scura buona schiuma persitenza non ottima il naso è piuttosto intenso speziato tostato in bocca malti tostai non agressivi leggere spezie poco luppolo

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.

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.

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.

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.