This is the 32nd offering of Our Special Ale (Christmas Ale) from San Francisco's Anchor Brewing Co. Every year the recipe for OSA and labeling are different. The labels always feature a tree -- the symbol of life and renewal during the winter solstice. This year's label artwork depicts the Fagus Silvatica (European Beech).

It pours a dark brown with mahogany highlights. Tan creamy head. Pleasant aroma of spruce, cocoa, ginger, chocolate and dark fruit. Layered and complex in flavor, Our Special Ale, features a lot of spicing upfront. Flavors of dark roasted malt, cocoa, and spruce follow. Hints of plum appear toward the back. There's an underlying mildy dry bitterness that is apparent throughout and lingers into the finish.

This is an amazing sipper to enjoy in front of the fire on Christmas night. It's a hearty winter offering which will be gone soon. Get it while you can!