Anchor Christmas Ale 2009

Beer-a-Day #359 Anchor Christmas Ale 2009

Every year since 1975 the brewers at Anchor have brewed a distinctive and unique Christmas Ale, which is available 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. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.

Dark brown with a creamy beige head. Lots of spice in there; nutmeg mostly. The flavor is very rich and spicy. This would be good for dessert.

Anchor Christmas Ale

Anchor Liberty Ale

Beer-a-Day #309 Anchor Liberty Ale

A special top-fermenting ale yeast is used during fermentation and is responsible for many of Liberty Ale’s subtle flavors and characteristics. Carbonation is produced by an entirely natural process called “bunging,” which produces champagne-like bubbles. Dry-hopping (adding fresh hops to the brew during aging), imparts a unique aroma to the ale. It is a process rarely used in this country today.

Dry-hopping is rare? I don’t know about that.

Pale yellow with a creamy white head. I smell some fruitiness (apples perhaps) and some spice. Maltiness in the beginning but plenty of hops in the finish. That’s darn good.

Anchor Steam – Liberty Ale