I had to dig deep into the Beermeister32 stash for this one. My hoard has a lot of different beers, but I’m somewhat reticent about my feeling towards Anchor Steam. Bierhoard, is that a new word? Anyway, Anchor was after all the West Coast's oldest and perhaps most iconic brewer. Fritz Maytag got the whole ball rolling again and did so for a number of years. It really saddens me to see Anchor tank (sorry, sad pun) but let’s hope the Chobani guy gets it up and going in speedy record time!
Today’s tempting brew is some of the final beer from the Potrero Hill brewery location. Long story, my daughter was getting married recently – her favorite was Anchor. My goal was to round up some of the final beer for her enjoyment in and around the happy event.
Happy for me too – I was able to cellar a good amount of the final batch, repleat in the final attire, the “save this beer label” - the last flailing attempt at saving a sinking ship by changing the iconic 1896 label. Guys, what were you thinking? Geez, don’t we learn enough with New Coke and Fat Tire to avoid this type of nonsense? Anyone collecting labels?
California Common – a great style – lagers fermented at ale temps. That’s right all you cheapskates who won’t buy a fermenting fridge and insist on warm fermenting your W34/70 and tell us how great - Anchor’s got ‘ya beat by over 100 years! Steam Beer! In Germany, Dampfbier! We stand on the shoulders of giants!
A delicious lager – malty with a touch of fruity esters from the warm fermentation. Clean finish – classic California Common, part of the past California history, a great beer Dude, Let’s Party! Bring it back, quick!
). I'll leave those beers to folks that do. I bought a couple of others recently in some weird attempt to "broaden my beer horizons" that I'll post when I drink but won't comment on unless they surprise me. To each his/her own!
