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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?  
 ScottyP (314), Brentwood, Tennessee, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/514/20
Apr 19, 2009  
Dark brownish poor white white head. Aroma is sweet, spicy, bready all at once. Sweet, gingerbread taste with hints of chocolate and roasted malts. Nice finish. I really enjoyed this one. Good holiday beer.


 CapnCascade (116), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/102/515/20
Apr 15, 2009  
2008 vintage, courtesy of mgermani. Been meaning to try and rate this for years and am finally getting to ’er. Poured dark brown with a hint of orange, medium tan head with little retention. Brown sugar, savoury herbs, citrus rind, and raisins on the nose; flavour is slightly vinous with tree fruit and herbal notes, roasted malt and bittering hops on the finish. Oddly light mouthfeel, quite heavily carbonated, but pleasant overall and worth having again.


 lumpsowers (235), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/56/102/514/20
Apr 12, 2009  
(2007)Dark brown pour, fluffy head, lots of lace. Cinnamon, pine aroma. Nutty, chocolatey flavor, some bready cinnamon. Really does taste like Christmas! Think this might be a little old, but still an interesting flavor. (2008)Black pour, big fluffy head, high lace. Spicy pine aroma. Sweet, cinnamon and nutmeg, tastes like an alcoholic Christmas cookie. Slightly grapey, not bad.


 jvmiller (532), Bel Air, Maryland, USA
2.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/103/54/103/512/20
Apr 10, 2009  
Really didn’t like this one, had a pukey finish. Yeasty, malty, slighly hoppy. But otherwise PUKEY.


 gunnar (486), Sandnes, Norway
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20
Apr 9, 2009  
12 oz bottle. Pours dark brown with a moderate tan head. Spicy aroma, black pepper.Taste is darker, richer, some yeast as well. Moderate watery mouthfeel, nice bitter touch at the end.


 curly (548), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/515/20
Apr 7, 2009  
Pours dark red brown with a tan head. Aroma reminds me of eggnog with gingery nutmeg. Berry and spice taste with some toffee. Has a nice hop bitterness to finish as well. 2007 bottle thanks to Butters.


 Butters (1622), Virginia, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/57/103/515/20
Apr 5, 2009  
Sampled at the Impromptu Butter’s 5th cellar clearance. 2007 vintage. Near clear brown pour with red highlights. Aroma of eggnog! Cinnamin, gingerbread. Very interesting. One of the best spice beers i’ve had. And I’m not even a fan of the style.


 Barrios (852), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/103/511/20
Apr 5, 2009  
2007 bottle. Fading beige head with a slighlty hazy brown body. Smells of ginger, clove, and brown sugar. Tastes the same with some chocolate notes. A bit thin.



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