Beer of the Week #14: Anchor Steam?

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There's actually only one Anchor Steam beer, but many Anchor products (Liberty, Porter, Foghorn etc).
 
Man, Brewpastor, this is scary!:confused: I'm planning to brew my first-ever Steam/Cali. Common and was thinking of posting this same question. But you beat me to it!

Needless to say, I'm in! :rockin: :mug:

To eliminate any confusion, we're talking this stuff:
AnchorSteam.jpg
 
Ok Rhoobarb, it's now time to put your avatar in your gallery in a larger scale please :cross:
 
desertBrew said:
Ok Rhoobarb, it's now time to put your avatar in your gallery in a larger scale please :cross:
I was just thinking the same thing. I went strait to Rhoobarb's gallery as soon as I saw his aviator.
:D
 
Not to get the thread back on topic :p, but I think Anchor Steam sounds good. It's been a while since I've had one and I'm curious to compare it to my LA Common that is currently conditioning. I'll need to keep a few around till mine are ready. If it's close or at least in the same vein as Anchor, I'll post my recipe. Now, back to being off topic! :D
 
Alas, I think that is the only picture I have. I'll look when I get home.

Back on topic, Anchor Steam sounds good. I'll be samping mine whilst I brew my own version this Saturday!:)
 
Bought my Anchor Steam today. Wish it could have been on sale. $8.49! :mad: My next batch of homebrew is only going to cost me about $12. And that will make 6 gallons! At least it's going to a good cause. :)
 
Brewsmith said:
Bought my Anchor Steam today. Wish it could have been on sale. $8.49! :mad: My next batch of homebrew is only going to cost me about $12. And that will make 6 gallons! At least it's going to a good cause. :)
I saw it last night at the grocery here for $9.99...decided to check a few other stores for this one.
 
I had a couple last night as I reviewed old recipes. I am posting a couple so we can get a sense of what we are drinking and tasting and maybe reproduce.

This first recipe would be close to an Anchor clone (argh! did I really use the "C" word?) I make this particular beer as much as any I brew.

BIG HEAVY THING THAT STOPS FORWARD MOVEMENT GAS BEER
A ProMash Recipe Report
BJCP Style and Style Guidelines
-------------------------------
07-B Amber Hybrid Beer, California Common Ale
Min OG: 1.048 Max OG: 1.054
Min IBU: 30 Max IBU: 45
Min Clr: 10 Max Clr: 14 Color in SRM, Lovibond
Recipe Specifics
----------------
Batch Size (Gal): 5.00 Wort Size (Gal): 5.00
Total Grain (Lbs): 9.75
Anticipated OG: 1.05145 Plato: 12.731
Anticipated SRM: 9.0
Anticipated IBU: 35.2
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70 %
Wort Boil Time: 75 Minutes

Grain/Extract/Sugar
% Amount Name Origin Potential SRM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
92.3 9.00 lbs. Pale Malt(2-row) Great Britain 1.03800 3
7.7 0.75 lbs. Crystal 55L Great Britian 1.03400 55
Potential represented as SG per pound per gallon.

Hops
Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.50 oz. Northern Brewer Whole 9.00 20.0 60 min.
0.50 oz. Northern Brewer Whole 9.00 10.2 30 min.
0.75 oz. Northern Brewer Whole 9.00 5.0 5 min.
0.75 oz. Northern Brewer Whole 9.00 0.0 Dry Hop

Yeast
-----
WYeast 2112 California Lager

Mash Schedule
-------------
Mash Type: Single Step
Grain Lbs: 9.75
Water Qts: 9.75 - Before Additional Infusions
Water Gal: 2.44 - Before Additional Infusions
Qts Water Per Lbs Grain: 1.00 - Before Additional Infusions
Saccharification Rest Temp : 152 Time: 60
Mash-out Rest Temp : 0 Time: 0
Sparge Temp : 0 Time: 0

Total Mash Volume Gal: 3.22 - Dough-In Infusion Only
All temperature measurements are degrees Fahrenheit.


The second recipe is a Bastard Lager recipe. It is well within the style guidelines, but not a "C" beer.

Bastard Lager
A ProMash Recipe Report
BJCP Style and Style Guidelines
-------------------------------
07-B Amber Hybrid Beer, California Common Ale
Min OG: 1.048 Max OG: 1.054
Min IBU: 30 Max IBU: 45
Min Clr: 10 Max Clr: 14 Color in SRM, Lovibond
Recipe Specifics
----------------
Batch Size (Gal): 5.00 Wort Size (Gal): 5.00
Total Grain (Lbs): 10.13
Anticipated OG: 1.05283 Plato: 13.057
Anticipated SRM: 11.5
Anticipated IBU: 44.2
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70 %
Wort Boil Time: 75 Minutes

Grain/Extract/Sugar
% Amount Name Origin Potential SRM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.5 4.00 lbs. Pale Malt(2-row) Great Britain 1.03800 3
29.6 3.00 lbs. Munich Malt Germany 1.03700 8
19.8 2.00 lbs. Pilsener Germany 1.03800 2
9.9 1.00 lbs. Crystal 55L Great Britian 1.03400 55
1.2 0.13 lbs. Biscuit Malt Great Britain 1.03500 35
Potential represented as SG per pound per gallon.

Hops
Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.50 oz. Columbus Whole 15.00 33.1 60 min.
0.25 oz. Columbus Whole 15.00 5.6 20 min.
0.50 oz. Columbus Whole 15.00 5.5 5 min.
0.75 oz. Columbus Whole 15.00 0.0 Dry Hop

Yeast
-----
WYeast 2112 California Lager

Mash Schedule
-------------
Mash Type: Single Step
Grain Lbs: 10.13
Water Qts: 10.13 - Before Additional Infusions
Water Gal: 2.53 - Before Additional Infusions
Qts Water Per Lbs Grain: 1.00 - Before Additional Infusions
Saccharification Rest Temp : 150 Time: 0
Mash-out Rest Temp : 0 Time: 0
Sparge Temp : 0 Time: 0

Total Mash Volume Gal: 3.34 - Dough-In Infusion Only
All temperature measurements are degrees Fahrenheit.
 
The Bastard Lager looks fantastic. I am definitely going to steal that recipe.

Maybe even for Oktoberfest festivities this fall.
 
Brewpastor-

These both look like terrific recipes.
Would you mind posting a 10 gal. version of the california common? I don't have that fancy promash widget, and I'm afraid my head will explode if I have to do it all out by hand. :)
 
Here is a 10 gallon version as requested.

STEAM
A ProMash Recipe Report
BJCP Style and Style Guidelines
-------------------------------
07-B Amber Hybrid Beer, California Common Ale
Min OG: 1.048 Max OG: 1.054
Min IBU: 30 Max IBU: 45
Min Clr: 10 Max Clr: 14 Color in SRM, Lovibond
Recipe Specifics
----------------
Batch Size (Gal): 10.00 Wort Size (Gal): 10.00
Total Grain (Lbs): 19.50
Anticipated OG: 1.05145 Plato: 12.731
Anticipated SRM: 9.0
Anticipated IBU: 35.2
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70 %
Wort Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Grain/Extract/Sugar
% Amount Name Origin Potential SRM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
92.3 18.00 lbs. Pale Malt(2-row) Great Britain 1.03800 3
7.7 1.50 lbs. Crystal 55L Great Britian 1.03400 55
Potential represented as SG per pound per gallon.

Hops
Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00 oz. Northern Brewer Whole 9.00 20.0 60 min.
1.00 oz. Northern Brewer Whole 9.00 10.2 30 min.
1.50 oz. Northern Brewer Whole 9.00 5.0 5 min.
1.50 oz. Northern Brewer Whole 9.00 0.0 Dry Hop

Yeast
-----
WYeast 2112 California Lager

Mash Schedule
-------------
Mash Type: Single Step
Grain Lbs: 19.50
Water Qts: 9.75 - Before Additional Infusions
Water Gal: 2.44 - Before Additional Infusions
Qts Water Per Lbs Grain: 0.50 - Before Additional Infusions
Saccharification Rest Temp : 152 Time: 60
Mash-out Rest Temp : 0 Time: 0
Sparge Temp : 0 Time: 0



Bastard Lager
A ProMash Recipe Report
BJCP Style and Style Guidelines
-------------------------------
07-B Amber Hybrid Beer, California Common Ale
Min OG: 1.048 Max OG: 1.054
Min IBU: 30 Max IBU: 45
Min Clr: 10 Max Clr: 14 Color in SRM, Lovibond
Recipe Specifics
----------------
Batch Size (Gal): 10.00 Wort Size (Gal): 10.00
Total Grain (Lbs): 20.25
Anticipated OG: 1.05283 Plato: 13.057
Anticipated SRM: 11.5
Anticipated IBU: 44.2
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70 %
Wort Boil Time: 75 Minutes

Grain/Extract/Sugar
% Amount Name Origin Potential SRM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.5 8.00 lbs. Pale Malt(2-row) Great Britain 1.03800 3
29.6 6.00 lbs. Munich Malt Germany 1.03700 8
19.8 4.00 lbs. Pilsener Germany 1.03800 2
9.9 2.00 lbs. Crystal 55L Great Britian 1.03400 55
1.2 0.25 lbs. Biscuit Malt Great Britain 1.03500 35
Potential represented as SG per pound per gallon.

Hops
Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00 oz. Columbus Whole 15.00 33.1 60 min.
0.50 oz. Columbus Whole 15.00 5.6 20 min.
1.00 oz. Columbus Whole 15.00 5.5 5 min.
1.50 oz. Columbus Whole 15.00 0.0 Dry Hop

Yeast
-----
WYeast 2112 California Lager

Mash Schedule
-------------
Mash Type: Single Step
Grain Lbs: 20.25
Water Qts: 10.13 - Before Additional Infusions
Water Gal: 2.53 - Before Additional Infusions
Qts Water Per Lbs Grain: 0.50 - Before Additional Infusions
Saccharification Rest Temp : 150 Time: 0
Mash-out Rest Temp : 0 Time: 0
Sparge Temp : 0 Time: 0

Total Mash Volume Gal: 4.15 - Dough-In Infusion Only
All temperature measurements are degrees Fahrenheit.
 
It's Friday here, and the weekend is in the air. Here's the BJCP on the steam beer:

California Common Beer

Aroma: Typically showcases the signature Northern Brewer hops
(with woody, rustic or minty qualities) in moderate to high strength.
Light fruitiness acceptable. Low to moderate caramel and/or toasty
malt aromatics support the hops. No diacetyl.

Appearance: Medium amber to light copper color. Generally clear.
Moderate off-white head with good retention.

Flavor: Moderately malty with a pronounced hop bitterness. The malt
character is usually toasty (not roasted) and caramelly. Low to
moderately high hop flavor, usually showing Northern Brewer qualities
(woody, rustic, minty). Finish fairly dry and crisp, with a lingering hop
bitterness and a firm, grainy malt flavor. Light fruity esters are
acceptable, but otherwise clean. No diacetyl.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium to medium-high carbonation.
Overall Impression: A lightly fruity beer with firm, grainy maltiness,
interesting toasty and caramel flavors, and showcasing the signature
Northern Brewer varietal hop character.

History: American West Coast original. Large shallow open
fermenters (coolships) were traditionally used to compensate for the
absence of refrigeration and to take advantage of the cool ambient
temperatures in the San Francisco Bay area. Fermented with a lager
yeast, but one that was selected to thrive at the cool end of normal ale
fermentation temperatures.

Comments: This style is narrowly defined around the prototypical
Anchor Steam example. Superficially similar to an American pale or
amber ale, yet differs in that the hop flavor/aroma is woody/minty
rather than citrusy, malt flavors are toasty and caramelly, the hopping is
always assertive, and a warm-fermented lager yeast is used.

Ingredients: Pale ale malt, American hops (usually Northern Brewer,
rather than citrusy varieties), small amounts of toasted malt and/or
crystal malts. Lager yeast, however some strains (often with the
mention of "California" in the name) work better than others at the
warmer fermentation temperatures (55 to 60°F) used. Note that some
German yeast strains produce inappropriate sulfury character. Water
should have relatively low sulfate and low to moderate carbonate
levels.

Vital Statistics: OG: 1.048 – 1.054
IBUs: 30 – 45 FG: 1.011 – 1.014
SRM: 10 – 14 ABV: 4.5 – 5.5%

Commercial Examples: Anchor Steam, Southampton West Coast
Steam Beer, Old Dominion Victory Amber, Flying Dog Old Scratch
Amber Lager

I hope to get my Steam soon, but I will probably be late once again.

Let the tasting begin!!

 
Old dominion victory amber?

How 'bout 'flying dog'? anybody have these?

i didnt know they made a steamer, thats cool ive got to try it. I used to love anchor when i lived a few blocks from the brewery, its just not the same on the east coast.

thats crazy 2 locals that make a steam...im so lucky!!!
 
Flying Dog Old Scratch is a Steam? I didn't know that! :rolleyes: I've never had it, even though a friend of mine told me he really liked it. Gonna pick some up this weekend!
 
Methinks the Steam is going to wait til tomorrow night for me. The basement is still really damp from all the rain and it's quite the headache right now... However, I'm slightly euphoric this evening for another reason... In my hunt for the Steam I visited "The Bigger, Better, Beverage Store" (Friar Tuck) in Springfield Illinois since it's the same city I work in, and was HIGHLY impressed with their selection... Put together a pick a six for later as well as picking up the Steam.

However, as I was winding down my little visit in beer heaven, Lo and Behold, near the front of the store, yes, you guessed it...

Homebrew Gear!!!! :ban:

Not a huge selection by any means, but they have the stuff I need to replace and that will enable me to target a brewday FINALLY... Looks like April 22... gonna go extract just to get my feet wet again, but man oh man am I pumped... I've changed what I'm gonna brew 15 times I bet, but I'll get it nailed down!

I can't tell you how happy I am tonight... I think I shed a tear when I saw it....

Regardless... BOTW for me tomorrow night!


Ize
 
Since nobody really posted a review on Anchor Steam, I'll post one.

It pours a nice amber color with an off-white head. Aroma shows a little hops, but not strong like a pale ale or IPA. At first sip it is malty, but only a little sweetness. The hop bitterness is strong, but not spicy. Just enough bitterness for a good hop presence and a balance to the malt, without harshness. I find the sweetness comes out last, with a clean finish. Overall it is very balanced with both strong malt and hop flavors.
 
I had mine over the weekend. It had been at least a decade since I had this and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I didn't remember it being as good as it was.

Lots of carbonation upon first pour. Amber color with a rocky, off-white head that soon subsided, but never left competely. Little hop aroma. The first sip was malt, but without much sweetness. Hop bitterness is there, mostly in the finish, but not overpowering by any means. Has a slight 'charcoal' taste in the finish, too.

Overall, well balanced. Perfect for a nice sunny day outdoors. I'll be more apt to pick this up if I see it is on sale somewhere.
 
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