Anniversary Ale
Short's Brewing Company

Anniversary AleAnniversary Ale
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From:
Short's Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Wheatwine
Ranked #16
ABV:
10%
Score:
88
Ranked #13,496
Avg:
3.94 | pDev: 12.69%
Reviews:
208
Ratings:
534
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 12, 2022
Added:
May 08, 2009
Wants:
  59
Gots:
  75
2009 Tap only
2010 Tap and bottle
2013 Tap and bottle

Same recipe every year, according to the brewer, though ABV varies slightly.

"Anniversary Ale~ A high gravity wheat wine made with blood oranges that render an alluring dark purple hue to the color. Flavor abounds from the spice of green peppercorns and tang from blood orange zest. Aggressive dry hop additions amplify the citrus overtones and spiciness found throughout. ‘Anni’ Ale typifies the full magnitude of Short’s Brewing Company by embodying all the complexities and fulfillment necessary to pay tribute to another year of brewing. 10% ABV 63 IBU's"
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by tectactoe:
Photo of tectactoe
Reviewed by tectactoe from Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Big thanks to Mike for splitting this with me. Aged almost one year (2012 vintage). Pours a slightly red-tinted copper color with decent clarity and a light, off-white, wispy head that fizzles away in a short amount of time. The aroma is buckled down with a nice pungency of juicy oranges and tangerines. But not just any oranges - these are "blood" oranges.

I've never had a blood orange and I don't know exactly what they are, but if they're anything like blood diamonds, then I will not be having this beer ever again. I'm joking. But seriously, these oranges smell very fresh, ripe, and juicy. Light peppercorn on the nose mixes and fades in with the slight phenol character I'm picking up from the alcohol. It's not too strong, however - the oranges are always dominant. Light hop character, leafy and spicy, but not very "bitter" smelling.

This is another case of the taste being an exact replica of the smell in drinkable form. Oranges engulf the palate right out of the gate. For a second, they almost give a tart character - not quite puckering, but definitely borderline sour. Very fresh and vibrant as it slowly cascades into a bitter-sweetness. As this is happening, the phenol flavors come out a bit and the alcohol asserts itself - at 10% ABV, this beer is certainly no slouch.

Some other light citrus and grapefruit flavors are coupled with the oranges, but the orange definitely stands out the most. Peppercorns are barely noticeable, but can be found if you're looking. They provide a light spiciness that almost camouflages with the hop character - a mild leafy and herbal tone that adds more flavor than real bitterness. Medium-ish body, low-medium carbonation, smooth on the palate.

Another tasty beer from Shorts with another ingredient I've never tasted in real life and never would've thought to put in a beer. Nice execution with the "blood oranges" to give a very authentic and ripe flavor.

EDIT: 5/9/2013

Enjoyed a 2013 Anniversary Ale fresh. The blood oranges are a little more vibrant and assertive and the peppercorn is toned down just a touch, but it still an integral part of the brew. Hop character is also a bit more prominent. Mouth feel is better than I remember, and the juicy, sweet, and nearly tart blood orange finish is fantastic. Don't know if this is "better" fresh, or the 2013 batch was just a little more to my liking, but I've gotta bump the score. This is great stuff.
Feb 20, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.33 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Sep 12, 2022
Photo of zeff80
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri

3.92/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can. Poured out a clear, golden color with ruby highlights and a good-sized, pillowy white head of foam. It left behind sticky patches of lace on the glass. It smelled of peppery spice, cracked wheat, orange and other fruits. Lots of orange taste with some pepper, wheat and yeastiness.
Jul 01, 2022
Photo of Valdez_Mescalito
Reviewed by Valdez_Mescalito from Michigan

4.8/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
April 2022 Specialty Release - 4 pack
16 oz. can dated 040122 (04/01/22) - 9.4% ABV / 50 IBU
Brewed and canned in Elk Rapids, MI
Poured into a Bell's branded nonic pint glass

Look - Pours a dense and fizzy, orange-tinged grey colored head. Dark orange amber appearance with some streaming bubbles.
Smell - The scent is mostly orange zest with a hint of booze. You can also pick up the citrus of the blood orange.
Taste - The taste follows the nose, but you get a lot more of the peppercorn, and a good amount of bitterness in the aftertaste. The combination of flavors masks the booze well.
Feel - Medium bodied with a thick and sticky mouthfeel and finishes very dry.
Overall - A unique blend of flavors makes for a tasty brew that is dangerously easy to drink.
May 01, 2022
 
Rated: 3.43 by Gemini6 from Michigan

Sep 14, 2020
 
Rated: 3.5 by rare_bird from Michigan

Dec 03, 2019
 
Rated: 3.99 by rsquared59 from Indiana

Jun 08, 2018
Photo of vfgccp
Rated by vfgccp from New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
SAVOR DC 2018
Jun 03, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by ESchweers from Michigan

May 27, 2018
 
Rated: 3.88 by BarryMFBurton from Indiana

May 20, 2018
 
Rated: 3.93 by Phoodcritic from Michigan

May 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.73 by Isarnan from Michigan

Nov 23, 2017
 
Rated: 3.74 by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

Aug 06, 2017
Photo of DVMin98
Reviewed by DVMin98 from North Carolina

3.96/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Shared 12 oz 2011 bottle. On the day Short's sold out to Lagunitas. Amber color. Smell is orange zest. Spice. Flavor is big on the blood orange (surprised being 6 years old). Spice. Still decently carbed. Overall, pretty nice. Glad I split this though. Would have been too much to drink solo, unless over an hour or two. Good blood orange Heineken :P
Jul 27, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by oriolesfan4 from Maryland

Jul 03, 2017
Photo of Blackop555
Reviewed by Blackop555 from Michigan

4.12/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours cloudy orange. Foamy, short, off white head fades fast.

Smells fruity, citrus, light oxidation

Tastes sweet orange, malty. Fading to a tart citrus and heat from peppercorns. Finish is semi dry with citrusy linger. Medium body and smooth lower medium carbonation
Apr 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.77 by Jonathan-Morgan from Florida

Feb 19, 2017
 
Rated: 3.89 by Taphouse_Traveler from Florida

Feb 19, 2017
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.42/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottled 4/18/14; drank 5/23/14 @ the Yarchives.

Poured from the bottle into a glass.

Cloudy orange hue.

Off-white head; almost no lace.

Orange citrus nose; very bold!

Medium thick mouthfeel.

Blood orange & grapefruit citrus tartness; a nice balance of sweet & sour. No booze heat. A delightful, easy-to-drink summer wheatwine.
Nov 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.85 by MI_beerdrinker from Texas

Oct 13, 2016
Anniversary Ale from Short's Brewing Company
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 534 ratings