Featured Review – Anchor Our Special Ale (2013-2017)

Each year around this time, I bring up whatever cellared Anchor Christmas Ale’s that are left. This year, I have 2013-2017 to taste and give bite-sized reviews of…

2013
smells a bit papery. Some soy sauce hits off this one. Still has some spritz to it. Some spruce tips as well. Little bit salty to my taste.
2014
a slight chocolate aroma. A lighter soy sauce but still savory. Seems plainer than 2013. Less back-up flavors. Seems a little more substantial as well.
2015
not much aroma to my nose. A return of the pine and spruce notes. Not carbonated but not thick either. A bit of cola flavor. Closer to 13 than 14.
2016
chocolate and pine notes. Tending down I think, touch to more sour. Touch of cherry. A bit chewy.
2017
this year’s model. Little fruity to me. Good sparkle to it. A bit thin. Malt seems less pronounced.