Anchor Porter

Date:	11/18/2007
Brewery:	Anchor Brewing Co.
Beer:	Anchor Porter
Origin:	San Francisco, California
Style:	American Porter
Container:	12 oz. Brown Glass Bottle
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, Texas
Price:	$8.99 per 6-pack
Alcohol:	5.60% ABV ABV
Brewer's Description:	San Francisco's famous Anchor Porter brand is made in one of the smallest and most traditional breweries in the world by the brewers of Anchor Steam beer. Our old-fashioned porter is virtually handmade, with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. We use 100% malted barley, generous amounts of fresh, whole hops, entirely natural carbonation and a simple, natural brewing process which is like no other in the world. The deep black color, the thick, creamy head and the intensely rich flavor of Anchor Porter, made in San Francisco since 1974, have earned this delicious and unique brew a worldwide reputation for outstanding quality. It is aesthetically pleasing and wholly superior in every respect.
Appearance:	Very dark brown in color. Head is dark tan. Poured a nice head. Retention was short. Too dark to see any bubbles.
Aroma:	Heavy malt smell - very coffee-like.
Taste:	The heavy malt smell carries over to the taste. Can definitely taste a coffee likeness.
Mouth Feel:	It has a good feel and carbonation level. It’s thicker (more viscous) than something like an Anchor Liberty or Steam.
Drinkability:	This one is pretty decent, but I prefer an Anchor Bock or London Porter.
Score:	6 / 10

Other links:

• Anchor Porter scored an A- on
• Anchor Porter scored 3.85 on

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Anchor Bock Beer

Date:	9/16/2007
Brewery:	Anchor Brewing Co.
Beer:	Anchor Bock Beer
Origin:	San Francisco, CA
Style:	Bock
Container:	12oz. Brown glass bottle
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$8.99 per 6-pack
Alcohol:	5.50% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Anchor Bock Beer, released in celebration of the coming of spring, is an ancient and mysterious part of the brewing tradition. Over time, the term "bock" has come to mean a beer darker and stronger than the brewery's "regular" brew. We hope you will find Anchor Bock to be a rich and flavorful addition to our other offerings. San Francisco's Anchor Bock Beer is virtually handmade by the brewers of Anchor Steam® Beer, in one of the most traditional small breweries in the world. It is brewed from a complex blend of the finest barley malts, wheat malts, and fresh, whole hops.
Appearance:	Dark brown. A little lighter than the London Porter, but not by much. Poured a large head. Retained for a short time. No visible bubbles rising. Head was tan-colored.
Aroma:	Smells rich, like the porter did. Pick up a bit of coffee scent.
Taste:	Similar in taste to porter as well. Rich taste for beer. Probably a little milder than porter.
Mouth Feel:	Nice amount of carbonation. Not quite as thick as the porter.
Drinkability:	This is pretty good. I like the fact that it's milder than porter, but still quite similar. This is probably a good beer to drink to get into dark brews if you're not used to them.
Score:	7 / 10

Other links:

• Anchor Bock Beer scored a B+ on
• Anchor Bock Beer scored 3.48 on

More horrible beer photography, courtesy of yours truly.

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Anchor Summer Beer

Date:	9/15/2007
Brewery:	Anchor Brewing Co.
Beer:	Anchor Summer Beer
Origin:	San Francisco, CA
Style:	American Pale Wheat Ale
Container:	12oz. Brown Glass Bottle
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$8.99 per 6-pack
Alcohol:	4.60% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Anchor Summer is the first American wheat beer in modern times. Our first brew of this light and refreshing beer was in the summer of 1984. Anchor Summer is an all-malt beer, and over 50% of its malt comes from malted wheat. It is fermented with a Triticum aestivum, AKA wheat traditional top-fermenting "ale" yeast because we prefer the clean flavors developed by this yeast. We believe that this style best celebrates the refreshingly light flavor of malted wheat. You may notice that the head on this beer is unusually abundant, with a consistency similar to whipped egg whites. This is due to protein contributed by the wheat. The brewers at Anchor are proud to have revived not only rich hearty dark beers, but also this light crisp style of a modern American wheat beer.
Appearance:	Golden yellow in color. Pretty close to a Bud Light in color. One small bubble trail with a few random bubbles. Poured a large head from a normal pour. Retention was not long.
Aroma:	Much like other wheat beers, there is a detectable citrus smell.
Taste:	Similar to Sunshine Wheat. I guess this is a typical wheat beer taste.
Mouth Feel:	A little smoother than the Sunshine, with not quite as much carbonation.
Drinkability:	Decent overall, but I prefer Boulevard Wheat.
Score:	4 / 10

Other links:

• Anchor Summer Beer scored a B- on
• Anchor Summer Beer scored 2.78 on

Anchor Liberty Ale

Date:	9/20/2007
Brewery:	Anchor Brewing Co.
Beer:	Anchor Liberty Ale
Origin:	San Francisco, CA
Style:	American Pale Ale
Container:	12oz. Brown glass bottle
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$8.99 per 6-pack
Alcohol:	6.0% ABV
Brewer's Description:	First introduced in 1975, Liberty Ale® is brewed strictly according to traditional brewing methods, and, like all Anchor Brewing Company products, uses only natural ingredients — water, malted barley, fresh whole hops and yeast. Give me Liberty A special top-fermenting ale yeast is used during fermentation and is responsible for many of Liberty Ale's subtle flavors and characteristics. Carbonation is produced by an entirely natural process called "bunging," which produces champagne-like bubbles. Dry-hopping (adding fresh hops to the brew during aging), imparts a unique aroma to the ale. It is a process rarely used in this country today.
Appearance:	Light amber in color. A little cloudy. Poured a nice head. Retained it shortly. No bubbles rising while it sits on the counter.
Aroma:	Very mild smell. Hard to pick up anything at all. Maybe citrus?
Taste:	Definite hop flavor. Not too strong. I like this flavor. Not sweet. Maybe a little bitter. Good overall.
Mouth Feel:	Very good feel. Carbonation is good. Once it’s released, the beer is smooth.
Drinkability:	Very drinkable. I like Liberty a lot. One of my favorites so far.
Score:	7 / 10

Other links:

• Anchor Liberty Ale scored a B+ on
• Anchor Liberty Ale scored 3.61 on

Anchor Steam

Date:	9/10/2007
Brewery:	Anchor Brewing Co.
Beer:	Anchor Steam Beer
Origin:	San Francisco, CA
Style:	Steam Beer
Container:	12oz. Brown Glass Bottle w/ blue twist-off cap
Purchased:	Kegs & Barrels, Plano, TX
Price:	$8.99 per 6-Pack
Alcohol:	4.9% ABV
Brewer's Description:	Anchor Steam brand beer derives its unusual name from the 19th century when "steam" seems to have been a nickname for beer brewed on the west coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. The word "steam" may have referred to the pressure of natural carbonation developing in the beers. Today the brewing methods of those days are a mystery, and for many decades anchor alone has used the quaint name "steam' for its unique beer. Anchor Steam brand beer is virtually hand-made with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. The deep amber color, the thick creamy head, and the rich flavor all testify to our traditional brewing methods. Today Anchor is one of the smallest and most traditional breweries in the world. San Francisco’s famous Anchor Steam brand beer is unique, for our brewing process has evolved over many decades and is like no other in the world.
Appearance:	Deep amber color. Poured a large head but did not reteain it long.
Aroma:	Odd smell. Can smell hops of some sort. Some sort of spiciness.
Taste:	As the long descriptions states, this has a unique flavor. Maybe a little bitter.
Mouth Feel:	Perfect carbonation level. When held in mouth, carbonation builds to a peak before falling off.
Drinkability:	Good, for sure. I’m not sure that I like it better than Anchor Liberty. Would definitely get it again and recommend it.
Score:	6 / 10

Other links:

• Anchor Steam Beer scored 85 on
• Anchor Steam Beer scored 3.33 on