4.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 3
Texture 6
Overall 2.5
I have long been a fan of several Anchor products so It was with pleasure that I saw the arrival of the Summer Ale. Being in a bar at the time I had not the chance to check the rating of this beer, so as such I was pretty optimistic when the usual 12 oz brown anchor style bottle arrived. The brew poured out a light golden color which, given the style did not surprise me in the least. There was a faint wheat and lemon scent but certainly nothing special on the nose. As for the flavor let me first state that any citrus alluded to on the nose was completely lacking on the tongue. A taste, that I suppose was vaguely wheaty came through next only to be followed by the same aftertaste associated with your usual BMC brew. Ugggh. Oh Anchor, how you have failed us. Sigh. I guess I can always go back to my Liberty and Foghorn and remind myself that Anchor is capable of making some good brews to go with this swill.
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Jun 2004
at 15:08
5/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
Draught
Lager color. Medium creamy white head. Sweet grassy hoppy aroma. Grassy hops dominate flavor with sweet firm malty body. Hoppy aftertaste is mild.
Lager color. Medium creamy white head. Sweet grassy hoppy aroma. Grassy hops dominate flavor with sweet firm malty body. Hoppy aftertaste is mild.
Tried
on 12 Jun 2004
at 10:38
7.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
1998 edition. This beer came in an absolutely huge 50.7 ounce bottle. It must have been designed for a little holiday "nightcap." The beer poured a deep red-brown, with a dense, persistent tan head that left nice lacing. Anise, vegetables, chocolate, and flowers pervaded the air above the glass. Aging has done wonders for the flavor- rather than the dominant anise and vegetable flavors that turned me off of the fresh 2003 and 2002 versions, the spices have mellowed out quite a bit, and underlying chocolate and coffee malt flavors are more prominent. Slightly tart body. The first vintage of this beer I’ve actually enjoyed.
Tried
from Bottle
on 01 Jun 2004
at 12:36
5.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5.5
First time encountering this beer, but the experience was less than satisfying. Has a clear straw-colored body topped by a thin off-white head and a bitter hops aroma. The flavor is a very mediocre bitter, dry, cerealy affair with just a hint of sweetness. Very much like many macro-lagers. I can best describe the flavor as a "used and abused" dirtiness. Grassy. Not terrible but it does have fine company in the Budweisers and Millers that occupied nearby shelf space.
Tried
from Can
on 24 May 2004
at 00:48
5.9/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Golden color. Quite nice Barley Wine-like aroma. Really thin body, with an exaggerated bitterness. Odd…
Tried
on 23 May 2004
at 20:03
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottled
Hazelnut brown. Steady medium brown head, lace. Aroma of prunes and berries. Bitter, hoppy and some sweetness. Oily and slightly hoppy aftertaste.
Hazelnut brown. Steady medium brown head, lace. Aroma of prunes and berries. Bitter, hoppy and some sweetness. Oily and slightly hoppy aftertaste.
Tried
from Bottle
on 22 May 2004
at 13:59
7.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
This beer laced the glass well as it poured a deep amber beer with a fleeting, off white, head. I expected more assertiveness and was disappointed in this one. A little thin.
Tried
on 15 May 2004
at 19:28
5.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Just found this beer for the first time. The body pours clear amber, with a thin off-white head. I’m not so sure what’s "refreshing" about Anchor beers- they tend to be highly carbonated and rather tangy, leaving a tingly feeling on the tongue and a rather bitter aftertaste. This variation is no different. Has a fairly boring cerealy aroma. The flavor opens up with a touch of tanginess, finishing with strong dry cereal notes. There isn’t much here to write home about, or to write Ratebeer about.
Tried
on 08 May 2004
at 20:16
6.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Bottled. Interesting variety, not your standard overspiced holiday beer. Seems like a porter base, with a taste of cinnamon, ginger, pine, and bits of wild cherry or sour apple. Brown body with red highlights, brown thin head. Leaves some sticky to lick your lips to. Not fantastic, but still very nice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 29 Apr 2004
at 13:57
7.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
I really like a number of Anchor’s beers including this one. +++ Sampled from a 12 oz brown bottle this beer pours a golden color with a small tan head. There is a mild flowery, hoppy aroma. The flavor has the distinct cascade hop flavor that I enjoy with a surprising amount of malty balance. The hops while strong are not overwhelming. Certainly no death by hops, but then again it is not so one dimensional as many IPAs get. A pleasant drink to be sure.
Tried
from Bottle
on 29 Apr 2004
at 09:07