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)

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Style Examples - 51 to 100 (out of 909)
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Name >  |  Brewery ABV Ratings Avg Last Active
Uncommonly Common Commonalities
Moniker Brewery
4.901406-05-2022
Uncommonly Common
Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing
5.0073.809-17-2016
Uncommon Wealth
East Branch Brewing Company
5.4014.0212-23-2021
Uncommon Valor
The Faust Hotel (Faust Brewing Company)
4.9012.8412-04-2018
Uncommon Sweetheart
Grimm Brothers Brewhouse
5.2013.510-11-2014
Uncommon Red
Troubled Monk Brewery
5.1013.8510-18-2017
Uncommon Elk^2
Elkton Brewing Company
5.8023.3809-24-2023
Uncommon Elk
Elkton Brewing Company
6.3013.7704-15-2022
Uncommon Denominator
Reinvention Brewing
4.7013.0211-07-2017
UnCommon Beer
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
6.0913.8808-03-2010
Uncommon Alchemy
High Ground Brewing
4.9013.2509-07-2023
UnCommon
UnHitched Brewing Company
5.201411-10-2023
Uncharted Dampfbier
Emmett's Brewing Company
5.0013.3101-12-2017
Uber Lager
Ogre Beer Comércio de Cervejas Ltda.
5.100001-27-2015
Two-Tun Common
Black Circle Brewing Co.
5.000007-31-2020
Twisted Steam
Twisted Rail Brewing Company
6.0034.0210-11-2015
Turning Point
Banded Brewing Co.
5.4013.9610-30-2022
Turbine Steamship
Titanic Brewing Company
5.2033.1812-20-2011
Tuck Tuck Comm
Freetail Brewing Company
4.8023.8903-28-2023
Trolley Steam
Twin Sisters Brewing
5.000007-14-2020
Triple Crown - Barrel Aged
Naughty Monk Ale Works
10.000001-12-2021
Transplant
Culmination Brewing
5.1013.7804-17-2023
Tragedy Of The Common
Iowa Brewing Company
4.90163.8912-05-2019
Top Down
CoStar Brewing
6.100012-02-2013
Toothless Prospector
Situation Brewing
4.8033.7504-01-2018
Toolshed Memories Kentucky Common
Flapjack Brewery
4.800007-21-2017
Ton Shek
Australian Hotel & Brewery
? 0012-27-2021
Todd English
Dyckman Beer Co.
5.0023.7212-16-2016
To Wisco With Love
Tumbled Rock Brewery & Kitchen
4.3013.502-07-2020
Tight Red Togs
Steamrail Brewing Company
4.500004-10-2018
Thunderstorm
Scissortail Brewing Company
5.200009-14-2021
This One
Stray Dog Brewing
5.2033.1912-02-2017
Thirst For Knowledge
The Establishment Brewing Company
5.2024.0502-08-2020
They Put Cauliflower In Everything
Wooden Ship Brewing Company
4.800004-27-2023
The Texas Irregular
Southern Roots Brewing Company
5.000003-24-2020
The Steamer
Wood Kettle Brewing
4.2013.4605-16-2018
The Steam Beer
Coppersmith’s AB
5.0023.7311-19-2022
The Steam Ale
Australian Hotel & Brewery
4.8043.0601-27-2014
The Ruggles
Tractor Brewing Co.
4.402303-13-2016
The Potrero
Alaro Craft Brewery
4.3023.8910-25-2018
The Phantom Grumper
Woods Boss Brewing Company
5.7013.7507-23-2018
The Local
Cranker's Brewery
5.500006-12-2014
The Kernel Kentucky Common Ale
The Moon Under Water Pub & Brewery
5.700009-09-2022
The Hunt For Red Raspberry
Vice Brewing Company
5.300011-30-2018
The Hero of Canton
Brewery Fire
6.0013.7407-24-2020
The Habit Former
The Common Beer Company
5.6014.6803-19-2019
The Dirty Dirty
Sceptre Brewing Arts
5.000004-01-2020
The Darker Side
Three Heads Brewing
5.400003-11-2024
The Convert
Absolution Brewing Company
6.2043.6510-08-2017
The Commoner
Barbarian Brewing
5.1023.5611-09-2015
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