Anchor Steam Beer - Anchor Brewing Company

Hendy011

3.56/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Nice head of foam lasts 5 minutes, leaves lacing on the glass.

S - Straight hops smell, barley, little bit of roasted smell.

T - Comparable to Lionshead, but much more full. Tastes like pancakes. Bitter aftertaste with taste of alcohol.

F - Feel is great, very little carbonation.

O - Pretty good. Similar to a light lager, ale. Nothing too notable about this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 03:15:43 | More by Hendy011

DragonzBreath

Michigan

3.51/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Anchor Steam Beer, while choosing this beer a got a little history on the beer.
link below)

This beer poured orange crisp and a bit cloudy.
Lots of bubbles...a bit right up front..malt and citrus fight in this beer.
a good beer.
I would like to enjoy this at the brewery.
Abv 4.9

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 21:34:07 | More by DragonzBreath

T100Mark

California

4.48/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Serving Type - The classic 12 ounce brown bottle in a 16 ounce mixing glass (the bottle looks so cool).

Appearance - A perfect copper color. I wish the beer left a little more lace around the inside of the glass however.

Smell - Good.

Taste - Flavorful. The beer has a slight botanical flavor. The balance between malt and hops is ideal. Very drinkable!

Mouth - Tart yet clean.

Overall - This is the first micro brew I remember being aware of (as a young boy, I watched my father drink one at Fisherman's Warf). Yes, I'm a little biased. I love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 04:18:29 | More by T100Mark

Jacurdy60

Alabama

3.71/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A little cloudy in color, almost like a hefeweizen, but it settles a few moments after the pour. It has a creamy mouthfeel and is overall refreshing. The head is thick at first but dissipates quickly leaving traces of golden white. Malty with hints of slight hops, an overall enjoyable beer for any occasion.
Has a nice, thick chew but it is very palatable and swallows like a light beer. I was surprised by the refreshing feeling.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 04:16:06 | More by Jacurdy60

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.99/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into tulip. Pours a golden brown with slight head that dissipates quick leaving slight white lacing. A bit macro smelling at first but changes to a nice caramel aroma as it warms. Nice caramel malty flavor perfectly balanced with hops. So easy to drink. Its a good brew and obviously the perfect example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 00:55:54 | More by DrinkSlurm

Profchaos20

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A - Pours a off white one finger head, that dissipates into a thin white cap that hangs around. Leaves rings of lacing down the glass. The beer is Amber in color and crystal clear, very nice looking.

S - Light herbal and grassy hop aroma. Sweet malts and bread, slight spice and fruity.

T - Balanced, light malt, light earthy hop, fruity, finishes with a slight bitterness.

M - Medium body, medium carbonation and smooth.

O - Solid beer, nothing that stands too far out but it's a classic and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 23:35:40 | More by Profchaos20

kshizzle101

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass

A - A slightly hazy amber color with a robust 3inch head. thick lacing down the sides.

S - toasted malts, bready, biscuits, some corn in there as well and a slight scent of hops.

T - Deep malt backbone, grainy/corny. slight bit of bite from the hops towards the end.

M - Medium bodied, well-balanced good carbonation, very smooth drinking

Overall - A very well-rounded beer by anchor

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 00:03:02 | More by kshizzle101

Murrhey

Montana

3.63/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

The world-famous Anchor Steam, let's give it a shot. Hopes are fairly high for a beer with such big staying power. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass in high elevation Libby, Mont. Reviewed live.

A- Two finger cream-colored head with long retention, hills and valleys at the top with tiny bubbles. Auburn body with very high clarity. Sheets of thin lacing.

S- Caramel malts with a watery, muted smell.

T- Nothing like I've tasted before. Smoky, odd. Hard to describe.

M- Buttery and filling. Very nice feel.

O- Not world-class, but my entry-point into Steam beers. Not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 06:20:04 | More by Murrhey

danieelol

Australia

3.43/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Nice to give such an apparently seminal beer a go.

Pours a light orange with good head/lacing.

Smell is of nice clean malt. Zesty orange marmalade. A little green apple.

Taste is more of the same clean orangey marmalade malt characters. As it warms I get more of a hop bite.

Mouthfeel is fairly palate coating yet crisp and readily cleanses itself from the palate upon the swallow.

Solid beer, holds up well in spite of its "classic" (and potentially outdated) status.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 10:29:03 | More by danieelol

patpbr

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Amber pour that has a half inch head.

A sweet and caramel malt aroma.

Upfront bitter that lead to lemon, earthy, grain and some salt.

Medium body that finishes creamy on the palate.

This is a unique one, Easy to drink. I could enjoy a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 04:26:23 | More by patpbr

Braz

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep copper color with a big white fluffy head. Fairly malty and sweet aroma. Very flavorful beer. Interesting notes of sweet, salt, bitter, fruity and a little citrus. Good body with a big punch of carbonation. Great balance and a beer I think anybody could like. I had been wanting to try this for a long time and am glad I did. Looking forward to trying other beers from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 06:53:21 | More by Braz

JednoPivoProsim

Maryland

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 fluid oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a crystal clear amber with a thin head. Decent carbonation.

Aroma: Extremely malty aroma of a standard brown or amber beer.

Taste: Malty taste. with a decent amount of flavor. Very pleasant and not offensive whatsoever. A refined Yuengling lager in my opinion.

Mouthfeel: Very crisp and refreshing. Not heavy in any aspect, yet also does not come off as watery. Very nice!

Overall: A fantastic session beer. Goes down smooth, not heavy, but with a lot of flavor. Very satisfying!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 21:58:43 | More by JednoPivoProsim

jibjib513

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type: Bottle in to Pint glass.

Appearance (3.5): Medium amber color, creamy healthy head.

Smell (3.0): Had to go average here because even with a vigorous poor there was not much of an aroma coming from the beer.

Taste (3.5): Somewhat bitter initial taste, with a nice malty after taste. Interesting.

Mouthfeel (4.0): Seemed light in the mouth, which to me kind of went with the "steam" idea.

Overall (3.5): It taste good, however it does seem to be lacking a bit. Will be interested in trying this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 23:31:42 | More by jibjib513

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a medium amber color with a big, dense head. Head is very frothy and soft, with a slightly off white hue. Sticks around a good, long time and laces pretty well. Body is nearly completely clear with only the smallest bubbles and sediments visible.

S- Lots of light and adjunct-like aromas here. Light grain and light malts intermingle pretty well. More malt backbone than others in similar style. Malts give a hint of sweetness to go with the light grain. No hops detectable.

T- Pretty much the same as the smell. Would be a very forgettable flavor, but the quality of ingredients is much higher than similar tasting brews. Malt is persistent throughout, and the lighter, probably cereal, grains give a little balance. Hints of a little bit of fruitiness are also present. Very light in flavor, reminds me of a slightly more malty SA Light. Finishes with no aftertaste and the light grains chasing down your throat.

M- Here is where this beer shines in my opinion. The frothiness from the head sticks around a little and starts it with a silky soft beginning. Then the body of the beer provides a little carbonation, but much less than expected for the weight of this one. The malt and grain flavor provides a creamy smooth drink that might be a little more filling than others, but is still very sessionable.

Overall, this is a beer with ok flavors, but a great feel. It's a fairly simple beer, best used as an after work beer. If I had better access to this and the price was right, this would be a go-to beer in my fridge for an everyday alternative.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 01:54:33 | More by boilermakerbrew

Weli

Wisconsin

4.85/5  rDev +25%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A-1/2" white head subsiding to thin lacing. Brilliantly clear light amber to light copper color

S-Very woody and minty! Large nose of Northern Brewer hops. Some sweet and malty character as well

T-Really interesting, like crossing an APA with a helles lager. Citrus bitterness up front with a hefty toast malt character to balance. Minty floral finish.

M-Medium bodied, light carbonation. Medium dry and quite smooth.

O-Wow! This beer was a very pleasant surprise, had never thought this style sounded very appealing, but it was a wonderful session beer. Love the minty northern brewer hop character. Smooth, flavorful and balanced!

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 00:56:29 | More by Weli

endovelico

Portugal

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A beautiful copper brew with pillowy head and great retention. Hop-accented (Think: Flowers and mint) aroma with a biscuit and caramel backbone. Some high-alcohol notes are noticeable both in the nose and tongue with the former having a more dominating dried leaves and grain husk flavors with a bubblegum center. Angular and spritzy on the tongue the brew quickly placates to an almost uncarbonated, soapy medium bodied brew with assertive bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 22:53:57 | More by endovelico

moistnugget

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into an ale glass (yeah, yeah, yeah, it was sitting at my desk already,) developed a rich amber color, very clear, very small head. Nose is nice; rye, fruit, though hard to say what, maybe peach and lemon, a little fresh oregano, and yeast. Taste is fresh and bright, citrus notes (without the hop explosion that I've come to associate with it.) Finish is zesty, with lemon grass and fresh herbs riding it out. Mouthfeel is perfectly matched to the taste, light, spritzy, and bitter. The flavor and feel race across your tongue and disappear, enticing you to sip again. Overall, a well put together beer, and American styles are not usually my favorite territory. 4.25/5

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 08:20:14 | More by moistnugget

beermeright

3.2/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I enjoyed the taste and flavor. Came in a bottle poured it ınto a glass. good color. it was my first west coast beer... had it a while ago while visiting in SF wish I could remember more. I Really liked the bottle. I thought it was fun and creative... had it in a pub somewhere in Ghiradelli square. :)

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 18:33:41 | More by beermeright

Serge

Alberta (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle. Pretty darkish cobber amber with a medium creamy off white head. Lots of bubbles in the liquid. Aroma is malty, some barn and rye bread. Wonderful spritzy carbonation with lots of small bubbles. Flavor is sweet, caramel malty with a slight peppery bitterness. Nice and fresh - wonderful summer beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 03:14:09 | More by Serge

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Consumed 11/17/12

Appearance: Crystal clear, an amber/deep orange color - pours with an off-white head, leaves some nice streaks of lacing

Smell: Mild, as it should be for the style - light pale and caramel malts - undercooked biscuits and light bread - some lightly grassy hops in the distant background

Taste: Caramel malts - lightly malty, delicate, yet also deep - pale and caramel grains - lightly chewy, lightly sweet - some hints of spices - some light, citrusy hops to balance things out - mildly bitter - nicely balanced, nicely drinkable

Mouthfeel: Light, almost medium, nicely carbonated, highly quaffable

Overall: Pretty much the definition of classic

Fritz Maytag's purchase and subsequent revival of Anchor Brewing is considered by many to be the start of modern craft beer. I've been meaning to review this for a while. It's more than just a historical artifact. It's a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 06:38:18 | More by angrybabboon

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Code on back reads 2SE, so bottled on September 5, 2012

A: Pours a golden amber color with 2 fingers worth of head

S: Definitely a huge hit of lager yeast, along with some nice fruitiness and pale malts

T: Follows the nose. Nice and fruity with a hint of bready malts and yeast

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation

O: Well, not much to say here. The original steam beer. A smooth, easy-going lager with good flavors and good drinkability. A classic, for sure

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 03:57:46 | More by BEERMILER12

ElSid

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The Beers of California

#22

Freshess Date: None

A: Orange copper with a good amount of visible carbonation which culminates to a finger of off white foam. The head sticks around for several moments leaving behind ample lace on the glass.

S: Mostly sugar, caramel malt breadiness with notes of earth, leafiness, and lemon zest.

T: Similar to the nose with caramel sweet malts up front. An earthy, herbal bitterness rides the initial sweetness offering balance to the initial sugary onslaught. Puckering lemon and a spicy, almost peppery finish.

M: Smooth and substantial with very active carbonation which really adds to the palate.

O: A unique and refreshing brew with wonderful flavors and high drinkability. A great brew for a sunny day. One of my go to session beers which pairs well with summer BBQ.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 02:22:04 | More by ElSid

isdash

3.83/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber with a lively head that disappears fast and doesn't lace. Smell's subtle and dry. Hop-dominant and burnt, yet crisp and subtle.

This is not a typical lager, but it's a very beer-y tasting beer, unique in its simplicity. Great session choice if you're in the mood for something dry that's not a hopmonster.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 22:06:10 | More by isdash

ThePaleRider

California

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle with 2L3 stamped on the label.

A - Dark amber that pours with a thin head that disappears leaving no trace of head at all.

S - Nut brown smell. Skunky smell, reminds me of Newcastle, but not overpowering.

T - Heavy lager taste that is followed up by some brown ale flavor that is followed up by a little bit of skunk. Really reminds me of a Newcastle Brown Ale, but with much more flavor and body. Big drinkability for different palettes.

M - Smooth body that finishes a little tangy, leaving you wanting another drink. Nice carbonation.

O - Nice flavor and a great session beer. Nothing fancy, but decently priced. Probably a great party brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 06:04:33 | More by ThePaleRider

Guden

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- coppery with a bit of haze, and a thin layer of head that sticks around

S- lots of bready and caramel malt with a nice balancing earthy hops.

T- again caramel and earthy, minty hops balance each other along with a finish of minerals.

M- medium thin in body with low carbonation. Similar to an english bitter it works well with such a balanced beer.

O- a very nice beer that I put off trying for far too long. Not overly complex but nicely balanced and uniquely interesting.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 02:01:45 | More by Guden