Anchor Humming Ale - Anchor Brewing Company

BrownNut

Florida

3.76/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

The main thing I took away from this was yeast. Smelled like yeast, tasted like yeast. There was a little sour tang. There was an almost floral smell that I think was really a facet of the yeast. I was surprised to learn this is classed as an APA. I wasn't sure what to call it before I read that. Sometimes you crave malt and sometimes you crave hops. I'm not sure if I have craved yeast before, but I don't know too many others that deliver on the yeast like this one. If I have that craving, I'll know what to get. And otherwise it's a perfectly fine beer to just session with.

Like other Anchor beers, I feel it is solid. You can taste the experience of the hands that made it, sort of like Sierra Nevada's consistent quality but maybe a notch or two down. Also like the others, I think it doesn't particularly stand out in any category other than overall solidness. And also like the others, one sort of odd note defines it, in this case the yeast. Overall it's a beer I'd be happy enough to session if you served it, but isn't one I'd think to keep on hand or in most cases specifically go out to buy.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 01:39:01 | More by BrownNut

jhop73

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

06-08-2013 02:58:14 | More by jhop73

maxwelldeux

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

06-03-2013 02:44:22 | More by maxwelldeux

DMc8ride

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

05-28-2013 20:26:18 | More by DMc8ride

flagmantho

Washington

4.01/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: light orange hue with just a hint of haze and a moderate effervescence. Head is a thick finger of pillowy ivory foam with decent retention. I like it.

Smell: sweet malt with a nice hop aroma of citrus and tropical fruits. It's nicely tangeriney -- a character I happen to love in the style. Good stuff!

Taste: the flavor delivers just what the aroma promised. A sweetish base with a big punch of citrusy, grapefruity, tangeriney hops with maybe a little bit of pine in there just to mix it up. Bitterness is strong but smooth; it packs a punch, yet doesn't linger on the palate. I quite like it.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a nice carbonation and a rocky effervescence; not really creamy, but appropriate for this beer.

Overall: this beer rubs me the right way. Its flavor combo, refreshing qualities and overall drinkability keep me coming back for more. Mmm.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 18:03:46 | More by flagmantho

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

05-27-2013 19:22:44 | More by Kmat10

Kopfschuss

Oregon

4/5  rDev +7.2%

05-24-2013 22:37:03 | More by Kopfschuss

CHickman

New York

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours very cloudy orange gold color with a nice thick 2 finger foamy beige head that faded very slowly with tons of bubbles in the head, leaving decent foamy lacing and rings as it went down. Bubbles raced up the brew like a champagne, and the head turned into a foamy layer on top.

Smells fruity and hoppy up front, with leafy herbal notes like piney hops, tea leaf, orange peel and citrus hops, followed by a bready/biscuity presence; the nose is pretty well balanced and the malt backbone seems to have a light funk at the end.

Tastes more malty than hoppy up front, followed by fruit and hops which have a mix of lemon zest, apple, herbs, piney hops, tea leaf, light caramel, orange peel, coriander, citrus hops, bready/biscuit presence, a malty sweetness and a trailing bitterness like grapefruit or very fresh hops. The combination of strong malts and strong hops work well together here, as this is simple and complex tasting at the same time; the balance and bitterness remain quenching and refreshing, while providing enough zest to keep your interest and stay sessionable. This is like bitter version of the Liberty Ale and perfect as the weather is warming up.

Mouthfeel is on the light side but leaning towards medium, with crisp carbonation, a light feel and an overall effervescence that reminds me of a cocktail made with seltzer; this is very easy to drink as the bitterness fades quickly and leaves your mouth dry. This would be a great daytime summer beer that I will try to enjoy this summer some weekend. I liked this and suggest giving it a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 04:16:10 | More by CHickman

sabinelr

Washington

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1. Read the label for expectation
2. Take a whiff from the bottle. Promising hoppy fragrance.
3. Take a swig, notice pronounced mix of hop bitterness, malt bitterness, and slight sweetness. All of these offset the alcohol taste, to make this a competent casual brew. Very pleasant and persistent bitter aftertaste, lasting quite a while and never turning bad.
4. I like this more than their flagship Anchor Steam Beer. It is not a challenging beer to drink. I can see myself getting a six pack for when (?) summer (?) happens (W. Wash.) and lounging out in the yard. I think you will enjoy this brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 19:42:50 | More by sabinelr

Tjvan2

Iowa

4/5  rDev +7.2%

05-20-2013 01:19:07 | More by Tjvan2

thatdewguy

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

05-19-2013 03:37:38 | More by thatdewguy

patpbr

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - orange in color and a nice two finger head. It looks refreshing
S - citrus hops and faint malt
T - balanced well with hops of citrus and fruit. Nice malty backbone
M - mouth is near medium, crisp with a mild bitter finish
O - I would be content drinking a few of these from time to time

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 22:47:10 | More by patpbr

KStark

British Columbia (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

05-13-2013 14:27:43 | More by KStark

Mullinger1980

Ohio

4/5  rDev +7.2%

05-11-2013 10:50:20 | More by Mullinger1980

bconsidine

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

05-10-2013 18:33:46 | More by bconsidine

Bill235

Ohio

4/5  rDev +7.2%

05-09-2013 14:04:00 | More by Bill235

largadeer

Kentucky

3/5  rDev -19.6%

05-08-2013 18:34:55 | More by largadeer

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -12.9%

04-25-2013 02:32:17 | More by SmellsofMahagony

blackdavid

Brazil

5/5  rDev +34%

04-23-2013 19:29:04 | More by blackdavid

logicerror

California

2/5  rDev -46.4%

04-17-2013 03:55:10 | More by logicerror

dasunder

Tennessee

2.75/5  rDev -26.3%

04-08-2013 02:27:26 | More by dasunder

NoetheMatt

Kentucky

1.75/5  rDev -53.1%

04-04-2013 13:49:58 | More by NoetheMatt

kingmaker

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

04-02-2013 04:52:15 | More by kingmaker

normaldotcom

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

04-01-2013 18:46:25 | More by normaldotcom

RickS95

Indiana

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a clear copper orange color. The body itself is fairly non-descript, but the head is really nice for the style. A thick topping of large and small bubbles. Strong retention, but a nice thick lace as the bubbles eventually give in.

It's got a strange smell. There's not much of it, even after it warms a bit, but it seems to be a fight between pilsner malts and citrus hops. So far, I'm on the fence as to whether I like it or it works.

The taste is more indicative of the style and a welcome change from the unusual smell. Standard bisuity malt base with a spread of citrus (lemon, grapefruit) on top.

It's pretty tame in the mouth. Normally I'd expect an explosion of hoppy citrus bite from a West Coast Pale Ale, but this is very subdued. Mostly tart and slightly bitter from the beginning, it's somewhat loose and watered down. As it works its way back, the acidic citrus gives the tongue something to think about. Wet finish, with an Earthy bitterness lasting well into the finish.

It's a Godsend if you're used to American macros. If you're used to top notch APAs, it's merely pretty good. Somewhat easy to drink, just does little in the way of excitement.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 03:09:57 | More by RickS95