Note: This is a series I call Caveman Beer Reviews, because I like to drink beer but am a caveman when it comes to beer knowledge. I know only the basics, and do not have a refined palate. I’ll review the beers on price and what they look, smell, and taste like to me.
Beer: Anchor Steam
Bottom Line: A tasty and sharply bitter beer that is a pleasure to drink for those that like bitter brews. Very expensive, though.
Price: About $9.99 for a 6-pack of 12 ounce bottles.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Details
So I was really looking forward to reviewing this brew just because it looks so unusual, with a unique name and a playful, vintage-looking label. Adding to the sense of mystery, and unlike many other beers nowadays, it does not even state a type of beer on the front (like ale, Porter, etc.), but, rather, just says “Anchor Steam Beer”.
Origin: The interesting city of San Francisco, California, USA. Its mention always makes me think of Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Lombard Street, the “crookedest” street in the world
The Golden Gate Bridge
Alcohol: Does not seem to say on the bottle. I kinda got a little buzzed after drinking it.
Looks: A fat, short bottle with some cool vintage-looking yellowish labeling, with a drawing of an anchor on the front label. The beer itself is light brown.
Smell: Strong malt smell.
Taste: I thought the Anchor Steam had an unusual taste in that it was very gaseous and sharply bitter, but in a “soft”, un-harsh way. Such bitterness was kind of medium-strength, coming through at the end, and lingering on the sides of the mouth.
This brew was relatively easy to drink, especially if you like bitter beer. It was definitely flavorful, but not acrid.
Overall, I found the Anchor Steam to be well-balanced and pleasant; I really liked it.
Hangover Factor: Nothing unusual. I’m a male in reasonably good health born in 1983.
Final Thoughts
This is a cool, good tasting, “happy” beer which seemed to give me more of a buzz than usual. It is very expensive, though, costing around $1.66 per bottle. I’ll buy it again, from time to time.
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