Anchor Steam Beer - Beer Review

BBA T-SHIRTS ARE FOR SALE:
http://www.betterbeerauthority.com/p/better-beer-authority-t-shirts.html

Anchor Steam gets the first "10" from one of our panelists. Find out what the other two think about this historic beverage.

Partial Transcript: On tap Anchor Steam Beer

Hi. Im James Knott and this is your Better Beer Authority. Today we are talking about Anchor Steam Beer from the Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco, California.

This brewery is a relatively old player in the American beer scene. Theyve been brewing since 1896 and are one of the few American breweries to survive prohibition and the big macrobrew movement of the 60s and 70s.

Anchor Steam Beer has 4.9% ABV and uses an all-malt formula of 2-row barley. The style of this beer is California Common.

California Common originated in California in the 1800s. Refrigeration was a rare-commodity and brewers fermented their beer with lager yeast, but at warmer temperatures. The result is a medium bodied beer with lager crispness and a hint of ale-like fruitiness.

The style was traditionally called steam beer, but Anchor Brewing Company trademarked that term and all similar beers are now classified as California Common.

Scott, does this beer win any points for historic nature that sort of stuff?

Scott: I guess it would. I guess if they hit on the part where they havent changed the recipe for a hundred years or something like that maybe it would be a little bit more enticing to me. But overall, I specifically tried the beer because it was around for 120 years.

James: Joby, how would you describe this beer to someone?

Joby: Theres not much to it. I mean the good of the beer is that it doesnt taste like much, but then the bad of the beer is that it doesnt taste like much. For me there is not a lot of bells and whistles to it. I can drink it and its smooth. Theres not much forward taste theres not much aftertaste. Its just kind of a bland beer, but given all in all its not too bad.

James: Frase, do you agree with his assessment?

Jeremy: No. Not at all. Doesnt taste like much? You drink Miller Lite. That to me doesnt taste like much? You have this and you say this doesnt taste like much I mean, I guess its different taste buds.

Joby: Well, Im just saying where weve done a lot of beers on the show already and for the most beers that weve had they arent like Miller Lite or Bud Light or Coors Light and they have the really hoppy beers and the really malty beers. This one for me is just kind of bland. I mean I understand where youre coming from that its a good beer and all, but to me - for me for you for me its just personally its bland.

Jeremy: I think its a beer that I think its for a sophisticated beer drinker who can appreciate a good tasting beer and I cant believe that you would say that it doesnt taste like much. I think its very crisp. Its got a refreshing taste. Theres a citrus taste. Theres a hint of some of the malts in it. A little bit of a grainy taste to it and the aftertaste just keeps you coming back wanting more in my eyes.

James: Scott, how would you evaluate this?

Scott: Try this beer. For a malty beer I guess its an all-malt beer for one of those types of beers it actually has a good flavor to it and it kind of has a little bit of that copper-esque taste that IPAs have. At the same time, as Joby alluded to, it doesnt have a whole lot there, but I think that would attract some beer drinkers to it. I like it. Its a decent beer. Id give it a seven.

James: Ok is this a session beer for you?

Scott: Yeah, its a session beer for me. Its something I could see sitting out on the patio and drinking. I have to say though for some reason with this beer, Ive enjoyed it more as its gotten a little bit warmer as opposed to being straight out of the refrigerator.

James: Ok. Joby, your evaluation?

Joby: Im going to go a step below Scott and rank this a six. Again its a good beer and if somebody would provide it to me I wouldnt mind drinking it. I dont think I would go out to the store and seek it out. Im not going to make a special trip out to San Francisco to buy it and go to the brewery.

Scott: Probably too busy out there anyways.

Joby: Yeah.

James: Youre not an anchorhead?

Joby: I wouldnt describe myself as an anchor head. I mean its a good beer, but its just slightly above average for me. I can see where some people love it, but for me its just not for me.

James: Jeremy Frase, lay it down

Jeremy: To each his own. I couldnt be further away from Jobys thought process on the beer, but thats what makes beer reviews so great. Everyone has there own opinion.

James: You can punch him if you want

Jeremy: No

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• anchor
• steam
• san
• francisco
• california
• common
• Better
• beer
• authority
• james
• knott
• review
• reviews
• rating
• ratings
• critic
• ale
• lager
• hops
• malt
• barley
• water
• yeast
• import
• brewing
• brewery
• abv
• ibu
• original
• gravity
• bitterness
• bitter
• taste
• aroma
• mouthfeel
• head
• grainbill

[Alex415111]

Is anchor steam better than Sierra Nevada.

[AgileHProductions]

@Alex415111 It's just personal preference, but I would lean towards the beers at Sierra Nevada.

[AgileHProductions]

@AgileHProductions I vote for trying both. Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA is one of my favorite beers.

[herbprophet]

I liked this stuff the first 2 times i had it....but the 3rd time as I drank it all i could think of was vinegar, and then when i thought of vinegar it made it worse....maybe i was too high or something but i never bought it again.

[AgileHProductions]

@herbprophet This is a good beer, but sometimes it's a little too sweet and malty for my taste.

[19idgaf77]

@Alex415111 no contest. yes

[Liberwyvern]

@Alex415111 if you want something more yeast get anchor but sierra nevada is more hoppy and pale I find anchor a bit of a lager pale ale

[majornewb]

I have no respect for Joby at all anymore. Keep drinking your shit BMC

[majornewb]

Great beer from San Francisco once again

[Alex415111]

@AgileHProductions then i think I will go get a Sierra Nevada then. Thanks 

[Titsbongripsnbeer420]

@AgileHProductions No,where I live to buy beer you eather go to what is called a beer store or the liquor store. Are liquor store's sell more then just hard liquor like I seen some other's else where do. If we can get this beer in i guess some liquor store location's then I can't see why some of the pothers from them dont come here but yeah dont think I can get other's here

[AgileHProductions]

@Titsbongripsnbeer420 I'm not sure what to tell you... I'd recommend going to a good beer store in your area. Do you have one of those?