Anchor Our Special Ale (2003)

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

...Picea sitchensis... Apearance: deep, dark color, just about black, with reddish tints at the sides, and topped with an enormous, nay Brobdignagian head of creamy, cocoa-tan foam, leaving lovely, delicate lace, a truly beautiful sight to see. Aroma: oh, goodness! Glory, gracious, this is the stuff! Spruce and maybe pine on top, then cinnamon sticks out, cloves in there, too, and many more spices than I can rightly discern, though they are so smoothly and sweetly blended it, it's hardly worth tearing them apart. Just gorgeous, rich, sublime! Taste: Ah! Magnificent, full-bodied, full-flavored, those spicey flavors return on the palate and richly ring the tastebuds. Utterly delightful, though somewhat thick in mouthfeel, almost syrup-y. An altogether excellent ale, one that annually makes December somehow bearable. Mmmm, the taste never quits, the flavor lingers on the palate, the finish is thoroughly established and this beer is an extraordinary reward. I've got to go something worthwhile, to make myself feel worthy of this brew.

The Our Special Ale (2003) poured a dark brown wih some dark red highlights. It had a nice creamy, light brown head that had good retention that laced the glass on the way down. The aroma was pretty strong and very pleasing - it had some nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove and maybe ginger. It's taste was a little milder than I expected. A little bitter up front with some nice maltiness, and a long finish full of spiciness. Overall, an excellent holiday brew! Already one of my faves after a first try.

Dark reddish-brown color with a nice creamy light brown head that leaves some lacing in the glass. Spicy nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla aromas, smokey dark fruit, vanilla, spices and pine flavors, a lot going on here, medium bodied with a soft and creamy mouthfeel, finishes dry and flavorful, beautiful.

Pours a beautiful dark reddish-brown. Smells great - nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and just overall Christmasey! Excellent flavor - it reminded me of ginger snaps cookies that you get around Halloween. This was my 1st Anchor OSA and I'm looking forward to my next.

Super dark reddish brown in apperance, nice thick tan head that left beautiful lace work. A rich, sprucey pine, vanilla, ginger, clove, nutmeg, chocolate extravaganza. And it's not that sweet! Just enough hops to balance the malt. As stated below, this beer is awesome when fresh, I'm kind of curious how it develops over the next year or two. One of the best winter seasonals I've had so far this year...and it's only November!! Keep'em coming.

Bottle 30A. blackish/rubish color with an earthy nose. it has a thick complex heaviness to it that i really like a lot.

A nice deep dark brown color with a small tan head. Roasted malt is very flavorful. Love the sweet finish. Everything is well balanced. A top winter beer on the market.

Pouring with an interesting, spicey aroma,my 2003 OSA was a very dark mahogany-hued ale with little head. The seasoning pine on the label was marked as Pinea Sitchensis(Sitchen's Pine). The flavor of this brew is very complex and hearty, with a multitude of spice undertones. I like this beer!