 kmweaver (2396), Sebastopol, California, USA
Jun 20, 2008 12oz bottle, 2005 vintage, courtesy of a trade from a while ago (?). Thanks! Pours a murky brown color; thin, medium tan head with fine-bubbled lacing. Plenty of spice (cinnamon, allspice), chocolate, and floral notes in the aroma; roasted malts, leather, and a touch of alcohol coming through; soft, chewy spicing overall. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: creamy carbonation; chocolate, nougat, and leather upfront; well integrated into a soft spice profile; minimal alcohol; a touch of breadiness and roasted malts. Pretty drinkable, tasty stuff. Lengthy finish: leather, dark chocolate, slight mineral bitterness, and lingering soft spice.
Gypsy19 (602), California, USA
Jun 11, 2008 2007 series. A pleasant medium-bodied ale with a slightly sweet/spicy flavor. Perhaps cinnamon? Smoky and leathery also. The flavor wasn’t as robust as expected though, considering the appearance, but it’s still a good beer overall. The categorization of this ale is a complete mystery to me. I mean, when you take into account that "Spice/Herb/Vegetable" usually means Budweiser Chelada or malt liquor/wine cooler hybrids. Just categorize it as a brown ale or something. Anyhow, this ale worth a try by anyone. Most will be pleased to some degree.
unclemike (834), Ft. Riley, Kansas, USA
Jun 11, 2008 2007 version, Valley oak tree on label: Opaque body, with a tan head that disappeared way too quickly. Splotchy lacing. Holiday cookie-like aroma, which was quite a bit sweeter than the flavor. At first, the flavor profile consisted of cardamom, nutmeg, giner, allspice, and toffee, but the finish could best be described as acrid coffee and smoke. The carbonation was lively, but overall mouthfeel was slightly on the watery side. I feel that Anchor did a pretty good job with this one, but years past had finer offerings.
IlanMan (816), Appleton, Wisconsin, USA
May 23, 2008 Pour is very dark amber with a full light tan head. Aroma is of cinnamon, licorice, and malt. Flavor is spicey with nutmeg, light chocolate, malt, and more licorice in the finish. Slight burnt flavor takes over after all of the other flavors. Good and complex brew. May buy again.
joekinty (263), rockledge, Florida, USA
May 21, 2008 2007 edition served at 52 degrees
very dark with a big head that quickly fades. very malty aroma and flavor. not
as thick as it looks flavors are somewhat subdued lacing is good. taste better as it warms
mattmc1973 (300), Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA
May 18, 2008 Poured reddish/dark brown with tan head, left some nice lacing. Aroma is great, very malty, with hints of brown sugar and spice. Smells better than it tastes. Not bad tasting, but promised more from the aroma. Taste is roasted malt, somewhat porter/stout-like. Mouthfeel is somewhat watery. Pretty good, but aroma made a promise that the flavor didn’t follow through with!
msante79 (778), Orland Hills, Illinois, USA
May 18, 2008 Bottle. Pours deep red with with small off-white head. Aroma is malt, brown suger and caramel. Flavor is mostly roasted malts with notes of caramel, brown suger, and coffee. Creamy mouthfeel and a nicely balanced.
Naka (524), Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA
May 16, 2008 Pours a slightly opaque dark brown color with a foamy head that had some lasting power. The nose has some honey, fruit, and spice, mainly ginger. There was also a roasty characteristic as well. The flavor is pretty complex. The apple fruity sweetness and roasted coffee and malts work well in combination. There is a touch of hops, but really just for some balance. Not an outstanding body, but all the other aspects of it are pretty good.
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