Our Special Ale 2011 (Anchor Christmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company

Had the opportunity this weekend to try a tasting flight of anchor 2011, 2012, 2014 & 2019. All were great. The 2011 spice profile held up in 2026. Sad the brewery closed and there will be no more Christmas Ales. Goodbye Anchor Brewing :(

Pours dark brown with an inch-plus of tan head. Plenty of tattered lacework with persistent retention. Spruce and earthy spice in the nose. Medium bodied with a tacky, almost chewy mouthfeel. Roasty malt with dark chocolate and molasses on the palate. Finishes with a drying bitterness and earthy spice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown appearance, red edges, beige head in the half inch range. A little bit of woody, brown malt.

Plenty of toffee, peat malt, almost no hops, tiny bit of bitterness. Not really warming. Cola like notes. Decent in limited quantities.

 

Smells nice and caramelly, but tastes a little too much like chewing on a tree.

 

12 oz bottle poured into a bulbed pint glass. Liquid comes out sort of a muddy Amber color to light brown. When held up to the light you can see Amber highlights and that it's slightly hazy. Brown eggshell colored head with mostly small bubbles. Ok lacking.

Smell is pretty good. Dark malts are present, it has a nice dark bready/cakey essence to it. Hints of licorice, clove, molasses, prunes, and dates.

Tastes pretty good, certainly has a Christmas like vibe to it in tbe flavors. Again there's a good dark grain bill. Hints of earthy clove, molasses, licorice and a bit of spicy fruit cake flavors. Pretty good, I've had it fresh too and I think it's held up pretty well.

A head medium feel with a flavor that lingers for about a second. Good carbonation level. Sweet and better at the same time with acidic finish similar to a red wine. Good beer, I'd probably only drink it winter time but it's still good. I've liked all the Christmas ales so far and don't regret any of them. They certainly serve their purpose.