Surely this is a new beer?

Beer Talk
1

I think the editor’s note on this beer needs to be rethought. https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/anchor-our-special-ale-2005-and-later/52930/

Surely the 2019 version at 6.9% ABV (not 5.5% ABV) is a new beer? Why would each year’s release not be a new entry? The whole point of Anchor’s Christmas beers is that they’re unique and evolve year-on-year, so let’s rate each one as a separate entry from now on. Isn’t that what RateBeer is for? What do others think?

This is Anchor’s take on this year’s Christmas beer: https://www.anchorbrewing.com/mobile/beer/christmas_ale

2

You’re fighting tradition here. I suggested this a time or two, and somewhere in the depths of the old forums there are likely responses from management.

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3

Under the rules this increase in ABV (+/- 15% or more is it?) should trigger a new beer being created. In fact the editor’s note specifically refers to the ABV usually being in the same range.

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4

If it really changes each year, and the year is visible - then yes, it most likely should be split.

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5

The problem really is that they don’t say what changes. It doesn’t really help the process.

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6

And it’s like CocaCola (xpt the secret changes yearly!):

"Year after year, Anchor creates a new, secret recipe with a unique hand drawn label for their Christmas Ale, but the intent with each brew remains the same: joy for the changing seasons and celebration of the newness of life. With a heavily guarded, confidential recipe, Christmas Ale is sold only from early November to mid-January. "

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7

Bought a six pack & left the other five at the Christmas party. Definitely different, but it’s all the same spices & intent.

8

“Brewer’s intent” used to be the trump card

9

Have all previous versions actually been 5.5%? Have there been verified ABV differences on the Anchor page for previous years?