Is Anchor Falling Behind?

You're talking about Anchor Ninkasi, which dramatically predates the brewery of the same name.

To your point, they do lots of experiments. My point is that they don't release anywhere near enough of them. I don't want them to become Mikkeller or DFH in terms of releasing experiments, but they could bottle or keg a lot more than they do currently.

 

I assume that you're not implying that they're the only one still brewing it now, just the only one brewing it now that also brewed it <1920.

 

oh no. only Anchor is making Steam Beer today. others are making something called California Common.

Fritz was able to copyright the name because there were no other brewers making the style at the time. and lets not forget, breweries had been disappearing for decades along with all of their oddball beers. nobody really cared.
one more reason Anchor does not need to be all that ambitious with new releases. Maytag is just as important as Moortgat and Celis in this regard.
Cheers.

 

I'm pretty sure I've read an interview in which Maytag notes that part of the reason he decided to trademark Steam Beer™ was a very short-lived early "microbrewery" which he didn't name that was called the "California Steam Beer Brewing Co." out of San Rafael, CA (seems to have both opened and closed in 1979), the beers of which apparently did not have a very good reputation while it lasted.

Here's a rare mention of it on a non-beer website:

Nov. 28, 1979: U.S. District Judge William Schwarzer issues an injunction preventing the California Steam Beer Brewing Co. from marketing a product called "dark steam beer," in part because the bottle and the label are deceptively similar to those of Anchor Steam Beer. ​

 

I was out at Anchor in November 2011 and talked to one of the brewers out there. They are brewing nearly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to keep up with demand. San Fran accounts for most of their sales and Steam is the hottest selling beer out there. IMHO they don't need to come out with many "new" beers. They don't make a bad beer. They are all solid offerings and the Anchor Steam I had at the brewery was fresh and delicious.

 

I just saw your reply. I'm not sure I understand your statement "dramatically predates the brewery of the same name". It was definitely Anchor Brewing. I was at their brewery in San Francisco. From Wikipedia:
"During the 1980s Anchor Steam Beer began to achieve national notice and demand increased from only a few thousand cases per year that had been produced in the old location. It was the first of the modern microbreweries, and its success inspired many others to enter the brewing business.[4]
In 1989 the company produced a limited edition of beer (known in Sumerian as sikaru) which they named Ninkasi after the Sumerian goddess of beer."

 

He is talking about the brewery named Ninkasi, which is based out of Oregon. Meaning the beer of that name pre-dates the brewery.

 

Ahhh. I get it. Thanks for the clarification. I like Ninkasi too.

 

I really enjoy all of Anchor's beers. I wish there were more solid large regional craft breweries like Anchor around.

 

Anchor produces a solid beer lineup. They may not have the extensive catalogs like Sierra Nevada or Boston Beer, but Anchor is still a quality American brewery.

 

Every Anchor beer is very high-quality. Their beers can always be picked up with confidence. I would love nothing more than a keg of Small Beer hanging out around my house for a beer to drink during all the occasions where I want a beer, but don't want the alcohol.

 

If by "falling behind" you mean "every beer they make is great, and anything from them is never a wrong choice ever," then yeah they might be falling behind.

 

Still haven't tried their Porter -- shame on me -- and after learning they use Nelson Sauvin hops in their Humming Ale stoked to try that one this fall when its released.

Love their bottle designs. Perhaps my favorite.

 

Breckle's Brown is really good and it came out last year. You shut your mouth when you're talking to me.

 

Anchor...the quiet craft brewer. But seriously, I recently tried Old Foghorn for the 1st time and was impressed enough to not only seek it out in a sixer but reacquaint myself with their stable of staples as well.

 

I need to try more Anchor beers. I've only had Liberty, which I got for 4th of July last year, and Our Special Ale 2011.

I'm making it a priority to try Steam this summer, the porter in the fall, and Old Foghorn this winter.

 

I can use this thread to thank some BA's that recommended to me Anchor Porter some time ago. I really loved it, and will be buying more. It blows my mind that this beer was brewed since the 70s, during the Dark Ages.

 

Picked up a single of their Liberty Ale and Porter earlier today. Currently enjoying the Liberty Ale right now. Glad I finally got around to trying it as its a very solid beer indeed. I'd happily drink this one again.

 

And now trying their Porter....damn, why did I sleep on this one for so long?! This beer is pretty amazing, probably the best porter I have yet to try.

 

Probably the wrong thread to admit this, but I have never tasted Anchor Steam Beer.