Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

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

2007. Pours dark brown, a bit of lacing, moderate white head. Aroma is herby with a bit of a bubblegum quality. Mouthfeel is moderate. Flavor is again, akin to bubblegum with qualities of coriander and chamomile.

2007 vintage. Clear deep copper with a light brown gense foamy head showing excellent retention and strong early lacing. Very intriguing spicy aroma. Not the usual spice, this is more like mace and bergamot with a little ginger and licorice. Also some cedar mulch aroma. Very interesting! Same spice-dominated palate overlying some nice crystal malt with flavours of orange rind, clove, ginger. Smooth and medium bodied with a surprisingly bitter finish, ending with a tartness that reminds of a good California common style. In fact, that is what this is like in a nutshell-- a very spiced-up, well-made California common. Unique and delicious and perfect for the season!

2007 vintage in a magnum bottle. A very good tasting extremely dark ale with a very large brown head. Medium to full bodied with a short duration. Aroma is very fresh, with possibly some pine scents. Very much different from Anchor’s other products.
Dec 6, 2007.
Ar: 7; AP: 2; F: 8; P: 4; O: 14
Total Score: 3.5/5.0

2005 Vinatge. Waited too long on this one. Mar 3, 2008. Pours with a light brown, creamy, head that lasts. Murky brown body. Aroma of soy, madera, and prunes. Alcohol legs on the glass. Taste is way too oxidized. Sat for too long. Creamy mouthfeel, with some fizz left. Bitter and very very oxidized.
Ar: 6; AP: 4; F: 5; P: 3; O: 12
Total Score: 3.0/5.0

2006 Vintage. This one was waited on for too long. Pours with a decent sized, light brown, foamy head covering a hazy dark brown body. Aroma has elements of oxidation, figs, plums, yeast, cinnamon, and vanilla. Taste is salty, smokey and oxidized. Over the hill in a baby SA Triple Bock sort of way. I am disapointed because this one looked and smelled quite good. I guess I know that these will not last much longer than a year (low alcohol I guess). Too bad.
April 21, 2008.
Ar: 7; AP: 4; F: 5; P: 3; O: 12
Total Score: 3.1/5.0

2008 vintage. November 16, 2008. Bottle marked 803. Pours a deep mahogoney with a fluffy light brown head. Good lacing and retention. Aroma of allspice, cinnamon, pine, molassas, caramel and maple. Taste is spiced with some tabbacco, allspice, caramel, plenty of hazlenuts, and bitter molassas. Creamy mouthfeel, light bubbles, slightly warming. Good winter warmer.
Ar: 7; AP: 4; F: 7; P: 4; O: 15;
Total Score: 3.7/5.0
2009 had a bit more of a twang to it.

Very nice brown sugar and spice aroma, with just a hint of spiciness. Pours a red so dark it can only be seen when held up to a light. Small cap of light brown head. Clean crisp palate. Fairly light mouthfeel. Flavors of various spices jumping around and a hint of pine. One of my new favorite winter beers.

Bottle. Dark, black brew with a beige head. Aroma is sweet with hints of spruce and a little malty. Flavor is sweet with nice bubbly mouth-feel. Spices hit quite strong with a dry finish with lingering roasted malt.

2007 Bottle. Pours out mostly transparent brown with a slight off white head. Aroma of spice, mostly nutmeg and some cinnamon. Taste is slight caramel, with some nutmeg, cinnamon, and some other light earthy/spice notes. Pickup a bottle or two every year, and always good.

( 2007 Vintage) Thin light brown head which dissipates quickly. Minimal carbonation. Spicy aroma with lots of nutmeg, ginger and spruce. Also a bit of rootbeer in the background. Color is a very dark brown. Dry and thin palate. Gingerbread, nutmeg, and a bit of dry chalkyness. Lingering roasted grains and bitterness. A decent seasonal brew. Thanks to etowneraser for this one.

12 oz. bottle. 2007 vintage. Pours a deep, clear mahogany with a small light, cream color head. Aroma of pine tree and cinnamon. Mouthfeel is a combination of spices, maple syrup, and licorice. Hint of a bitter ending, but not too overpowering.