May 21, 2009: Anchor Small Beer

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock for the past five years, it's been kind of hard to miss the wave of environmental consciousness that has been gaining steam not only in the U.S., but around the world. Almost anytime you switch the T.V. to one of the major networks, you're likely to see advertisements and public services announcements that encourage people to "go green". Even some of the worlds biggest corporations who were once notorious for the damage that they had caused to the environment have begun to embrace the "going green" movement. As the world at large is beginning to reexamine what it means to be socially and environmentally responsible, it seems only fitting that I should drink a beer that embraces some of the same concepts. Anchor Small Beer is a beer that is born from a resourceful brewing process that I have never had the pleasure of sampling in the past. Brewing two uniquely different beers from one mash is not a new concept, but it is a tradition that the brewers of Anchor Small Beer have embraced and reinvented. Anchor Small Beer is brewed from the leftover wort of another of Anchor Brewing Co.'s beers called Old Foghorn. Since Old Foghorn is barleywine style ale which is a strong ale made from an all malt mash, the leftover mash which is used to create Anchor Small Beer creates a much lighter and distinctly different beer. Two beer from one mash, it seems like a revolutionary marriage of brewing a recycling thought up in the 21st century, but the process actually dates back thousands of years. Anchor Small Beer is a visually appealing beer with its fluffy white head and golden straw color, but the other senses leave a bit to be desired. When judged by their own merits, the scent and flavor of this beer seem pretty decent. It's when you compare it to similar American pale ales however that Anchor Small Beer seems to lose a bit of it's lustre and seem a bit below average. All in all this beer is drinkable, enjoyable and environmentally sound. If you want to do mother nature a favor, grab an Anchor Small Beer and be sure to recycle the bottle.

Cheers,
Ian

http://www.anchorbrewing.com/