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Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later) 3.56 1088

Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

Percentile
91
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
10883.56/5.03.56/5.0Winter5.5%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?  
 Fantomasus (122), USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/104/515/20
Dec 25, 2007  
Magnum. Pours dark chocolate with a flimsy off white head. Smells of spice and cinnamon. Dry chocolate caramel flavor. Watery mouth feel with a dry finish. Don’t go out of your way to get the 2007 Magnum. Maybe the 12 oz. bottle is better?


 KimJohansen (7132), Copenhagen V, Denmark
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/103/515/20
Dec 25, 2007  
Pours black medium off white head. Spicy roasted aroma. Roasted flavor with spicy notes and a dry finiish.


 zebracakes (1216), Washington DC, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/56/104/514/20
Dec 25, 2007    Updated: Dec 26, 2007
Vintage 2007 Magnum. Pours hazy ruby, chocolate brown, off white head. Aroma is chocolate, caramel, smoke, ham sandwich. Flavor is the same with wheat and slight pine.


 chicagobears (336), Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/103/515/20
Dec 25, 2007  
Pours a brownish black with a tannish head. CHristmas like aroma with nutmeg, cinnamon, and gingerbread. Taste is much the same. A quafable x-mas ale.


 flemdawg (485), Naples, Florida, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/515/20
Dec 25, 2007  
2007 version. Deep brown body with a thin tan head that leaves some good lacing. Lots of ginger in the aroma, some flowers, and a hint of yeast along with some plums maybe. Very Chirstmasy taste, with ginger, cinnamon, a faint twinge of floral and just a bit of sugary sweetness. Very intense near the finish, and tasty throughout.


 mcox90 (649), Wilton, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20
Dec 24, 2007  
12 oz bottle, 2007, Pours a beautiful clear coloa color with a small offwhite head. Faint aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg are released when pouring. Taste was of same spices with some malts, no hops. Taste was very clean and sharp. This was a good beer, but I agree with one of the raters below me who stated the beer needs a little maturity. I’ve put the rest in the long term cellar. Will check it out next year.


 Beershine (2754), Traipsing Around, Cambodia
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/56/103/514/20
Dec 24, 2007  
Pours mahogany red, with a nice lasting head and lacing. Nose is pure pie spice with some vanilla, and s’mores. The body does not quite match up and fails to substantiate the aromas. There is weak backbone and a body that could be stronger and bigger.


 Oscbert (549), Sacramento, California, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Dec 24, 2007    Updated: Aug 21, 2009
2007 ~Pours into a dark, reddish, black colour. Big 1 inch brownish white head. ~Smells like nutmeg and cinnamon. Smells spicy and good. Reminds me of warm egg nog.~ Taste is creamy with a bit of spice and a touch of malts.~ A great holiday brew! Looking forward to this one for years to come. 2008 ~Pours black with big fluffy off white head. 4 ~Spicy nutmeg scent, some vanilla. 8 ~Spicy flavor. Bitter. 3 ~Good brew, but not as good as last year. 16 Tried an aged brew from 2006 in 2009. Gets more malty and brown sugary with age. Still delicious.



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