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Anchor Steam Beer

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Anchor Steam Beer is a classic American lager brewed using a unique steam process that creates a distinctive balance of malty sweetness and subtle hop character. This iconic beer has a smooth, medium body with a crisp finish that has made it a San Francisco staple since 1896.

ABV
4.9%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber10
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
maltycleanhoppy
malty
clean
hoppy
caramel
toasty
citrusy
Aroma
The nose is distinctly malty with prominent caramel and bread crust notes that showcase the beer's grain-forward character.
also:bready
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Anchor Steam Beer

◎ Appearance

Anchor Steam presents a beautiful deep golden to amber hue with excellent clarity and a bright, inviting appearance. A dense white head forms on the pour and maintains admirable retention, crowning this classic lager with a traditional collar that speaks to its carbonation level and brewing precision.

deep goldenamber-tingeddense white headbrilliant clarity

◌ Aroma

The nose is distinctly malty with prominent caramel and bread crust notes that showcase the beer's grain-forward character. Subtle citrus hop notes and a whisper of spice provide pleasant complexity, while a faint mineral quality adds depth without overwhelming the balanced, approachable bouquet.

caramel maltbread crustsubtle citrusbalanced spice

◐ Taste

The palate opens with clean, crisp malty sweetness that transitions smoothly through a well-integrated mid-palate of grain and light herbal notes. A mild bitterness emerges gracefully, complemented by delicate citrus undertones, creating a beautifully balanced malt-hop interplay that never becomes aggressive or harsh.

malty-sweet entryclean crispbalanced bitternessherbal notes

◑ Finish

The finish is distinctly dry and clean, with excellent clarity that allows the subtle grain and mineral character to linger pleasantly. This crisp conclusion invites another sip while leaving the palate refreshed rather than coated.

dry finishclean aftertastecrisp
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
85
Appearance
86
Finish
84
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Anchor Steam Beer

More from Anchor Brewing Company

Anchor Liberty Ale
Anchor Liberty Ale
Pale Ale
5.9%·Noticeably bitter
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Anchor Porter
Anchor Porter
Porter
5.6%·Noticeably bitter
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About California Common

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a California Common?

California Common is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar California Common

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same crisp, malty, clean character as Anchor Steam Beer will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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