This brew was inspired by the California Common (BJCP 16B). What exactly is a California Common? We’ll it’s a style of beer that Anchor Brewing is famous for making; their “Steam Beer” is basically what this style was born from. You can read about it at this link https://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/anchor_steam
It’s supposed to be a medium amber color (mine is a bit too dark) and have notes of carmel and toast. The body should be medium. The bit that interested me the most is that’s it’s fermented with a lager yeast at Ale temperatures. Since I had Fermentis SafLager 34/70 on hand I just had to try my hand at this style.
| Brewer’s 2-Row Pale Malt (Briess) | 8 lbs 12 oz |
| Rye Malt (Thomas Fawcett) | 1 lb |
| Honey Malt | 8 oz |
| Crystal 20L | 4 oz |
| Chocolate Malt (Muntons) | 4 oz |
| East Kent Goldings (6%) T-60) | 1 oz |
| East Kent Goldings (6%) T-60) | 1 oz |
| East Kent Goldings (6%) T-60) | 1 oz |
Holy smokes did this beer ferment fast. I was amazed. My OG was 1.052, FG 1.010, and it only took three days to get there.
The end result? A 5.5% Darkish Amber which does hit on some of the style characteristics of a California Common. I’ll have to see I can find Anchor Steam at my local craft beers shop to compare.
I’m going to enjoy this one… Cheers!
