Anchor Steam Beer

Bottle. Grainy, fruity aromas, hint of honey. Taste is malty sweet, quite refreshing. Medium carbonation provides for good mouthfeel.

Given a higher overall impression for the uniqueness of the style. Poured off red/orange and smelled of hops, with the sour tastes very upfront. Although fairly balanced, it leaves much to be desired is not what I look for in a beer.

I’m not a huge fan of the California Common Beer category or "Steam beer" category. I find the body to be thin and slightly overcarbonated, with a sour and slightly blackberry, slight mint, and bitter currant hop flavor (notably from Northern Brewer hops). The esters although they are vital to the classification of this beer just don’t do it for me. I’ve had to drink 3 6-packs to try to understand what it is that people see in this beer, and I still don’t really care for it. It’s definitely brewed to correct style, but I’ve come to realize that I really do not enjoy the California Common style. I found the same sour hop characteristics in their Porter yet enjoyed it even less.

Bottle - A good, but not great beer. Looks and tastes similar to a lager, but has a tad bit less bitterness and more sweetness. There weren’t any noticeable flavors in this one, the aroma was hoppy and the dark amber brown color was nice. The head was a little too frothy and made the first few sips full of head with little beer. Again, good but not great.

Sorry San Francisco, I’m afraid I just don’t get it. Pours honey brown with a clingy white head. Aromas of candy sugar and not much else. Tastes of bubblegum, clove, and malts with a bit of a lactic funky finish. Not something I’d want to have often.

Pours golden amber with creamy head. Aroma like robust like lager, but sweetness. Like caramel roasted notes. Clean and crisp flavor with hops to match. I’ve heard so much about this one, but it doesn’t quite live up the hype. Nonetheless very good.

Poured from bottle into Summit Pint glass. Clear amber with relatively thin head but expansive lacing. Aroma of caramel, biscuit, toast and some earthiness. Earthy, toasty malt that has a semi-sweet caramel middle before ending with a strong earthy bitterness that is almost too much for this particular beer. Somehow it doesn’t come together as well as it should in terms of malts vs. hops. Moderately high carbonation (almost fizzy), medium body, dry finish. Obviously a very important beer in craft beer history that is quite good but is ultimately more relevant for its history. Nice to have every once in a while.

On tap at Roxy’s (Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL): Creamy aroma and body, bitter finish. Pine hops, honey, citrus malts, liquid bread, ripened fruit, cinnamon, and some cardamom. Drinkability: Pretty Good. Rebuy: Yeah. #156 on 25102009, DG.