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Anchor Steam Beer

Anchor Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · California Common · One of 2 California Commons in hopIQ

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%
IBU
38
SRM
amber10

Flavor Profile

How this beer tastes, mapped across 48 flavour tags

crisp
100%
malty
100%
clean
60%
hoppy
60%
caramel
60%
smooth
60%
toasty
30%
full-bodied
30%
citrusy
30%
bready
30%

Similar Beers to Anchor Steam Beer

AI matched

California Commons with matching hop character, bitterness and body

See the full alternatives page for Anchor Steam Beer →

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.

Other California Commons in hopIQ

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Anchor Steam Beer

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

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
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Food Pairing

What to eat with Anchor Steam Beer

WHERE TO BUY

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