Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

	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
1036	3.56/5.0	3.56/5.0	Winter	5.5%	94.9	Lager glass, Tumbler

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.

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skweek (13), College Park, Maryland, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	16/20

Jan 18, 2009

2006 bottle. Aroma of spices and some juniper. Taste was much of the same, with some dark malts as well. Very solid beer.

willblake (2173), Belcamp, Maryland, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	15/20

Jan 17, 2009

20090117 12oz 2007 bottle Spicy, mildly resinous, lots of woodsy earth. Anchor does this beer right each year. I love it, I’m just not in the mood to take notes right now.

Chipper (185), Red Lion, Pennsylvania, USA

2.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
2.8	6/10	3/5	5/10	3/5	11/20

Jan 16, 2009

Dark mahogany with a minimal tan head. Aroma of cloves, cinnamon, and spices associated with Christmas. Tastes like Christmas. No thanks. It may not be bad, but not something I’d like again.

Beerman6686 (1271), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	8/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

Jan 14, 2009

This poured a dark brown color with an off white head. Aroama was of lots of spices, mainly ginger and cinnamon. Flavor of cinnamon nutmeg and ginger, but wat seperated it from other spiced beer it is had a very smooth milk chocolate flavor mixed in as well. Yummy stuff.

CaryTheDude (1113), Longmont, Colorado, USA

3.1	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.1	7/10	4/5	6/10	2/5	12/20

Jan 13, 2009

Crushed with Jakebra thanks to Honkeybra. Aroma of coca-cola with a shot of rootbeer...seriously. Flavor is the same but with a big rush of pine hops at the end. So basically, a rootbeer christmas tree with coke poured over the top. No clue.

topherh (899), Kearney, Missouri, USA

3.7	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.7	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	14/20

Jan 12, 2009

2008 Bottle pours deep brown with red at the edges. Aromas of chocolate, ginger and other spices. Flavor is malts, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate, and a little clove.

DocHop (278), Baltimore, Maryland, USA

3.5	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.5	7/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	15/20

Jan 11, 2009

Pours a very dark brown, ruby with a lasting tan head. Sweet, malty, caramel corn aroma along with hints of vanillas and spices. The sweet flavors come out at first, but the body is too thin to hold the flavor. Turns a little dry towards the finish but leaves a nice candy sweetness as it fades. Slightly roasty caramel dominates the flavor.

BillKismet (1903), Seattle, Washington, USA

3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3	6/10	5/5	5/10	3/5	11/20

Jan 11, 2009

2008. Deep dark brown with nice creamed top. Light allspice, roast barley, and raisin in aroma. The flavor is again of allspice, perhaps a hint of nutmeg, raisin, and caramel. Subtle spicing compared to the earlier versions, and as such, it comes off as under-powered and disappointing.

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