 ucusty (1871), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
Nov 18, 2007 Pours dark brown with fizzy tan head, reminiscent of a coke. Very complex aroma; oak, mace, and dark fruits. Notes of caramel, figs, and a hint of pumpkin.
luvcasks (178), USA
Nov 18, 2007 pours a dark brown with gorgeousgarnet highlights and nice tan head
Very nice caramel, a little roast, some oak nutmeg, some dark fruits (figs) maybe some all spice
Flavor is almost like a porter while sliding away with a lighter body and a more festive flavor profile. The hop flavor is nicely restrained yet present to keep the beer enjoyable.
The finish is nice long, rich with short hint of figs and nutmeg leaving a slightly creamy dry finish
WOW! Another of my holiday must finds... still a solid beer year after year. For me this is beer to taste as it ages try some when young and with patience try in a year or two the spices change and is still a treat
Oh Yeah! Thanks to the brewers at Anchor for bringing the regular caps back instead of the screw tops
Sigmund (2197), Hafrsfjord, Norway
Nov 18, 2007 355 ml bottle, vintage 2007, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 5.5%. BB Sep.09. Very dark reddish bown colour, nearly black. Large and lasting tan head. Nice vinous and sweetish aroma, notes of malts, herbs, oak, spices and caramel. Malty flavour with moderate notes of caramel and herbs, moderate hops and spices in the finish and aftertaste. A very pleasant beer to drink.
Ungstrup (14762), Frederiksberg, Denmark
Nov 18, 2007 Bottled. A pitch black beer with a slight brown shine under a huge brown head. The aroma is sweet with strong spicy notes among them strong notes of spruce and cardemomme - a bit too much for me. The flavor is sweet again with strong notes of spices - especially spruce and cardemmome, but then a note of roasted malt joins in, and combines with the spices to give it an extremely dry finish.
salzy (14), USA
Nov 17, 2007 ’07 bottle purchased as part of a case from Waywood Beverage, Kennett Sq. Pa. Nose of Cola and nutmeg, small bubbles linger after the almost non existent tan head forms. Taste of mild sweetness, bublegum and assorted spice on the front end, roasted coffee beans on the back. Moderate carbonation, clean and refreshing. Worth the time
craftbeerdesign (734), Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
Nov 17, 2007 ’07 bottle. I didn’t really know what to expect from this.... I liked what I tasted. Pours a dark brown with minimal head. Spicy on the nose and through the palate. Flavors of pumpkin, coffee and nutmeg are pronounced. A winter warmer... very festive. Solid beer.
tgncc (798), Bellmore, New York, USA
Nov 17, 2007 Aroma is spicy, some nutmeg and other holiday spices. The appearance is attractive, A dark but translucent ruby/brown. The flavor is also dominated by spices, nutmeg, cloves. The finish is surprisingly weak, and not much is left on the palate. Fairly thick mouthfeel. Not bad. I’ll probably try a few of these holiday beer in the next few weeks. Tis the season.
natejgood (189), Denver, Colorado, USA
Nov 17, 2007 Updated: Dec 19, 2008I’m rating the 2007 Spcial Ale. It pours relatively dark with a lot of medium brown head. The head leaves a lot of lacing on the glass. It smells of holiday spices, including nutmeg, cloves and pumpkin spice. It smells like the holidays. The flavor starts with some sweet coffee, moves onto some of the holiday spices, and ends with a bit of bitterness around the sides of my mouth. The beer leaves the mouth a little dry, and the carbination is very light. This is a very good offering for a holiday beer.
An update to my rating. The 2008 beer is just as splendid as the 2007.
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