My Favorite Christmas Ale !......Why Did They Change It ?

My favorite "seasonal;" Christmas Ale ?
Anchor Christmas Ale
Been drinking it since, it first came out.
I look forward to it -- it adds to my magical holiday season.
And.........they went and changed it !
I no longer "fit" the demographic --- I guess ?
there has been a trend by craft brewers --- ( in response, to their consumers )
to INCREASE the volume of alcohol ( ABV).
Higher ABV beers are all over the shelves these days.
Who are these consumers ?........
I'm pissed !
Anchor increased the ABV from 5.5 to 6.5 this year - on the Christmas Ale.
Sorry........but the alcohol overwhelms the brew, now.
I hate it........I tried to drink two.......thinking "Oh, I'll get used to the added alcohol."
I just thought it has ruined the flavor that it once had.
I bought a case........I have 22 left..........I'll probably give one more bottle a try.
But I'm VERY disappointed !
I just don't like it, anymore.
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So..........I'm on the "look out" for another holiday brew.
Harpoon Winter Warmer tastes good this year.
Southern Tier ( NYS ) has a Xmas brew out -- I was told it's great - but that ABV is 8.5 ?
or something ?......I don't drink wine !..........Higher ABV, again.
Could Anchor put out a "new" holiday ale w/ higher ABV ?....and just leave the old recipe,please !
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I was so looking forward to this seasonal.
bah humbug !

 

Dear Joe,

Please ship all unused contents to:
buttnuggett
c/o Mirage, Hangover slot machine #1246
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Thank you!!

 

Great Lakes Christmas Ale, 7.5% abv

In years past, this one was on allocation, and it had to be reserved. This year the Brewery decided to make some more. Yes, a little more kick, but the alcohol is not overwhelming. Lighter than Tröegs Mad Elf @11% abv.

Regarding Anchor, maybe do some trades with family or a neighbor. Or, just serve it to your guests.

 

There are so many craft breweries these days, I was just wondering...Is this the same Anchor that makes Steam Beer? One of my favorites, but hard to find around here.

 

Coors tastes the same as it always did. I love the old school stubby bottles. If I want stale, bitter beer, I'll open a Coors and let it sit out for a few days.

 

Ummmm, Joe? You do know that the recipe is different every year, right? That's why it has a vintage dated label. If you don't like this year's formulation, just wait a year and see what 2017 has to offer.

 

It is from the same brewery Joe 2.

Joe 1 I agree, they just keep ramping up the abv on all the ipa's. As one that was on the craft wagon ( when it was a Radio Flyer,) you have to be so careful about the alcohol content. As far as the Christmas Ale, did you let it warm a bit? I never use a frosted glass and always leave it out a bit before I pour and consume (but you probably always do)
Stay thirsty my friend.

 

Timely.... this just showed up in my inbox
Achor Steam recipes:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/mag/14789/baking-with-beer-orange-marmalade-and-persimmon-spiced-ale-cakes/?mc_cid=97f98ec5f5&mc_eid=2e7281d1b1.

 

I'm assuming you're from Cleveland if you're talking about GLBC Christmas Ale. We used to call it Christmas Crack. I had one this year, not bad. The main brewer left and went to Thirsty Dog in Akron (thus why 12 Dogs of Christmas became popular, he took the recipe with him, allegedly). Been drinking Mad Elf here and there, good stuff but one is enough.

They passed a new law in Ohio that allows beer to have unlimited ABV. So expect some real high-end barleywines and Imperial IPA's to be showing up soon. Great Lakes mentioned they are going to have some new hoppy beers... https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/node/1898

 

I swear that the beer advisor review of Christmas Ale just came in...

https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/anchor-brewing-merry-christmas-2016-happy-new-year/466298/?utm_source=RateBeer+Weekly&utm_campaign=cb05795b4d-rbweekly_216b&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33216a9626-cb05795b4d-309268485.

 

I'm from the Philly area, but one of my in laws would always order a case from the beer distributor nearby. I was surprised there were several cases on the shelf at my beer distributor, so picked one up to bring for Thanksgiving dinner. A little pricey at $54. I'm a big fan of Troegs, but the Mad Elf is just a little too spicy, and at 11% it's like drinking 12 oz of wine.

I know that Sierra Nevada changes their Octoberfest recipe each year, I'm not sure of the sense behind that.

 

A friend of mine owns a restaurant, is a CIA-trained chef, and a beer connoisseur. He does several "beer dinners" per year, which is a 5 course meal paired with various craft brews.

Tonight happens to be the Christmas beer dinner, which of course features holiday beers. Sure enough, Anchor Christmas Ale is served with course #1!

Here's the rest of the menu, which will give you four more holiday brew options, chosen by a guy that really knows his stuff...

www.tonyps.com/beer-dinner

Edit: it's not working on my phone for some reason, you may need to be on a computer to view it.

 

Damn that is a fine pairing for a menu.

 

Joe S., I am afraid I have to raise my hand as one of those who like the high octane brews. I am an IPA drinker for the most part so any where from 7 to 10% is what I seem to gravitate to. I don't always like the Christmas beers though but I agree with you that higher ABV doesn't always mean a better beer. I know you will find another Christmas beer that you will enjoy. Keep looking.

 

Yeah it's a killer value....great food, great beers, and $65 per head all in, including tax and tip.

 

I heard the same story about the brewer moving to Thirsty Dog. We like the Holly Jolly from Fathead's Brewery.

 

Damn, I forgot about Fatheads, have friends that live down the street. Big fan of Headhunter IPA. Need to go back again soon!

 

I like Headhunter too. I also like the Truth IPA from Rhinegeist.

 

Yes Joe -
Anchor Steam Ale.........I first drank one around 1976 - I was living in AZ - they shipped there.
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Yes....the Christmas Ale recipe changes a bit each year..........not alot......but I only taste a difference
with the spices + the roasted flavor.........NEVER has Anchor increased the ABV.
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I'm not against higher ABV.........I love the Sierra Celebration + Torpedo !
The higher ABV seems to work better in those brews.

 

Oh, if l should be so lucky,you poor buggers.No Christmas beer in Australia,same old same old.Can't believe the standard of your Craft Brews sampled on my latest trip.Ellis Island,Four Queens and Main Street Station.Absolutely brilliant,keep on suffering America.What a excuse for me to come back for.Trip report is coming when l figure out how to put photos in the report.Apple to computer to report,help anyone.