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Our Special Ale 2012 (Anchor Christmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company
- From:
- Anchor Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Winter Warmer
- ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 83
- Avg:
- 3.65 | pDev: 14.25%
- Reviews:
- 198
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jul 01, 2019
- Added:
- Oct 22, 2012
- Wants:
- 18
- Gots:
- 73
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by clark25:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.34/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.34/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
From old, undated notes. Poured from the bottle.
Black liquid; purple when held to the light.
Nice khaki head which dissipates but doesn't disappear; heavy lacing.
Strong licorice and wax nose; certainly unique.
Medium mouthfeel.
Wax. This beer tastes like wax. Strange, & not wholly unpleasant, but very odd. One of the most unique beers I've ever tasted but not one of the best.
Jul 01, 2019Black liquid; purple when held to the light.
Nice khaki head which dissipates but doesn't disappear; heavy lacing.
Strong licorice and wax nose; certainly unique.
Medium mouthfeel.
Wax. This beer tastes like wax. Strange, & not wholly unpleasant, but very odd. One of the most unique beers I've ever tasted but not one of the best.
Rated by OompaMentor from Georgia
3.5/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
11/24/2015 - Brewniversity
Jan 05, 2018Reviewed by q33jeff from New Jersey
3.49/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.49/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
**
12/02/2012
AROMA: Toffee, Fruitcake
LOOK: Brownish Black
TASTE: Cloves. A lot of other flavors I like that I cannot identify.
FEEL: Thick for an Ale
Boom Shanka.
**
Jul 24, 201612/02/2012
AROMA: Toffee, Fruitcake
LOOK: Brownish Black
TASTE: Cloves. A lot of other flavors I like that I cannot identify.
FEEL: Thick for an Ale
Boom Shanka.
**
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.81/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.81/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had again 2012 (good, but undistinguished) in a 2016 side-by-side comparison with 2016 vintage (great, particularly in its softness.)
My 2012 rating compensates upwards using my theory: Special Ale starts deteriorating after 2 or 3 years. (My sub-theory is there is not enough malt backbone and alcohol to preserve it for several years.)
Anyhow, 2012 was a better ale than it is now.
But, 2016 probably will be even better in a year.
May 14, 2016My 2012 rating compensates upwards using my theory: Special Ale starts deteriorating after 2 or 3 years. (My sub-theory is there is not enough malt backbone and alcohol to preserve it for several years.)
Anyhow, 2012 was a better ale than it is now.
But, 2016 probably will be even better in a year.
Reviewed by drpimento from Wisconsin
4.03/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A spice beer that is just a tad understated. They also have the carbonation a touch brisk which enhances the bitter and gives the spice an odd aspect. The spices are still definitely there, but the brisk carbonation, bitterness, and slight dryness of beer are qualities not usually associated with spice beers. Still not bad.
Feb 17, 2016
Our Special Ale 2012 (Anchor Christmas Ale) from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
727 ratings
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