THE GIST
San Francisco’s Anchor Brewery will soon release a dry-hopped variant of its classic Anchor Steam Beer. Described by Brewmaster Scott Ungermann as a “radically traditional twist,” this new riff on Anchor Steam features an undisclosed blend of traditional and new world hops. Dry-Hopped Anchor Steam hits shelves next month and will be available through December.
WHY IT MATTERS
As the popularity of classic craft brands such as Fat Tire, Boston Lager, and Anchor Steam slowly-but-gradually wane, breweries are continually looking for new ways for their flagship brands to maintain relevance in the marketplace. Releasing a dry-hopped variant of Anchor Steam is a shrewd one, as it’s almost guaranteed to pique the interest of beer lovers who have long since moved on from the ubiquitous California Common.
Anchor has added a few new lines to their range in recent years, including a Saison and a couple of IPAs. But this move is something different. Like New Belgium's Fat Tire collaborations, Anchor's serving up a new look at an old recipe—evidence that craft beer's old guard is still nimble enough to adapt.
—Matthew Curtis
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Anchor Brewing Company Debuts Dry-Hopped Steam Beer [All About Beer]