Beer – #146 – Anchor – Steam Beer

Anchor Steam Beer, the second of a pair of Anchor Beers that I brought. Brewed by Anchor Brewing Company in the style of a California Common – and similarly that’s from – San Francisco, California USA

355ml bottle of a 4.9% ABV beer (1.34 standard drink units)

San Francisco’s famous Anchor Steam®, the classic of American brewing tradition since 1896, is virtually handmade, with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. The deep amber color, thick creamy head, and rich flavor all testify to our traditional brewing methods. Anchor Steam is unique, for our brewing process has evolved over many decades and is like no other in the world. Anchor Steam derives its unusual name from the 19th century when “steam” seems to have been a nickname for beer brewed on the West Coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. The brewing methods of those days are a mystery and, although there are many theories, no one can say with certainty why the word “steam” came to be associated with beer. For many decades Anchor alone has used this quaint name for its unique beer. In modern times, “Steam” has become a trademark of Anchor Brewing.

I have a a sinking feeling that this is going to be the lesser of the two beers.  Expecting something a bit darker and with more carbonation. Malty more than hoppy.

Darker than I expected , and with a better head on it, but with a yeasty aroma above all else. This carries more carbonation and has more malts than the Liberty Ale, which isn’t a bad thing. You can tell they’re not variations on a theme.

So what else is there? Not a lot. This in some strange way has no ‘taste’ profile, I get “the nothing” , except a nice crisp beer. I know it’s not overly cold, and I did have a profile in mind before I started to drink, and I’ve not even got close.

As it sits in the glass (and there’s not a lot of it in the first place) it does develop a nice malt base, and that’s a bit plus, you’re not challenged to acknowledge that you had a mouthful of a beer that you’re drinking because that’s what on special in the beer shop.

And in the end I’m actually developing a fondness for this, it’s not so bad, and quietly it’s a little gem.

As a 7.8 on the pdubyah-o-meter is stands shoulders to all the competent but not spectacular beers, and is by no means lagging behind in any aspect. Comparable in alcohol to many beers I’d probably choose this for it’s taste profile (or seeming lack of) over some of the wildly more commercial beers that get churned out at 4-5%ABV.

Hows that for a review that started with a frown that turned upside down?

Related articles

• Anchor Steam Beer (morebeerforme.wordpress.com)
• Anchor Liberty Ale (morebeerforme.wordpress.com)
• Keith Greggor expands Anchor Steam (sfgate.com)
• Anchor Steam Brewery And Restaurant Planned For Area Near AT&T Park (sfappeal.com)
• Beer goggles: Seeing beer glasses in a whole new light (redenvelope.com)