Our Special Ale 2006 (Anchor Christmas Ale) - Anchor Brewing Company

tcfishler

Maryland

3.38/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Deep mahogany-brown with a good-sized, fairly sticky tan head.

Aromas are roasted but at the same time high-toned, with anise, vanilla, and even a hint of soap.

Moderately heavy carbonation and a medium body, with a suggestion of acidity from front to back. Flavor profile is less roasted than the nose, with more fruitiness, spice and some yeastiness too. Ends tangy and ever so slightly astringent.

Doesn't suit my tastes nearly as perfectly as Anchor Steam or Liberty, but still a very characterful brew. Tends towards the acidic side of things; perhaps it would be improved by pairing with food.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2006 18:56:47 | More by tcfishler

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

03-11-2013 06:12:25 | More by spycow

matjack85

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

02-12-2013 01:21:35 | More by matjack85

Thunder

Georgia

3/5  rDev -23.5%

02-08-2013 23:45:57 | More by Thunder

Jason

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%

01-12-2013 04:32:35 | More by Jason

cliff1066

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2%

12-17-2012 01:54:15 | More by cliff1066

mbs11

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

12-13-2012 02:52:43 | More by mbs11

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

11-21-2012 12:34:36 | More by KAP1356

carrollmel7

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2%

09-01-2012 04:34:16 | More by carrollmel7

GaryMarkle84

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +21.2%

08-12-2012 23:05:27 | More by GaryMarkle84

hanlonrn

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%

07-10-2012 12:21:45 | More by hanlonrn

M27

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-08-2012 01:16:25 | More by M27

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Opened in 2012

Deep caramel color, not much head or lace.

Nose is like potpourri, nut, some sherry, and a trace of cherry.

Lots of spice, a bit of orange, and a wash of cherry. Aftertaste is more savory, but verges on tasting like carbonic acid. Kinda tart.

Nice and smooth. Otherwise unremarkable.

Nice, but probably on the long end of aging limits.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 02:16:54 | More by zaphodchak

imperialking

Illinois

4/5  rDev +2%

01-08-2012 21:52:44 | More by imperialking

kmwilson76

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2%

12-27-2011 14:49:01 | More by kmwilson76

jophish17

Georgia

3/5  rDev -23.5%

12-24-2011 12:20:21 | More by jophish17

seanyfo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.3/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

355ml bottle poured into standard UK pint sleeve

A- jet black body with no light perception. 3 finger tan head that reduces fairly quickly leaving a fair amount of lacing.

S- gingerbread, jamaica ginger cake, some dark fruit(cherries- reminding me of black forest gateau)

T- ginger and cinnamon spice with dark fruits coming through balanced with a nice hit of toasted malts in the finish

M- medium carbonation and body

D- mostly same flavour profiles the 2004 I had a few days ago. Perhaps more complexity with the dark fruit. Mouthfeel is better with a higher carbonation and fuller mouthfeel. Enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 21:17:59 | More by seanyfo

THECPJ

Delaware

4/5  rDev +2%

12-14-2011 17:30:29 | More by THECPJ

pperez38

California

4/5  rDev +2%

12-01-2011 08:31:15 | More by pperez38

brandoman63

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%

11-22-2011 21:46:01 | More by brandoman63

rab53

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%

11-20-2011 03:04:33 | More by rab53

Amyliz4

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2%

11-19-2011 18:18:30 | More by Amyliz4

aanth

California

3/5  rDev -23.5%

11-18-2011 03:38:00 | More by aanth

ROGUE16

Delaware

4/5  rDev +2%

11-17-2011 19:51:12 | More by ROGUE16

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

The Eighth Day of Beermas... It pours a murky dark sienna topped by a half-finger of light ecru foam. The nose comprises raisins, figs, honey, light cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper. The taste holds notes of graham crackers, brown sugar, cinnamon, milk chocolate, light roasted malts, and clove. The body is a strong medium, with a light carbonation and a generally smooth feel. Overall, another step forward in this vertical, though the spices continue to miss the mark, just so this time.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 05:54:37 | More by TMoney2591