Beer Review: Anchor Brewing's Our Special Ale (2011 Version)

Greetings.

Today's beer review is for Anchor Brewing Company's annual Christmas Ale, which they call "Our Special Ale".

Each year that they brew it, they make subtle changes to the spices that are used in this ale, but the basis for the brew remains the same.  This year's version beckons, so let's rate it.

The beer pours a dark ruby brown color with a lingering tan head.  Aroma is all spices, I believe this year they are using cloves, nutmeg and maybe a little cinnamon.

The taste is overwhelmed by the spices.  In fact, this beer tastes a little like a clove cigarette.  I am utterly disappointed with this beer this year.  In year's past this beer has been awesome, whereas this year's version is an insult.

I'm halfway tempted to send my review to Anchor to voice my displeasure with this year's version.

I am not a beer expert, but I AM a beer snob.  In my opinion, there is NEVER a time to use cloves in beer.  It's like putting turds in a punchbowl, you ruin it for everyone.

In conclusion, I rate this year's version of the beer only 2 out of 5 stars.  What a disappointment.

With the holiday weekend fast approaching, I will not be posting a beer review tomorrow since I will be on the road.  I will attempt to post a beer review on Saturday when I have access to a computer.

Thanks for reading and I will see you again soon!

Beer Review: Sweetwater Festive Ale

Greetings.

I am back with the long awaited beer review for Sweetwater Festive Ale.

To start, I was immediately taken back with the color of this beer.  It seems to be a dark ruby red more than a brown color.  Very little tan head, if any.

The aroma is all spices with some rich malt notes thrown in there for effect.


The taste is very heavy.  It is spices, a nutty flavor and then the malt kicks in on the end.


I noticed that the aftertaste is a little bitter with a lingering coffee or cocoa flavor to it.


The alcohol content is high, but you cannot put your finger on it from this beer.  It is nonexistent.


I liked this beer, but it is one of those beers that you really have to be in the mood for if you are going to drink more than one of them.  

I rate this beer a 3.6 out of 5.  Disagree?  Say so in the comments field below.

Tomorrow I will rate this year's version of Anchor Brewing's Our Special Ale.  

 

It's a pity that RateBeer.com has decided to stop giving this beer its own year rating, because this beer goes through subtle changes each and every year. 


Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow!

Beer Review: Harpoon Grateful Harvest Cranberry Ale

Greetings.

Today's beer review is Harpoon Grateful Harvest Cranberry Ale.

I obtained this beer as a single 12 ounce bottle from Total Wine & More as part of a mix your own six-pack.  Truly one of the best ideas ever.

The beer itself starts out impressive: it pours a nice dark amber/copper color with a little bit of a tan head.

Aroma is surprising.  I was expecting to get a lot of cranberry nose in this beer, but it was all rather muted, just a little bit of malt and the cranberry seems non existent.

Taste is fruity with some malt notes and then a little bit of cranberry sneaks in on the end of it.  Aftertaste is from the malt lingering on your taste buds.

Overall, this is a nice beer, but I am a little disappointed it.  I thought this beer would be refreshing, instead it was just another fruit beer with nothing that makes it stand out from the rest.  I rate this beer a 3.0 out of a possible 5.  Disagree?  Say so in the comments.

Tomorrow's beer: the long overdue review of Sweetwater Festive Ale.  I attempted to acquire this last year, but struck out.  I finally have it, and I'll post the review for it here tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.  Cheers!