Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

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

2007 Vintage out of a magnum. Poured a watery, translucent deep brown with purple hues and a foamy, lasting white head, Aroma was mild, spice, yeast, heavy malts and dried/dark fruit. Flavor was similar, dark fruits, heavy malt, also touches of biscuit, grain, and cookie spice. Finish was watery, mild and dry. Drank the 2004 in the same night and this was no where close to the ’04, but this was a well balanced, drinkable holiday beer.

Draught. Black, small white head. Spicy and dry. The spices dominate, maybe a bit too much? Is it ginger? Medium body. Interesting beer but some might not like it due to the Christmas spices.

Very spicy armoa and taste, ruby black color. Cloves cloves everywhere. Nicer than I would have thought after hearing how spicy this was.

sampled at liquorloft tallahassee. poured black with lots of carbonation, reminds me of soda. aroma is light but still pleasant mix of christmas herbs, nutmeg and something sweet. taste is much more defined, it took me a second but i found it to be gingerbread cookies in the finish. the start is a spices and bread. body is watery and the most unpleasant aspect.

2007 bottle. Dark brown with a light brown and thick head. I can’t really get a distinct aroma from the beer, very malty and some spicy hints (almost like raisins) aroma. The aroma does evolve to something close to tar during the drinking experience but doesn’t give anything special. Flavor is a deep mixture of malt and spicy bitterness, the hops are at a good level here. Also coffee and chestnut are some of the tastes I can put my finger on. Although it should be a seasonal drink I see it as a normal brown ale but it’s got a bit of more freshness in it. Interesting but nothing special.

Looks and smells almost like a brown ale. Frothy tan head. Looks great. Tastes good too. Surprised me. Major hints of apple and other fruits.

Poured much darker than I thought it would. Almost like a porter to echo Strykzone’s comments with a full tan head. Sweet aroma of something that I can’t make out. Taste is full, sugrary and lingers. Not something I’ll pick up every year. Kind of a let down considering how reliable the guys at Anchor are.

Pours like a porter. Body is almost black with red highlights and a medium sized light brown head. Aroma is malt and vanilla with some roastiness. Flavor is mixed and just a bit confused. It is pretty well balanced and features some mild coffee, caramel, nuts, dark fruit, and some tart hop. An aftertaste of dry malt and hops singes the throat and tongue. This beer is flavorful and interesting but tries to do too much.