Anchor Our Special Ale (2002)

Formerly brewed at Anchor Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
San Francisco, California USA

courtesy of cigarcitybrew. Pours dark brown, tan head. Aroma and taste, had some fine herbal - pine hops and molasses with caramel malts. There was a spicy touch that is very similar to a peppery, possibly chiles undertone. After taste is spicy. This 2002 version matured very well, retained all of its components and more than likely gained a lot of flavors.

2002 Bottle, although I also got 2001 and 1997 from the same place. Pours with a small, dark brown head and an opaque brown body. Aroma is really good with vinous qualities, brown sugar, port, molasses and currants. Taste is raisins and a bit oxidized with nuts, pine and sherry. A touch of cardboard. too. I think I like these better fresh as the last couple I have had, even as early as 05 are oxidized. Mouthfeel is a bit thick and seems to stick to the tongue in a sort of sickly way. Light bubbles. Still holds up well for a mere 5.5 percent bottled beer.

Bottle courtesy of Retorp. Pours a dark brown color with a thin white head. Aroma is roasted malt, sweet caramel, phenol, slightl peppercorn notes. Flavor is malty and sweet with some caramel, pine and brown sugar notes. A slight spice note is present toward finish that turns slightly peppery at finish. Generally medium body with a malty and sweet finish. This bottle has aged well.

Thanks retorp for the share. Still sweet and spicy after all these years. Aroma is caramel, candy sugar, spice, and malt. Lots of malt. Flavor is similar with some dark fruit and pepper towards the finish with a bready sweetness. Malty, mellow sweetness through the finish. Silky.

Pours dark brown with a minimal tan head. Still heavily carbonated after six years. Aroma is of bourbon, spice, malt, caramel, and tobacco. Taste is of dark fruit, malt, bourbon, tobacco, spice, and caramel. Tastes like it was barrel aged with cherries and a pack of smokes. Lingering booze bite. Finish is very mellow, with some nice fruit and alcohol tastes.

Dark mahogany colored ale with a long lasting white head. Very nice aroma showcases notes of fruit cake, vanilla, nutmeg and mint. Flavor is very nice and brilliantly balanced. Notes of cinnamon, pine, juniper and fruit cake. Very nice body to it and well as a nice finish.

12 oz bottle from a Liquor store in North Park. I have a long story I want to tell about this beer. First, I have been in search for this 2002 special ale since it was the only one I was missing in the lineup. Well, I went to this store since I had remembered it had vintage 6 packs left so I bought a 2005 six pack and when pulling out the first bottle to examine the year I noticed it said 2002. I was so excited and now I get a wish come true for Christmas. The aroma is mild with the slightest notes of dark roast malt and light spicing. The appearance is a deep brown with thick head still able to be created despite its age. The flavor is sort of bland and lost most of its original flavors I imagine it had but it still is smooth and drinkable. I honestly think its past its prime and still say the fresh batches of Anchor’s special ale will be the best tasting.

Bottled
Dark nut brown color, very small off-white head. Chocolaty, rye breadish "vintage aroma". Very coffeish, roasted flavor, some American hops. Liquerish, specially in the aftertaste. Loads of coffee and chocolate.