Anchor Christmas Ale with the Brew Review

A Toast to Tradition: Anchor Christmas Ale (2015) Reviewed

The holiday season has its many delightful customs – twinkling lights, gift exchanges, heartwarming songs, and for craft beer enthusiasts, the much-anticipated release of Anchor Brewing’s annual Christmas ale. Every year, Anchor revamps this signature brew, ensuring that while the festive spirit remains, there’s always something fresh to savor.

Anchor Christmas Ale: A 2015 Holiday Bottle of Joy

2015 was no different. With a rich history of captivating palates, Anchor Brewing made sure the year’s Christmas ale was a reflection of both tradition and innovation.

Our Review:

While every year’s brew is a surprise, the 2015 edition truly stood out. But, as is the way with all reviews, we’ll let the beer speak for itself, and simply say: Cheers!

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In the world of craft beer, traditions like Anchor’s Christmas ale remind us that while brewing is a science, it’s also an art – one that evolves but always leaves a lingering taste of the familiar. As we wrap up this review, here’s to old traditions, new flavors, and the joys of the festive season! 🍻🎄🎁

2015 – A Year of Christmas Ale

Determining the “top” Christmas ales is highly subjective and can vary based on region, personal preference, and specific critic or consumer ratings. However, numerous publications and beer aficionados rank and review seasonal releases annually. Based on a combination of different sources from 2015, the following Christmas ales were highly regarded:

Anchor Brewing – Christmas Ale: A yearly tradition since 1975, every year’s recipe is different, but it’s always a sought-after brew.
Great Lakes Brewing Company – Christmas Ale: A well-loved ale that boasts honey, ginger, and cinnamon flavors.
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale: This Belgian brewery’s seasonal ale is a rich, dark beer with fruity apple aromas mixed with almond and lightly roasted white chocolate.
Troegs – Mad Elf: Known for its cherries, honey, and chocolate malts, this ruby red creation has become a holiday staple for many.
Deschutes Brewery – Jubelale: A festive winter ale with flavors of toffee, chocolate, and dried fruit.
Sierra Nevada – Celebration Ale: This fresh hop ale is one of the earliest examples of an American-style IPA, and it’s been a classic since its first brew in 1981.
Rogue Ales – Santa’s Private Reserve Ale: This red ale is made with roasted malt and has a spruce finish, fitting for the holiday season.
The Bruery – 8 Maids-a-Milking: This imperial milk stout was part of The Bruery’s 12 Beers of Christmas series.
Brewery Ommegang – Adoration Ale: A strong, dark Belgian-style ale with flavors of mace, cardamom, coriander, grains of paradise, and more.
Samuel Smith – Winter Welcome Ale: This British brew has a malty richness with a hint of toffee and a quiet zesty finish.

It’s worth noting that many breweries, especially local craft breweries, release fantastic seasonal offerings that might not make a global or national list but are favorites in their own communities. If you’re exploring Christmas ales, it’s always a good idea to check out local breweries for their unique seasonal offerings.