Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

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

2009: Deep ruby, black from the side, whith a thick mouse of tan foam. Very perfumey spice on the nose, cinnamon, hint or orange and ginger, some strawberry-rhubarb pie with gram cracker crust. There’s a lot going on this year, and it’s working pretty well. The flavor has some toasty bread crust going on in the malt department, with a hint of roast and med-light sweetness. Modestly bitter with the spices carrying the middle, though not standing out like in the aroma. Medium body with smooth carbonation. Not very dense, but this isn’t a huge beer by any means. The spices are seemingly clicking with me a lot more this year than last, which I didn’t care for at all. This is good stuff.

2007 version: 12oz bottle. dark almost black brown with a small beige head. Sweet chocolate aroma with tons of spices: cinnamon, ginger, mint... Spicy flavor with chocolate maltiness and fruit. Body is a little thinner than I expected. the smell is much better than the flavor. Not bad, but the spices dont seem to come together as well in the flavor as the aroma. (846312, 3.3)

Rerate, 2008 version, magnum bottle: Lighter color, aroma of some spice, chocolate and alcohol, thin and astringent. Flavors of cinnamon and sour butter. Pretty hard to drink actually. (74429, 2.6)

2005 magnum. Pours a dark reddish brown with a huge tan head. All sorts of spice in the nose. Flavor of licorice, malt, cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet fruit, black jelly beans, smoke, and chocolate. Finishes interesting, light carbonation and just a bit oily. Very complex.

2007 Vintage. Pours pretty black very nice head/lacing. Aroma: Spices going every which way; on one hand the give a bouquet of freshly diced melon and pineapple whilst light hop aromas dance above. . On the other hand, the spices mix with light alcohol notes to show off, coriander, chocolate, and nutmeg set on malty background. The noticeable confusion suggested by the aroma is confirmed in the palate. Alcohol is fairly noticeable, as are the characteristics of the latter face of the aroma. Presents itself as a scottish ale at times, and as a pumpkin ale without much pumpkin at other times. Earthy spices linger on the tongue. I’m pretty sure this beer is an attempted clone by Anchor of a homebrew I recently bottled.

Poured from a 2007 vintage 12oz bottle and served in a shaker. This beer poured a dark brown hue with ruby red highlights around the edges of the glass. A two-finger thick head of tan foam lasted throughout most of the glass, leaving behind a decent amount of spotty lacing. The aroma of the beer was made up of caramel, cocoa, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and also a touch of mint. Smelled wonderful...not overly spiced, but very inviting. The flavor of the beer included light cocoa, roasted malts, light holiday spices, and a sweet, brandy-like note. Definately not as interesting or appealing as the aroma had suggested. The mouthfeel was medium-bodied and slick with moderate carbonation. The flavor was a bit of a let down, but this great smelling brew was still a tasty Christmas treat.

A beautiful rich looking, clear brown that shimmers burgundy red when held up to the Christmas tree lights:) Has a lasting lively and thick tan head that laces the glass. Aroma is unique, it is very sprucy(how appropriate!) with a hint of roasted malt(smoky chocolate). Flavor is of toasty malt and spruce and finishes long and dry with hints of smoky roasted malt. It feels foamy/creamy but not overly so. This is the best brew they’ve made for Christmas/New Year in recent years.

Draft- Country House. Black liquid with thick tan head. Very smooth, sweet taste- licorice, spice, chocolate. Some orange peel at the end to balance the sweetness. I enjoyed this beer- it really was a "holiday" ale- very spicy, sweet, different. Not just a dark beer labeled as a holiday ale.

2007 bottle. Opaque black color, good head that is almost instantly gone. Almost no aroma, and flavors are really underwhelming, except for a hint of ?lavender? This is just bland, dark stuff, and a real disappointment.

Strong aroma of figs, nuts, caramel swirl. Taste follows through with that and nutmeg. Dry finish. Alcohol blends well and is lower than expected for a winter brew.