Saturday Night Blue Collar Brew Review

Tonight's Brew Review visits San Francisco and their famous Anchor Steam Beer. C'mon, I had to try this beer just because of the manly name. ANCHOR - seafarers, sail riggers, hard working men. STEAM - Industrial Revolution, heat, hard working men. BEER - wet, yellow, foamy, bubbles, hard working men. Enough. A guy at work mentioned the name to me and it stuck in my head.

The beer store had two sixpacks on the shelf amidst many other beer brands that I just didn't have money for. I figured what the hell, it's for a worthy cause. I had 10 bucks, so I bought it. The total for this one sixpack of Anchor Steam was $9.54! What the...? The sixer was $8.99 and then there's Uncle Sam's tithe.

But it was for a worthy cause.

Saturday night, after work (yes, still on overtime), I savored the moment when I finally sat down at my computer desk with beer in hand, soon to be beer in stomach. I made a mental note to install, or have the nearby availablity of a bottle opener for the future. The move inside from the garage still has its repercussions, however subtle they may be.

With a chilled Anchor Steam in hand, I pop the cap. The first sip from the bottle is smooth. Very smooth. Hardly any bitterness and it leaves the mouth feeling thankful. The taste is there, but it doesn't manifest itself until after the second or third swig.

Into the mug it goes and it pours out a nice rich amber color and a billowy thick head. The first swig is what makes this beer a keeper. Having a nice flavor with hardly any bitterness makes this beer go down re-e-e-al easy.

This is a very good beer that I will put in my Top 10 list (when I have ten brands of beer that I really like.) Right now Anchor Steam beer is in my Top 5. It's right up there with Blue Moon, Fat Tire and Sleeman.

Anchor Steam is a beer you should buy when you can find it and can afford it. I'm thinking that this beer is banking on its name, thus the higher cost. When going to a dinner party or as a guest to some special wingding, impress them with some Anchor Steam as a gift. You won't get back a bad word. This is really good premium beer.

Visit the Anchor Steam Brewery website here.

The SixPackTech ratings for Anchor Steam beer are:

Taste: 9 - it's there, brother. Sip after sip.
Smoothness: 9.5 - turns your gullet to silk.
Drinkability: 9 - last round was so good, let's have another.
Bang for the Buck: 7 - on the pricey side.