Day 25 of the 6th Annual Advent-ure Calendar
Day 25: Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale
The last beer! Thanks for joining us on this year’s advent-ure. We hope you found a new holiday beer or two to enjoy. As always, we end on a classic note with Anchor Brewing’s Christmas ale which truly has a unique history.
From Anchor: “Our annual Christmas Ale is a subtly spiced and sumptuously smooth winter warmer. This year’s brew marks the 46th annual release of this Anchor holiday tradition…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…The 2020 Anchor Christmas Ale is a one-of-a-kind, featuring the highest ABV at 7% and darkest appearance of any vintage.
This year’s label features The Three Graces; three iconic towering sequoias from the Mariposa Grove in California’s Yosemite National Park. This is only the second time in its 46-year history that multiple trees are shown together on the label, a fitting statement to symbolize togetherness and hope in a year when so much time has been spent apart. The Three Graces represent radiance, joy, and flowering – characteristics that we can all hold near during this unprecedented time.”
Reflections
Ben: I really enjoy everything about this beer. Not only is it usually a solid tasting brew (this year is no different), but Anchor treats this beer and this time of year with a level of respect that’s pretty special. From the unique label, to the ever-changing recipe, to the thought and symbolism of the whole package, it really makes you appreciate everything that goes into it. This also happens to be one of my favorite bottle shapes of all time. The beer inside that bottle is roasty and chocolatey and complex, without being overpowering in any way. I’m always excited to try this and it never disappoints.
Overall Thoughts
Obviously this year was just a tad different in terms of how we were able to celebrate together, but Zooms and texts worked out just fine. I was very excited and impressed this year with the level of variety we were able to snag, many of them still being local. Favorites this year had to be Anchor, Victory, Bookhouse, Three Floyds and Great Lakes. These really stood out as great examples of their styles, while still being balanced and perfect for the season. Worst were definitely the Abitas. Just not good. I was very happy we didn’t put any limitations on this year’s selections, but we were still able to taste a lot of new local offerings. It makes me confident we could do another “Ohio Only” calendar coming up and have no problem finding 25 solid beers.
Julia: I love this beer so much and look forward to it every year. It’s smooth, roasty and full of Christmas cheer. I think it might be my favorite Christmas Ale and if not favorite, definitely in my top 3. I believe that everyone should at least try this beer. I love that not only the recipe changes every year, but the art on the bottle. I definitely get the sit by the campfire vibe from this year’s formula.
Overall Thoughts
My favorites this year were the Anchor Christmas Ale, Bookhouse Get Yer Oats, Victory Merry Monkey, Columbus Brewing Citra Noel and Ithaca Fuggly Sweater. My least favorites were R Shea Candy Cane Stout, Saucy 3 Hos and Land Grant Beard Crumbs. I really liked how many new ones we tried this year. I was definitely missing some staples like Great Lakes Christmas Ale but I drink enough of that on my own. I think for next year I’d like to do something different like only do Ohio beers or something like that. I would also like to drink a few of these together with our friends so hopefully by next year we will be able to do that together.
Adam: Anchor’s Christmas ale is an absolutely perfectly balanced example of a spiced beer. It is the best way to end the calendar each year. I don’t have much to say simply because it’s a nearly perfect Christmas beer.
Overall Thoughts
This year was fun because not only did we get a lot of different breweries and styles but we had some beers from quality breweries that are new takes on others we love. I am obsessed with the goose island IPA and the victory Merry Monkey. I also continue to firmly believe that the best holiday beers on balance come from Ohio and book house brewing joined the ranks this year. This is always fun and I’m sad it’s over.
Alex: Anchor Brewings Special Ale never disappoints and I can confidently say it is delicious once again. It has the perfect amount of spice and is very drinkable. I believe they change the recipe up each year, so I feel like it’s even more impressive that it’s always good. I will definitely keep on drinking this one. Merry Christmas!
Overall Thoughts
I think this years Advent-Ure Calendar had a lot of new and unique beers. I liked that we all found some new ones to try out. I will say I think our local breweries still make the best traditional Christmas Ale, along with Anchor Brewing’s. Some stand outs from this year for me were Alpha Klaus, Citra-Noel (per usual), and Xmas Pickle. My least favorite was easily R. Shea’s 2020: A Candy Cane Milk Stout. Happy Holidays!!!
Scott: The Anchor Brewing Merry Christmas Happy New Year beer is such a perfect new tradition for the end of our beer advent-ure. It’s a really balanced, spicy, warm and easy to drink holiday beer that really caps off another amazing year of beers. This is definitely a top tier Christmas beer and can’t wait to try next year’s brew!
Overall Thoughts
I think this year was the best variety and honestly just great tasting beers we’ve had yet. It’s so hard to pick a favorite because this year had so many standouts and I honestly just forget all of them. I’m going to put my vote in for Seasick Crocodile for how weird and strange it was during the typical Christmas beers but also how much I liked it. As a sorta fan of sours, I just thought this one was so unique. My least favorite was the Breckinridge Christmas Ale just because it didn’t stand out and I remember not loving it.
Christa: What a wonderful beer to close out this calendar. Anchor Merry Christmas Happy Holidays is a delightful beer with all the right stuff to close out the season. It’s the right amount of bitter and sweet. It’s that one beer that makes me nostalgic for the next round. I look forward to this every year and this is the kind of beer you close with.
Overall Thoughts
I’m thrilled to be a part of this experience. Every year I think I know what I like and every year, I learn that’s not true. The X-mas Pickle, a sour, was the highlight for me. I don’t like sours but this beer was such a delight that maybe I do? It shows that there’s always ways to improve something (like beer) and you should always try it, even it sounds weird or gross. The best beer drinking experience is when you get something you don’t expect that changes your mind or your tastes, forever.
But also, stick to your guns on certain things, because the Three Floyd’s Alpha Klaus was GROSS. I don’t like stouts, guys. I don’t think I will unless it’s be Great Lakes and I’m half in the bag.
To Beard and Broad: thanks for the invite. Thanks for taking the pressure off a photo everyday. Thanks for giving me something to look forward to in this trash fire of a year. Much like a good brewery, you prefect and adapt, you learn, and you succeed. You’re the best. I’ll be drinking you (hey, Ben!) for all my pours to come. Thank you for being you.
Tony: We’ve come to the conclusion of another great beer advent-ure calendar. We’re definitely ending this one on a high note for me. I was first introduced to the Christmas Ale from Anchor Brewing during my first year as part of the calendar. It was an instant favorite of mine and continues to be. Similar to Great Lakes, I think they make slight tweaks to the recipe each year, but its another good one this year. Smells delicious, has a coffee aroma to it, very dark in color, and then drinks smooth with some chocolate flavor highlights to go along with smokiness and a little spice. Its one of the best out there so if you haven’t given this one a try you need to slap on your snow shoes and go get some…..now! 😁
Overall Thoughts
Here are my favorites from this year:
– Alpha Klaus by Three Floyds
– Great Lakes Oatmeal Stout
– Victory Merry Monkey
– Get Yer Oats by Bookhouse
– Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale
Least favorites include:
– Ignite the Lights by Ignite Brewing Co.
– Snowjob by Working Class
– Saucy Brews Three HOs
Thank you Beard and Broad for putting this together every year! Its so much fun and something we always look forward to! Cheers!!! 🍻
Megan: Merry Christmas everyone! We made it to the end of another Christmas beer advent-ure! A big thank you to Beard and Broad for including us again this year! I’m glad we saved this beer till the end. Anchor Brewing is a classic every year. This is a little spicier than I remember previous years to be. It’s a dark pour and is full of chocolate and coffee flavors. It’s smoky, and has a slight bitterness but isn’t overwhelmingly bitter. When this time of year includes all kinds of sweets, this compliments those flavors and brings a nice balance. I think the Great Lakes oatmeal stout was a tad more smooth than this but I still really like it and will be happy to see it on the calendar next year!
Overall Thoughts
Favorites
Victory – Merry monkey
Bookhouse – Get your oats
Three Floyds – Alpha Klaus
Great Lakes – Oatmeal Stout
Least favorites
Saucy – Three Hos
Shacksberry – Deer Snacks
Working Class – Snow Job
Ignite Brewing – Ignite the Lights
Brad: I love Anchor Steam, so much. This bottle is usually one of my favorites just for the simplicity of it. Each year there is a new tree and the tree this year is pretty cool. Who doesn’t love a happy little tree? 🙂 the beer pours super dark and the subtle Christmas aromas and flavorings are a perfect blend for me. The beer tastes very balanced and has a nice holiday malt finish. This one ranks in my top 3 this year.
Overall Thoughts
I loved the variety this year with the beer selections. From 10% Belgians to pickle beer, I genuinely enjoyed trying each one, even if I didn’t finish a few. My 3 favorites were Columbus Citra Noel, Anchor Merry Christmas, and Victory Merry Monkey. Out of those, I see myself grabbing another 6 pack of the Anchor. They were all perfect holiday beers in my opinion. There were a few others that were excellent, but these are the ones that stood out. I give the “Garbage Beer” award to both of the Abitas. Remind me never to visit this brewery when I’m in Louisiana. Sorry, there is nothing they did right with the Holiday season. I’m looking forward to next year already. A fun option would be since we were stuck in our homes this year, maybe next year we can plan a night or two out in December and drink 1-5 Advent Beers on draft at a local bar or brewery. That could be fun! Until next year….
Heather: I’m really pleased that we’re ending with this one. Since it’s a different recipe every year, Anchor’s Special Ale is always a mystery until the first sip. This year, it’s like silent night: black as pitch, no bubbles, calm, inviting, peaceful. The taste is incredibly smooth. (Pro tip: Drink it v cold.) The spices are expertly blended so that it’s not quite subtle, but not in your face. I absolutely love this beer. Perfect for a cheers to the sun setting on this gorgeous white Christmas we got in CLE. Happy holidays, everyone!
Overall Thoughts
I really enjoyed this year’s beer advent-ure. There were a ton of brews I hadn’t tried before and a new favorite that I’m going to probably clear the shelves of next year. Victory’s Merry Monkey is that beer for me. Just so, so good. On the flip side, I almost barfed trying to drink Shacksbury Deer Snacks IV Cider. That one, with Abita Christmas Ale, were the only two that I truly struggled hard with. In general, I don’t have much to suggest in terms of changes or improvements for next year. Except that we’ll likely be STILL recovering from quarantine-fatigue at that point, so I say we go to each brewery in person to try the beers 😬🍻