Anchor Our Special Ale 2000

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

Easily my 2nd favorite vintage of the 6 we tried. The aroma had the same classic OSA holiday spice, but there seemed to be spruce needles in the mix which gave it a nice earthy, piney character. I could also pick up some distinct tea characteristics too. Flavors had the spicy combo but there was some nice chocolate hints too which was a welcomed addition. Some light coffee notes were detected (strangely enough). Good stuff for being 7+ years old.

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

Vertical from 1996-2004. Ok now its getting better. For those who like the spices toned down grab this one. Just a hint of spice with the usual dark malt flavor. A nice mix of spice, caramel, chocolate. With this vintage Im beginning to detect the ginger, cinammon, and other spices. Not bad at all!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | 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:
Coriander is again the name of the game here. Quite lively in the mouthfeel, which only goes onto to emphasize the spices in this particular beer. Enjoyable, if perhaps vinous for some folks? taste buds.

~ Overall:
Along with the `01, this was one my favorites of the bunch. Seemed to walk the fine line between being strictly ale-like in presentation, and wine-ish, like it's older brothers. A fine compromise, and surely close to the pinnacle of the beer's life cycle.:)
//TB

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Dark brown color, medium head. Spicy aroma (piney.. Spruce??) Roasted malts, nutmeg-ish. Full flavor, very complex. Interesting taste. Need to taste again after some bottle aging. Finish is a little harsh. Aftertaste is malty, slightly burnt malts.

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

Poured a dark brown, red color with a small tan head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of roasted malts, pine and spice, though less than the 01. More dried fruits, roasted malt, and light chocolate. Even though they say they use different trees each year, they are all remarkably similar. Overall I think an OSA should be drank 2 - 3 years after bottling.

Aroma: 0 | Appearance: 0 | Mouthfeel: 0 | Flavor: 0 | Overall: 0

I got two bottles of this from two different friends on the same day. The quality seemed good but it's not my kind of thing.