Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

Brewed by Anchor Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
San Francisco, California USA

2009 bottle. First time I tried one of anchor’s holiday beers. Great dark brown color and light tan head. The aroma was amazing combination of raisins, cinnamon, malt and orange zest. Reminded me of the smell of classic English mince pies around Christmas. The flavor was much more malty but still had a bit of that dried fruitiness to it. Definitely recommended.

(draught of 2009) pours dark brown w/ ruby and nice creamy head/lace. Nose of gingerbread, allspice, nutmeg, pine, christmas tree, quite complex. Taste is cream, nutty, sweet and spicy clove, licorice, and also quite complex. Finishes creamy and soft spices.

2009 bottle. I love this beer. Look forward to it every year. Pour is deep rich brown with a medium tan head. Aroma is brown sugar, nutmeg, egg nog, fond memories, fireplace, light malt, cinnamon, bubblegum, and happy. Flavor is light brandy, sweet malt, egg nog, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a light fruitiness (red grape?). The body is wonderful, very full and round with a smooth mouthfeel. This is my favorite vintage since 2005. gonna lay a few of these down so I can have one whenever i want.

It’s not a bad beer but DAMN THAT NUTMEG!!! Sweet, yet dry at the finish. A nice ale, RUINED BY NUTMEG!! I guess I can still drink this. It’s not horrible. It’s just, well too laden with nutmeg.

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.

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. )-;

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!

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.