Our Special Ale 2011 (Anchor Christmas Ale) - Anchor Brewing Company

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BA SCORE
87
very good
-
626 Ratings

rAvg: 3.86
pDev: 14.77%
Reviews: 280
Hads: 346

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Brewed by:
Anchor Brewing Company

California, United States

Style | ABV
Winter Warmer | 5.50% ABV

Availability: Limited (brewed once). bottle (250), on-tap (29), growler (1).

Notes:
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.

No notes at this time.

View: Beers (16) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by Brittmb29:

Brittmb29

Florida

3.38/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Defintely a gorgeous beer, appears almost brown in the pokal i have poured the bottle into but on a closer look definite ruby tones come out in the body. light tan head pours about a finger and dissipates to half but stays thick and full with good lacing . Scent comes on first very malty and yeasty (like a dark bread) then fruity (cherry/berry) aroma pulls through with some hoppy spice and the alcohol is always present in the scent. taste follows the nose but much less malty because the citrusy hops balances it. also the fruit tastes come out more even some banana tastes pull thre with the dark fruits. Additional roasty/chocolate malt flavors come out in the taste but only to support the hops. the whole sip is semi dry and well carbonated for a creamy thick feel but ends very crisp with the hop and alcohol lingering a bit, but not unpleasant.

didn't expect what i saw pouring out but did enjoy the taste once i tried it. I would drink this if it is around (since a friend didn't enjoy the first out of the six pack) but probably wouldn't seek this out. this will probably come out again when i crack open my CCB winter warmer to draw any similarites.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 18:04:47 | More by Brittmb29

More User Reviews:

AmandaSchaefer

Wisconsin

3/5 rDev -22.3%

05-13-2013 23:03:29 | More by AmandaSchaefer

Mullinger1980

Ohio

3.75/5 rDev -2.8%

05-11-2013 10:51:40 | More by Mullinger1980

rab53

Massachusetts

3.75/5 rDev -2.8%

04-18-2013 02:21:51 | More by rab53

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.63/5 rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

2011 Christmas Ale into Hardywood Park tulip.

A: a rich brownish, red hue. slightly hazed. foamy head is similar to the color of the body with a lot more white. retention is perfect. thick lacing left behind after each sip.

S: a little bit of molasses and spruce tips. a little bit of pine wood as well. sweet. unfermented sugars.

T: starts sweet a bit of plums. slightly woody as well. a little bit of cinnamon. lingering flavor is caramel malt flavor. a little bit of diacetyl in the finish.

M: moderate, tingly carb on a medium body.

D: cant get too pumped on this one. good, but nothing mind blowing. seems like time hasn't been too good to it either as I notice a bit of diacetyl that I think will get worse as time goes on.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 03:27:34 | More by Jimmys