Winter Wheat Reflects Anchor Brewing's Innovative Spirit

Anchor Brewing Company is not your typical craft brewery. Likewise, Anchor's Winter Wheat is not your typical wheat beer. Both are unique and special in their own way, a treat to be appreciated. Anchor considers itself to be America's first and oldest craft brewery, founded in San Francisco in 1896. It's been a part of American craft brewing tradition and innovation for more than a century, helping to build the industry into what we know it to be today. Winter Wheat is a reflection of such innovation, combining a variety of malted wheat and barley to create a beer with unexpectedly complex and intriguing flavors.

New beer flavors and intricacies have always been an Anchor staple. Like some of its west coast brethren, Anchor blazed new trails from the start. Its famous Steam beer, a style also known as a California Common, was created in part because of the technological restrictions of the late 1800s, but also because of the climate of the San Francisco Bay area. The beer, brewed specifically with the Northern Brewer variety of hops that add woody and rustic flavors, is a unique American west coast classic, different than so many of the citrusy, piney west coast IPAs that have risen in the past 20 years. Anchor has kept some brewing traditions while adapting to and embracing modern techniques, and its beer lineup has also evolved and expanded. Excellent seasonal offerings like Winter Wheat add even more versatility to the brewery's catalogue.

Before I go any further, pay no attention to what you know about wheat beers, even dunkelweizens. The Winter Wheat pours a very dark color, almost black, with a thin head of foam. The aroma is subdued, but consists of cocoa, dark fruits, some roastiness, and a touch of smoke. Winter Wheat has a medium-full body and a thick mouthfeel that coats the tongue. There are rich, malty flavors of dark fruits like plums, raisins, and black cherries. Chocolate and black licorice flavors are also present. While some spiciness comes through, there's little hop bitterness, flavor or aroma. Overall, Winter Wheat is a delicious, intriguing beer that tastes and feels just right for the season.

Anchor's Winter Wheat shows the broad range that different malted grains can have in a beer. Rarely is malted wheat used to create a beer that delves this deeply into darker flavors and aromas. It's a testament to the brewing expertise and creativity that Anchor has always shown in brewing great craft beer.