Anchor Brewery

Anchor Small Beer

The tradition of brewing two distinct beers from one mash has existed for thousands of years, and for centuries the term “small beer” was used in English to describe the lighter and weaker second beer. By association, the term came to mean something of little importance.

“We make our Old Foghorn Barleywine Style Ale from the rich first runnings of an all-malt mash and Anchor Small Beer is our attempt to duplicate the ‘small beers’ of old by sparging that same mash; sprinkling warm water over the Old Foghorn mash after the first wort has run off, thereby creating the second, lighter brew from the resulting thinner wort.”

We believe you will find Anchor Small Beer delicious – similar to what modern brewers call a “bitter” – and we hope you will also enjoy the idea of reviving an ancient brewing tradition, which is something of great importance.

When we initially attempted Small Beer, we quickly realized we had a lot to learn: How much to sparge? What gravity to look for? What sort of hopping to employ? But, from the beginning, we were astonished to find that the “small beer” we were making certainly was not small beer in the linguistic sense – it was good, it was rich, it was wonderful ale! We hope our loyal customers will agree this is a tradition worth reviving.

ABV: 3.3%

Anchor Brekle's Brown

Brewmaster Mark Carpenter’s unique recipe for Brekle’s Brown – a tip of the hat to our first brewmaster – looks to both the past and the future. Mark’s special blend of roasted malts, inspired by the all-malt brown ales in Anchor’s brewing archives, gives Brekle’s Brown its coppery brown color and its unusual depth of flavor – richness and complexity without heaviness. For brewing and dry hopping, Mark has chosen a single, American hop variety called Citra. The subtly entrancing flavors and aromas of this distinctive new hop perfectly complement the unique maltiness of Brekle’s Brown.

ABV: 6%

Anchor Summer

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 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.

ABV: 4.6%

Anchor Steam®

Steam Beer
Anchor Steam® derives its unusual name from the 19th century when “steam” was used as a nickname for beer brewed on the West Coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. Anchor Steam® has a deep amber color, thick creamy head, and rich flavor, which all testify to the traditional brewing methods still used today and is like no other in the world. Anchor Steam® is available year-round in a 12 oz. and a new 22oz. bottles.

ABV: 4.9%

Anchor Bock

Bock
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.

ABV: 5.5%

Anchor Porter

Porter
Anchor’s Old Fashion Porter, America’s ultimate dark brew since 1974, is hopped at a very high rate, and is naturally carbonated to produce an intensely rich flavor and thick creamy head. Specially roasted dark malts are used, along with a top-fermenting yeast. Brewed with simple, natural methods that are both traditional and unique, this delicious beer is aesthetically pleasing and wholly superior in every respect.

ABV: 5.6%.

Anchor Old Foghorn®

Barleywine
Old Foghorn® Barleywine Style Ale is brewed strictly according to traditional brewing methods, using only natural ingredients. Old Foghorn is based on traditional English barley wines. Old Foghorn is highly hopped, using only Cascade hops. It is fermented with true top-fermenting ale yeast. Small batches of Old Foghorn have been produced since 1975. Today, it is available both on draught and in twelve-ounce bottles. The original gravity and full flavor of this ale make it a unique product, perfect for sipping after dinner.

ABV: 8-10%.

Anchor Liberty Ale®

American Pale Ale
Anchor Liberty Ale® was first introduced in 1975, with an ABV level of 6% and using only natural ingredients – water, malted barley, fresh whole hops, and yeast. 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 or adding fresh hops to the brew during aging, imparts a unique aroma to the ale. Enjoy year round!

ABV: 6%

Anchor Christmas Ale

Every year since 1975 the brewers at Anchor have brewed a distinctive and unique Christmas Ale, which is available from early November to mid-January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year – as is the tree on the label – but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.

ABV: 6% (varies)