-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Our Special Ale 2000 (Anchor Christmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company
- From:
- Anchor Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Winter Warmer
- ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.88 | pDev: 14.69%
- Reviews:
- 35
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Oct 26, 2021
- Added:
- Dec 04, 2000
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 3
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland
3.83/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.83/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle shared with friends the other day. Beer served in a snifter of some sort. Beer is dark brown but mostly clear at the corner, thin head, beer is carbonated still but barely.
Aroma is sweet, a little oxidized but not badly.
Beer is a little papery but the flavors are strong, I don't know the ABV on this but I think there is some alcohol in the palate, the beer is good with a nice finish. I liked it.
Feb 01, 2012Aroma is sweet, a little oxidized but not badly.
Beer is a little papery but the flavors are strong, I don't know the ABV on this but I think there is some alcohol in the palate, the beer is good with a nice finish. I liked it.
Reviewed by Thorpe429 from Illinois
3.25/5 rDev -16.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.25/5 rDev -16.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Big thanks to drabmuh for sharing this bottle. Served in a SAVOR wine glass.
Pours a dark cola color with a whispy light tan head and not much in the way of lacing. A few bubbles on top and a half-collar. Not bad for a brew this old. The nose brings a bit of pine and light wintry spices. Some dark malt there as well. Flavor has a touch of malt and spice, but is fairly tame. The mouthfeel is slightly-watery, which pulls back from the flavors. A great beer to try, though past its prime at this point.
Jan 30, 2012Pours a dark cola color with a whispy light tan head and not much in the way of lacing. A few bubbles on top and a half-collar. Not bad for a brew this old. The nose brings a bit of pine and light wintry spices. Some dark malt there as well. Flavor has a touch of malt and spice, but is fairly tame. The mouthfeel is slightly-watery, which pulls back from the flavors. A great beer to try, though past its prime at this point.
Reviewed by Halcyondays from California
3.86/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.86/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
From a 1500 mL magnum,
A: Pours a somewhat ruddy red-brown with a considerable off-white head for how old it is. Still looking good.
S: Large amount of direct cinnamon, nutmeg, wood, smells a bit like poutpourri, but in a good way.
T: Cinnamon dominates with a nice malt play. Fairly complex, no hop character to be found.
M: Medium-bodied, a tad chalky at times. Soft carbonation, pretty smooth overall.
O: By far the oldest OSA I've ever had, so I was really happy to try this and see that it held up so well.
Dec 03, 2011A: Pours a somewhat ruddy red-brown with a considerable off-white head for how old it is. Still looking good.
S: Large amount of direct cinnamon, nutmeg, wood, smells a bit like poutpourri, but in a good way.
T: Cinnamon dominates with a nice malt play. Fairly complex, no hop character to be found.
M: Medium-bodied, a tad chalky at times. Soft carbonation, pretty smooth overall.
O: By far the oldest OSA I've ever had, so I was really happy to try this and see that it held up so well.
Reviewed by jwinship83 from Illinois
4.03/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle i picked up at a store that has all of these from 2000 on. i paid $2.49 for this one. drank from my new belgium globe.
A- this one pours out a very deep and dark brown with some reddish highlights to it. the head on top is pretty small, but surprisingly still there. oh and its a khaki color. it fades pretty fast and leaves behind nothing as far as lacing goes.
S- the initial whiff brings lots of christmas spices to my nose. nutmeg and cinnamon stand out the strongest. after that i pick up some roasted malts and dark chocolate. somewhat nutty smelling also.
T- the taste starts out with some dark chocolate and the roasted malts i could smell. it briefly becomes nutty before moving into spice country. cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little bit of clove. there is a slight coffee finish.
M- the body is a solid medium. the carbonation level is still there, but not lively either. very smooth.
O- im amazed how this isnt showing terrible signs of oxidation. very enjoyable. it seems it still has some time left on it, but im not sure its going to get much better with any additional age. ten and a half years is plenty.
May 02, 2011A- this one pours out a very deep and dark brown with some reddish highlights to it. the head on top is pretty small, but surprisingly still there. oh and its a khaki color. it fades pretty fast and leaves behind nothing as far as lacing goes.
S- the initial whiff brings lots of christmas spices to my nose. nutmeg and cinnamon stand out the strongest. after that i pick up some roasted malts and dark chocolate. somewhat nutty smelling also.
T- the taste starts out with some dark chocolate and the roasted malts i could smell. it briefly becomes nutty before moving into spice country. cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little bit of clove. there is a slight coffee finish.
M- the body is a solid medium. the carbonation level is still there, but not lively either. very smooth.
O- im amazed how this isnt showing terrible signs of oxidation. very enjoyable. it seems it still has some time left on it, but im not sure its going to get much better with any additional age. ten and a half years is plenty.
Reviewed by TMoney2591 from Illinois
2.95/5 rDev -24%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.95/5 rDev -24%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.
The Second Day of Beermas... It pours a murky burnt sienna topped by a minor half-finger of dirty ecru foam. The nose comprises caramel, buttery biscuits, tobacco, cedar, light dark chocolate, and a touch of roasted malts. The taste shows its age with a swampy muddling of chocolate, light coffee, musty greens, and light char. I'm thinking oxidation has done a small number on this here brew. The body is a lazy medium, with a light carbonation and a smoothly gloopy feel. Overall, it looks as though Father Time has smacked this brew around a bit over the past decade.
Dec 18, 2010The Second Day of Beermas... It pours a murky burnt sienna topped by a minor half-finger of dirty ecru foam. The nose comprises caramel, buttery biscuits, tobacco, cedar, light dark chocolate, and a touch of roasted malts. The taste shows its age with a swampy muddling of chocolate, light coffee, musty greens, and light char. I'm thinking oxidation has done a small number on this here brew. The body is a lazy medium, with a light carbonation and a smoothly gloopy feel. Overall, it looks as though Father Time has smacked this brew around a bit over the past decade.
Reviewed by radshoesbro from California
4.13/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4.13/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I first got interested in aging these when I tried a 1992 and 1994 at Christmas in July.
Magnum, shared with friends.
The pour is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! This is one of the best looking beers I've seen in a while. Dark brown with massive head and tons of lace. The head recedes quickly enough that it's not annoying.
This smells so delicious! Mass spice and a beautiful christmas tree element round it out.
Tastes of good spiciness that has become slightly subdued over time, but it's still very prevalent.
At first I thought this was slightly weak in the mouth, but as I got used to it, I started liking it more.
Dec 14, 2009Magnum, shared with friends.
The pour is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! This is one of the best looking beers I've seen in a while. Dark brown with massive head and tons of lace. The head recedes quickly enough that it's not annoying.
This smells so delicious! Mass spice and a beautiful christmas tree element round it out.
Tastes of good spiciness that has become slightly subdued over time, but it's still very prevalent.
At first I thought this was slightly weak in the mouth, but as I got used to it, I started liking it more.
Reviewed by UnionMade from New York
3.43/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.43/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Dark, murky brown, topped with a thin collar of tan head. A couple amoebas of lace cling to the glass here and there. The head drops out entirely about halfway through.
The aroma is mildly spiced, much of what I expect from Anchor's special ale has dropped out or at least receded. An odd wet wool smell seems to have entered the mix. Molasses and roasted malt is most prominent. Perhaps that, plus some oxidization, gives it that vaguely metallic woolly scent. Once it warms more of the spiced roastiness takes over, but I can't shake that wet dog smell from my brain.
The flavor is gentle and diminished. Seems a little feeble. The carbonation has gotten very soft on this one. I could compare it to cask ale. Lighter bodied than what I expect from this beer. Molasses, paper, brandy, carob, nutmeg, wood and very light pine needle. Light fruitiness, with a touch of dry sourness in the end. Finishes dry and a bit weak.
I think this one's getting a little past its prime. The aroma in particular gets unpleasant once I identified the smell, making it somewhat hard to finish.
Feb 03, 2009The aroma is mildly spiced, much of what I expect from Anchor's special ale has dropped out or at least receded. An odd wet wool smell seems to have entered the mix. Molasses and roasted malt is most prominent. Perhaps that, plus some oxidization, gives it that vaguely metallic woolly scent. Once it warms more of the spiced roastiness takes over, but I can't shake that wet dog smell from my brain.
The flavor is gentle and diminished. Seems a little feeble. The carbonation has gotten very soft on this one. I could compare it to cask ale. Lighter bodied than what I expect from this beer. Molasses, paper, brandy, carob, nutmeg, wood and very light pine needle. Light fruitiness, with a touch of dry sourness in the end. Finishes dry and a bit weak.
I think this one's getting a little past its prime. The aroma in particular gets unpleasant once I identified the smell, making it somewhat hard to finish.
Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania
4/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I tried 5 vintages on tap at the Stuffed Sandwich ('00, '01, '02, '03 & '04). The '01 was my favorite with the '00 a close 2nd. Nice subtle, malty, caramel aromas and tastes. Molasses. Light spices. I'm glad I had the chance to compare the 4 vintages on tap.
NOTE: did a tasting on 1/15/05 that included years '87, '90, '94, '97, '98, '00, '01, '02, & '03. The '02, '01 & '94 stood out as the best of the bunch. The '94 had a nice whiskey taste to it that the others did not. I thought the older vintages held up well over the years.
Nov 13, 2008NOTE: did a tasting on 1/15/05 that included years '87, '90, '94, '97, '98, '00, '01, '02, & '03. The '02, '01 & '94 stood out as the best of the bunch. The '94 had a nice whiskey taste to it that the others did not. I thought the older vintages held up well over the years.
Reviewed by John_M from Washington
4.69/5 rDev +20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.69/5 rDev +20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Amazing what a little bottle age can do for a great beer. Available at Max's, where I'm at right this minute. They currently have both magnums and 12 ounce bottles of this beer. My review is from a 12 ounce bottle.
The beer pours an amber brown color with red highlights. Head retention and lacing is minimal, and carbonation is light and soft. On the nose one gets a smorgosbord of chocolate, brown sugar and dark fruits. There's something of a pudding like aroma to this beer. On the palate... this beer has now reached beer perfection. I'm almost thinking I should bow down before it. So rich, soft and long. The finish is endless. Flavors include blueberry, plum, chocolate, molassess... and flavors I can't even beging to describe. There's some sugardaddy and soy sauce flavors as well in this one. The mouthfeel is what I envision all great beers having. It's light and soft, almost cotton candy like... but so long, creamy and plush. After 8 years a drop off in flavor and intensity would be understandable, but this beer has not reached that point yet. Abv. is but an after thought.... drinkable? Yes, I rather think so.
Just exceptional. Period.
Nov 01, 2008The beer pours an amber brown color with red highlights. Head retention and lacing is minimal, and carbonation is light and soft. On the nose one gets a smorgosbord of chocolate, brown sugar and dark fruits. There's something of a pudding like aroma to this beer. On the palate... this beer has now reached beer perfection. I'm almost thinking I should bow down before it. So rich, soft and long. The finish is endless. Flavors include blueberry, plum, chocolate, molassess... and flavors I can't even beging to describe. There's some sugardaddy and soy sauce flavors as well in this one. The mouthfeel is what I envision all great beers having. It's light and soft, almost cotton candy like... but so long, creamy and plush. After 8 years a drop off in flavor and intensity would be understandable, but this beer has not reached that point yet. Abv. is but an after thought.... drinkable? Yes, I rather think so.
Just exceptional. Period.
Reviewed by Vancer from Illinois
4.03/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.03/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Eight year old beer, PARTY !
Cutting to the chase, this one has the classic Xmas ale aroma, deep pine with a nutty undertone. The quaff has mellowed too far at this point in the journey, a semi-flat woody and malty brew, but the hop seemed to have died off.
Still drinkable after all this time, and tons of yeasties coat the bottle bottom.
Thanks to timtheenchata for the brew!
Jan 06, 2008Cutting to the chase, this one has the classic Xmas ale aroma, deep pine with a nutty undertone. The quaff has mellowed too far at this point in the journey, a semi-flat woody and malty brew, but the hop seemed to have died off.
Still drinkable after all this time, and tons of yeasties coat the bottle bottom.
Thanks to timtheenchata for the brew!
Our Special Ale 2000 (Anchor Christmas Ale) from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
46 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!