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| Photo Courtesy of mybeerbuzz.com |
The brewery was Anchor Brewing and the beer was Anchor Steam, and to this day, every sip of that beer takes me back to a place and time when I first discovered it.
Jump forward 25-years and I’ll admit I still get excited to see new beers coming from Anchor Brewing…so yes when a box comes my way from San Francisco, I can’t wait to open it, chill the beer and sample.
Today we’re tasting two new beers, and better yet two new hoppy beers coming from Anchor. Up first is Anchor Fog Breaker IPA. This beer was released in late summer 2018 and the name celebrates the iconic fog of San Francisco Bay(Anchor’s home). If you look closely at the packaging, you’ll also note that the orange color used on the bottles and carriers is the same orange color used on the Golden Gate Bridge. Fog breaker pours a bright golden color and the aromas have a touch of dank pine with a prominent tropical fruit nose up front. I also found a bit of melon in the aromas that I attributed to the Cryo Citra, Denali and Cascade hops. The beer has a surprisingly resinous hop taste but the biscuit flavors of the 2-row and malted wheat balanced it out nicely. Overall I found Fog Breaker to be refreshing with a pleasant mouthfeel and a juicy pineapple and clean citrus finish that I really enjoyed.
Up next we popped open the new Anchor Baykeeper IPA. This beer is a collaboration with local non-profit San Francisco Baykeeper (an advocate for keeping the bay clean and healthy). This beer celebrates Baykeepers 30th Anniversary and as Anchor puts it, “this beer is as fierce as Baykeeper’s commitment to preserving the Bay.”
The beer was also inspired by the feeling of being out on the bay according to our pal Scott Ungermann, so I couldn’t wait to dig in. Baykeeper IPA pours a slightly hazy rich amber/orange color with a nice combination of piney and citrus aromas. The beer uses a complex combination of malts including a specialty Admiral Malting Gallagher’s Best as well as 2-row, acidulated malt, golden naked oats and even toasted rice. These grains bring not only a drinkable mouthfeel, but also a complex balanced series of flavors that include honey, toasted biscuit and even a grassy flavor that I really liked. The hops lead with citrus and finish with a touch of mild spice and while the beer is very balanced, the cryo Amarillo, Cascade, and Mosaic were the stars of the show for me. I found Baykeeper IPA to be a really enjoyable and unique IPA in this crowded segment, and a beer that I will honestly seek out again.
Anchor Brewing Fog Breaker IPA and Baykeeper IPA are great examples to Anchor Brewing’s approach to making their beer. These beer emphasize balance as well as a complex grain and hop bills to create unique and drinkable beers. Both are available now so be sure to get out there and try them for yourself…and when you do, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
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