-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Our Special Ale 2010 (Anchor Christmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company
- From:
- Anchor Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Winter Warmer
- ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 13.08%
- Reviews:
- 355
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- May 28, 2019
- Added:
- Oct 31, 2010
- Wants:
- 6
- Gots:
- 65
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jondeelee:
Reviewed by jondeelee from Massachusetts
4.42/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Anchor's 2010 Christmas Ale begins with the smell of pine forests, spiced mead, and nutmeg-laden Christmas cookies; taking a whiff is like riding on the fabled one-horse open sleigh, grandma's house in sight and the smell of an immaculate Christmas dessert wafting over the snow fields. Big, hoppy hop aromas dominate here, smelling intensely of pine needles, and festive spices--nutmeg, allspice, clove--join in. On the malty side, there are pleasant fig, orange, and apricot notes, as well as deep brown sugars.
On the tongue, the beer is just as spicy and fruity as the nose would suggest, with the nutmeg, allspice, clove, and pine flavors being especially prominent. A few more dark fruit esters--fig, date, black cherry (think Christmas cake fruits)--are present here than were in the nose, and the orange takes on stronger tones of orange peel than orange fruit. Brown sugars help counter the spiciness, though they do fade late in the mouthful and are overwhelmed by pine and spice. The aftertaste is mainly pine and spice, and lingers for quite a while, tingling the edges of the tongue. Mouthfeel is medium-light, and carbonation is medium to medium-high, aiding in the buzzing mouthfeel.
Overall, Anchor has made yet another quality Christmas beer, having once again captured many of the traditional Christmas flavors in a tasty brew. The 2010 edition also tames down the pine notes, which in earlier years were overwhelming and borderline tree sap. Highly recommended, especially for Christmas morning, served with a thick wedge of Christmas cake.
Jul 31, 2011On the tongue, the beer is just as spicy and fruity as the nose would suggest, with the nutmeg, allspice, clove, and pine flavors being especially prominent. A few more dark fruit esters--fig, date, black cherry (think Christmas cake fruits)--are present here than were in the nose, and the orange takes on stronger tones of orange peel than orange fruit. Brown sugars help counter the spiciness, though they do fade late in the mouthful and are overwhelmed by pine and spice. The aftertaste is mainly pine and spice, and lingers for quite a while, tingling the edges of the tongue. Mouthfeel is medium-light, and carbonation is medium to medium-high, aiding in the buzzing mouthfeel.
Overall, Anchor has made yet another quality Christmas beer, having once again captured many of the traditional Christmas flavors in a tasty brew. The 2010 edition also tames down the pine notes, which in earlier years were overwhelming and borderline tree sap. Highly recommended, especially for Christmas morning, served with a thick wedge of Christmas cake.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by DefenCorps from Oregon
3.82/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.82/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Magnum shared with friends Thanksgiving 2016.
A very dark reddish brown, mildly hazy, with a dense, beige head with decent retention an lacing, this looks solid. The nose is quite excellent. Warming spices with a woodsy herbaceous angle, there's allspice, a little cinnamon, a hint of clove, some juniper and a little myrrh. The palate is surprisingly full-bodied for the ABV, with a mild caramel backbone on which the spices are carried. Having aged gracefully, the flavor notes are well-integrated, enhancing drinkability (i had nearly half of this magnum). Mildly sweet on the finish with lingering spices, this is very enjoyable.
Nov 27, 2016A very dark reddish brown, mildly hazy, with a dense, beige head with decent retention an lacing, this looks solid. The nose is quite excellent. Warming spices with a woodsy herbaceous angle, there's allspice, a little cinnamon, a hint of clove, some juniper and a little myrrh. The palate is surprisingly full-bodied for the ABV, with a mild caramel backbone on which the spices are carried. Having aged gracefully, the flavor notes are well-integrated, enhancing drinkability (i had nearly half of this magnum). Mildly sweet on the finish with lingering spices, this is very enjoyable.
Reviewed by scottfrie from California
3.18/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.18/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Magnum poured into snifter.
A: Pours a murky woody brown color with a thin cap of fuzzy tan head. Spotty lace was left down the glass.
S: Cola, vanilla, apple juice, cardboard oxidization, and raisin dominate. This smelling tired.
T: Follows the nose with faded flavors of root beer, spice, with hints of light caramel, apple juice, and raisin. Oxidation is lightly musty. Sassafras and wintergreen linger in the aftertaste.
M: Medium body, low carbonation, light and drying mouthfeel, slight sweetness.
O: I prefer this beer fresher as this was a little too mellow for my taste, but still very drinkable. Oxidation present, bitterness is low, and all hops have dropped out.
Feb 21, 2016A: Pours a murky woody brown color with a thin cap of fuzzy tan head. Spotty lace was left down the glass.
S: Cola, vanilla, apple juice, cardboard oxidization, and raisin dominate. This smelling tired.
T: Follows the nose with faded flavors of root beer, spice, with hints of light caramel, apple juice, and raisin. Oxidation is lightly musty. Sassafras and wintergreen linger in the aftertaste.
M: Medium body, low carbonation, light and drying mouthfeel, slight sweetness.
O: I prefer this beer fresher as this was a little too mellow for my taste, but still very drinkable. Oxidation present, bitterness is low, and all hops have dropped out.
Our Special Ale 2010 (Anchor Christmas Ale) from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
512 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!