/ / / / WILK Friday BeerBuzz–2 Dec 2011 Anchor Christmas Ale w/Mark Carpenter

WILK Friday BeerBuzz–2 Dec 2011 Anchor Christmas Ale w/Mark Carpenter

12/02/2011 09:36:00 AM , ,

WILKFridayBerbuzz8Back in my early days of exploring craft beer, brother-beerbuzz was always nice enough to share his yearly gift-beer from Fritz Maytag.  Back in the early 1980’s Anchor Brewing was fairly rare on the east coast, and their Christmas Ale, even more so.  Year after year, I’ve sampled and enjoyed Anchor Christmas Ale, and it has honestly been one of the brews that excited a passion in me for craft beer and the wide varieties of brewing techniques used to brew it. 

Each year starting in 1975 Anchor Brewing has brewed it’s now famous Christmas Ale, but rather than brewing the same beer every year, the guys at Anchor took a risk and changed the successful recipe every year.  Each year the beer includes not only a different specie of tree on the label, but an even more intriguing “mystery” ingredient.  I remember studying Anchor Christmas Ale year after year, obsessed with conclusively identifying the mystery ingredient and even more obsessed with the beer itself.

imageJump forward to 2011, and it was not only fun to sample Anchors Christmas Ale 2011, but also a real honor to sample it with master brewer Mark Carpenter.  Mark gave us some great insight on what goes into Christmas Ale and also the unique brewing process Anchor Steam uses in all of their beers.  Clearly there is a rich history in brewing at this San Francisco brewery and Anchor still stands as not only one of the earliest west coast craft breweries but one of the very first US craft breweries.

We really enjoyed Anchor Christmas Ale and I really thought once again I had identified the mystery ingredient (juniper berries), but only Mark will know for sure.  Try this one for yourself, and see what you taste.

Thanks

to Mark Carpenter from Anchor Brewing, Nancy, John, Joe, & Bosco for yet another fun Friday.

The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together.

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE.

About MyBeer Buzz

Founder, owner, author, graphic designer, CEO, CFO, webmaster, president, mechanic and janitor for mybeerbuzz.com. Producer and Co-host of the WILK Friday BeerBuzz live weekly craft beer radio show. Small craft-brewer of the craft beer news sites and one-man-band with way too many instruments to play........Copyright 2007-2025 mybeerbuzz.com All Rights Reserved: Use of this content on ANY site without written permission is not allowed.

52 comments (click to read or post):

  1. Anonymous02 December, 2011 09:41

    I've been drinking Anchor Steam for years. I love their Xmas beer and it was way cool hearing Mark Carpenter talk about it. Another great guest on the Beer Buzz!

    Ryan W

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  2. Anonymous02 December, 2011 09:44

    Always the best on WILK. Jim Koch from Sam Adams and now Mark Carpenter from Anchor Steam. You guys rule the beer world.
    Chris

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  3. Anonymous02 December, 2011 09:45

    I really enjoyed the Jim Koch show, but I grew up drinking ANchor Steam and Anchor Foghorn. Hearing Mark Carpenter for me was amazing and very cool. Cheers to Mark and the WILK buzzers.
    Eric
    PS I've never commented before but this was an amazing show for me personally.

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  4. John Webster02 December, 2011 09:54

    A thrill to talk to Mark Carpenter this morning. What a history, both Anchor Steam AND Mark who's been at Anchor since 1971!

    The Christmas Ale, I tasted hops and cocoa and something spicey though Mark says it's not allspice. But whatever the recipe, if it's possible for a beer to taste like Christmas, this is one to try and see for yourself!

    Great 'get' on Mark today Bill! And thank you Mark for making the time (5:30am on the Left Coast!) to be on The Friday BeerBuzz!

    And as always, thank you for listening!

    Best,
    John
    webster@wilknewsradio.com

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  5. Anonymous02 December, 2011 09:56

    What an unsung hero in our local beer scene. I'm a huge Anchor Steam fan and I buy a case of OSA every year. Cheers Mark Carpenter!

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  6. Anonymous02 December, 2011 09:57

    I think you guys guessed the right secret ingredient. Amazing! Thanks for having Anchor on the radio. Great guest too!

    Rob (Moosic)

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  7. Anonymous02 December, 2011 09:59

    I've seen this beer and I never thought to try it. I love the label but just didn't ever buy it. My husband just called and said he wants it now after hearing it on the show! Heading to Georgetown for lunch and to pick up some Anchor Steam beer.

    Amy

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  8. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:08

    I was guessing this might be part of your Xmas show, but it's cool you did it earlier and with the brewmaster of Anchor too. Nice job WILK.
    Art

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  9. MyBeer Buzz02 December, 2011 10:11

    Thanks John & thanks everyone. My roots in craft beer lead solidly back to Anchor Steam Christmas Ale so it was an honor to talk to Mark Carpenter today. Anchor Christmas is one of the first beers I remember actually sampling and starting to understand ingredients and nuances in a beer, and it is still one of my favorites beers even today. Get out there and try it...and a huge thank you to Mark Carpenter for getting up at 5:30AM to talk to us.

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  10. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:14

    I've heard every show, and I'd like to say I was surprised by your guest, but I wasn't. I mean that in a good way because your beer team has been securing one incredible guest and beer after another. Our local beer community owes you guys a big thank you for bringing this caliper of craft beer guests into the NEPA market. Mark Carpenter was a well spoken brewer with a ton of history in the craft business and again I'm not surprised you guys would realize how amazing he is and also get him to wake up at 5:30 to be on the show. Incredible show, and I don't just mean this week. Cheers! Steve W

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  11. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:14

    You guys win. BEST beer show by far!

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  12. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:16

    When are we taking this show on TV??
    Pete

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  13. MyBeer Buzz02 December, 2011 10:17

    Thanks everyone.

    Pete you never know. We DO video tape every episode so be sure to check out wilknewsradio.com and fridaybeerbuzz.com later this morning for today's show video.

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  14. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:27

    Nice show buzzers. Anchor is a favorite!

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  15. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:29

    I think you guys really do your homework. Not only did you get a great guest and beer, but Bill knew all about him and Anchor. It paid off, I really liked today's show. Edwin

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  16. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:32

    My friends at work tune in every week and they don't even drink craft beer. I should say they didn't drink craft beer. Now I hear them talking about Yards, Troegs and Anchor and I smile. I think that's a great testament to the quality of the show, including today. Cheers Bill & John! I love the show. Marcus

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  17. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:32

    How about a listener contest to come on the show!? Sam

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  18. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:33

    When will you guys be drinking Mad Elf? Adam J

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  19. MyBeer Buzz02 December, 2011 10:34

    Thanks Sam...I'm sure we'll do another tasting event some time soon...but it's a little hard to invite a listener on the show so far.

    Adam...I'll be drinking it tonight at home...wait you mean on the show? Actually we featured Mad Elf on our Holiday Spectacular last year and it is one of my favorites.

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  20. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:35

    I bought today's beer last night and I cannot wait to try it. Cheers WILK.

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  21. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:36

    I bought some at Georgetown Deli over the weekend and I can say I really do like it. The first taste is different, but then it gets really good. Nice beer choice and hearing the brew master talk about it makes it taste even BETTER! Cheers to Mark Carpenter. Jason P

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  22. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:38

    What a great historical craft brewery Anchor is. Nice choice of breweries and kudos for the guest too. Dan

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  23. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:38

    Outstanding show. and a Home run guest too. Cheers Mark. Love your OSA!

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  24. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:39

    Once sixpack at a time I've been supporting Anchor Steam beer. I buy the Xmas beer every year, but I'm thinking I better buy it soon before you guys sell it out at Krugels. Kate in Taylor

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  25. Anonymous02 December, 2011 10:40

    Hey I love this beer Mark. Thanks for coming on WILK! We tune in every week and today was a great surprise.



    Jim

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  26. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:01

    I'm involved with everything in our area for craft beer form breweries to home brewing. I listen to all the shows and read all the local and national craft beer websites. Your show and mybeerbuzz.com do more to generate excitement for craft beer than anyone, in fact no one local even comes close. I know how far back Anchor Brewing goes and I commend your choice and guest. Thank you all @ WILK, Anchor Brewing and mybeerbuzz.com

    Brett

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  27. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:18

    Regular listener, firt time commentor. I love the show. Carry on please.
    George

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  28. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:20

    For anyone who hasn't tried it, Anchor Xmas is a great beer, and for anyone that doesn't realize it, getting their brewmaster to wake up at 5:30AM to come on our local beer show is a big deal. Great job WILK and thank you Mark Carpenter.

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  29. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:22

    I love this beer. I was sampling the 2010 version just last Saturday too. Nice choice Bill. JT

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  30. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:28

    I've tried my hardest to home brew a clone of Anchor Xmas with no luck. Whatever Mark is doing, he's doing it well. I can't believe you guessed the secret ingredient today (I really think you got it right) and I'd love to talk to you about what you think is in previous years. CHeers to a great beer & guest. Dan

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  31. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:28

    I love this beer. Anchor OSA 2011 has been my favorite too. JJ

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  32. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:30

    I have a love hate arrangement with Anchor OSA. I'm not sure how I feel about 2011 yet, but you guys have me excited to try it again. I liked 2010 but that was the first year in at least 2. . I did not like 2009 or 08. In any case it's a wonderful beer everyone should try.

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  33. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:30

    I like 2011.

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  34. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:32

    I learned something today. I always thought they used Steam to heat the beer when they brewed it. Your new logo should say Educational and Delicious too. Cheers buzzers. Shaun

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  35. MyBeer Buzz02 December, 2011 11:34

    Ha...Educational And Delicious...I like it. Thank everyone. Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale has a ton of complexity that not only changes each year, but changes as the temperature of the beer warms. Try this beer for yourself and be sure to try it as it warms. Hopefully you'll find the same appreciation I have for this classic holiday ale.

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  36. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:45

    Lovely show today. Thank you

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  37. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:48

    Anchor is one of my favorites. Cool to hear their brewmaster on the local airwaves. This is a good thing. Lou

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  38. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:50

    Love the show. I listen every week and just joined your text club too. Nice job.

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  39. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:53

    I just found you guys. I'm west coast too, and while I don't listen in live, it was evry cool to hear Mark Carpenter from Anchor on the air. I love your show and I see you cover the west coast on your website and radio show. Very cool to see this level of passion for craft beer. Cheers Alden

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  40. Anonymous02 December, 2011 11:59

    Good stuff again today. Mark was fun to listen to and I'll definitely check out Anchor steam too. AJ

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  41. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:01

    About time you featured an Anchor beer. At least you chose a great one to kick it off.

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  42. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:03

    Nice beer choice for the holidays too. Thanks for bringing us Mark Carpenter too. Cheers

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  43. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:04

    I just started enjoying Anchor Humming ale so I'll have to try this one. Thanks beer buzz

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  44. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:05

    This bee ris unique. Go try it. I have 2001 and 2002 too and they age real well. Thom

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  45. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:13

    Heading to Krugels now to get some Anchor. Cheers!

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  46. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:18

    Some beer suggestions:

    Yuengling Black & Tan
    Bourbons Winter Reserve
    Straub Dark
    Troegs Pale Ale
    Haproon IPA
    any Belgian Wit

    Thank you

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  47. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:20

    I've proudly sampled Anchor Christmas Ale every single year going back to 1999. I save all of the bottles and display them in my den too. I almost fell out of my chair when I heard you introduce Mark Carpenter today. Thank you. I've now watched the video 4 times and I'm amazed at the flavors in this beer. I will admit I didn't focus in on Juniper until you said it. Now I absolutely taste it and based on Mark's reaction, I'd say it's in there too! Very cool to guess the mystery ingredient. Nice job Bill. Keep it up! Randy

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  48. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:21

    I agree with Randy. Nice job Bill.

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  49. MyBeer Buzz02 December, 2011 12:22

    Thanks guys. It was a lot of fun to taste Anchor Christmas Ale with Mark, and he certainly gave us some real insight on the beer that I never knew.

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  50. Anonymous02 December, 2011 12:23

    Nice show! I love Anchor Steam OSA so this was my absolute favorite beer buzz show. Cheers WILK! T

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  51. Nancy Kman02 December, 2011 18:24

    What a great beer and a pleasure to talk with the legendary Mark Carpenter! Thanks Bill for securing another great guest and thank you Buzzers for the love and joy of beer that you share with us!

    Nancy
    nancy@wilknewsradio.com

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  52. MyBeer Buzz02 December, 2011 22:02

    Thanks Nancy...we'll definitely invite Mark back for another 5:30AM wake-up call. Anchor Christmas Ale is a classic holiday beer that everyone shoud try.

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