Anchor Steam Beer - Anchor Brewing Company

Jason

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: 16oz brown "fatty" with the infamous anchor, hops and barley label. "Made in San Francisco since 1896" No freshness date.

Appearance: Hazy copper with a thick, off-white, rocky, bubbly, sticky, chunky head.

Smell: Earthy malt aromas with semi-caramel sweetness.

Taste: Immediately, the mouth is hit by a sharp bitterness, some salt and slight lemon from the hops. This is a beautiful thing, full of flavour and character. After, a mildly astringent, earthy, highly toasted malt guides you to a dry, grainy, residual citrus after-taste.

Notes: You don't find other beers like this, not even close in their mimics. This is truly a unique brew, and a classic; a legend in the hand-crafted/micro industry.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2002 10:33:07 | More by Jason

Todd

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ah ... an American micro-classic, and a most distinct and unique beer. Hazy medium-amber, creamy tight bubbled head. Fairly clean aroma with slight bubble-gum and sulfur notes. Very carbonated, creamy with a lot of complexities, raw feel, grain and hops tannin astringencies and background sulfur. Toasted malt flavours come thru with a touch of caramel and sugary flavour as the beer warms to room temperature. Definite fruity character. Hops are bitter, but soft on the palate. Flavours linger into a grain dry finish.

Simply an all around good beer, with decent balance and incredible character. Used to treat myself to this beer when I was cutting my teeth into the better beer world ages ago. Everyone should at least try this beer once.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2002 00:09:30 | More by Todd

yankinwis

Wisconsin

2.75/5  rDev -29.1%

05-25-2013 02:17:42 | More by yankinwis

carlitosbronson1

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-24-2013 16:55:06 | More by carlitosbronson1

ThomasAWilson2

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

05-24-2013 16:43:07 | More by ThomasAWilson2

Stonehill64

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

05-24-2013 15:07:36 | More by Stonehill64

bobbyr5

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +16%

05-24-2013 10:36:56 | More by bobbyr5

robertmitchum

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +9.5%

05-24-2013 09:33:52 | More by robertmitchum

DeepSouthSipper

Mississippi

3/5  rDev -22.7%

05-24-2013 04:13:36 | More by DeepSouthSipper

planbee

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -22.7%

05-24-2013 01:38:44 | More by planbee

yankhawk

Iowa

2.75/5  rDev -29.1%

05-24-2013 01:30:29 | More by yankhawk

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Light amber color, crystal clear, good ammount of bubles. A fair whtie head that fades to a film rather quickly. Initial yeasty aroma followed by a biscuty fresh bread smell. Really bready malt taste. Feel like im in a bakery with fresh loafs coming out of the oven. Some spice. Lingering maltiness on the palatte after you swallow. Subtle hops in the background even it out a little bit, but certainly tilted towards the malt backbone. Solid medium mouthfeel, good carbination, feels lively in the mouth. Real crisp finish. This would make one hell of a session beer, SO drinkable. Good gateway beer for the BMC crowd also. Awsome lager.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 00:50:03 | More by Burkbom23

Ajbradsher

Alabama

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-24-2013 00:30:15 | More by Ajbradsher

Tacoboomerang

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-24-2013 00:26:22 | More by Tacoboomerang

mactrail

California

3.1/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The color is the classic dark amber in the mug with a modest head and a little fizz in the mouth. Slight grainy nose. Thin, dirty caramel is the main taste. Overall this is malty, tart, and somewhat murky. It's reminiscent of a Belgian minus the yeast. A touch of hops. Sort of earthy with bitter tones.

On tap at Comstock Saloon in North Beach. I've had it in the bottle in San Francisco as well and I just find this to be uninspired and not very drinkable, regardless of it's glorious history. It was more respected in the 70s when there were so few interesting beers to compare it to.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2013 19:55:47 | More by mactrail

Jersh67

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +16%

05-23-2013 19:51:27 | More by Jersh67

jlee922

California

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-23-2013 18:56:44 | More by jlee922

visionaries

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-23-2013 17:34:01 | More by visionaries

JesseMurdock

Hawaii

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-23-2013 06:53:22 | More by JesseMurdock

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-23-2013 01:09:16 | More by mikeincharleston

Stumpy29er

New York

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-23-2013 00:50:18 | More by Stumpy29er

skriv

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-22-2013 21:00:57 | More by skriv

DeekNayvuz

Montana

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

05-22-2013 19:24:50 | More by DeekNayvuz

NJBeer265

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-22-2013 17:23:04 | More by NJBeer265

Bones10

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-22-2013 03:16:29 | More by Bones10