Today’s the final day of the Advent Calendar, and you know I couldn’t let another year go by without picking Anchor Christmas Ale! This annual favorite (technically called "Our Special Ale")—perhaps one of the most anticipated and favorite American Christmas seasonal out there—is different from year to year; Anchor changes the recipe (which is secret) and the tree on the label.

First brewed in 1975, this year’s vintage is their 33rd release. Jay Brooks heralded this year’s release (and the beer overall) wonderfully for this month’s Session; go read that and then go out and pick up a six-pack of the beer for Christmas Eve.

BeerAdvocate score: B+ (letter grade). RateBeer score: 3.58/5, 89th percentile.