-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Our Special Ale 2009 (Anchor Christmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company
- From:
- Anchor Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Winter Warmer
- ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 90
- Avg:
- 4.02 | pDev: 10.45%
- Reviews:
- 341
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- May 28, 2019
- Added:
- Nov 02, 2009
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 30
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by brewskier:
Reviewed by brewskier from Massachusetts
4.05/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
4.05/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a clear pint glass. Speckled, fairly dark brownish head. Diminshes rapidly without much stickiness. Clear, very dark garnet red is a very attractive brew.
Smells Christmasy indeed, full of pungent aromas of brown bread and a hint of pine and juniper.
Flavor at first strikes me as "odd," amended to "distinctive." A complex interplay of tangy molasses, sweet cherry, mild spices, and subtle woodsy hops. Minor lingering bitter aftertaste. I like it more as I sip and it warms. Warm is also a descriptor for this beer, as it seems nice to quaff next to a fireplace with anything from a nutty cheese or your mother-in-law's fruitcake.
It has a smooth mouthfeel with just enough carbonation to puntuate the sweetness of the beer.
While I enjoy this beer, and it is lighter than expected, I still wouldn't want to have too many of these...pretty much my thought on any winter warmer.
Dec 20, 2009Smells Christmasy indeed, full of pungent aromas of brown bread and a hint of pine and juniper.
Flavor at first strikes me as "odd," amended to "distinctive." A complex interplay of tangy molasses, sweet cherry, mild spices, and subtle woodsy hops. Minor lingering bitter aftertaste. I like it more as I sip and it warms. Warm is also a descriptor for this beer, as it seems nice to quaff next to a fireplace with anything from a nutty cheese or your mother-in-law's fruitcake.
It has a smooth mouthfeel with just enough carbonation to puntuate the sweetness of the beer.
While I enjoy this beer, and it is lighter than expected, I still wouldn't want to have too many of these...pretty much my thought on any winter warmer.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.34/5 rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.34/5 rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
If one thing is consistent about this xmas releases from Anchor, they always seem to have that brown in the middle and red at the edge appearance. Off white head 1/2". Aroma smelled like a forest with damp dirt around it. Lots of spice rack in the earth.
A little bit woody, a little bit brown malt, alt like malt feels to it. Some what bitter, but apparently not from any large degree of hopping.
Neat to check out, but not a repeat thing. Didn't really change much with age either.
May 12, 2016A little bit woody, a little bit brown malt, alt like malt feels to it. Some what bitter, but apparently not from any large degree of hopping.
Neat to check out, but not a repeat thing. Didn't really change much with age either.
Our Special Ale 2009 (Anchor Christmas Ale) from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
420 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!