California Common / Steam Beer

Learn more about the California Common / Steam Beer style of beer.

The California Common, or Steam Beer, is a hybrid style unique to the US. It's usually brewed with a special strain of lager yeast that works better at warmer (ale-like) temperatures. This method dates back to the late 1800's in California when refrigeration was a great luxury. At the time, brewers had to improvise to cool the beer down, so shallow fermenters were used. In a way, the lager yeast was trained to ferment quicker at warmer temperatures. Today's examples are light amber to tawny red in color, medium bodied, and possess a malty character. Some mild fruitiness along with an herbal yet assertive hop bitterness are also typical. San Francisco's Anchor Brewing Company trademarked the term "Steam Beer" and as such all other examples of the style must be legally referred to as "California Common."

ABV: 4.0–6.0% | IBU: 35–45 | Glassware: Pint Glass (or Becker, Nonic, Tumbler)

Top Rated
You've reviewed 0 beers under this style.
Style Examples - 1 to 50 (out of 909)
first ← prev | 1-50 | 51-100 | 101-150  | nextlast
Name >  |  Brewery ABV Ratings Avg Last Active
​Calrissian Common
High Hops Brewery
? 0012-10-2015
Тут Вам Не Калифорния (That's Not California Here)
Enclave (Анклав)
4.7013.7708-26-2021
Zephyr
Black & Gray Brewing Co.
5.500011-21-2022
You-tah Uncommon
Level Crossing Brewing Company
4.2013.509-30-2022
Yoerg's Beer
Yoerg Brewing Company
4.90173.6806-16-2019
Yellow Snow Steam Ale
Prodigy Brewing
5.0013.3801-24-2024
Yarpivo Parovoe (Ярпиво Паровое)
Baltika Breweries
4.8012.9407-05-2022
Yalobusha Mississippi Beer
Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas
5.0043.4105-04-2018
Wunderbier
10 Barrel Brewing Co.
6.0013.6604-06-2023
Wood County Common
North End Tavern & Brewery
4.7014.1203-26-2015
Wipeout!
Wingwalker Brewing
5.400003-27-2019
Winter By the Bay
Liquid Therapy
5.100003-20-2020
Wilde Mild Steam Beer
The Dandy Brewing Company
4.0053.5311-01-2015
Wildcat Kentucky Common
J. Wakefield Brewing
? 13.9610-11-2015
Wildcat Common
Lakeville Brewing Co.
4.4012.8501-26-2023
Wild Mountain Honey
Brasserie Saint James
8.0013.504-20-2023
White Steam
Brasserie Saint James
5.2013.506-19-2014
What You Know About It - California Common
Urban South Brewery
5.0013.7802-25-2022
Wet Hop Steam
Molly Pitcher Brewing Company
4.5013.7411-03-2018
Westy
Sun King Brewing Company
6.70163.8802-25-2014
West Side Ale
Kusterer Brauhaus
5.0023.8809-06-2022
West Portal Colorado Common
Big Choice Brewing, LLC
4.1093.5505-23-2019
West Coast Steamer
Brewsters Brewing Company & Restaurant - Oliver Square
5.0013.6808-30-2012
West Coast Ale
Robson's, Shongweni Brewery
5.0063.4406-29-2014
West By God Virginia
Sophisticated Hound Brewing Company
5.5014.0112-21-2022
Watering Hole
JL Beers
5.3013.5708-05-2020
Watchman's House
Holy Mountain Brewing Company
5.60243.8901-19-2021
Warm Springs
Big Spring Brewing
4.500011-19-2023
War Bond
Mare Island Brewing Co.
5.2023.3608-27-2023
Vung Tau Steam
Phat Rooster Ales
5.5012.9711-27-2019
Virginia Common
Ardent Craft Ales
5.30273.7810-19-2021
Virginia Center Common
Intermission Beer Company
5.700011-29-2018
Village Reserve
Short's Brewing Company
4.701153.5608-22-2017
Vicky Sanchez
Platypus Brewing
6.0013.5112-30-2023
Vice-lite
Vice Brewing Company
5.5012.512-02-2018
Very Nice Großen Bart California Common Lager
Großen Bart Brewery
5.9013.7410-14-2016
Very Nice Groben Bart
The Very Nice Brewing Company
6.500012-13-2015
Veldensteiner Historisches Dampfbier
Kaiser Bräu
5.6013.8403-12-2021
Veldensteiner California Common
Kaiser Bräu
5.8023.7312-07-2016
Vapor
Faction Brewing
6.0083.5403-29-2016
Valley Malt
Russian River Brewing Company
5.0034.2803-05-2024
Valley Girl
Restless Moons Brewing
4.900005-22-2018
Utah Common
Salt Flats Brewing
4.0013.6504-04-2023
Urmahlullu
Discretion Brewing
3.600003-06-2015
Upstream
Little Harpeth Brewing
5.60153.4711-08-2018
Upper Iowa Common
Pulpit Rock Brewing Company
4.6033.9310-21-2023
Up River Amber
Nantahala Brewing Company
5.5063.7407-20-2014
Union Station
Cornerstone Brewing Company
6.0044.2507-25-2021
Unicorn Tears
Wishful Acres Farm And Brewery
6.0024.2107-20-2019
Under Pressure
10 Barrel Brewing Co.
5.5013.508-13-2020
first ← prev | 1-50 | 51-100 | 101-150  | nextlast