hal@qubix.UUCP (John Hallesy) (07/27/85)
There has been a recent flurry concerning the lack of Real Ales here in
the ol' USA. There are several local brands worth mentioning (or acquiring,
should your local distributor carry them) that should put an end to this
nonsense:
Anchor Steam Liberty Ale:
This ale used to be produced annually at Christmas time by the Anchor
Brewery. The desire for this full bodied, well hopped beer was so great
that Anchor launched it into full time production and distribution, so
it should be available wherever Anchor Steam Beer is sold.
Anchor Steam Christmas Ale:
Anchor took a good thing and made it better! The old ales tasted just
like the Liberty Ale, but this new ale is a dry hopped, brown ale, with
roasted barley malt (no caramel, please!). Well worth considering
during the holidays, if you can find it.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale:
A few years ago there was a small revolution in Northern California,
leading to the establishment of several local micro-breweries that
produce high-quality lagers, stouts, and ales. The Sierra Nevada
Brewing Company (located in Chico, CA) produce a fine tasting ale
that make the standard American soda pop pale in comparison.
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale:
Sierra Nevada, like Anchor Steam (and many other breweries) continues
an ancient tradition by producing a higher quality Holiday brew. This
ale (like the Anchor ales) is much stronger than the everyday ales
(after all, these are for the holiday season). This particular ale
has an orange color and tastes a bit like a German marzen beer.
"London" real Ale:
The Palo Alto Brewing Company (located in Mountain View, CA) produce
an ale true to the name. It is uncarbonated, uses honest-to-god East
Kent Golding Hops imported from England, and can be purchased in taverns
all over the Bay Area. We can also buy it in 1 gallon and 5 gallon
boxes (ale in a box? this doesn't taste like wine in a box, guys), and
of course you can get in in 7.5 and 15 gallon kegs.
Buffalo Beer:
Buffalo Bill's tavern on B street in Hayward is a *must* visit for any
serious Bay Urean beer drinker. They have a micro-brewery on the
premises and chill the beer on its way to the tap from the fermenting
vessel. This beer has a fruity, hoppy taste and is quite unlike any
other I've tried. During the Christmas season they have Sierra Nevada's
Celebration Ale on tap, otherwise they serve Pale Ale on tap. Anchor
Steam, a variety of German beers, and *stroh's* round out the selections
available on tap.
There are other micro-breweries in the Northern California area too, but
their beers/stouts/ales are probably not widely distributed. I'm very
pleased with this new trend away from the large brewing conglomerates,
and encourage you beer enthusiasts to give these ales a try.
John Hallesy
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