Coaster Critique: Anchor Brewing Our Special Ale 2014

On the twelfth day of Beermas:

Our special

Name: Our Special Ale 2014

Brewed By: Anchor Brewing

Style: Winter Warmer

ABV: 5.5%

Pours perfectly clear, dark brown bordering black with a deep ruby red glow when held to the light. Pour produced a short khaki colored head that settled slowly across the surface.

Nose is light but the things I pick out clearly are cherries, brown sugar and earthy hops.

Medium to light in body, clean and crisp. Flavor is malty up front, roasted grains, notes of chocolate and I still pick up a dark fruit flavor, cherries are stuck in my mind but thats because I can still smell them. Mid-sip the beer takes on an easy bitterness with a pleasant earthy hop flavor, just a hint of citrus.

Overall I’m digging this years recipe. If you’ve followed along for the past three years or maybe you’ve looked back at them recently I always wrap up the 12 days of Beermas with this beer, it’s the 40th time this beer has been brewed, a new recipe and a new tree on the label every year. The label is subtle, classy and festive, it draws me in and then the promise of a new beer each year makes me pick it up, some are good, some not so good but I come back every year. I liked this years beer, it’s worth picking up.

Cheers!

Chaddah

The 12 Days of Beermas 2014

Day 1: Samuel Adams – Old Fezziwig Ale

Day 2: Goose Island – Festivity Ale

Day 3: Magic Hat Brewing – Snow Roller

Day 4: Shipyard Brewing Company – Gingerbreadhead

Day 5: Traveler Beer Co. – Jolly Traveler

Day 6: SoMe Brewing – Cinnamon Toast

Day 7: Ridgeway Brewing – Reindeer’s Revolt

Day 8: Rising Tide – d’Hiver

Day 9: 21st Amendment – Fireside Chat

Day 10: Southern Tier – 2XMAS

Day 11: Castle Brewery Eggenberg – Samichlaus Classic

Day 12: Anchor Brewing – Our Special Ale 2014

Also check out my Prior Beermas adventures:

The 12 Days of Beermas 2013

The 12 Days of Beermas 2012

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.