Anchor Steam Beer

Anchor Brewing Company

Anchor Steam Beer - 4.9% ABV

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0

"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."

So this is the first brew from Anchor brewing out in San Fran that I've had. I've heard and read a lot about Anchor brewing and how they really helped spearhead the craft brew revival out on the west coast years ago. Kind of a shame I hadn't tried them until now as I see why this brew has such a reputation behind it. You really need to go to their site and read up on this an the process behind it. Very fascinating. It's a lager brewed at ale temperatures. And the head of Anchor Brewing is the heir to the Maytag family. As in Maytag washers. Go figure.

The beer pours a deep clear copper color with a nice frothy head. Thanks to the aggressive hopping it goes through you get very strong aromas of woody pine, floral hops, and citrus spice. Now due to that aggressive hopping it goes through I expected a rather bitter beer like a double IPA. It isn't that bitter at all. You get flavors right away of the hops, caramel malt, and grain but none are over powering or super heavy/bitter. Very well balanced. I got a lingering nutty yeasty malt flavor after the initial burst of hop and grain flavor. After having 2 of them I must say it gets better each time you drink it with more flavor notes picked up. Being the hybrid lager/ale that it is I found this is great chilled or at room temperature with different flavor notes coming out more in each temperature. Kind of hard to nail down the flavors and smells as they change based on it's temperature. I found that to be one of it's best characteristics though as it keeps you coming back for more. At least it did for me. I found this to be a truly remarkable craft beer that has very good depth and complexity. Easy to see why it has the reputation that it does. You owe it to yourself to try this one if not simply for it's very unique history. Suppose I should try some of their other beers too.