Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

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

2007 - Very dark chestnut, tall beige head, smooth with a lot of lacing. Big bitter dry nutmeg flavor, clove, softer cinnamon. Lots of black licorice. Dark bitter bakers chocolate, overload of spice. Thin palate, moderate bitter finish. 3.3 2006 - Slightly darker in color with a taller beige head. Nose is similar to the 2007, dry and spicy, big nutmeg, clove. This year has a soft burnt chocolate and mild smokey quality to it that I didnt get out of the 2007. Softer and a bit smoother, it seems to have mellowed and the spices are less sharp. Much more drinkable then the 2007. Slight rootbeer note at times. This was actually really nice, and the best OSA I have had, more malt dominated then spice run. 3.7

(2008 bottle) clear deep dark brown, excellent lacing. nice malty aroma. light carbonation. Flavor is of mostly medium roasted malts with a little dark roast. some creaminess with notes of grain, maybe a hint of dark chocolate. Whatever spices they used do not stand out much. Overall a very nice dark ale which I thoroughly enjoyed.

120z 2006 Bottle. Poured a dark reddish-brown color with a medium light beige head that dissipates pretty quickly. Speckled lacing. Spicy, malty aroma with some herbs. Medium, smooth body with nutmeg, fruit and earthy malt flavors. The finish is mildly spiced and short.

I really dig the aggressively spiced aroma, lots of nutmeg and clove. Very dark clear brown, black until held to a light. Sticky thick head, great lacing. Not really enjoying the smoked note that comes out with the sip, takes on a metallic mouthfeel. Spices try to come out, but are scrubbed down and washed away from the persistent metallic edge. Glad i only bought a single bottle.

Mini growler of the 2008 offering, from Half-Time. Pours a clear but almost ruby black color with very little of what appears to be a dark tan head. Ample spice and possibly cherries on the nose with a good deal of sweetness, almost caramel like. Mouthfeel is a little thin, but there’s a nice smoked note that comes forward. Finish has just a touch of bitterness and hint more smoke. Body could be thicker, but overall a rather tasty beer.

Poured from bottle labeled 2008 a dark brown with large brown foam head. Aroma is piney like fresh pine needles with some allspice, maybe a dash of nutmeg and a touch of toffee. Flavor is subtlely spiced with some salty notes, allspice, pine, a bit of brown sugar sweetness but rather dry overall. Palate is thin with little malt thickness and mostly dry with just a touch of sweetness across the tongue. At first taste I was slightly disappointed, it seemed a little watery and the aroma did not match the flavor much. After letting it sit a moment and then coming back it was good.

Bottle. 2008 version. Very malty aroma, somewhat sweet, with toffee and cinnamon. Dark reddish brown body, large off-white head. Spicy flavor, smooth and mellow, with malts and a touch of hoppy bitterness. Smooth finish.

Several pours out of two big 1.5L magum 2007 bottles consumed in December 2008. Thanks to whomever brought these two large bottles of which I partook heavily. Still has a lot of hop presence. Some malt and slight chocolate took center stage with the bittering agents. Very dubbel-like, but mor ehop character. Second pour was better in its movement towards something sweet. Not epic but pretty good. I suppose a few more years could help?