Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

Brewed by Anchor Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
San Francisco, California USA

(2009 Vintage) Enjoyed in a pub glass from a 50oz magnum bottle. The beer pours a dark brown color, with a sizable and very thick off-white to light tan head. The nose is as complex and amalgam of aromas as I’ve ever smelt in a spiced beer: cinnamon, ginger, coriander (perhaps?), and pie spices come through, as does a not insignifcant aroma of medium and high crystal malts. The palate is malt-forward, but stops short of being overly sweet as the result of a bittering that shows itself near the end of the palate. The spices start out strong at first, then fade as the aforementioned bitterness begins to come through in earnest. The finish is semi-dry, but allows the spices to linger on the palate. Overall, a bit different from the 2008 version, but pleasing and a welcome companion during a festive time of the year.

12oz. Pours a medium-light brown with thick head that has good retention, lacy patterns on the glass. Very malty on the nose, slight hint of cherry/fruit and a bit of caramel. Very interesting spice flavor with ginger being dominant, reminds me of egg nog and root beer a bit, little hop bitterness. Medium body with low carbonation. Flavor and body linger for a while.

Pours dark brown with ruby high lights,large tan head.Aromas of malts,cocoa,coffee and hops.light hop flavors and bitter dark chocolate coco are most noted.Over all good beer but no great.

2009 12 oz bottle. Pours a medium brown with a frothy beige head. Lots of aroma - ginger, nutmeg, pine and yeast. Spicy flavor with ginger, nutmeg, clove, dark fruit (plum and fig). Finishes with sweet malty notes and a nice full mouthfeel. This is what Christmas ales are all about.

2009 Bottle. Tasted beside a group of other Christmas-themed beers. Nose is very sprucey, with clove, and cinnamon, but not really much ginger. Palate is well balanced, and oily, with more pine and spruce, plus clove and cinnamon spiciness. I’ve had this so many times I was surprised to find I hadn’t rated it. Tasty enough for me to buy it at least once every Christmas.

2009 vintage: pours dark mahogany with a fluffy brown head. aroma of nutmeg, plum, prune, pine, anise, and molasses. flavor is spicy, lots of dark fruits, slight warmth. heavy nutmeg, raisin, and prune. maltiness and bitterness come through as it sits. aftertaste is dry, long, and bitter.

Bottle from Systembolaget. Raisins and some spices in the aroma. Very dark brown beer, white head. Taste has roasted malts, raisins and hops in the end. Not enough body, feels too watery. Overall a slight dissapointment for a christmas beer.