersey, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/104/514/20
Nov 3, 2009  
Not sure why but i guess i skipped this when doing all my back rating. Had in twelve ounce and magnums(Winter 08-09). Merry christmas and happy new year, pour dark with some light tan head and is great for the season. Nice spices and malts. Worth a try can’t wait for this years.


 Nisse666 (319), Göteborg, Sweden
2.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/103/54/102/514/20
Oct 31, 2009    Updated: Nov 4, 2009
Anchor Christmas Ale 2008, 2008-12-24 AP: dark x-mas must with must head AR: weak hops F: watery this year!, dry, juniper berries! Rating 2,8 Anchor Christmas Ale 2006, 2006-12-13 More x-mas flavours and swetness this year rating 3,5!



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