Anchor Our Special Ale 1999

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Thanks to beerguy101 for bringing a 6 year vertical to our last tasting. I don't get many a chance to do something like this, so it was very enjoyable. On a side note, my favorites out of the six were the 2000, the 2002 and then the 2003. The others were nice but those 3 were easily the best.

The beer itself pours out a dark brown color, cloudy with a small off-white bubbly head. The aroma is mostly light roasted malts with some subtle spicy character coming off the head. Nothing discernable but still nice. Flavors had the traditional OSA spicy character melding with some light roasted malts. It was very difficult for me to distinguish some of the flavors. Orange peel perhaps? Cinnamon or nutmeg? Maybe allspice? It def showed some age though.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Poured a reddish brown color with a small, tan collar, no lacing on the glass. Aroma of oxidation, cocoa, roasted malts, and faint spiciness. Taste of chocolate, light roasted malts, some smoke and dried fruits, with more spices, and oxidation in the finish.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Vertical from 1996-2004. This is the first year that doesnt taste old and a like a yeast bomb. The spices are very subdue but the malt is rocking on. This was more like a sweet stout. Not out of date just yet but sitting on it.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Tasted as part of "O'Brien's Seven-Year Anchor Our Special Ale Vertical Tasting" event, 17JAN04.

~ From a 1,5L Magnum, 4-oz sample:
More citrusy, more peppery than I would have expected. Smooth, vinous wine-like consistency, with dryness noted in the middle, and some underlying astringency in the backend.

~ Overall:
A bit "beyond-the-pale" for some folks, I personally enjoyed this. Reminded me of what Stone Vertical Epic 030303 might taste like in a half-dozen years or so from now.
//TB

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Dark brown color, nearly black, small head. Slightly spicy nose, nutmeg and clove? Brown ale, toasted malts spicy aftertaste, slight hoppyness. Very complex flavor. Flavors more intense and mellower taste when tasted a few months later. This beer ages well.