Beer of the Week

Brewery: Anchor Brewing Company Style: California Common / Steam Beer ABV: 4.9% Country of Origin: United States Region: California

Appearance: Steam beer pours a rich amber color. The head is of a medium density and moderates quickly, leaving a slight lace on the glass. Smell: The nose is very clean-a stylistic marker for steam beer. There is a malty sweetness and some earthy wood esters, but they are very faintly present in the background. Taste: The taste is very complex. There is a clear caramel sweetness that holds the foreground. And there are tones of biscuit, peppery herbs and a light citrus like tang that surround the main flavor. The finish is completely clean. There are no residual flavors. Mouthfeel: Anchor has a medium body. The carbonation is light and most evident at the back of the palate. Overall, it has a similar silkiness to an English Pub (i.e. Tetley's, Boddingtons et al.) though not as creamy. Drinkability: Anchor Steam is a curiosity within the beer world. Steam beer is brewed using a particular yeast strain that ferments best at temperatures in between those of traditional ale and lager yeasts. This means that common ales (they are strictly considered ales because they are not lagered) retain the complex flavor of ale while possessing the clean finish of lager beer. It is a great beer with food and is especially complimentary to salads of bitter greens and seafood dishes in cream sauces such as bisques or New England chowder. Buy it. Drink it. Love it. Tidbit: Anchor Brewing Company is owned by Fritz Maytag III-yes, those Maytags. He bought the company in 1965, saving it from being shut down. He has since turned the company around, added several new brews to their repertoire and kept it one of the smallest and most traditional breweries in the world.

Overall Grade: A-