 LtDan (481), LA - Originally from South NJ!, California, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Dec 4, 2008 Appearance- A dark, dense eggplant purple with a tight half inch tan, active head.
Aroma: Fig newtons not fruit and cake, carob, chocolate, juniper, cut holly and ginger bread.
Taste-Evergreen flavored hops. figs, cocoa powder, spicy bitter hops. After all the darker, savory flavors, you get a nice tart berry flavor, perhaps cranberry or not-quite-ripe raspberries.
Mouthfeel-Chewy and coating.
Overall-A heavenly beer. So much is going on, that you could definitely draw a winter/holiday experience from the burst of flavor you experience in each sip. I have yet to be dissapointed with an Anchor Our Special Ale/Anchor Christmas, and I would bet money you would not be either.
LilBeerDoctor (1492), East Setauket, New York, USA
| 3.4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 13/20 |
Dec 3, 2008 2005 bottle. Pours a dark brown with a small tan head. Aroma of spices, dark fruits, slight raisin, and lots of pear. Flavor of pear and apple skins with a slight roast to it.
2008 bottle. Pours a dark brown with a thick tan head. Aroma of strong spices , pumpkin, apple, and lots of pear. Flavor is similar with lots of fruits present, some mint leaf, and lots of sugary sweetness.
These bottles were sampled side-by-side and they were pretty similar. Essentially the 2005 tasted like an aged version of the 2008. Nonetheless, this beer was ok, but nothing special. Mouthfeel was a bit wearing.
keepersj12 (787), Sicklerville, New Jersey, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 |
Dec 3, 2008 Very tasty. Nice Christmasy aroma. pretty dark red brown color with a nice head. Flavor is spicy with a dry finish. Not a typical winter beer.
santos999 (318), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| 2.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 5/10 | 3/5 | 4/10 | 3/5 | 6/20 |
Dec 3, 2008 07 bottle. Pours a real dark brown with a thin off-white. Smells like a Christmas tree and roasted barley. The taste is overly spicy with little balance. I thought a year would help, I was damn wrong. Not on my wish list.
chandler0201 (341), Durham, North Carolina, USA
| 3.6 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 15/20 |
Dec 3, 2008 Brown pour with big head. Smelled of Christmas trees and holiday spices, so hit the nail on the head there. Taste of some bitter, some sweet, and some spice, good mix. Symbolic beer of Christmas better than any other.
AMN (127), Dublin, Pennsylvania, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 5/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Dec 1, 2008 I was really happy with this beer. I bought some not knowing what exactly to expect, so I was glad to get a dark, strong, spice beer instead of a typical "winter" brew. It takes what makes Anchor’s other beers great (the thick, dark elements of the porter, the bitterness of the steam) and makes for a pleasing combination.
kassner (440), Wexford, Pennsylvania, USA
| 3.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 |
Nov 30, 2008 Better than last year, so either it was changed or fresher or my attitude. Still deep Ruby color, flavors of Port wine and some spices, good level of carbonation and a clean finish, Nice lacing.
hirigalzkar (563), Stockholm, Sweden
| 3.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 14/20 |
Nov 30, 2008 Bottle. Nice thick but short lasting head. Smells forrest. Also butter and hops. The flavor has a little thing of everything to it. Small bitterness. Small sourness. And also some sweetness.
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