Anchor Steam
Approval Rate: 77%
Reviews 47
by ronaldtheriot
Tue Mar 09 2010I haven't had this one much, but it's a very good beer. I'd definitely drink it again.
by gris2575
Sun Mar 07 2010Hard to find around here, but I like it when I can get it. It's a cross between a Lager and an Ale, so it combines the best of both. It goes down pretty easy but doesn't taste like colored water the way some Lagers do. It Has a nice full flavor to it, good body, is kinda filling but overall a damn good Beer.
by pcpeter774
Wed Aug 19 2009Personally I find anchor steam's ales to satisfifying and refreshing. Maybe my tastes aren't refined enough to figure out what's wrong with this beer, never the less I like.
by imogen
Sun Jun 21 2009Hailing from San Francisco, Anchor Steam is a flavorful, but not overpowering beer. It's stronger than a lager because it is crossed with an ale. It is refreshing and crisp--suitable for a hot summer's day but strong enough to hold its own in colder weather. So far, I think this is the best American beer on the list (though I have more pages to go through)!
by eschewobfuscat_ion
Sun Feb 15 2009A bit heavy, good for one or two, very flavorful.
by frankswildyear_s
Fri Feb 13 2009I'm not fond of the taste of industrial by-products as a rule.
by doctor_of_madness
Thu Feb 12 2009Flavorful and lovingly brewed. Thanks for saving it, Fritz!
by fb1213027417
Wed Dec 10 2008I'm impressed it's in here - my all time #1 Favorite!!!
by james430
Fri Aug 08 2008Their stout is good
by jennifer
Sun Jun 22 2008Dont know...
by myspace_213814142
Thu Jun 05 2008Don't know it!~
by g8rhoo
Sat May 31 2008I'll get back to you on this one.
by mobilebuzz
Fri Mar 07 2008A little bitter for my taste.
by magellan
Thu Mar 06 2008It's not quite as good as Sierra Nevada, but it's pretty damn close. If you are in San Francisco, make sure to check out the Anchor Brewery - it's located in Potrero Hill, and you'll know when you are getting close by the delicious smell of sour mash wafting from the brewery. Tours on Friday only.
by spike65
Thu Feb 28 2008A decent beer. Their other varieties stand up better to the competition. I will try again as I might have had an old bottle. I didn't find it in the same league a Seirra Nevada Pale Ale although by the description it really isn't a Pale Ale but a ale / lager cross.
by automatt
Mon Feb 11 2008I like anchor steam OK. I'm told that their brewery offers tours on Friday afternoon.
by fb1013978127
Sun Feb 10 2008I love it, especially the Christmas Ale.
by genghisthehun
Mon Dec 17 2007This was one of the early boutique beers, but the novelty has worn off. It is a good beer, however.
by angryjed
Mon Dec 10 2007good but too expensive.
by sperryc
Wed Nov 14 2007I don't think to order it very often. Unremarkable.
by drummond
Fri Oct 26 2007Great stuff. The best in SF for certain.
by riderofwaes
Sun Sep 23 2007My father introduced me to this beer. I enjoy it. Not a heavy beer, goes down easy. It is a little hard to find on the east coast. I can't wait until I visit my friend in SF so I can taste it fresh.
by loerke
Wed Aug 22 2007Few people will like this beer the first time. I'd been accustomed to drinking crap like Miller, and when I discovered this I initially thought something was wrong with the beer -- it was so bitter. After you've acquired the taste, though, you'll start coming back. Reminds me how much I miss S.F.
by floridawildlif_e
Fri Apr 06 2007I never knew there could be "cross" between a lager and an ale. Regardless, the folks at Anchor Brewing definitely know what they are doing! Great taste, very drinkable. The only problem is that it seems hard to find on the East Coast. It's rival, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, is more easily found.
by jsthornton
Sun Jan 21 2007This is an all-time American classic. This beer is the reason that micro-brews exist in this country, and thanks to Fritz Maytag, this fantastic style of beer was brought back from the edge of extinction! I'm thrilled to find this beer at my local pub, it's an easy drinking, lightly hopped, crisp brew, perfect for sessions. It'll pair beautifully with fish & chips, chips & salsa, or peanuts & nuthin. I love this beer.
by magilla
Wed Nov 29 2006Really smooth beer and great tasting.
by arkcracker
Wed Nov 22 2006Amber... pretty creamy. I also know a girl named Amber who is pretty creamy for the record.
by djahuti
Sun Apr 16 2006Not tasty at all and very overpriced.
by bruces
Thu Mar 16 2006One of my all time favorites. Best American beer I've had since returning from several years in Germany & Belgium years ago (I've had a lot of GREAT beers to compare to...). I've been into micro-brews for years before the recent rage; Anchor Steam was the first American beer that really knocked my socks off. I prefer Anchor Steam a bit over Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, but SN will do if you can't find Anchor (virtually anywhere outside of NoCal). SN is just a bit more hoppy/bitter Actually, SN is perfect after a long hot mountainbike ride; AS is better for more relaxed/mellow times. Now, when I can get Anchor Steam, it's like spending an evening with a long-lost friend. I savor every moment, knowing we'll soon have to part again for who-knows-how-long... I sometimes used to like to knock back a bunch (well chilled) on a hot day - they go down very smooth, resulting in a pleasant, mellow buzz; Or sometimes poured in tall pilsner glasses and enjoyed with great ceremony with good music an... Read more
by canadasucks
Wed Mar 15 2006If you give this anything below 4-stars then you have no idea what you're talking about. . .
by lorne413
Sat Mar 05 2005being canadian we hear alot of american beer sucks around here, Anchor Steam proves that there definately are good breweries in the states, I prefer it over any major brew in canada.
by skizero
Mon Jan 24 2005a good beer. not realy too distinguishable from its other high-brow peers. doesn't warrant the cost. would rather drink Brooklyn lager.
by deemo2ce
Wed Oct 27 2004A original and unique west coast style developed by this brewery - great and unique taste. This beer uses a lager yeast at the higher ale temperatures during fermentation - creating a unique ale/lager hybrid. Superb for that occasional special treat, strong flavor but exceptionally smooth. Also they have by far the best tour of any brewery I've been - mainly because you get to taste all of there great brews - and they are all exceptional.
by brentumsl
Wed Sep 22 2004Overrated. I looked foward to drinking this but I was not impressed. Very light bodied beer with no overriding flavor besides water.
by zuchinibut
Sun Jun 27 2004Anchor Steam has to be one of the best beers I have ever drank. A very pricy beer, so its not something I will consume often, but definitely a great amongst beers.
by phuggue
Tue Jun 01 2004It gets a 5, only because there is no 10! If you have the opportunity to consume this masterpiece, you'll savor every sip!
by froggy10
Thu Mar 18 2004Good beer. Well crafted. I especially liked their 2003 Christmas ale. Really different and unique. Not what I would go for all the time, but I recommend it if you like Sierra for example.
by irishgit
Sun Feb 15 2004Haven't had much of it, but I liked it a lot. Could use one now.
by enkidu
Sun Feb 15 2004Generally my second choice if I can't find Sierra Nevada. Tasty, rich, satisfying.
by beanocook
Sun Feb 15 2004Not bad at all. Good change of pace beer.
by dragon_5
Tue Dec 30 2003Mostly hype. Nothing grand about an Anchor Steam.
by potrero
Sat Nov 29 2003I used to work at the Old Spaghetti Factory here in San Francisco and we served more of that stuff than anybody. Now I live fourblcoks from the brewery. It's a bit too heavy for me; I'm a Pilsner type.
by waynemoore
Mon Jul 07 2003much better than the big breweries can churn out, but not quite as good as some of the (more expensive) specialties.
by moosekarloff
Thu Jun 05 2003Nothing special, but certainly a cut above the mainstream swill.
by aflx9609
Thu Jun 13 2002A hair too bitter for me, but I think it might not have been as fresh as it should have been when I had it.
by danmuse
Tue Jun 26 2001A smooth, tasty brew, made with the old "steam" production method in a local brewery in San Francisco. One of the best micro-brews. Take a tour of the plant in San Francisco if you get a chance. Very interesting and plenty of free samples of beer at the end.
by nashad8a
Mon Apr 30 2001Steam beer has a unique taste and BRAVO to Anchor brewing company for doing it right. The aesthetics of the bottle are also nifty, but the unique and quality taste of the beer is what brings high marks.