Anchor Brewing remains one of the smallest and most traditional breweries in America, and their beers — especially Anchor Steam Beer — are known throughout the world. SACC SF members received a special treat from the traditional brewer.
The beverages from Anchor Brewing are all still handmade in the brewery and distillery on Potrero Hill, San Francisco. The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in SF took the opportunity to get a taste of local history by offering a “Beverage Tasting Event” at McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant.
While McCormick & Kuleto’s restaurant got busy serving a la carte in the dining area, those attending the SACC SF business mixer got thirsty just looking at the buffet of beverages that Anchor Steam had put in one of the restaurant’s more private downstairs areas. 55 guests, including SACC-SF board members, Swedish advertising students and corporate profiles, attended this March business mixer. The atmosphere was cheerful and the view of the Bay magnificent. Managing partner James Mayock from Elliot & Mayock LLP’s put it this way: “A great opportunity to taste history with a diverse crowd.” McCormick & Kuleto’s friendly staff served delicious hors d’oeuvres. Anchor Brewing marketing representative Daniel Mitchell was on the set to share the great story of the San Francisco brewery. The rich history of Anchor Brewing can be traced all the way back to the Gold Rush, and every Anchor Steam Beer label reads, “Made in San Francisco since 1896.” A most interesting style of brewing today, steam beer gets its nickname for the primitive, ice-less brewing technique used along the west coast. Its product lies somewhere between an ale and a lager. Today “steam” is a trademark of Anchor Brewing.
“I’m not a beer drinker but this beer was so tasty,” said SACC-SF intern Cecilia Johansson after the guests were served the world-famous steam beer. Anchor Brewery is largely responsible for the growth of the microbrewery movement in the United States and remains the only commercially demanded producer of steam beer in the United States.
During the 1990’s the company expanded, and in 1993 Anchor Brewing became the first brewery in the world with its own in-house distillery. The company produces both single malt rye whiskey, named Old Potrero after the hill and from 1997 its unique pot-distilled gin, Junípero. Spanish for juniper, and a reference to Junípero Serra, an important figure in San Francisco’s and California’s history, the cold gin was very popular among all guests. They had the pleasure of tasting the gin straight up or as a refreshing cocktail with cucumber flavor. Swedish student Oscar Malmqvist was celebrating his 27th birthday the same evening and said, “The gin was fantastic and it is nice that both young and old can get together in such nice surroundings.” Bottoms and thumbs up for this event!
Written by Wilhelmina Douglas info@sacc-sf.org
More info on SACC San Francisco, see www.sacc-usa.org/sf
