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Our Special Ale 2013 (Anchor Christmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company
- From:
- Anchor Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Winter Warmer
- ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 83
- Avg:
- 3.66 | pDev: 12.57%
- Reviews:
- 128
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Dec 24, 2023
- Added:
- Nov 04, 2013
- Wants:
- 8
- Gots:
- 82
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mattreitz49:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by jeburgdo from Nevada
3.31/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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, 2023It 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.
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
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, 2017Standard 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.
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
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, 2016Reviewed by pants678 from California
2.63/5 rDev -28.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
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, 2016Pine, 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.
Our Special Ale 2013 (Anchor Christmas Ale) from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
701 ratings
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