California Common

Introduction – by Firkin Ron

The term beer style refers to a broad set of descriptors used to differentiate and categorize types of beers. In short, descriptors such as color, flavor, strength, ingredients, production method, recipe, history, and origin create the framework for establishing the style of a beer.

And almost any time you buy a beer, the beer lists its style on the packaging. Why? To provide the buyer with a basic preview and understanding of the beer’s look, smell, taste and drinkability.

Today there are hundreds of documented beer styles. Furthermore, a handful of organizations created their own unique classifications. However, the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) provides one of the most commonly used set of style guidelines.

This week’s beer style overview features the California Common – an American West original.

California Common Overview – by Owen Ogletree

During the Gold Rush, when San Francisco drinkers wanted a beer similar to an English ale, brewers concocted a unique recipe. Pale, caramel, and toasted malts were used, along with non-citrusy, piney, woody Northern Brewer hops for a bitter bite. Abundant lager yeast was employed for fermentation, and the boiled wort was laid out in shallow vessels to cool in the chill of the Bay Area, often producing “steam” in the brewhouse.

Brewers used a shallow vessel similar to this one used by Anchor Brewing to create Anchor Steam Beer. Photograph by Firkin Ron.

In the 1800’s, drinkers called California Common “Steam Beer”! Photograph by Firkin Ron.

Anchor Brewing revived the classic California Common style in the 1970s with the release of its Anchor Steam Beer. Variants of this delicious style can often be found in brewpubs around the USA, with the best examples showcasing an amazing Northern Brewer hop aroma and bitterness. Bitterness in certain beer styles is a GREAT thing!

Located in San Francisco, CA, Anchor Brewing revived the classic California Common style in the 1970s with the release of its Anchor Steam Beer.

 

 

About Owen Ogletree

Owen is founder/editor of Brewtopia LLC. In addition, he is columnist for Southern Brew News and Beer Connoisseur Magazine, lecturer at Knoxville’s Brewing & Distilling Center, founder/director of the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting and Classic City Brew Fest, and a BJCP National Beer Judge. Owen has also served as a beer judge at the Great American Beer Festival and the Great British Beer Festival.