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Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later) 3.56 1110

Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

Percentile
91
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
11103.56/5.03.56/5.0Winter5.5%94.9Lager 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.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
redeyeloon (16), Colorado, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/515/20
Nov 9, 2009  
12oz bottle 2006 vintage cellared @ 63°F. Goblet. Nose is molasses with slight granny smith apple.
Appearance is dark brown with off-white head. Head not too lacy and thins out quickly.
Flavor is a toffee and alder smoke duet with nutmeg and juniper notes.
Palate - carbonation is crisp but mellow. Very smooth mouthfeel.
Overall I liked this cheery ale better than 3yrs ago. It cellared quite well. Too bad I don’t have any left. )-;


 neepsntatties (350), Portland, Oregon, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/516/20
Nov 5, 2009  
12 oz. bottle of the ’09 vintage. Colour... dark brown with a thin off white head. Nose... redolent of crushed juniper berries, rosemary and cola bean. Palate... generous carbonation on the pour, then gently carbonated on the palate, lots of cola flavours up front, followed by juniper needles, savory herbs and spice and a long finish. Not quite as "full bodied" as previous vintages I’ve tried but still quite nice. Here’s to happy holidays and a happy [winter] solstice!


 manuchampions (139), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/514/20
Nov 5, 2009  
12oz bottle from BC Liquor @ 39th/Cambie. Nose is sticky pine needle with malt back. Light spicing also evident. Crisp and bracing taste that combines sour cherry with juniper. There are some hops mixed in there but subtle and hard to distinguish. They fade off fairly quickly leaving a pleasing fruitcake and malt finish. Decent.


 Defreni (1048), Frederiksberg, Denmark
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/515/20
Nov 5, 2009  
Flaske:Flot mørkebrun øl med et kæmpe skumhoved. Duft af julekrydderi. Smagen er urtet på en delikat måde. Tydelig old ale. Virkelig en spændende øl med et godt humlebid til sidst. Årgang 2008.


 cgreb (180), Marburg, Germany
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/513/20
Nov 4, 2009  
bottle (asheft) 2007 - dark brown beer with a thick beige head. Spicy aroma like cinnamon. Flavour has a lot of fruits and spices.


 vtafro (477), , New Jersey, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/104/514/20
Nov 3, 2009  
Not sure why but i guess i skipped this when doing all my back rating. Had in twelve ounce and magnums(Winter 08-09). Merry christmas and happy new year, pour dark with some light tan head and is great for the season. Nice spices and malts. Worth a try can’t wait for this years.


 Ober (1242), Bommelerwaard, Netherlands
2.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/104/56/102/512/20
Oct 25, 2009  
Version 2007. A dark brown colored beer, with a thick foamy dark beige head. There is a little aroma. Some spices and a little chocolate. The taste of caramel, fruits like a little sour cherries. There are flavors of chocolate with some bitterness. The aftertaste is a little sour with bitter.


 Pinball (3011), Allerød, Denmark
3.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/104/56/103/513/20
Oct 18, 2009  
2006 version, best before oct 2008, sampled 2009-10-18 dark dark brown, smooth light brown head, some lacing. very spicy aroma, also somewhat soapy. smells like a bakery. flavor is very spicy but still soft and mild. spicy cristmas cake flavor, cinnamon. licorice, caramel. Quite special but not my kind of beer, i’m not much of a cake guy.



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