Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later) 3.56 1114

Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

	Percentile
	91
	overall

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

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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Ratings	Average	Score	Seasonal	ABV	Style Pctl	Serve in
1114	3.56/5.0	3.56/5.0	Winter	5.5%	95	Lager glass, Tumbler

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. <br /><br /> 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.

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fredjaz (108), Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	8/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	18/20

Dec 23, 2007

What a great holiday brew! Great pour with lasting head and lacing throughout. Medium bodied, full of spices like drinking gingerbread. Just the right amount of hops to balance and complete an excellent brew.

wyzzywyz22 (815), Wirral, Merseyside, England

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	10/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	15/20

Jun 29, 2008 Updated: Nov 21, 2008

Bottle, Corks of Cotham, Bristol. Poured a dark brown with a reddish hue and a creamish biege head. Aroma is jam packed with christmasy spices, cinnamon, brandy sodden raisins, herbs, ginger, orange peel, the list goes on. Really wonderful. Silky smooth mouthfeel. Many of the characteristics of the aroma were evident in the flavour and this is undoubtedly a very complex and well crafted brew. I loved it and would happily drink this at any time of the year ! A worthy bottle to bring up my double century !

dimenhetfield (220), , Florida, USA

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	9/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	17/20

Dec 12, 2009

This has a surprising aroma for a dark beer. The aroma is sweet, earthy (spruce), and roasty. The color is nice and dark, with very little foam. A very unique Christmas/Winter beer.

pj1855 (158), Eagan, Minnesota, USA

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	7/10	4/5	9/10	5/5	17/20

Nov 28, 2008 Updated: Nov 29, 2008

This is a fantastic beer. Pours a dark amber color with a small light brown head. Aroma of roasted malts and Cinnamon. Great mouthfeel. Complex flavor. Tastes of cinnamon, roasted malts and chocolate. Pefect balance of everything. Very sad to take the last sip of this one.

brewski519 (439), Morrisville, North Carolina, USA

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	9/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	17/20

Dec 24, 2009

From a 12 oz bottle this Ale pours a mahogany color with a tan head. The aroma has a LOT going on - Pine, nutmeg, cinnamon, molasses, ginger, plenty of pine and spruce - Almost smells like a Christmas Tree... which made me a little nervous. The flavor is full of citrus, spice (lots), ginger, malts, clove and pine. Nice solid mouthfeel with moderate carbonation - nice dry finish. This one is a winner for sure.

jodah52 (66), Michigan, USA

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	8/10	5/5	8/10	4/5	17/20

Dec 18, 2009

2009. Dark reddish-brown with a dense tan head. Aromas of malt, cypress, foxwood and spruce in the nose; a hint of warm gingerbread-like spices in the mouth. Flavor is sweet with a dry afterbite, bit of sourness at the end. Very good holiday beer.

bhensonb (4404), Woodland, California, USA

4.1	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.1	7/10	5/5	7/10	5/5	17/20

May 26, 2006

Hints of spice, tar and chocolate. Deep ruby color(under halogen). Malty, hoppy flavor with hints of creosote (tiny hints). Nice mouthfeel, not too thin. Aged well over the past few months, but perhaps this is where the tarry notes came from. Really it is quite tasty. Leaves the mouth with a dark, spicey, sort of astringent feeling. Can’t wait for 2006.

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