jj21 (82), Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, USA
Feb 4, 2008
2005
I was looking forward to this one since purchasing it last winter as a closeout. I drank one right away (I should have reviewed it looking back) and it was great. Nice and hoppy. Since this is supposed to age well, I thought, why not. Let me tell you why not.
Pours Dark brown with decent carbonation and a strange colored head- almost a hint of green(?) to it. Aroma was way too much juniper. I couldn’t figure out what I hated about it until reading a few reviews after tasting and then it hit me. That’s all I could smell and it was hard to get anything else but there were the usual dark fruits and other spices. The flavor didn’t offer much more than the aroma. Too much juniper on the nose. The mouthfeel was nice though. Lighter than expected and lively carbonation. All-in-all, a dissapointment. Next time, I’ll drink them fresh. Live and learn.
 daniele (935), Italy
Dec 4, 2008 scura buona schiuma persitenza non ottima il naso è piuttosto intenso speziato tostato in bocca malti tostai non agressivi leggere spezie poco luppolo
LtDan (106), Greater Los Angeles Area, California, USA
Dec 4, 2008 Appearance- A dark, dense eggplant purple with a tight half inch tan, active head.
Aroma: Fig newtons not fruit and cake, carob, chocolate, juniper, cut holly and ginger bread.
Taste-Evergreen flavored hops. figs, cocoa powder, spicy bitter hops. After all the darker, savory flavors, you get a nice tart berry flavor, perhaps cranberry or not-quite-ripe raspberries.
Mouthfeel-Chewy and coating.
Overall-A heavenly beer. So much is going on, that you could definitely draw a winter/holiday experience from the burst of flavor you experience in each sip. I have yet to be dissapointed with an Anchor Our Special Ale/Anchor Christmas, and I would bet money you would not be either.
LilBeerDoctor (733), East Setauket, New York, USA
Dec 3, 2008 2005 bottle. Pours a dark brown with a small tan head. Aroma of spices, dark fruits, slight raisin, and lots of pear. Flavor of pear and apple skins with a slight roast to it.
2008 bottle. Pours a dark brown with a thick tan head. Aroma of strong spices , pumpkin, apple, and lots of pear. Flavor is similar with lots of fruits present, some mint leaf, and lots of sugary sweetness.
These bottles were sampled side-by-side and they were pretty similar. Essentially the 2005 tasted like an aged version of the 2008. Nonetheless, this beer was ok, but nothing special. Mouthfeel was a bit wearing.
keepersj12 (463), Sicklerville, New Jersey, USA
Dec 3, 2008 Very tasty. Nice Christmasy aroma. pretty dark red brown color with a nice head. Flavor is spicy with a dry finish. Not a typical winter beer.
santoslhalper (252), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Dec 3, 2008 07 bottle. Pours a real dark brown with a thin off-white. Smells like a Christmas tree and roasted barley. The taste is overly spicy with little balance. I thought a year would help, I was damn wrong. Not on my wish list.
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