Why we picked it: Recommendation of Tommy D. We have tried this beer in a past 24 DoB. That one did not get great reviews. However, they change the recipe on this every year and this year's is supposed to be great!
About Anchor Steam's Christmas Ale: 2014 Anchor Christmas Ale. New tree. New recipe. Same traditions.
This is the fortieth annual Christmas Ale from the Anchor brewers. It is sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale's recipe is different every year, as is the tree on the label, but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life.
This
is the fortieth annual Christmas Ale from the Anchor brewers. It is
sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale's recipe is
different every year, as is the tree on the label, but the intent with
which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness
of life.
Our tree for 2014 is the Giant Sequoia. It was hand-drawn by
James Stitt—who has been creating Christmas Ale labels for us since
1975—to look as a "Big Tree" planted in 1975 might look today.
"The Big Tree is Nature's forest masterpiece, and…keeps its
youth far longer than any of its neighbors. Most silver firs are old in
their second or third century, pines in their fourth or fifth, while the
Big Tree growing beside them is still in the bloom of its youth,
juvenile in every feature at the age of old pines, and cannot be said to
attain anything like prime size and beauty before its fifteen hundredth
year, or under favorable circumstances become old before its three
thousandth."–John Muir
We chose the Giant Sequoia for our fortieth Christmas Ale in
celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Act. Signed into
law by President Lincoln during the Civil War, it granted the Yosemite
Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the State of California "for
public use, resort, and recreation." The first such land grant in
American history, it marked the beginning of the California State Parks.
- See more at: http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale#sthash.qpAYQ43y.dpuf
2014
Anchor Christmas Ale. New tree. New recipe. Same traditions. - See more
at:
http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale#sthash.qpAYQ43y.dpuf
2014
Anchor Christmas Ale. New tree. New recipe. Same traditions. - See more
at:
http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale#sthash.qpAYQ43y.dpuf
2014
Anchor Christmas Ale. New tree. New recipe. Same traditions. - See more
at:
http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale#sthash.qpAYQ43y.dpuf
2014
Anchor Christmas Ale. New tree. New recipe. Same traditions. - See more
at:
http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale#sthash.qpAYQ43y.dpuf
2014
Anchor Christmas Ale. New tree. New recipe. Same traditions. - See more
at:
http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale#sthash.qpAYQ43y.dpuf
2014
Anchor Christmas Ale. New tree. New recipe. Same traditions. - See more
at:
http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale#sthash.qpAYQ43y.dpuf
This
is the fortieth annual Christmas Ale from the Anchor brewers. It is
sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale's recipe is
different every year, as is the tree on the label, but the intent with
which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness
of life.
Our tree for 2014 is the Giant Sequoia. It was hand-drawn by
James Stitt—who has been creating Christmas Ale labels for us since
1975—to look as a "Big Tree" planted in 1975 might look today.
"The Big Tree is Nature's forest masterpiece, and…keeps its
youth far longer than any of its neighbors. Most silver firs are old in
their second or third century, pines in their fourth or fifth, while the
Big Tree growing beside them is still in the bloom of its youth,
juvenile in every feature at the age of old pines, and cannot be said to
attain anything like prime size and beauty before its fifteen hundredth
year, or under favorable circumstances become old before its three
thousandth."–John Muir
We chose the Giant Sequoia for our fortieth Christmas Ale in
celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Act. Signed into
law by President Lincoln during the Civil War, it granted the Yosemite
Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the State of California "for
public use, resort, and recreation." The first such land grant in
American history, it marked the beginning of the California State Parks.
- See more at: http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale#sthash.qpAYQ43y.dpufThis is the fortieth annual Christmas Ale from the Anchor brewers. It is sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale's recipe is different every year, as is the tree on the label, but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life.Our tree for 2014 is the Giant Sequoia. It was hand-drawn by James Stitt—who has been creating Christmas Ale labels for us since 1975—to look as a "Big Tree" planted in 1975 might look today.
"The Big Tree is Nature's forest masterpiece, and…keeps its youth far longer than any of its neighbors. Most silver firs are old in their second or third century, pines in their fourth or fifth, while the Big Tree growing beside them is still in the bloom of its youth, juvenile in every feature at the age of old pines, and cannot be said to attain anything like prime size and beauty before its fifteen hundredth year, or under favorable circumstances become old before its three thousandth."–John Muir
We chose the Giant Sequoia for our fortieth Christmas Ale in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Act. Signed into law by President Lincoln during the Civil War, it granted the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the State of California "for public use, resort, and recreation." The first such land grant in American history, it marked the beginning of the California State Parks.
Beer Advocate Score: 83
First Brew: 1975
First Bottling: 1975
Alc. by Volume: Varies
Availability: Nov.-Feb.
Malt: Top Secret
Hops: Top Secret
Dry Hops: Top Secret
- First Brew
- 1975
- First Bottling
- 1975
- Alc. by Volume
- Varies
- Availability
- Nov.-Feb.
- Malt
- Top Secret
- Hops
- Top Secret
- Dry Hops
- Top Secret
Case Cost: $44
*website: http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale
I remember this one - it's the one that tastes like a Christmas tree.
ReplyDeleteSo I've been dreading this day since the list of beers came out. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat remembering how bad the 2012 version was. That thing was like sucking on a pine tree. I let one age until last year and the pine just got stronger. So I probably never would have gone back if Tony and Mark hadn't forced me to.
ReplyDeleteI took the top off and took a whiff. No discernible pine notes. Bonus! Poured it in a pint glass and stuck my nose in. No pine, no fir, no conifer or evergreen of any type. Apprehensively I took a small sip. Not bad. Just a bit of some spice that I would classify as "Christmas" or maybe nutmeg. Drank some more. Really nice. I am shocked at how much better this is than it was two years ago. I'll still take the Rogue or Sierra holiday offerings over this, but this is no longer the worst beer I've ever had in my life.
In other news, the whole "top secret" ingredients thing is pretty lame.
Tomorrow Great Lakes and then a beer the size of my head. We're bringing it home in style.
Some of these winter beers have a big start that just gets bigger with each sip and eventually overwhelms. Some of them start big and then drop off suddenly, disappearing in a muddle of confused flavors or collapsing under the weight of too many "Christmas" brewing ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis year's Anchor Steam Christmas Ale, however, seems to strike the right balance: It starts big and then settles in nicely, flowing smoothly as you enjoy the rest of the pour. The malt sets a strong backbone, but the other elements get unwrapped along the way, like unpacking a holiday stocking. And the end result is a very drinkable winter ale that makes you wish they wouldn't change the recipe again!
Ro says she is too lazy to make her own posts. She hates this and thinks it tastes like Old Bay. I told her that was crazy talk but she wants to know if anyone else agrees.
ReplyDeleteOk, this is 1,000 times better than the 2012 version where they put a huge Xmas tree through a wood chipper and then stuffed it into a bottle and added water. It was beyond horrible. As for this years version, drinkable - especially when your kids are acting like wild animals. What was yesterday's beer? Let me get on that now!
ReplyDeleteI was cringing when I saw Katy's post about the pine tree and all I could think about was that terrible gingerbread beer last year that ultimately graced the bowels of my kitchen sink drain. My first sip of this one was taken with a sense of trepidation... and a Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout waiting in the wings to aid in my recovery. But I was pleasantly surprised. While the flavors all stand up, none of them overpowers. I agree that they should stick this recipe away somewhere as a winner.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that drinking the anchor steam before the flying dog would bring out the maple syrup in this one (flying dog) hence my reverse order. So after the somewhat flavorful Cleveland err anchor steam(er) this flying dog winter ale however was middle of the road. By the way Goltry is standing in his head in this game. This can only end one way, Washington style ... A crushing loss with seconds left.
ReplyDeleteTrying to drink the pranqster beer from two days back - but my beer is 43 degrees and it says it should be 50, and so we wait. Holtby just saved a person in a burning building
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ReplyDeletePranqster 48.4 degrees , almost time
ReplyDeleteHave you ever met a woman with a third eye? Neither had I. So when she showed up, I called my friend Joe. Joe , how was she?
ReplyDeletePop this open and pour and immediately get a pleasant 'cookie dough' smell or something along that line - I didn't get any real discernible flavors other than slight bitterness - very drinkable, not offensive in any way - just kinda nice but doesn't evoke strong sentiment either way - maybe it's just Monday....
ReplyDeleteI first had this beer a couple years ago. I liked this beer but like many that preceded it, I wouldn't rank this as a favorite. Still it was better than the K-9.
ReplyDeleteAfter the pour and 1st sip I had high hopes. But those hopes settled into a pile of crap. This was not good. Won't say gross......but not good
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the displeasure of drinking the prior years version but after reading the comments, I think I know you guys meant. This tastes like tree sap. I can't decide whether I hate it not. First two sips were ok enough, but the 3rd and 4th were terrible. Juniper, pine, bark, you name it. 5 thru 8 were ok, and now 9 is bad again. 10 was actually good, bursting with ginger. 11 was ok. And 12-15 were actually good.
ReplyDeleteF$*& it! I give up. As I was typing I was going to give it a C- but then it got better. B- Too much variation between sips before it stablized. However Anchor Steam gets bonus points for accurately capturing what a Christmas tree tastes like (or at least what I think a Christmas tree would taste like, considering the fact I never drank one before). I would definitely take another for research purposes since I still haven't figured out if I hate this or not but would under no circumstances get a 6 of this.
I would probably pick this over the Flying Dog despite giving that a better score since this was "interesting" instead of a basic old boring beer. Either that or I just have it out for Flying Dog.
I could smell the caramel as I was pouring it into the glass. Descent head, great smell, but how it will it taste? I wasn't disappointed. The caramel was subtle enough that it wasn't overpowering and went down smooth. It was a little on the heavy side and I dont think I could have more than 2 to three in one session. Another winner, A.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited for this beer I dropped it on the floor cracked my floor and spilled 3/4ths. The 2 drinks left were decent. B
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. Smells fantastic. Flavorful. Lasting aftertaste.
ReplyDeletePheeew...I am glad everyone liked this one. I may have gotten lynched if this one was a flop. After the monumental failure that AS released in 2012 as its Xmas beer...the 2014 is a smashing success.
ReplyDeleteThis beer strikes a very nice balance for a winter beer. Is big and rich enough to stand up to the style but not over-malted, over-spiced, or over-done. It captures what Christmas is without bashing your face in. It is brilliant with food, by itself, or poured between a pair of breasts and taken as a bodyshot.
It night not be my favorite Christmas beer...it is damn tasty tho.
TIP-If you liked this, Costco is selling this in Magnum bottles for under $15 RIGHT NOW. I cheated and killed one with 2 friends yesterday...Brilliant way to spend 15 bucks!
Very good Christmas Ale. Nice blend of spices and malts. Very easy to drink. Not as good as the Schlafly, but runs a close second in my book.
ReplyDeleteJust wasn't happening for me. I took one sip and made a ugly face.. Waited a few minutes and took another sip and declared it over. Better luck next year Anchor Steam!
ReplyDeleteSkipped last night, so I'm drinking two tonight! So this is probably the most unpredictable beer in the 24 DoB this year. As many of you have read in the comments, this beer did not fair too well the last time we had it in 2012. But they say they change the recipe every year, so here we go!
ReplyDeletePoured this in a glass and it looks good and it smells like something I would like. First sip...well it's not that pine tree taste we had two years ago. Second sip...not bad. This is not going to be the worst beer of the 24 DoB this year! I detect a few notable Christmas spices in there. I'm rater enjoying this. I like it. Grade 8 of 10, B-
Continuing catch up: I had a preview of this on tap at Sliders in B'more a couple weeks ago and loved it! This bottle wasn't as good, but still very good. Lots of flavor with a perfect balance. A big turn from a couple years ago. Grade: 8.5./10.
ReplyDelete