Brewery: Anchor Brewing San Francisco, California
Overview: Anchor brews a unique and different Christmas beer recipe every year, with some better than others. I have occasionally (like this year) been able to stumble across someone who has prior year's blends stored in the back and procured some extras for the holiday season. Other than that, you're lucky if you have a bar like the Flying Saucer who might be able to procure some prior years' vintages and stored them.
Aroma: Smells like a Christmas candle shop. Cinnamon is predominant with some nutmeg and allspice floating underneath. Some brown sugar and chocolate as a last hint of sweetness.
Appearance: Pours an extremely dark garnet with shiny red highlights around the edge. Head is thick and tan.
Flavor: The malt reminds slightly of roasted almonds (or maybe chestnuts on an open fire?). Cinnamon settles around the edge but does not overwhelm the balance of the malt and hop bitterness. Some malty sweetness and roasted flavors persist into the finish.
Overall Impression: The 2007 is one of my favorite Anchor batches. I lucked out in finding a store by my office with a cache of them in the back and even scored a little deal on them to help them move the old product. From start to finish, the Anchor 2007 "Special Ale" is extremely well balanced, with a good blend of spices and sweetness to counteract the hop bitterness. Overall leaves me with a nutty, roasted beer with cinnamon liberally applied throughout. I will most definitely enjoy my remaining stash. Good luck finding yours (and tell me in the comments if you find some!)
Vitals:
Style Christmas/Winter Specialty Spiced Beer
Price $10.99/six-pack
Found In Regional Liquor Store, Occasional Large-Selection Bar
Alcohol Content 5.5% by volume
Availability November 2007 until January 2008 (or wherever else you can find it)
Rating: 94
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