Try?
Re-buy?
Not so long ago, I picked up a can of Anchor Brotherhood Steam. Just like you, I was a little curious about Brotherhood Steam; what was it? What did it taste like? Would it be my friend? From the name I could gather it was a variation on Anchor’s classic flagship beer, Anchor Steam. It’s also a collaboration beer, though not with another brewery, but instead with the band Chris Robertson Brotherhood.
Everybody is canning craft beer these days, and Anchor Brotherhood Steam is sold in cans. Distressingly, when I looked at my can Anchor’s legendary and somewhat enigmatic freshness coding was nowhere to be found. I did buy a single, so maybe they stamp it on the carton. I’ll get back to you on that.
From the brewery website:
Inspired
by the brewing tradition of our flagship, Anchor Steam® Beer, Brotherhood
Steam Beer is brewed with its own unique recipe. A distinct malt bill gives
the beer its copper color, and dry-hopping with Citra and Nelson Sauvin hops
adds aromatic hints of citrus and mint. The result is a smooth, full-bodied
malt flavor with a lingering, fresh hop finish.
Anchor Brotherhood Steam has an alcohol content of 5.6% by volume and runs $11.99 a six-pack in my area. That’s $3 a six more than Anchor Steam.
Anchor Brotherhood Steam pours to a rich amber color with a thick head of foam and a full caramel and fruit nose. When I popped the top on my can, it flowed with foam through the top. This reminded me of how steam beer got its name-tapped kegs had so much carbonation they were said to steam.
Taking a sip, the beer has a wonderful caramel maltiness up front followed by lush fruit and earthy hop aroma, then a dry grassy bitterness. Much like Anchor Steam really, with more floral hops from the dry hopping. And a slightly fuller, richer maltiness. Brotherhood Steam is a delicious beer, if an expensive one.
Would I buy it again? If I saw it on tap at Taco Mac, but given the price, I think I would just buy classic Anchor Steam beer and save the $3. You know, to put towards the pint of Brotherhood Steam at Taco Mac.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
