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Score
9498
OVERALLStyle

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution

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RATINGS: 1625   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.55   SEASONAL: Winter   EST. CALORIES: 165   ABV: 5.5%
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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.

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.


gururyan's rating

2.7
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 10/20
gururyan (475) - Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA - NOV 29, 2012
This is the 2012 vintage, pours a dark chocolate brown with a soapy yet nutty aroma. Taste is peculiar and like a spiced nutmeg. Can’t say I’m a big fan.


most recent ratings

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
Bamsen78 (819) - Sřnderborg, DENMARK - MAY 18, 2013
Bottle. Pours cloudy darkish brown with stable light tan head. Dark aroma of malt, caramel, dried fruit and spices, possibly aniseed. Roasty, malty flavour, keeping a fair amount of bitterness towards the end, enriched by a touch of dried cranberries towards the end. Dryish aftertaste. Good.

3.6
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 12/20
dmbsnuts (301) - Carpentersville, Illinois, USA - MAY 15, 2013
This is a default message... As I do not wish, nor have time to comment on each beer I try at this time. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

3.3
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
VastActiv (805) - Oulu, FINLAND - MAY 1, 2013
Bottle 0.355l at Pivo, Oulu. BBE 7/2013 (propably). 2011 edition. Colour is brown with brownish white small head. Aromas and flavours: Chocolate, spices, sweetness and roasted malts.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
OKplus (355) - Oklahoma, USA - APR 30, 2013
2010 Vintage A - Pours a light cola color with a 1 finger khaki head. S - Brown sugar, prunes, candied ham, roasted malt, sorghum, maraschino cherries, smashed sesame seeds, wood. Some sour notes. It smells like a Christmas ham. T - Brown sugar and dark malt mixes with salty nuts. Prunes and other dark fruits reside in the background. Spiced oranges come out as it warms. A sour bitterness cuts in on the finish. M - Medium bodied but on the thin side. It really smells like a cooked Christmas ham. Lots of interesting flavors. I could not drink more than 1 or 2 in a row. Serving type: bottle 01-02-2011

3.4
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20
Jamedra (27) - CZECH REPUBLIC - APR 20, 2013
Láhev 355 ml. 2012 Christmas Ale. Po nalití má pivo tmavě rudou barvu, krásnou pro oko, pěna je vysoká zlatohnědá s jemnými až středně velkými bublinkami, poměrně držící. Aroma připomíná jemnou kávu s bonbóny, také pomerančová kůra a jiné koření, velmi zajímavá kombinace. Chuťově je pivo opravdu originální, příjemná chuť kávy snoubená s pomerančovou kůrou a banánem doplněná hořkostí připomínající slabší kávu a dotažená kyselejším závěrem. Jedná se o velmi zajímavé pivo, originální a výjimečné.

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20
gramity (1054) - Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA - APR 11, 2013
Very dark ruby-brown. Aroma of sweet caramel malts, hops and subtle spices. Taste is sweet malt and spices with a slight bitterness on the finish. Medium bodied. Good holiday stuff.

3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
kalervo (446) - FINLAND - APR 8, 2013
Nice beer, solid Anchor quality with enjoyable hint of spices. Quite easy to drink due to use of special spicies.

3.7
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
Nische (63) - Saltsjö-Boo, SWEDEN - APR 3, 2013
(2011 Bottle) Very dark red/brown with white head. Aroma of sweet bread, some cinnamon and cloves Taste is similar to aroma with sweet winter spices.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
mnmike (609) - Minnesota, USA - MAR 24, 2013
2012 Giant Bottle. Complex in the spice mix with the malts and hops. I’d like to age this.

4.4
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 18/20
Braastad (116) - FINLAND - MAR 23, 2013
Dark red, almost black beer. Creamy head that lingers. Great beer, lots of berries, blackcurrant?


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