Raise your Anchor!!

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015.

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  1. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
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    OK, so this is a "fan-boy" post.....cannot help it....

    Over this past weekend, had the opportunity to drink a bunch of Anchor Brewing brews, and feel this brewery is "under-appreciated" by many....especially newer / younger craft drinkers....

    Such a great line up of beers, and ground breaking in many ways.....Fritz Maytag bought the struggling and about to close Anchor Brewing facility in San Francisco 50 years ago this year, in 1965, and did his best to revive this old brewing landmark in the Bay Area.....I have been a fan of this great brewer for going on 35+ years now, from their flagship Anchor Steam Beer to their amazing Liberty Ale (considered by many the "first modern" IPA in the US, in 1975), to one of the best Porter's out there, and so many more.....their new Winter Wheat is great!

    I lucked out and found a sixer of their Bock from last year recently, and enjoyed it, along with the new spring season, the Anchor Saison.....really well done beers!

    I laid out the whole selection of Anchor brews I now have on hand, and wanted to share.....what is your favorite Anchor beer, and what do you think of them, as one of the earliest and ground breaking American craft brewers? Who says you have to have a hopped up DIPA and / or RIS or a barrel aged program or sours in your line up, to be successful?

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
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  2. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
     
    #2 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
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  3. cookiequiz

    cookiequiz Savant (1,119) Apr 15, 2013 California

    Actually I like their lagers quite well, perhaps better than their ales.
     
    #3 cookiequiz, Feb 2, 2015
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  4. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
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    My summer isn't complete without Anchor California Lager- they totally nailed that one. I also agree with the OP about the Porter being one of the best.
     
    #4 TongoRad, Feb 2, 2015
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  5. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
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    Same here! I picked up a six pk of their CA Lager in cans before the holidays, quite delicious!
     
    #5 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
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  6. _-_-Jason-_-_

    _-_-Jason-_-_ Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2014 New York

    The porter is amazing, 5 out of 5 in my book (though it is a small book).

    I definitely need to try their other offerings.
     
    #6 _-_-Jason-_-_, Feb 2, 2015
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  7. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
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    #7 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
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  8. Hayden34

    Hayden34 Initiate (0) Aug 10, 2014 Georgia

    Everything I've had from Anchor has been very underwhelming to say the least...
     
    #8 Hayden34, Feb 2, 2015
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  9. colingaiser

    colingaiser Initiate (0) Nov 26, 2014 Colorado

    I just reviewed the Anchor Steam and gave it a 3.15. Nice fruity tartness and biscuity lager notes, but overall I was underwhelmed. However I'd be more than willing to try their other stuff (and am curious if there are more interesting California Commons out there).
     
    #9 colingaiser, Feb 2, 2015
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  10. keithmurray

    keithmurray Pooh-Bah (2,967) Oct 7, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah

    My favorite beer from Anchor is their porter - I think it's the best porter you can get for the money and availability. I also really like Anchor Steam (wish they would put it in cans)
    I loved the bock when it was still being brewed, wish they never discontinued it.

    I'm looking forward to trying the saison, except I am concerned that by the time I am ready to drink saisons (in conjunction with us thawing out from winter) there won't be any available. Another casualty of seasonal creep.
     
    #10 keithmurray, Feb 2, 2015
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  11. FutureJack

    FutureJack Initiate (0) Oct 30, 2007 California

    Porter and Steam are both fantastic. Love Christmas Ale also. Liberty Ale is a classic. They just make great beer. I can see how someone new to craft beer that starts off with a Redwood Barrel Aged Quintuple Beef-Smoked Imperial Belgian Stout from Hipster Mustache Whales Only Brewing Company might not be dazzled. But Anchor is like the special effects in Star Wars or 2001. They don't seem that groundbreaking compared to Avatar. But if you've had the opportunity to try Anchor beer before the craft scene exploded, you appreciate their place in the craft beer hierarchy.
     
    #11 FutureJack, Feb 2, 2015
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  12. WesMantooth

    WesMantooth Grand Pooh-Bah (4,844) Jan 8, 2014 Ohio
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    I really like Steam and Porter, and recall the Christmas beer being good. I thought the Bock was poor though, which was surprising because they seem to have a very good representation of many styles. I would like to try Old Foghorn, but I have never seen it.
     
    #12 WesMantooth, Feb 2, 2015
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  13. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    May I ask what beers you have had from Anchor? Just curious.....

    I have found it difficult in NE Ohio to find fairly fresh Anchor Steam beer.....do you know if yours was fresh?

    If you have ever had the treat of having Anchor Steam fresh - on draft esp. - it kicks ass......reason it is the number one rated "Steam / Calif. Common" on BA
     
    #13 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
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  14. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
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    Well said, sir!
     
    #14 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
  15. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
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    Our Special Ale is always a holiday tradition for me; I have 7 years worth from past years I am saving for a nice vertical at some point!

    Respectfully disagree on the Anchor Bock......sorry it was discontinued last year, a great beer IMO!

    Old Foghorn is amazing, worth seeking out, for sure!
     
    #15 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
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  16. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
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    Sorry also about the Bock going away.....the lemony Saison is just great though, and a nice break from the heavier darker "wintery" beers I have been drinking lately....

    Agree totally on the Porter; a delicious porter!!
     
    #16 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
  17. Hayden34

    Hayden34 Initiate (0) Aug 10, 2014 Georgia

    I've had Steam, Liberty, Old Foghorn, IPA, and most recently the 2014 Christmas Ale. None of which would I say were "terrible" but none that I would say were "great" either.

    I will probably give the porter a try if I see it based on the reviews here.
     
    #17 Hayden34, Feb 2, 2015
  18. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
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    Hmmm....surprising, but to each their own

    Indeed, pick up the Porter if you get the chance.....and the Saison....think you will not be disappointed!
     
    #18 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
  19. _-_-Jason-_-_

    _-_-Jason-_-_ Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2014 New York

    OP, are you a 'fan-boy' or do you work for Anchor? Just curious.

    The reason I ask is some of your comments:

    "Our Special Ale is always a holiday tradition for me.." - 'our' implies ownership
    "Sorry also about the Bock going away.." - why would you be sorry?
     
    #19 _-_-Jason-_-_, Feb 2, 2015
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  20. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
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    I wish I worked for Anchor! ( I have worked for 2 other breweries, but never Anchor)

    Sorry to disappoint, just love the brewery.....

    The name of the Anchor Christmas is "Our Special Ale", no ownership implied on my part

    I am sorry that Anchor discontinued the Bock, as I enjoyed it....

    Any further clarity needed?
     
    #20 BeerVikingSailor, Feb 2, 2015
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