2009 Anchor Our Special Ale

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by birchholz, Aug 20, 2012.

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  1. birchholz

    birchholz Zealot (633) Jul 21, 2010 Illinois

    Today I saw Anchor's Our Special Ale on the shelves at my local store. I was thinking, "I can't believe the Christmas seasonals are out already!" when I noticed the date on the bottles- 2009.

    They had about a half dozen six packs. I haven't bought any yet because I didn't know how this would age, and how it's been stored for the past three years.

    What's your opinion, is this worth trying or not?
     
    #1 birchholz, Aug 20, 2012
  2. cfh64

    cfh64 Pooh-Bah (2,070) Aug 16, 2005 Texas
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hell yeah, grab some. Surprisingly enough, due to the low abv, that beer ages very well. Plus they tweak the recipe every year so you will be able to taste a difference not just due to the aging but due to the tweak. Even if it wasn't aged "properly"' I'm sure it's still good. Go for it, get a 6er, I would. Be sure to save a few to compare to this years and report back :slight_smile:
     
    #2 cfh64, Aug 20, 2012
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  3. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    The general consensus is that these will age pretty well. Although I did try a 1996 vintage a while back and it was horrible.
     
    #3 UCLABrewN84, Aug 21, 2012
  4. Zaphog

    Zaphog Grand Pooh-Bah (4,676) Sep 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I opened a 2010 vintage last month and it was horrible IMO. I prefer my X-Mas Ales/Winter Warmers fresh.
     
    #4 Zaphog, Aug 22, 2012
  5. Tilley4

    Tilley4 Pooh-Bah (2,811) Nov 13, 2007 Tennessee
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I would agree with this last statement. Every time I've tried to age that beer, It never turns out the way I had hoped it would. The 1 exception is Schlafly Chritmas Ale which i find a touch hot right out of the gate. I still have some of last years and it is drinking terrific right now. Otherwise I like my Christmas ales fresh
     
    #5 Tilley4, Aug 22, 2012
  6. cfh64

    cfh64 Pooh-Bah (2,070) Aug 16, 2005 Texas
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Huh, I just did a mini vert going back about 4 years and they were all enjoyable. Mine weren't exactly stored "properly" either. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Either way OP, I'd take the chance. If you don't like it you're only out a 6 pack and then you'll know.
     
    #6 cfh64, Aug 22, 2012
  7. birchholz

    birchholz Zealot (633) Jul 21, 2010 Illinois

    Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I'll probably grab one the next time I'm there, if they're still around. I won't run out and buy them all, though.
     
    #7 birchholz, Aug 29, 2012
  8. MexicanSkittel

    MexicanSkittel Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2010 California

    I'll be opening my 2010 1.5L this year around xmas, and if it evolved like the 09 I opened last year with two years on it, I'll be happy. Obviously the larger format will age more gracefully, it's just hard to tell with the changing of the make up of the beer each year.
     
    #8 MexicanSkittel, Aug 30, 2012
  9. allouez86

    allouez86 Pundit (999) Jan 24, 2009 Wisconsin

    I've got a 1.5 of last year's, the plan is to hold on to it for another year but its such a wonderful beer anytime.
     
    #9 allouez86, Aug 31, 2012
  10. ChanChan

    ChanChan Maven (1,341) Dec 12, 2009 California

    I've had four 12oz bottles from the 2010 release throughout this summer and they were all very good! I tried one from 2008 last night and it was also enjoyable, the 2008 was a lot drier and chocolatier than the 2010. I would most definitely pull the trigger on a sixer of 2009's. Our Special Ale is very solid IMO!
     
    #10 ChanChan, Sep 5, 2012
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