Anchor Steam Review

Brewed by Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco, the Anchor Steam beer defined the California Common beer style for the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). It sounds redundant to judge the beer that defined the style, but that’s what Beer Judges do!

I find the variety of descriptions from different reviewers interesting. One reviewer indicated a citrus aroma and peanut taste, while another said it has a caramel malt aroma with a citrus flavor. Beer Advocate gives Anchor Steam an overall B+. One reviewer said it went well with Welsh rabbit while another said they enjoyed Anchor Steam with Cajun Calamari and gumbo. We paired Anchor Steam with Roasted Rosemary Chicken and Roasted Herb Potatoes, with mixed results.

Appearance

According to BJCP, the California Common style beer will be medium amber to light copper color with a moderate off-white head.

We are in agreement with the reviewers – the Anchor Steam’s appearance fits the style. The beer pours a clear, copper color with an off white persistent head. It really is a beautiful beer.

Aroma

The aroma for California Common beers comes from the hops, Northern Brewer hops to be specific. The style says that some malt aroma is acceptable as well as some caramel or toasty malt.

The reviews surprised me in that some people were picking up a citrus aroma. I’ve used Northern Brewer hops before and never picked up a citrus aroma. First bred in England in 1934, Northern Brewer hops are a hybrid of English and American varieties.

To me, the Northern Brewer hops have a woodsy, earthy aroma. I don’t pick up any citrus or fruit. The Anchor Steam beer demonstrated a nice Northern Brewer hop aroma profile, lightly balanced with the malty caramel aroma as the beer warms.

Flavor

The BJCP guide states that the flavor for a California Common beer should be “moderately malty with pronounced hop bitterness." Basically, you should taste the Northern Brewer hop supported by toasted, caramel malt. It should finish dry and crisp.

Some of the reviews stated peanut taste, subtle hop, nutty malt, citrus hop. Basically, everyone was giving a different story on the flavor, which makes me wonder if we’re all drinking the same beer or if there is a consistency issue with the brewing and bottling.

For me, when I’ve drank Anchor Steam, and the same as this evening, the beer tastes the same – a nice, strong earthy hop profile balanced with a mild caramel malt. The Anchor Steam reminds me of an strong American Pale Ale with earthy hops. Nowhere in the flavor do I pick up citrus.

Mouthfeel

The style guide calls for medium body with medium to medium-high carbonation. The bottle we judged fit the guide.

Overall Impression

A very tasty beer, Anchor Steam defines the California Common style. This is a beer with flavor and substance. Hop heads will enjoy the Northern Brewer profile, while those who lean toward the malty beers may find the hop profile a bit much. Yet, for the malt-lovers, the Anchor Steam’s hoppy bitterness is well balanced with caramel malt flavors. The experience of drinking an Anchor Steam is deceptively layered.