Anchor Brewing Company's Our Special Ale 2009

I thought the in-laws would never leave.

Finally found the 2009 offering of Anchor's winter warmer. This is traditionally one of the smoothest, silkiest, most complex of the winter warmers. I know that sounds goofy, but this is always a great beer. Different every year, it's always somewhat similar, and always great.

This year appears to be no exception. It pours the usual deep coppery brown with a nice but smallish dark tan head. It looks like a dopplebock.

Smells like a warm, dark bread.

Nice and smooth, with probably the lowest bitterness of any warmer I've had. Slightly nutty, still mostly bready, and a great body that feels like a medium-sized stout. It keeps the bready smell and taste, but as the glass gets empty and it gets warmer it takes on a deep ripe fruit smell that is kind of indistinct but sweet and deep.

Very good beer. I have a sixer held back to see how it ages, and I bet it keeps getting better.