Christmas Time (was) here. Happiness and beer…

Orignal Post November 2009

Anchor Brewing Company has been producing quality beers for over a century. Started by German immigrants after the California gold rush in 1896 Anchor became known for Steam Beer which was brewed without the use of ice. Anchor has been a trusted name in beer long before the craft beer explosion of recent years. Beginning in 1975 Anchor began brewing Liberty Ale and Anchor Porter to go with their already popular Steam Beer. This same year Anchor produced their first Christmas Ale. Now in its 35^th year Anchor Christmas Ale is anticipated each year like Black Friday, Santa Claus, and Eggnog… Well at least to those in the beer community.

Just as people get a new Christmas tree every year each Anchor Christmas Ale depicts a different tree on its label. The bottle states “since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.” So this seasonal ale is not just for Christians but pagans, Jews, and gentiles alike. While the tree motif remains constant the beer itself is different every year. As if brewed in Santa’s workshop the ingredients for each seasons Christmas ale are kept secret.

The 2009 Anchor Christmas Ale pours dark brown with hints of red when illuminated. Hints of chocolate, nutmeg, and other holiday spices are evident when sniffing a fresh poured glass. The dark color of the beer shows up in the taste. It has a strong malt and yeast character with the suggestion of chocolate and coffee flavors. As you get farther down into the glass a stronger bitterness becomes evident with a subtle taste of hops. Overall this is a wonderfully balanced beer that has just the right amount of winter flavoring without overwhelming the palate.

Available in 6 packs and 1.5 liter bottles, Anchor Christmas Ale makes a great gift or great drink while wrapping presents. Make sure to ask about our selection of cellared Anchor Christmas Ales from years past. Compare the 2009 edition with older Anchor Christmas ales. This beer if aged properly remains drinkable for years, changing character with each passing season.

Tags: anchor brewing, christmas beer, pagan
Category: Beer Reviews, The Beer Blog | Comments (1)