Mike Loves Beer

Name – Anchor’s Our Special Ale 2009
Country – United States
Type – Winter Warmer

Appearance – Pours a dark red and borders on brown with red highlights around the edges of the glass.  Nice size tans head but it is gone pretty quick.

Smell – Woah!  There is a lot going on here.  You get the cinnamon and nutmeg like you’d expect but there  is also some piney notes and dark fruits.

Taste – Even bigger woah!  All those spices mixed with a heavy dark fruit flavor.  Think figs and dates.  There is a bit of a caramel taste in there as well and a little piney hops.  Ultra complex.

I know that Anchor changes their recipe on this beer each year and I have heard people saying this is the best year ever.  Unfortunately this is my first to judge and it is definitely different.  There is so much complexity to this beer that it was almost sensory overload trying to pick out the flavors.  This is definitely not for a new comer but a big beer geek should really enjoy the hell out this one.

Overall Grade – B-

Name – Anchor Liberty Ale
Country – United States
Type – American Pale Ale

Appearance – Poured a slightly hazy bright orange color with a nice white head.

Smell – Very distinct smell.  It’s a sweet hoppy aroma that is citrus like but also a bit floral.

Taste – Sweet hop taste.  There is citrus there but I really pick up this sugary taste to it.  Kind of like bubblegum.  Very different from any other beers I’ve had thus far.

I really enjoy Anchor.  They make good straight forward beers and then this one comes in a little different from the norm.  A sweet candy like taste makes it different from most PAs I have had before.  Very enjoyable and I’m very happy I decided to actually go for a sixer on this.

Overall Grade – B

Name – Anchor Porter
Country – United States
Type – American Porter

Appearance – Pours a black color with some reddish tones around the edge of the glass when you hold it up to light.  It had a nice tan head the left some lacing on the glass.

Smell – Sweet smells of caramel, toffee, chocolate and molasses with some roasted malt undertones.

Taste – Very much like the smell.  Lots of the sweet tastes up front with a roasted backing to it.  Extremely smooth.

This was a really good porter in my opinion.  I know it may seem to have too many sweet tastes to it but I felt it wasn’t over board.  The roasted malts brought everything together to even it out.

Overall Grade – A