Anchor Steam Beer, When you can't find a good import.
Written: Jul 11 '05 (Updated Jul 21 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Made in USA but not a "macro-brew". Nearly as good as my usual import choices.
Cons: Costs nearly as much as a good import beer.
The Bottom Line: While I am more of a Stout drinker, this is a solid performer. I was happily suprised.
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| caithnessfan's Full Review: Anchor Steam Beer |
I decided to have a beer or three in the fridge for emergency purposes recently but was totally clueless as to where a good package store was to be found since I'm new in town.
Rather than spend a fortune in that liquid gold called petrol, driving around and looking, I decided to see what the near by grocery store had to offer.
My Winn-Dixie near the house was short on imports and long on prices but they DID have Anchor Steam Beer by the 6 pack available for $7.49 each.
I usualy like a solid import in the bitter or Stout family but among my favourites are Guinness, Newcastle Brown, most any Dunkle Weisen, and the darker Grolsch.
I added one to my cart and swept off home to put it in the fridge before it got warm.
General notes on the presentation and first impressions
According to the bottle, it has been made in San Francisco since 1896. "Virtually hand made with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing"
The Bottle is a proper brown glass with a stylish traditional old style label.
This is not a twist top bottle, have an opener handy.
Pouring and tasting notes
To me, in color, and taste departments, Anchor Steam falls beween an Irish Red and a nut brown ale.
Prying off the top, there is a light hiss, no major fizz.
The color is a fantastic rich dark amber, just enough carbonation to tickle the tongue and palate without being all fizz.
A thin creamy head forms but quickly disperses leaving only a hint of what was.
There isn't a lot of aroma to this beer when well chilled (over chilled probably in the fridge) but the full yeast and grain flavor bursts out and has a refreshing finish of grain. Once it has warmed slightly(to a proper temp I should say) , the scent of crisp, clean barley is lightly discernable. According to the bottle "Made from all barley malt"
which certainly shows in the taste. This is a fairly straight forward beer that is well worth the money for a GOOD dependable US beer with a medium to above average body similar to a good red ale. It is certainly no stout but it has the standard swill that most US big brewers try to pass off as beer beat hands down.
What would this beer compliment?
Anchor Steam is a robust beer that would go great with spicy or strong flavored foods such as wild game or some fish dishes but may be a bit too energetic and robust for chicken, poultry or mild dishes.
I would certainly have it with a vindaloo or extra spicy Mexican dish or with a sharp cheese.
This is a great refreshment or main course beer that would not go too well with dessert and might be a bit heavy for after an entire meal. PERFECT however for knocking the dust of a hard day's work or travel out of your mouth and throat or for just relaxing in these hot summer months.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
caithnessfan
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Will Young
Location: Bellevue, NE
Reviews written: 205
Trusted by: 32 members
About Me:
36, voracious reader, lover of good wines and beers and bad puns
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