Our Special Ale 2012 (Anchor Christmas Ale) - Anchor Brewing Company

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.63/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Batch 20 K pours chestnut with 4 fingers of caramel colored head. Amazing lacing & head retention

S: Sasparilla & juniper notes

T: Ligt juniper & pine notes, faint figgyness up front, along with slight leafy hopness. Some astringency & juniper as this warms, slight smokey notes that become a bit too much, plus dryness & stale jagermeister lurking in the background. Finishes slightly bitter & leafy wth horehound cough drops & pine needles

MF: Light, medium bodied with slight carbonation, balance is alright, starts to become watery as this warms, bummer

Hits above its abv weight, however, no one of the better versions. Interesting at times, but doesn't quite hold together

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 04:22:29 | More by russpowell

troegaarden

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +9.9%

06-18-2013 02:31:17 | More by troegaarden

chrishiker1409

New York

4.5/5  rDev +23.6%

06-16-2013 01:42:45 | More by chrishiker1409

gleemonger

California

4.25/5  rDev +16.8%

06-12-2013 17:55:37 | More by gleemonger

MikefromDormont

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +9.9%

06-09-2013 15:10:08 | More by MikefromDormont

cyclonece09

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a dark brown/black with a small brown head with nice lacing. Smells of chocolate and roasted grain. Tastes of some chocolate but with a little bit of hoppy bite, but it is still a bit bland. Beer is carbonated nicely and it is light/medium bodied. Overall, a slightly above average beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 17:47:24 | More by cyclonece09

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.86/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Super dark brown, with medium bubbles on the body. Tan head roughly 1/3" with a vigorous pour.

Smell: Light nutty smell, like I'm sniffing almonds and pecans with a mix of sweet hops.

Taste: Honestly I can indulge into how smooth this brew is. Bitter with pieces of spice like a small light dose of nutmeg to it plus a hit of pine.

Mouth: Medium carbonation, not exactly what I expected as far as how sticky I would like.

Overall: After sitting on the shelf for all these months it's an honor and a pleasure to finally have this. All you need is a glass...Salud!

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2013 01:09:01 | More by BlurryVisi0n

Qstor

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +16.8%

06-03-2013 15:46:07 | More by Qstor

maxwelldeux

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -17.6%

06-03-2013 02:44:09 | More by maxwelldeux

warnerry

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +3%

05-30-2013 22:31:54 | More by warnerry

DMc8ride

Maryland

4/5  rDev +9.9%

05-28-2013 20:30:49 | More by DMc8ride

Kingcurio

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev +3%

05-27-2013 23:44:06 | More by Kingcurio

Stugotzo

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +3%

05-26-2013 00:13:09 | More by Stugotzo

touchmeimsac

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -10.7%

05-23-2013 13:11:00 | More by touchmeimsac

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -10.7%

05-23-2013 01:10:01 | More by mikeincharleston

Lucoli

New York

4/5  rDev +9.9%

05-21-2013 01:22:33 | More by Lucoli

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +9.9%

05-20-2013 05:01:22 | More by Kmat10

buckyp

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +3%

05-20-2013 01:46:18 | More by buckyp

Mullinger1980

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +3%

05-11-2013 10:51:28 | More by Mullinger1980

Sunnanek

Sweden

4.13/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours the darkest, warmest amber I've ever seen. The compact thick head is beige and I could put a quarter dollar on it and it wouldm't sink - it looks fantastic. Slow dissipation leaves decent lacings.

S: Roasted sweet malt, very bready. This is very X-masy; cinnamon, cardamum, nutmeg some chocolate, some dark dried fruits as well as rich raspberries.

T: Nice; sour cherries up front along with loads of spices; cardamum and cinnamon. Licorice, chocolate and dark dried fruits along side with rich raspberries. Surprisingly enough, not that sweet.

M: Atftertaste is long and sour as well as bitter. Body is medium while carbonation is low, rather smooth though.

O: Nice Christmasy Winter Warmer; with lots of spices of the season along with nice maltyness.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 18:00:44 | More by Sunnanek

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -17.6%

05-10-2013 14:27:01 | More by twenty5

Xzfgiimtsath

Texas

4/5  rDev +9.9%

05-10-2013 12:54:13 | More by Xzfgiimtsath

ADTaber

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -3.8%

05-09-2013 00:17:42 | More by ADTaber

dalepryor

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -10.7%

05-07-2013 21:25:55 | More by dalepryor

beerme411

California

3/5  rDev -17.6%

05-07-2013 10:05:13 | More by beerme411