Anchor Christmas Ale release date?

5-10 years easy

 

Well, I guess it depends on what "good" is to you. Back in 2006, me and some buddies put together a 29 year vertical at a Xmas dinner. That's right, we had bottles back to 1978! They all aged gracefully and none of them were bad or drain pours.

 

I can't tell if you are being sarcastic or not. How can a 5% abv spiced beer improve after 10 years?

 

Label still says "...brewed with natural flavors & natural flavors added..." but that does not necessarily mean specifically "spices", of course.

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No sarcasm. I have a collection going back longer than that. Improvement is on your own judgment, but the beer takes on a lot of changes.

If I recall back to the early days of this beer, it may have been one of the first that beer drinkers started laying down.

 

Have not tried this years. IMO, the last couple of years had a cherry flavor that gave a bit of sourness. Again, IMO, the ones that i have had that were aged from early 2000's let that cherry flavor come through a bit more.

 

Where in VA?!?! This is my favorite Christmas beer of all time. I couldn't drink enough of it last year. I hope they haven't changed the recipe too much...

 

A buddy of mine and myself did a "not-so-vertical" OSA tasting last December. 86, 88, 95, 06-12.

We found that from 06 to about 2010 you could taste differences 11 and 12 tasted almost the same. 86 and 88 were kind of "mulled" and poured out thick. 86 tasted like Port and the 88 had a clove taste to it.

I had a '13 on Friday night and while it's always a great beer it felt like it tasted just like last years. Hopefully this picture comes through.

 

I have bottles from 94, 95, and 96, both 12ozers and magnums. They hold up really well. I had a 95 about two months ago that was so damn smooth and tasted like a mx of clove, cinnamon, and light chocolate milk. Put 'em away and try.

 

Wow! Epic tasting! And if this year's tastes just like last year's, I will be happy. Last year's was incredible!

 

That is awesome! I'm beyond jealous. I'm satisfied with just 11 and 12...but this guy!

 

Been drinking the Anchor XMAS for what must be 20 years now. Never had one that blew me away, but it is my favorite seasonal beer because of the tradition and love that the label and recipe change from year to year.

The holidays wouldn't be the same without a couple of these each year.

 

I buy one 6pk every year. It just seems to embody the holiday season unlike any other beer - very festive. On the other hand, it's a bit like Thanksgiving dinner for me - highly anticipated, but after a couple of servings I don't want to see it again until next year.

 

At the Wegman's in Fredericksburg as well as a store called Hop and Wine in Fredericksburg.

 

Haha thanks! The 86 and 88 were acquired on ebay right before they shut down alcohol sales. The 96, 06, 07 and 08 I bought at a beer store that holds on to vintages and starts selling them on Black Friday every year. The 09-12 i had been holding on to. Now my stash is at 11-13 right now.

 

Closer to Northern Virginia, I just bought a six pack at Rodman's in DC.

 

Awesome to hear, wish I could find bottles that old. I have single bottles of 2005 to 2012, so I can't wait until 2013 shows up around here, it will be my first ever vertical.

 

We get magnum bottles, if you're interested.

 

Where in VA?
The Costco in Crystal City used to sell magnums, but since I moved to Maryland I never know when these are released (we don't have beer in grocery stores here).