What about you? Is California Common (Steam Beer) a style that you enjoy brewing or drinking? Was Anchor Steam one of your favorites? In May 2024, it was announced that Hamdi Ulukaya ("billionaire founder and CEO of yogurt maker Chobani") has purchased Anchor Brewing company. Future plans are a bit sparce, but hopefully Anchor returns in some form. Their Christmas Ale is what I miss the most.
Anchor Steam was one of my favorites, though i don't think it was made with consistent quality. When it was at its best, the hop aroma was pleasing with a very good balancing bitterness, and mouthfeel was creamy-ish thanks to their cask-like carbonation technique. But when it wasn't outstanding it tended to be too caramelly or sweet with less aroma and sharper carbonation. And I read they only used base malt and crystal 40, but the color is a good deal darker than what we'd get with those ingredients, speculation is that either the boil adds some color and/or the flash pasteurization did it. Hope we get to see them on shelves again! And like you I also really miss the Christmas Ale, even though they changed it too much the last year. Great video!
I have heard that it is very good fresh on draft. I mostly recall getting bottles here on the east coast (and a 6-pack of cans most recently). I am also curious if something in their process adds color. With the addition of the 130 SRM Extra Special Malt, my beer was about the exact same color as Anchor Steam. Thanks for watching!
Nice beer! I was just wondering when you’d upload again! Glad to see you’re still brewing and doing well. That score spread is, uh, interesting. Says something about competition judging, lol. I’m so busy now with two young kids that I’ve been brewing less frequently, but doing 8 gallon batches that I split into two kegs. Then I ferment and serve from those kegs, to cut down on cleaning!
Thanks! I have been brewing and I have more content I want to edit into videos (and ideas for future videos) but just have been a little extra busy this year. Mostly busy in good ways though.
I am glad you enjoyed the video. You should be able to get some info on NOVA Homebrew at novahomebrew.org/. They meet at Old Ox on the 3rd Monday at 7:30. There are several other Northern Virginia homebrew clubs as well, such as Wort Hogs, HOWL, 50 West, and a few more.
Great video as always! Random question but what makes you decide on the style you want to brew next? I’m stuck on IPAs lately and want to break out of those a little
Good question. Starting a UA-cam channel is one way to encourage brewing different styles! Getting into competitions and the Master Homebrewer Program has pushed me toward brewing a bigger variety. My local club also often has informal competitions for a set of styles. The online club "The Brü Club" also picks a style each quarter they encourage members to brew. I tend to prefer brewing Hoppy American Ales, Belgian Ales, and the occasional Porter or Stout. Even that gives me 20+ styles I could brew.
It sounds like they might come back. It seems hard for breweries to compete in the US on a core set of brands. We seem to have the crowd that drinks only Bud/Miller/Coors, or the craft beer drinkers that chase trendy styles and new releases.
What about you? Is California Common (Steam Beer) a style that you enjoy brewing or drinking? Was Anchor Steam one of your favorites?
In May 2024, it was announced that Hamdi Ulukaya ("billionaire founder and CEO of yogurt maker Chobani") has purchased Anchor Brewing company. Future plans are a bit sparce, but hopefully Anchor returns in some form. Their Christmas Ale is what I miss the most.
Being a native in SF, it’s just a sign of the times. Macy’s, McDonald’s, Nordstrom, Adidas, Aldo, Hollister, J. Crew, etc. all closed recently.
Nice to see a tribute to this beer style. Always one of my favorites. Perhaps a typo, but the brewery is on Mariposa St. not Maraposa. Cheers.
Thanks for watching. I checked and I had the correct spelling (Mariposa Street) when the beer was on tap at the brewery. Opps.
Anchor Steam was one of my favorites, though i don't think it was made with consistent quality. When it was at its best, the hop aroma was pleasing with a very good balancing bitterness, and mouthfeel was creamy-ish thanks to their cask-like carbonation technique. But when it wasn't outstanding it tended to be too caramelly or sweet with less aroma and sharper carbonation. And I read they only used base malt and crystal 40, but the color is a good deal darker than what we'd get with those ingredients, speculation is that either the boil adds some color and/or the flash pasteurization did it. Hope we get to see them on shelves again! And like you I also really miss the Christmas Ale, even though they changed it too much the last year. Great video!
I have heard that it is very good fresh on draft. I mostly recall getting bottles here on the east coast (and a 6-pack of cans most recently). I am also curious if something in their process adds color. With the addition of the 130 SRM Extra Special Malt, my beer was about the exact same color as Anchor Steam. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video. Good luck!
Nice beer! I was just wondering when you’d upload again! Glad to see you’re still brewing and doing well.
That score spread is, uh, interesting. Says something about competition judging, lol.
I’m so busy now with two young kids that I’ve been brewing less frequently, but doing 8 gallon batches that I split into two kegs. Then I ferment and serve from those kegs, to cut down on cleaning!
Thanks! I have been brewing and I have more content I want to edit into videos (and ideas for future videos) but just have been a little extra busy this year. Mostly busy in good ways though.
Love the video!! How do you get involved with the NOVA homebrewer club?
I am glad you enjoyed the video. You should be able to get some info on NOVA Homebrew at novahomebrew.org/. They meet at Old Ox on the 3rd Monday at 7:30. There are several other Northern Virginia homebrew clubs as well, such as Wort Hogs, HOWL, 50 West, and a few more.
Great video as always! Random question but what makes you decide on the style you want to brew next? I’m stuck on IPAs lately and want to break out of those a little
Good question. Starting a UA-cam channel is one way to encourage brewing different styles! Getting into competitions and the Master Homebrewer Program has pushed me toward brewing a bigger variety. My local club also often has informal competitions for a set of styles. The online club "The Brü Club" also picks a style each quarter they encourage members to brew. I tend to prefer brewing Hoppy American Ales, Belgian Ales, and the occasional Porter or Stout. Even that gives me 20+ styles I could brew.
Closing Anchor Brewing Co. should be considered as a national betrayal & disgrace. And I'm not even an American! Such a shame!
It sounds like they might come back. It seems hard for breweries to compete in the US on a core set of brands. We seem to have the crowd that drinks only Bud/Miller/Coors, or the craft beer drinkers that chase trendy styles and new releases.