Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

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

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker, Tumbler

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hearty citrus aroma and medium brown color; full citrus flavor with a slightly woody finish

33 cl bottle. 2007 vintage. Here we go. Creamy nice head but mostly diminishing. Complex flavor sweet finish with light bitterness. Dark bread with hints of chocolate roasted coffee and a typical citrus tone. Spicy with echos of coriander and ginger. A bit watery finish and the spices end up a bit sharp but its good and one of anchors classics. Cheers

This is the 2011 VINTAGE. Appearance Black, pours a very thick, creamy head. Aroma Spices, surprisingly fresh, grapefruit? Taste Light and fresh to begin with, but kicks with rich maltyness and a bit of a bitter aftertaste. I can’t put my finger on the (secret) extra ingredients, but they are not your typical winter spices, I can tell you that much. There’s no cinnamon or the typical warmth that you’d expect from a Christmas Ale, but that’s actually a nice change and distinguishes this from many other offerings. Fresh but rich and toasty maltyness, that about sums it up. The aftertaste is that of a porter, but you wouldn’t guess it from the aroma and the initial burst of freshness. A strange combination, but I’m getting to like it as I sip more. Overall This was my first encounter with the Anchor Christmas Ales, but they have been doing them for a while! Every year the (secret) recipe changes and they have a theme tree, which is the bristlecone pine this year. The label is quite pretty, featuring the tree. This beer grew on me as I went on and I would say that it’s an excellent addition to this year’s Christmas Ales. Also worth noting is that the ABV is not as insane as with many Christmas Ales, so you can have another one too! Anchor Brewing is a very distinguished brewery, from San Francisco, but I’ve not had very many of their beers. The Porter deserves a special mention, it’s quite tasty. I’ve had Anchor Steam as well, but that’s it, I think — should get my hands on their other beers too, like their Bock, and Barley Wine, dubbed Old Foghorn.

Tastes like a steam beer with a little more malt and toffee. Not sure what to think of it as the sourness is pitting me off a little bit. Might be better served warm. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

2007 AOSA is unbelievably great. every year it never ceases to surprise me. especially one thats been cellared for atleast a year.

2006 as well. This was a very complex beer. I enjoyed it, but cannot drink to many. Almost a barleywine in flavor, just not as strong %-wise. You can really taste the raisen/prune/veggie flavors in there. Thick and slow drinking.

A lightly bittered ale with a very prominent nutmeg spice. Definately has alot of character.

0,335 bottle from Alko. Rich aroma, hint of juniper.. Nice black colour pours tiny brown head. Great taste some "salmiakki" (salty liquorice) some coffee. tiny taste of juniper. Overall nice trip to world of different flavors!

Just bought this years’ to compare to a bottle left from 2002. The 2002 vintage aged very well and compared quite favorably to the 2005. Would definitely lay down this beer as it is one that shows true improvement with aging(unlike Sierra Celebration).

A tasty spiced ale, absolutely perfect at my local pub on Christmas Eve. Deep brown with a thin tan head. A nice aroma, clove and allspice, with a hint of cream. Flavor is spice, brown sugar, and roasty malts with nice carbonation that tingles just a bit. Finishes clean, and refreshing. Not something to drink everyday, but a great seasonal