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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 
10233.56/5.03.56/5.0Winter5.5%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?  
 BelgianBeerGal (1276), Sabbatical in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/514/20
Feb 24, 2008  
Magnum bottle labeled for 2007. Dark brown colour with a big foamy beige head. Spicey aroma of herbs and some chocolate. Slightly sweet flavour with hints of chocolate, nutmeg, and light coffee. Definitely better than average.


mrw1zard (54), Birmingham, Alabama, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/104/57/104/516/20
Feb 21, 2008  
Lots of flavor to this. Pours a dark color with a cream colored head. I was expecting a bite to this, being so dark, but it is really smooth, a very strong spice taste at the end. Very enjoyable - a must for the holidays and non-eggnog people!


 mybestfriend (261), Gothenburg, Sweden
3.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/104/57/103/512/20
Feb 17, 2008  
2007 bottle. Pours an almost black colour with a beige head, On the nose I got some fresh, but artificial, citrus (made me think of detergent) mixed with some ginger, roasted coffee beans and julmust (a swedish christmas soft drink). The taste is a bit sweet and resembles the aroma but with much more ginger!


 Goodgrief (1144), Middletown, Delaware, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/514/20
Feb 16, 2008  
Jan. 2007 - I’m trying to be fair. I hate these overly spiced ales. This one, if I look at it clinically, was probably good. Deep brown color with red highlights. Nice head and lacing. Lots of roasted malts, chocolate, and some spices...too many of them for me to even finish the bottle, but if this is your thing, I’ll bet this beer would be loved. Rich thick mouthfeel. Not again for me, though.


 efrumtheidiot (190), Maryland, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/514/20
Feb 15, 2008  
2007 bottle. pours a dark ruby-copper with a tan head. aroma is clove, spice, dark fruits, sweetness, and yeah, i actually do sense the furniture polish hughie wrote of (haha, a strangely satisfying aroma)! taste is clovey, liquorice, dirt, spices, light cinnamony raisins. tastes very christmas-like, similar to bread pudding. mid-light bodied with a bubbly, prickly mouthfeel. not a bad brew at all, has that classic anchor taste with a holiday twist. not a flavor explosion, but a gently satisfying holiday session brew. will definately buy again next year.


 hughie (3018), Bedford, Bedfordshire, England
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/57/104/515/20
Feb 14, 2008  
2007 Bottle from Whole Foods Market, New York. Dark brown with a large beige head. Aroma that combines icing sugar, dark fruit and furniture polish. Sugar and spice in the taste. A little cinnamon, some liquorice and a background earthy sourness. Quite a light, gentle mouthfeel: nothing very demanding. Mid bitter finish. Odd, special beer for a special occasion.


 weaselkenievil (738), Cheshire, England
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/103/513/20
Feb 13, 2008  
Bottle at the Manchester Winter Ales Festival. Very nice. A good xmas beer (I would imagine, what the fuck do I know? Who am I?), dark brown, almost opaque. Like a mince pie. All Christmassy and that. Lovely! Cheers and happy christmas to one and all.


 Crafty07 (391), Florence, Kentucky, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/59/104/516/20
Feb 12, 2008  
Without a doubt, I feel warmly filled with the Christmas spirit after drinking this delicious spiced beer despite it being mid-February. Dark mahogany pour with decent beige head, this winter beer hits the drinker with a sweet mixture of spices (cinnamon? toffee? someone suggested pumpkin) I noticed a strong chocolate presence as well. Very smooth spiced beer that finishes well.



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