Anchor Steam Beer - Anchor Brewing Company

tectactoe

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I've had this numerous times, just never really got around to taking notes on it. Seems like they have this all over the place in downtown Detroit on tap. Had this particular one at Park Bar. Pours a muddled copper color with lighter hues around the edges, closer to a rustic amber; half clear and half hazy. Slightly gray-tinted head turns to a skin and leaves some small dripping of lace on its way down the glass.

The aroma is pretty bleak and mild; but relaxing and calm may be a more appropriate description. Musty hops, seemingly of the Noble variety (perhaps Saaz?) with a slight touch of leafiness to accompany the musk. Faint grains are the backdrop for the hop play, yet they remain fairly quiet and never interrupt. Very light citrus zest on the tail end. Warming doesn't reveal any more aromas; this beer is pretty simple and straightforward.

The taste begins with a small mouth washing of light biscuit malts and heavy grains; a substantial hop bitterness hits the palate quickly up front and fades away during the remainder of the sip. Citrus zest, lemongrass, and a faint herbal tea leaf flavor comprise a good majority of the rest of the flavor. The finish contains some heavier lager yeast, leaving a crisp and mouth-coating finish; light bitterness and an even lighter fruit zest. Thin bodied with a different mouth feel - borderline "creamy" considering the style and thin body. Lots of carbonation.

Easy drinker; relaxed, mild, and highly quaffable. Nothing tremendous in terms of flavor or aroma, but then again, nothing off-putting or offensive, either. I respect the originality of the style but I think I prefer "Steamy Windows" from Liberty Street over this one, despite its history as the precedent-setter.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2013 16:08:04 | More by tectactoe

grumblebee

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-19-2013 04:00:10 | More by grumblebee

jbarletto

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

05-18-2013 22:50:27 | More by jbarletto

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

05-18-2013 22:36:07 | More by Photekut

Beerislivingproof

Iowa

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-18-2013 13:52:59 | More by Beerislivingproof

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A-slightly hazy amber color with an off- white head and decent lacing

S-malt, slight caramel, pine, earthy

T-nice malt, slight caramel sweetness, pine, nice bitter finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp and clean

O-nice crisp session beer for warm summer days

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 13:20:59 | More by MDDMD

jayhunter357

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-17-2013 02:15:01 | More by jayhunter357

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: 1/2" white head over cloudy amber liquid.

S: grass, oranges, honey.

T: Honey, orange, grass, herbs.

M: medium viscosity and a medium level of fine carbonation.

O: very subtle, but not very exciting. I have a feeling I should be enjoying this beer more than I am because of its history. But then again, the Bavarian purity law is also a part of history and many unexciting beers as well.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 23:30:52 | More by DaftCaskBC

eulerthegrape

California

5/5  rDev +28.9%

05-16-2013 17:55:26 | More by eulerthegrape

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-16-2013 02:52:13 | More by ZEB89

lenbert

Indiana

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-15-2013 23:50:29 | More by lenbert

MartinideWinter

California

4.5/5  rDev +16%

05-15-2013 18:40:10 | More by MartinideWinter

Lobstertainment

Ontario (Canada)

5/5  rDev +28.9%

05-15-2013 01:13:48 | More by Lobstertainment

abcdefghijkyle

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-14-2013 21:09:32 | More by abcdefghijkyle

mralbertson

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-14-2013 04:03:45 | More by mralbertson

djwhit24

Michigan

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-14-2013 00:18:34 | More by djwhit24

joaopmgoncalves

Portugal

4.18/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: It was low carbonated and it had a small beige head. Copper coloured.
Smell: I didn't get that much of its smell but thought I caught some cherries.
Taste: It tasted a bit like toasted caramel and anything else I quite can figure out, but it excels at flavor.
Mouthfeel: It has a strong body, it kinda felt heavy in my mouth. At the end of the sip it was a little bit dry.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 23:33:50 | More by joaopmgoncalves

jrbchef

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-13-2013 16:20:13 | More by jrbchef

Benish

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-13-2013 01:38:44 | More by Benish

Theniz

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-12-2013 14:16:49 | More by Theniz

logicerror

California

3.25/5  rDev -16.2%

05-11-2013 06:06:00 | More by logicerror

cre83

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-11-2013 02:29:57 | More by cre83

ScottieD

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

05-11-2013 01:24:23 | More by ScottieD

freeHorizon

New York

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

05-10-2013 22:02:32 | More by freeHorizon

socon67

New York

4/5  rDev +3.1%

05-10-2013 18:46:19 | More by socon67