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Home > Brewers > California > Anchor Brewing Company >

Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

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 Percentile 
88
overall
A Spice/Herb/Vegetable brewed by
Anchor Brewing Company

San Francisco, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
8173.57/5.03.56/5.0Winter5.5%94.9 Lager glass, Tumbler P  Stats

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.

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 bp (275), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/59/104/59/20

Jan 19, 2006  
Very dark brown, aroma reminds me a bit of ginger bread, taste of spices and maybe a bit of coffee, dry finish. This isn’t a beer for everyone but if you are open to trying something a little different you shouldn’t be disappointed but you won’t be wowed either.

 spikester (389), Salem, Oregon, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/57/104/515/20
Jul 31, 2008  
2007 version. Pours very dark brown, modest tan head, minimal lacings. Good dark roast malt aroma, some soy sauce. Taste is dark, rich coffee, chocolate, bitter hops. Nice Holiday brew.


 esjaygee (721), Oak Creek, Wisconsin, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/513/20
Jul 16, 2008  
Mahogany with a large tan slowly fading head. Aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, sweet malts, floral hops and other assorted spices. Taste is somewhat nutty and sweet with a spicy finish of nutmeg. Seems a little thin to me, except the finish which seems a little overloaded with spice.


 Ljunkan (120), Karlstad, Sweden
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/514/20
Jul 16, 2008  
Need to update this one. Sold as Anchor Christmas Ale here in Sweden, I was surprised when a friend found 4-5 bottles back in April. This beer has an absolutely wonderful aroma; a quite strong one for only 5,5% ABV. Wonderful malt, spices, pine needle... almost imperial stoutish smell. Flavour is really good, even though it maybe smells better than it tastes. Wonderful taste of Christmas-spices, particulary ginger, and some pine needle. Need too buy this again next Christmas...


 TaxiDriver (474), Stadland, Germany
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/104/514/20
Jul 13, 2008  
Bottle. Dark vanilla, malt, sweet red wine, christmas spices. Large brown creamy sparkling head, long lasting; nearly black body. Moderate sweet, then it gets a little bit bitterer with some hints of coffee; average duration. Medium body, creamy texture with a soft carbonation. Really something special!


sja14 (56), Ohio, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/515/20
Jul 11, 2008  
pours dark with a nice brown head. Very spicy and piney flavor with a dry finish.




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