Tugboat's Anchor
Tugboat Brewing Company

I was assured unequivocally that this beer is in no way shape or form a steam beer. It’s an amber. Good thing, as I wouldn’t want to drink a pint of trademark infringement. Every tugboat is entitled to an anchor and one taste of this one assures us that it’s too heavy for a California common and it lacks the dry crispness of a lager hybrid. It is dark russet and characteristically unfiltered with minimal carbonation and no smell.

It’s also quite good. The bittering has a muscular edge to it, and although I prefer a showing of head and lace (there’s none here after two minutes), I’m reminded that the style doesn’t really require it. In fact, lace on this beer would seem like a superfluous doily – like a feather boa on a Marine. This beer is genuinely as solid as one might expect form a Tugboat Anchor and needn’t come dressed in “lace”. All that’s required is a glass and your thirst. Recommended.