Anchor Our Special Ale 2004

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

For some reason I thought that this was a barleywine when it was given to me, but it's a Christmas beer. Lots of spices in the aroma, particularly string with nutmeg. A nice reddish-brown pour reminiscent of an abbey dubbel. Flavour is sweet and spicy with notes of caramel malt.

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

Bottled@Man In The Moon (had in 2010). Deep ambery colour with a small off-white head. Aroma is raisins, spices, mild Madeira like notes as well as some slight toffeeish notes. Flavour is rather similar in a very pleasant balance. Has aged very pleasantly. Man In The Moon in Stockholm certainly has some gems in their Cuveecellar.

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

this was one of the first years i really started getting into this beer (2002-present) and i remember the first three being the best, although it's close every year. the quintessential american christmas ale.

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

This beer has Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, or whatever the hell else written all over it. This is one fantastic holiday brew! Of all of the Anchor Christmas offerings, this year was the best! I really enjoy this holiday treat and give Anchor tremendous props for this wicked concoction.

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

Bottle courtesy of Unclemattie: Poured a deep dark brown color ale with a nice light brown foamy head with good retention but no lacing. Aroma of big caramel and toffee malt with light spices, which may include spruce. Taste is also dominated by some spices with huge caramel and toffee malt with some moderate sweetness. Full body with average carbonation and no apparent alcohol.

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

Not much else to add to this years verion. It's still very tasty but some of the spicy character have mellowed a bit and the malts are more prominent. It has the usual suspects in the flavor and aroma profile. Thankfully the ginger has been toned down, but they left out the spruce character. I also didn't pick up any chocolate on the flavor, but it seemed a bit more raisiny too me. A nice beer thoug.

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

The 2004 version has a less aggressive pine flavor than the 2005 version. Initially I noticed a reddish chocolate brown body with a head that lasts for quite some time. Initially I tasted the pine with chocolate notes and at the end I tasted chocolate/burnt malt with no hops flavors at all. A pretty good holiday ale.

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

Brown colour with ruby notes. Nice, thick tan head. Nice foresty aroma of fir, lemon, earth and bark. Flavour of forest, espresso, earth. Soft and very enjoyable.

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

Tried a 10 oz sample in a flight of 3 lunch-time beers at Tuskies in Leesburg (see retailer review). Here's a slice of fruitcake in a glass! (And that's a GOOD thing.) Reddish brown from the tap, with a tan head. Trust me when I say it actually smells red, like candied cherries. It's got a piney taste and a thick, chewy mouthfeel. The warming sensation and sweetish aftertaste are powerful. I actually felt my sinuses constricting by mid-glass.

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

Tap, and amazing! Quite similar to 2005 version, but still fantastic, this is one beer that doesn’t disappoint. Very festive, with the distinctive fig, coffee, and molassas notes. A great beer I was pleased to find.