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Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later) - Spice/Herb/Vegetable

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 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 
10223.56/5.03.56/5.0Winter5.5%95Lager glass, Tumbler
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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. <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.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 Rciesla (3500), Exit 15W, New Jersey, USA
2.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
4/105/55/103/512/20
May 8, 2008  
Bottle. I missed the boat on this one. Pours an amber brown. Flavor is spice, mild hops, sugar, roasty coffee and caramel. Something about this just turned me off.


Bananamaniac (35), Kristinehamn, Sweden
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/105/517/20
May 2, 2008  
Can 33 cl. Nice Christmas/Holidays beer here! Very spicy and "stoutie" smell on this one. The smell reminds me a bit of "Närke Kaggen Stormaktsporter" actually. Taste of herbs/spices and roasted malts, very good!


 hombrepalo (726), Chicago, Illinois, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/512/20
Apr 30, 2008  
2005 bottle, Pours a opaque black with discernible brown/red facets, slight head. Xmas spices noticeable in all stages, on the nose, palate, and finish. Nutmeg, cinnamon and molasses, accompany medium body and hop bitterness, though no flavor, in the finish.


 Viper666 (613), Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/515/20
Apr 29, 2008  
Bouteille 12oz (2007), courtoisie de Hogtownharry. De couleur brune-rouge foncée et claire. Nez épicé (cannelle, léger de clou de girofle et de poivre, notes de coriandre, de gingembre et de muscade), de malt légèrement rôti, léger de sucre brun et de café avec des notes de noix, de houblon herbeux et de fruits confits. Moyennement ronde en bouche avec un pétillement moyen et une texture crémeuse. Léger-moyen goût fruité (cerises, traces d’agrumes sucrées) accompagné d’un léger goût épicé (léger de coriandre, traces de clou de girofle, de muscade et de cannelle) et de petites notes boisées et de réglisse noire lors de l’entrée en bouche auquel se rajoute un goût moyennement amer de malt rôti avec des notes de caramel et de chocolat noir (traces de sucre brun) puis progressivement un moyen goût de café vient se joindre au reste jusqu’en finale où l’on retrouve une amertume asséchante de houblon herbeux (herbes mouillée, feuille de thé des bois et de conifères) avec un léger goût épicé (poivre). Post-goût moyen et sec, moyennement amer de rôti, de houblon herbeux, léger de café et avec des petites notes boisées.


 Lothore (276), California, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/515/20
Apr 26, 2008  
2007 A- Pours a deep mahogany color with a 1 finger mocha head which fades fairly quickly. S- Smells sweet and full of spice. Nutmeg, cinnamon and possibly some pumpkiny tones are present. T- Taste is suprisingly mild, coffee, nutmeg as in the nose, slightly bitter hop element. M- Creamy smooth with a good amount of carbonation. D- This is extremely drinkable. I think once its had a chance to lose that little hop edge after a year or two it will be an excellent session beer for christmas.


 AmEricanbrew (1747), Louisiana, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/515/20
Apr 22, 2008  
2007 bottling. Clear mahogany with a fleeting khaki head. This years spices seem to be a sharp ginger, with clove and maybe some coriander with a hint of smoked wood. Smooth medium body as always. Taste is a light roastiness then caramel in the middle, with the mildly strong spices hovering around the edges of the palate. Has a nicely bitter finish. Another nice one. Enjoyed on 4.21.2008


 phishpond417 (1861), Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/102/56/102/511/20
Apr 21, 2008  
Dark brown color with a slightly reddish tone. Head is decent, tan colour. Aroma is pleasent- sweet, enticing with various spices, nutmeg and cinnamon are noticeable. Taste is soft and creamy, very pleasent. Its a great seasonal brew i look forward to every year.


 BlackDonald (1127), Boise, Idaho, USA
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/56/103/513/20
Apr 18, 2008  
I was not crazy about the fact that the recipe was changed for the 2005 vintage. I thought it threw the beer horribly out of balance, it did right some of the previous wrongs in the right, but still this could be a lot better. A completely different spice profile this time around, that almost reminded me of a Belgian style strong ale.



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