I know they make many smaller brews, but what about their signature beer? As far as I know, it goes simply by “Anchor Steam”, and I have very little information about it.
It is so because it uses the same ingredient profile as an lager but uses the fermentation temperatures of an ale. The temperaturee a yeast is subjected to during fermentation has a lot to do with the beers flavor profile. A lager yeast for example under short fermentation of a warmer temp (than what it prefers) produces diacetyl. Diacetyl is produced by the oxidative decarboxylation of acetylhydroxyl acids and its flavor produces a buttery note to beer.
The name is a thing of culture and some think it is because back before refrigeration it was common that a lot of CO2 pressure would build up in the cask/barrel. And when tapped it let loose with a hiss of “steam.”
The Fritz Maytag owner/brewmaster of Anchor Brewing CO in San Francisco has copyrighted the name about 25 yrs ago to prevent competition.
But I have researched records that show the El Dorado Brewery in Stockton, CA was the first to produce this so-called hybrid beer in the 19th century.
It is considered a California Common or Steam Beer.
“Style originating in 18Th century California, where brewers without access to refrigeration produced beers using lager yeasts and warm temperatures. These still retain some of the rounded character inherent in all lagers, but with a dose of ale fruitiness.”
“The California Common, or Steam Beer, is a unique 100% American style lager. It’s usually brewed with a special strain of lager yeast that works better at warmer temperatures. This method dates back to the late 1800’s in California when refrigeration was a great luxury. The brewers back then had to improvise to cool the beer down, so shallow fermenters were used. So in a way the lager yeast was trained to ferment quicker at warmer temperatures. Today’s examples are light amber to tawny in color, medium bodied with a malty character. Mildly fruity with an assertive hop bitterness”
2 Responses to Is Anchor Steam beer an ale or a lager?
EtOHRx
December 21st, 2010 at 8:05 pm
It is considered a hybrid both ale and lager.
It is so because it uses the same ingredient profile as an lager but uses the fermentation temperatures of an ale. The temperaturee a yeast is subjected to during fermentation has a lot to do with the beers flavor profile. A lager yeast for example under short fermentation of a warmer temp (than what it prefers) produces diacetyl. Diacetyl is produced by the oxidative decarboxylation of acetylhydroxyl acids and its flavor produces a buttery note to beer.
The name is a thing of culture and some think it is because back before refrigeration it was common that a lot of CO2 pressure would build up in the cask/barrel. And when tapped it let loose with a hiss of “steam.”
The Fritz Maytag owner/brewmaster of Anchor Brewing CO in San Francisco has copyrighted the name about 25 yrs ago to prevent competition.
But I have researched records that show the El Dorado Brewery in Stockton, CA was the first to produce this so-called hybrid beer in the 19th century.
Chicago Dan
December 21st, 2010 at 8:07 pm
It is considered a California Common or Steam Beer.
“Style originating in 18Th century California, where brewers without access to refrigeration produced beers using lager yeasts and warm temperatures. These still retain some of the rounded character inherent in all lagers, but with a dose of ale fruitiness.”
“The California Common, or Steam Beer, is a unique 100% American style lager. It’s usually brewed with a special strain of lager yeast that works better at warmer temperatures. This method dates back to the late 1800’s in California when refrigeration was a great luxury. The brewers back then had to improvise to cool the beer down, so shallow fermenters were used. So in a way the lager yeast was trained to ferment quicker at warmer temperatures. Today’s examples are light amber to tawny in color, medium bodied with a malty character. Mildly fruity with an assertive hop bitterness”
So to answer your question it is a Lager.