Anchor Brewing Co., Fritz Maytag Anchor Steam-Anchor Brewing Co.   Anchor Steam-Anchor Brewing Co  The Fundamentals of Brewing at Anchor Brewing, SF,CA Fritz Maytag interview.   NaN   Anchor Brewing has played a significant role in San Francisco's rich history. Anchor's eight unique beers-including Anchor Steam®-are all produced in one of the most traditional and handsome breweries in the world. Each brew is virtually handmade from an all-malt mash in our handcrafted copper brewhouse, a veritable museum of the simple, traditional breweries of old.

San Francisco's famous Anchor Steam®, the classic of American brewing tradition since 1896, is virtually handmade, with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. Now six of our beers, including Anchor Steam®, are available in 22-ounce bottles! View PDF flyer.		Anchor Brewers & Distillers, LLC, a company established to commercially unite and empower craft brewers and artisan distillers, announced the closing of the acquisition of Anchor Brewing Company which features a portfolio of craft beers and artisan spirits, including the award-winning Anchor Steam Beer, Junipero Gin & Old Potrero Whisky. "Today marks a major milestone, culminating our work with Fritz Maytag to maintain the time-honored legacy of Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco," said Tony Foglio, Chairman of Anchor Brewers & Distillers. Read press release. Watch Fritz Maytag on video talking about Anchor Brewing and tasting beer. Listen to podcast of interview with Fritz Maytag and Keith Greggor. The Rebirth of America's First Whiskey, a video podcast with Fritz Maytag. More about Fritz Maytag and York Creek Vineyards. "Spirits of the Times:" The New York Times rates the Junípero Gin martini. Fritz Maytag, James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award winner. View James Beard Foundation movie about Fritz Maytag.
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		San Francisco's famous Anchor Steam®, the classic of American brewing tradition since 1896, is virtually handmade, with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. The deep amber color, thick creamy head, and rich flavor all testify to our traditional brewing methods. Anchor Steam is unique, for our brewing process has evolved over many decades and is like no other in the world. Anchor Steam derives its unusual name from the 19th century when "steam" seems to have been a nickname for beer brewed on the West Coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. The brewing methods of those days are a mystery and, although there are many theories, no one can say with certainty why the word "steam" came to be associated with beer. For many decades Anchor alone has used this quaint name for its unique beer. In modern times, "Steam" has become a trademark of Anchor Brewing.		The Anchor Brewing Company has been making beer in San Francisco since 1896. Uniquely San Franciscan, Anchor has played a significant, though small, role in California's majestic history. Visit our online store, Steam Gear.

 

                       

Below is a photo of our entire staff in the autumn of 1978. Four of us (Fritz, Mark, Linda, and Mike)

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Beer Review from BBA

 

 

 

AgileHProductions | May 10, 2010

Anchor Steam gets the first "10" from one of our panelists. Find out what the other two think about

this historic beverage.

Partial Transcript: On tap Anchor Steam Beer

Hi. Im James Knott and this is your Better Beer Authority. Today we are talking about Anchor Steam

 Beer from the Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco, California.

This brewery is a relatively old player in the American beer scene. Theyve been brewing since 1896

and are one of the few American breweries to survive prohibition and the big macrobrew movement

of the 60s and 70s.

Anchor Steam Beer has 4.9% ABV and uses an all-malt formula of 2-row barley. The style of this beer

 is California Common.

California Common originated in California in the 1800s. Refrigeration was a rare-commodity and

 brewers fermented their beer with lager yeast, but at warmer temperatures. The result is a medium

 bodied beer with lager crispness and a hint of ale-like fruitiness.

The style was traditionally called steam beer, but Anchor Brewing Company trademarked that term

 and all similar beers are now classified as California Common.

Scott, does this beer win any points for historic nature that sort of stuff?

Scott: I guess it would. I guess if they hit on the part where they havent changed the recipe for a

hundred years or something like that maybe it would be a little bit more enticing to me. But overall,

I specifically tried the beer because it was around for 120 years.

James: Joby, how would you describe this beer to someone?

Joby: Theres not much to it. I mean the good of the beer is that it doesnt taste like much, but then

 the bad of the beer is that it doesnt taste like much. For me there is not a lot of bells and whistles

 to it. I can drink it and its smooth. Theres not much forward taste theres not much aftertaste. Its

 just kind of a bland beer, but given all in all its not too bad.

James: Frase, do you agree with his assessment?

Jeremy: No. Not at all. Doesnt taste like much? You drink Miller Lite. That to me doesnt taste like

much? You have this and you say this doesnt taste like much I mean, I guess its different taste buds.

Joby: Well, Im just saying where weve done a lot of beers on the show already and for the most beers

 that weve had they arent like Miller Lite or Bud Light or Coors Light and they have the really hoppy

 beers and the really malty beers. This one for me is just kind of bland. I mean I understand where

 youre coming from that its a good beer and all, but to me - for me for you for me its just personally

 its bland.

Jeremy: I think its a beer that I think its for a sophisticated beer drinker who can appreciate a good

tasting beer and I cant believe that you would say that it doesnt taste like much. I think its very crisp.

 Its got a refreshing taste. Theres a citrus taste. Theres a hint of some of the malts in it. A little bit

 of a grainy taste to it and the aftertaste just keeps you coming back wanting more in my eyes.

James: Scott, how would you evaluate this?

Scott: Try this beer. For a malty beer I guess its an all-malt beer for one of those types of beers it

 actually has a good flavor to it and it kind of has a little bit of that copper-esque taste that IPAs

have. At the same time, as Joby alluded to, it doesnt have a whole lot there, but I think that would

attract some beer drinkers to it. I like it. Its a decent beer. Id give it a seven.

James: Ok is this a session beer for you?

Scott: Yeah, its a session beer for me. Its something I could see sitting out on the patio and drinking.

 I have to say though for some reason with this beer, Ive enjoyed it more as its gotten a little bit

 warmer as opposed to being straight out of the refrigerator.

James: Ok. Joby, your evaluation?

Joby: Im going to go a step below Scott and rank this a six. Again its a good beer and if somebody

 would provide it to me I wouldnt mind drinking it. I dont think I would go out to the store and seek

 it out. Im not going to make a special trip out to San Francisco to buy it and go to the brewery.

Scott: Probably too busy out there anyways.

Joby: Yeah.

James: Youre not an anchorhead?

Joby: I wouldnt describe myself as an anchor head. I mean its a good beer, but its just slightly

above average for me. I can see where some people love it, but for me its just not for me.

James: Jeremy Frase, lay it down

Jeremy: To each his own. I couldnt be further away from Jobys thought process on the beer, but

thats what makes beer reviews so great. Everyone has there own opinion.

James: You can punch him if you want

Jeremy: No