Seasonal Treat: 2010 Anchor Steam Christmas Ale
Each year, Anchor Brewing puts out a Christmas Ale. This is the 36th version and each year the recipe changes a bit (although they keep it a secret!). Thanks to the refined palate of my brother-in-law Charlie, this has become a mainstay at the Moran household during Christmas. I don't drink all that much these days, but I always make room for a few of these - as a treat. I *think* I've had the '07, '08, '09, and now the '10. (ah....the aughts were fine years, weren't they?!?)
Can't tell you much about the flavors and/or taste, but it certainly was effervescent. The bottle, on the other hand, is quite handsome. In fact, they change the tree on the label each year, but this year's tree has meaning for me! It has a Ginko on it - and those of you who are loyal readers know that we planted a Ginko tree earlier this summer!
Turns out, if you keep them over the years, the flavors age and the ales taste differently the longer you keep them. Or. as they put it: "Properly refrigerated, the beer remains intriguing and drinkable for years, with different nuances slowly emerging as the flavor mellows slightly."
Turns out, if you keep them over the years, the flavors age and the ales taste differently the longer you keep them. Or. as they put it: "Properly refrigerated, the beer remains intriguing and drinkable for years, with different nuances slowly emerging as the flavor mellows slightly."
