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Score
9498
OVERALLStyle

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution

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RATINGS: 1626   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.55   SEASONAL: Winter   EST. CALORIES: 165   ABV: 5.5%
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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.

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 ratings

2.9
   AROMA 2/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
Slubgob (98) - West Hartford, USA - DEC 15, 2012
201. Nearly opaque mahogany with a fine white head clinging to the glass. Not getting a lot of aroma.in the mouth it?s a bit thin, which makes it an easy if not very intriguing drink.bit of overbrewed coffee bitterness and dust or cocoa in the back. Add it warms up a bit it rounds out some. Basically a winter brown ale, decently done bit not terribly different from others out there. Really not being any of the spices other reviewers ate picking up on.although as it gets warmer maybe a bit in back?

2.7
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 11/20
Gerbeer (859) - Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA - DEC 14, 2012
355 ml bottle. Pours a dark brown with medium tan head. Aromas of molasses, malt, spice, and raisins. Flavors of burnt gingerbread, all spice, and tobacco. Thin.

3.8
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
pdx77 (347) - Oregon, USA - DEC 12, 2012
From bottle. 2012 vintage. Notes of spice and holiday gingerbread cookies. Finishes very smooth, with a molasses aftertaste.

3.3
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
sheep (93) - FINLAND - DEC 11, 2012
355ml bottle, 2011 vintage. Deep dark reddish brown with a small khaki head. A nice mix of christmasy goodness on the nose, there’s dark fruit, nutty toast, some chocolate, spices, caramel and dark bread. Taste is a little flat and musty with most of the spiciness gone by now. Light ginger, dark malt, rye, hint of hops, finish is dry and roasty. Palate is light with medium carbonation.

4.2
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 16/20
bjakk (66) - Skagafjordur, ICELAND - DEC 11, 2012
Christmas beer 2012 Aroma, spice, canill, clove, light fruit, candy Appearance, dark redbrown, clear, yellow brown foam that lasts Taste - Licorice, candy, spice and burned aftertaste that intensifies Palate - Medium, medium carbon Overall, cool nice balanced beer

2.7
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 11/20
dnstone (1990) - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - DEC 11, 2012
d that mostly settles off. Aroma is like a spiced roasted lager. Tastes the same way with some vegetable and rd apple notes. Not my favorite.

3.6
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
rubbishystuff (1565) - Chicago, Illinois, USA - DEC 9, 2012
At Red Lion. Very dark brown color. Creamy, smooth texture. Nicely spiced. Thinner palate but not in a bad way. Serving: Tap

3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
JPDurden24 (1094) - Chandler, Arizona, USA - DEC 9, 2012
From the Bottle, 2012 version. Very dark brown pour, light tan head. Dark fruity and spice aroma. Taste is similar, a little cinnamon and nutmeg. Pretty damn good.

3.7
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
richc (144) - Bolton, Greater Manchester, ENGLAND - DEC 9, 2012
2012 edition. Purs very dark brown, almost black with a moderate creamy head. Aroma of sweet caramel and dark dried fruit, prune, raisin perhaps. Flavour adds a slight roasty note and bitterness.

3.3
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
Bendrixian (677) - Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA - DEC 7, 2012
2012 edition. hazy brown with a hint of redish colour, laced. Spicy aroma of nutmeg, ginger and other kitchen spices. Those flavours through in the palate, has an almost metallic quality in the finish. Dry beer that is great during the holiday season.


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