Our Special Ale 2013 (Anchor Christmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company

Our Special Ale 2013 (Anchor Christmas Ale)Our Special Ale 2013 (Anchor Christmas Ale)
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Anchor Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.66 | pDev: 12.57%
Reviews:
128
Ratings:
701
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 24, 2023
Added:
Nov 04, 2013
Wants:
  8
Gots:
  82
No description / notes.
View: More Beers
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by victory4me:
Photo of victory4me
Rated by victory4me from Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%

Apr 27, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of jeburgdo
Reviewed by jeburgdo from Nevada

3.31/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Found this 2013 magnum bottle in a local store in 2023. Had to pick it up.

It is well past it's prime. While it looks great, with a thick head that settles into a creamy top and lasts, the smell is not great. 10 years of ageing (probably in not ideal conditions) has taken it's toll on this low ABV beer. You get whiffs of vinegar.

But past that, the taste is quite nice. It's subdued, but you get some spices with a soft and creamy mouth feel. Sorry of like a boozy fruit cake vibe going on, in a good way. Lively carbonation . Subdued and mellow tastes overall. So just hold your nose and you're in for a treat! The tastes are quite nice and surprisingly good after 10 years.

I wouldn't suggest ageing this one 10 years, but if you miss Our Special Ale and find it, don't hesitate.
Dec 24, 2023
 
Rated: 3.75 by smithj4 from New York

Apr 04, 2020
 
Rated: 3.83 by emerge077 from Illinois

Nov 24, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by TrojanRB from Texas

May 28, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by Kurmaraja from California

Dec 10, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by SargeC from California

Aug 07, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by DanGeo from Michigan

Jan 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3.48 by h4ger from Connecticut

Jan 02, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by OtisCampbell007 from Tennessee

Dec 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by a77cj7 from South Dakota

Oct 14, 2017
 
Rated: 3.93 by themayorkoch from Ohio

Aug 05, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by armock from New York

Jul 17, 2017
Photo of BigBry
Reviewed by BigBry from Canada (AB)

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Excited to see this one on the rotating tap list on a recent trip to National Beer Hall, Westhills.
Standard pint glass, clear dark brown, tan foam and lacing.
Malty sweetness aroma, some pine.
Flavor is typical of a winter warmer, spice like ginger, nutmeg, slight bitter finish.
Nothing overly special, but nothing wrong with it either. I assume this is at or near its peak. Would love to be able to do a vertical of these one day.

Thin, lighter side of medium body.
Feb 25, 2017
Photo of jakecattleco
Reviewed by jakecattleco from California

4.01/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Did a magnum vertical on Christmas Eve of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. For my palate I preferred them in the following order: 2015 > 2013 > 2014 > 2016. Really enjoyed the more roasty and coffee attributes of the 2015 vs. rest.
Dec 25, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by dertyd from California

Dec 20, 2016
Photo of pants678
Reviewed by pants678 from California

2.63/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Brown, tan lacing.

Pine, malt.

Bit of nutmeg and ginger, not much else. Bite on the end is weak. Needs anything, too approachable.

Thin, lighter side of medium body.
Dec 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by harpus from Alabama

Oct 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by user785335 from Florida

Aug 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.68 by aufie from Texas

May 26, 2016
Our Special Ale 2013 (Anchor Christmas Ale) from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 701 ratings