Day 25 of the 5th Annual Advent-ure Calendar
Day 25: Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale
Yes, we did purposely save the best for last. Or at least, the most interesting beer for last. Anchor is always a crowd favorite. This beer is always a perfectly brewed Christmas ale and the bottle is classic Christmas. The recipe (and the bottle art) change every year. From the brewery:
“Our annual Christmas Ale is a subtly spiced and sumptuously smooth winter warmer. This year’s brew marks the 45th annual release of this Anchor holiday tradition. Back in 1975, Anchor released the first holiday beer in America since Prohibition. Year after year, Anchor creates a new, secret recipe with a unique hand drawn label for their Christmas Ale, but the intent with each brew remains the same: joy for the changing seasons and celebration of the newness of life.
Slightly darker than last year’s Christmas Ale, the 2019 edition is layered with toasted caramel and coffee flavors with subtle hints of Mexican chocolate, rounded out with herbaceous spices. Crack open a bottle for a spiced whiff of western evergreens, roasted malts, and coastal flowers. It’s a rich, round and full bodied-treat with a silky, smooth finish.”
Reflections
Beard & Broad
Beard: This beer changes every year, but every year it’s a winner. This year’s has those flavors of caramel and chocolate, but I also get a subtle dark fruit, cherry-like character as well. I feel like we don’t buy this nearly enough around the holidays. I love the uniqueness of it, the quality, the label, the message. This also happens to be my favorite bottle shape of any brewery. Great beer to end on!
Broad: I look forward to this beer every year, it’s a personal favorite. I’m always SLIGHTLY nervous to have my first one every year since the recipe changes. This year is no different, it’s delicious. It’s warm, malty, well-balanced and just a delight to drink. It’s holiday spice flavor is subtle yet full of flavor. The color is rich and dark. Everything about this beer just screams holiday cheer! I think everyone needs at least one of these every year. I’m so happy we ended with this one. Merry Christmas!
Adam & Alex
Adam: I really enjoyed anchor much I like I do every year. As I’m sure has been mentioned, I love that it’s slight different every year and this one feels extremely Belgian to me. It’s malty and warming and if I was in the mood for beer at all
I would want lots of these.
Alex: I always like Anchor Brewing’s holiday beer. They use a new recipe every year if I remember correctly and this one is as good as it has been in the past. It tastes a little boozy with a nice blend of spices. I will definitely drink this one time and again.
Scott & Christa
Scott: I love our annual adven-ture tradition, including getting to taste the new Anchor Brewing special Holiday Ale! This is the fifth year of their special holiday brew and this one is a winner. It has a very woodsy, naturally spiced taste that lives up to the awesome unique tree design on the label. It’s the perfect beer to end our beer tour and can’t wait to try next year’s brew!
Christa: Last beer!! I’m so excited it’s Merry Christmas, Happy New Year from Anchor Brewing, because it’s such a great beer. Woodsy, piney, hoppy and sweet… all the stuff of our holiday beer dreams. I’m happy we ended on some high notes and can’t wait for next year’s list
Tony & Megan
Tony: We’ve reached the end of another awesome holiday beer Advent-ure! I was first introduced to this one during my first beer Advent-ure in 2017 and it’s been a favorite of mine ever since. It’s dark with subtle hints of spice and a slightly hoppy and bitter finish. Well balanced and fun to drink. A great way to finish the season. Happy Holidays! Cheers! 🍻
Megan: Merry Christmas everyone! Ending our holiday beer adventure on a classic! This beer is dark in color and has just the right balance of malts and spices. For a winter warmer, it’s not heavy or overly sweet so it is more drinkable than some of the other beers we’ve had. I also love the design of the bottle, very classic Christmas. Overall, I would suggest this to anyone looking for a solid Christmas inspired beer.
Brad & Heather
Brad: At the beginning of the month, when asked what Holiday Drink I’d be, I chose Anchor. I’ve always loved this beer. I can’t put my finger on what specifically I love about it, I just do. The fact that they change the tree on the front of the bottle each year is a simple, yet neat idea. The beer pours dark and has all the nice holiday beer smells I want on Christmas Day. I’m glad we saved this one for last! I wish I had an extra.
Heather: Anchor is so good that Brad decided to give me like a half an ounce of it and take the rest himself 😂. For real though? It’s a jolly good beer. Not too heavy on the spice or hops — just all-around drinkable. It definitely tastes like something I could drink all winter long.
Stay tuned for our final reviews and reflections coming tomorrow!