2012 Anchor Christmas Ale

20121226:
I wrote: "Huh. This has a real interesting smell. Perhaps it smells like caramel. Huh. Its more bitter tasting now. I find last year's tasting better. We'll see if the taste changes over the course of drinking it." 8:34PM PT
I wrote: "It still smells really nice. Maybe there's something I ate which is throwing off the taste. On a different note, it seems like the beer might have high amounts of nutmeg, or something familiar." 8:52PM PT

[20121227]

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2012 Anchor Christmas Ale

Relevant Links:
2012 Anchor Christmas Ale (Anchor Steam Website)
Our Special Ale 2012 (Anchor Christmas Ale) (BeerAdvocate.com)

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Website Information:

CHRISTMAS ALE

2012 Anchor Christmas Ale. New tree. New recipe. Same traditions.

Each year since 1975, Anchor Brewing creates a distinctive Christmas Ale, available from early November to mid-January. A rich, dark spiced ale, our secret recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life.

Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew. Our tree for 2012 is the Norfolk Island pine. Captain Cook discovered this South Seas isle and its native tree in 1774. These tropical-looking conifers, which thrive in sandy soil and coastal climes, were first planted in California in the 1850s. The Norfolk Island pine on this year’s label, hand drawn from life, resides in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

Each year our Christmas Ale gets a unique label and a unique recipe. Although our recipes must remain a secret, many save a few bottles from year to year. Properly refrigerated, the beer remains intriguing and drinkable for years. Different nuances emerge as the flavor mellows slightly, much like the memories of great holiday seasons past. Celebrate the holidays with Anchor Christmas Ale, an Anchor tradition since 1975.

FIRST BREW: 1975
FIRST BOTTLING: 1975
ALC. BY VOLUME: VARIES
AVAILABILITY: NOV.-FEB.
MALT: TOP SECRET
HOPS: TOP SECRET

Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock

20121224:
I wrote: "Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock. Has more of an alcoholic scent. It's drinkable. I barely detect the taste of chocolate. Overall the beer reminds me of Guinness Black Lager. Like the Black Lager, I think this beer is just alright." 10:34PM PT

[20121227]

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Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock

Relevant Links:
Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock (Samuel Adams Website)
Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock (BeerAdvocate.com)
Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Flavor: Distinct aroma of chocolate, toffee and malt. Tastes slightly sweet, full bodied with a finish of fine chocolate.
Color: Deep rich brown, 75 SRM
Original Gravity: 17.1° Plato
Alcohol by Vol/Wt: 5.8%ABV – 4.5%ABW
Calories/12 oz.: 237
IBUs: 11
Malt Varieties: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, Caramel 60, Carafa, and Munich 10
Hop Varieties: Hallertau Mittelfrueh Noble hops
Special Ingredient: cocoa nibs from Ghana, Ecuador, and Madagascar
Yeast Strain: Samuel Adams lager yeast
Availability: Seasonal (Nov. - Jan.) in the Winter Classics Variety Pack
First Brewed: 2003

Goose Island Christmas Ale

20121224:
At dinner (dad made roast beef) I split half a bottle with my dad. I recall he said he liked it. I had my mom try a sip as well and I wasn't sure what to expect, though I was leaning towards her finding it bitter. Surprisingly, she didn't think it was bitter at all and liked the taste of it.

I wrote: "Goose Island Christmas Ale. I don't know how to describe it. It certainly smells good and tastes great. I was expecting more spices. Regardless, it is well-balanced. Actually, I remember when I first sipped it. It was more like a brown ale. But then near the end of the tasting, it was more like a pale ale." 7:24PM PT

Later, I had two friends over and split my second and only other bottle of Goose Island Christmas Ale into three portions.

I wrote: "Goose Island Christmas Ale. Oh the smell is something like nutmeg. Floral perfume. Sweet smelling. Oh maybe caramel. When its warm its taste is spicier. It still tastes delicious even when warm, unlike many other beers which have a stronger taste, but are unbearable when warm." 11:19PM PT

[20121227]

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Goose Island Christmas Ale

Relevant Links:
Christmas Ale (Goose Island Website)
Goose Island Christmas Ale (BeerAdvocate.com)
Goose Island Christmas Ale (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Christmas Ale

Brewer's Notes:
Every year to celebrate the holiday season, we brew up our Christmas Ale, and with each year we change the recipe slightly so that you have something special to look forward to.

Recipe Information:
Style: Brown Ale
Alcohol by Volume: 7.3
International Bitterness Units: Change year to year
Color: Chocolate
Hops: Change year to year
Malt: Pale, Munich, Caramel

Serving Suggestions:
Preferred Glass: Nonic
Food Pairings: Ham, Turkey, Lamb
Cheese Pairings: Aged Gouda, Dry Jack
Cellaring Notes: 180 days
Availability:
Seasonal (November - December)
Bottles: 6, 12 & 24pks
Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

World Beer Cup Recognition:
Judging Category: American Brown Ale
2010: Bronze Medal

Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale

20121207:
I wrote: "This Old Man Winter Ale is certainly a pale ale. Hoppy. Mildly grassy. It's nice and easy. I like it." 8:15PM ET

Menu Description:
Old Man Winter. A rich and complex amalgam of hops and barley that will put the feeling back in your toes and lift your spirits above the snow. 7.2%

[20121215]

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Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale

Relevant Links:
Old Man Winter Ale (Southern Tier Website)
Old Man (Winter Ale) (BeerAdvocate.com)
Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

OLD MAN WINTER

Our winter offering is here to quell your shivers and get you through the coldest of nights. A rich marriage of hops and barley to cast light upon the evening and melt your mind out of snowdrifts. Old Man Winters earthy hue and thickness lace around the glass, inviting you to linger in its warmth and share the spirits of the season with your friends and family. A deceptively strong brew, its best to sit and ponder with this old man, sip by sip.

FOOD PAIRINGS: Particularly tasty when paired with roasted meats, game, hearty stews, winter squash, rich cheese.

AVAILABILITY: Release begins in November / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / 1/2 keg, 1/6 keg

ABOUT THE BEER
STYLE: Old Ale
BREWED SINCE: 2003
ABV: 7.0%
FERMENTATION: Ale yeast, three varieties of hops & two types of malts
COLOR: Brown, ruby hues
EFFERVESCENCE: Light carbonation
NOSE: Roasted malts, a touch of smoke, pepper, some floral hops
FLAVOR: Hints of bittersweet cocoa, nutty, defined malts and balancing hops, earthy
BITTERNESS: Medium
BODY: Medium-bodied, hearty
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 50-55°F
GLASS: Pint glass, snifter, oversized wine glass
AVAILABILITY: Release begins in November / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / 1/2 keg, 1/6 keg
CELLARING: 40-45°F

Vodka, Orange Vodka, Curaçao, Red Bull

20121204:
I was at Red Maple for dance lessons but I got there early and ordered a drink. I searched for a random mixed drink on my phone and found one called an Ice Bomb whose recipe called for the following:

2 oz UV® blue raspberry vodka
2 oz orange vodka
2 oz vodka
1 to 2 oz Sprite® soda

However, the bartender at Red Maple didn't have any blue raspberry and substituted Curaçao and Svedka vodka. He also suggested Red Bull in place of Sprite. I was cool with that recommendation. As such, I was given the following:

some Curaçao
2 oz orange vodka
2 to 4 oz vodka
1 can Red Bull

I wrote the following: "I liked how the drink turned out." 9:39 PM

[20121214]

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Made from Laraha, Curaçao has an orange-like flavor, but bitter.

[20150921]