Anchor Steam Beer

By JASON + TODD ALSTRÖM

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In a world full of extreme beers and new flavors coming out every week, we often forget to revisit the classics that many of us cut our beer teeth on.

The California Common, or Steam beer, is a unique 100-percent American-style lager. It's usually brewed with a special strain of lager yeast that works better at warmer temperatures. This method dates back to the late 1800s in California, when refrigeration was a great luxury. In those days, brewers had to cool beer down through improvisation, so shallow fermenters were used. In a way, the lager yeast was trained to ferment more quickly at warmer temperatures. Today's examples are often light amber to tawny in color, medium-bodied with a malty character and mildly fruity with assertive hop bitterness.

Anchor Brewing Company (out of San Francisco) trademarked the term "Steam Beer" and, as such, all other beers must be legally referred to as "California Common. " Anchor's version has also become the benchmark for the style and remains one of America's classic brews. According to the brewery, "Our brewers employ no modern shortcuts. Each brew is virtually handmade with an all-malt mash in our handmade copper brewhouse, a veritable museum of the simple, traditional brewhouses of old."

But don't take our—or their—word for it. Let's allow our palates to talk.

The Taste

Pours a rich, bright, dark amber-colored brew with a creamy white lacing and stick. Nose is also rich, with caramelized and buttery notes (diacetyl), and some must and metal, too. Smooth on the palate; very creamy, but bitty around the edges with a tight carbonation scrub and near-medium body. Crisp on the palate. Flavors are light all around, with toasted malt, caramel and a sugary note toward the end. Fruity in the center, with some mild gummy flavors. A soft hop bitterness that's not too bitter, but still bitter, keeping things in balance and interesting. Some dry grains in the lingering finish—which is clean, refreshing and moreish.

Final Thoughts

Simply put, Anchor Steam Beer is an American classic. At just under 5-percent alcohol by volume, this is not only the quintessential example of the California Common style, but also perhaps one of the greatest session beers in America. Find it, buy it and enjoy.

FOR MORE INFO: ANCHORBREWING.COM

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RESPECT BEER.