Anchor Christmas Ale Discussion - 2017

And that bigass bottle!

 

So many BA's out there simply wouldn't know what to do with such a beautiful "bigass"...bottle staring them in their face.

Seriously though...looking forward to the 2017. It's one of those seasonal beers that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle (but how could use miss the magnum format!?). Maybe its the blend? Maybe it its the tree? Maybe its the huge door poster with every label on it?!? I have to say though, Anchor's Christmas ale is always a little nostalgic for me.

 

I enjoyed it, very complex beer and well balanced. Berry flavors jumped out to me. I rated it at 4.06 overall for whatever that's worth.

 

Always get at least a sixer of our special ale. Like to think they add some parts of the designated tree (this year is fir?) This beer also ages well so I have no problem drinking prior versions

 

Gonna grab some of this year's release. Forgot to grab last year's, but just received word that they are are releasing a whiskey/wine BA blend of the '16 Christmas Ale at the brewery next week...may have to give that one a try.

 

Ugh...really?

Somehow the holidays just became less...special.

 

At least they didn't dry-hop it...

 

From its start in 1975 through 1983, Anchor's annual Christmas release, Our Special Ale, was a hoppy ale based on the same/similar recipe as the beer that eventually became a regular release only in 1983, Liberty Ale.

That year OSA became a brown ale, "modifying" the recipe every year until 1987, when they started adding the spices.

Based on an Anchor brewer's recollections in
Anchor Brewing's Mark Carpenter Talks about the Transformation of the Anchor Christmas Beer

 

Really look forward to this beer every year. It's not really Christmas anymore till I crack open one of these. A really nice tradition....

 

Love this year's iteration - always a holiday favorite around the BoatHouse



I have a few of their special glasses - hope this year's comes out soon!

 

Lovely beer though certain years age more gracefully than others.

 

My one bottle had a bit of a sour note. Maybe it's just me. I'm not having luck with Anchor in that department lately.

 

Hitting "shelf's"!

As far as Anchor Christmas Ale goes, it was a drain pour for me. Just and awful beer. Watery with unpleasant flavors.

 

I'm gonna guess spruce, nutmeg, anise.

 

Or, wait for it, "DDH" it!

 

Well, after looking at the beers you've reviewed (a whopping 17), you either think a beer is an absolute drain pour or nectar of the gods, nothing in between.

I actually enjoy the spices in the beer, and it doesn't need to be some Sump level viscosity to be a great beer.

 

You do realize that a lot of people don't review any beers on here, but they have hundreds reviewed elsewhere OR they don't rate or review beers at all. That means absolutely nothing! And I do agree with you that it doesn't need to be Sump level to be a great beer. There are plenty of great low(er) ABV beers out there, this one just didn't do it for me.