Steam beer, also known as California common beer, is a unique style that originated in California during the 19th century. It is characterized by its use of lager yeast fermented at ale temperatures, resulting in a beer with a crisp and clean taste, but with some fruity and estery notes typically found in ales. One of the most well-known examples of steam beer is Anchor Steam, which has become synonymous with the style.
However, there are also other commercial examples of steam beer that are worth exploring. Here are a few examples:
1. Skyscraper Brewing Company Lug Nut Lager: This steam beer offers a slightly malty and toasty flavor profile with a hint of caramel sweetness. It has a medium body and a smooth finish, making it a highly drinkable and refreshing beer.
2. Moab Brewery Rocket Bike Lager: This Utah-based brewery offers a steam beer that is light in color and body, with a balanced combination of maltiness and hop bitterness. It showcases a clean and crisp taste, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a sessionable beer.
3. Southampton West Coast Steam Beer: Hailing from New York, this beer embodies the characteristics of a traditional steam beer. It has a golden color and a moderate hop bitterness, with a malty backbone that provides a slight sweetness. The use of lager yeast at ale temperatures gives it a unique and complex flavor profile.
4. Old Dominion Victory Amber: This Virginia brewery produces a steam beer that is amber in color and exhibits a rich malt character. It has a smooth and well-rounded taste, with a touch of hop bitterness that balances out the sweetness from the malt. The use of lager yeast adds a crispness to the overall profile.
5. Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber Lager: This Maryland-based brewery offers a steam beer that leans towards the amber lager style. It has a deep copper color and a robust malt backbone, with a subtle hop presence. The use of lager yeast fermented at warmer temperatures imparts a fruity and estery character to this beer.
6. Schlafly's Pi Common: This Missouri brewery puts a unique twist on the steam beer style by incorporating a blend of American and European hops. It has a deep amber color and a biscuity malt flavor, with a moderate hop bitterness. The use of lager yeast fermented at ale temperatures gives it a clean and refreshing finish.
7. Linden Street Common Lager: This California brewery pays homage to the steam beer style with its Common Lager. It has a light amber color and a balanced combination of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. The use of lager yeast fermented at higher temperatures adds a touch of fruity and estery notes to the beer.
8. Eagle Steam Beer: This steam beer from a brewery in Arkansas showcases a golden color and a smooth malt profile. It has a clean and crisp taste, with a hint of hop bitterness that adds a refreshing quality to the beer. The use of lager yeast fermented at ale temperatures gives it a unique character.
9. Cosmic Brewing Steam Beer: This Colorado-based brewery offers a steam beer with a pale golden color and a light malt sweetness. It has a subtle hop presence and a clean, refreshing finish. The use of lager yeast fermented at warmer temperatures adds a touch of fruity and estery flavors to this beer.
These are just a few examples of commercial steam beers available in the market. Each brewery puts its own spin on the style, resulting in a diverse range of flavor profiles and characteristics. Exploring these different interpretations can be an exciting journey for beer enthusiasts who appreciate the history and uniqueness of the steam beer style.