Anchor Steam Beer – Who’s Tried? Who Likes it?

[BrewMU]

Anchor Steam is pretty damn good by me. It's hopped a little lighter than an IPA, but a lot more aggressively than a Marzen. Color is closer to an IPA as well. I assume you know about the California Common style generally - it's made with lager yeast (California Lager), but fermented at higher (~65F) temps. I just made one, but I didn't make it an Anchor clone - I hopped it like an IPA - Amarillo, Simcoe, and Citra hops.

 

[emjay]

It's got a decent malt backbone but I wouldnt really call it "malty". It's actually hoppier and more bitter than I had expected before drinking it.

 

[Dynachrome]

...see my sig. I've had it and enjoyed it.

 

[boswell]

Checking hbt from the phone, you don't get signatures. I've mentioned I love the stuff.

 

[samc]

Best had in SF on tap while watching the fascinating mix of people. Buying it off the shelf here in Portland or elsewhere is hit or miss. I really enjoyed the Cal Common in SN's beer camp release this year and would love to brew that - never did find enough info to clone it.

 

[hampshirebrewer]

Like the beer; love the style.

Basically a slightly amber American Pale Ale grist pitched with a very forgiving lager yeast (2112 I find does well from 50F to 70F). Jamil's BCS recipe with a touch of pale chocolate (2 oz/5 gal) makes a very distinctive steam beer. I find the 2112 yeast settles slowly - still a touch hazy at bottling 3 weeks into fermentation - but then clears brilliantly and very clean, which is a key difference for me from using an ale yeast, even 1056. I've also used a pound of flaked maize in steam grist bills, and mixed up Cluster and Northern Brewer hops - both are quite "rustic" compared to today's Hallertau varietal and C or Amarillo aroma varieties.

It's definitely a change of pace brew from the usual American IPA and citrusy hopped pale ales. Five gallons is never enough...

Generally I aim for OG 1048-1052 and 30-40 ibus with an ounce of Northern Brewers at knock out. I've never dry hopped it (yet). Hope this is helpful.

 

[Pappers_]

...see my sig. I've had it and enjoyed it.

I had no idea that Anchor Steam used open fermentation bins. Thanks for the link!

 

[Dynachrome]

I had no idea that Anchor Steam used open fermentation bins. Thanks for the link!

I learned it here, but its kinf nice to be able to show one of the old guard something once-in-e-while.



EDIT- ? I've been here longer than you? (Not by much...)

 

[Sippin37]

I was out in San Fran from Jan to June this year and it is "the" beer to drink there. There's a lot of other breweries in San Fran besides Anchor but it seems like this is the beer most enjoyed on tap in the San Fran bars. At first try I was not the biggest fan. But after having it a few times I was making sure to keep the fridge stocked with it. It definitely has an off taste that I don't know how to describe but after drinking a few times you grow to love it. I just picked up a 6-pack 2 weeks ago back here in Chicago and I think I need to start all over with growing to like it again. Maybe it's the weather, I dont know.