Episode 11: California Common

February 15, 2020 Mike

BJCP Category 19B. Used to be called “Steam Beer” but that name became trademarked by Anchor Brewing Company.

This week we have Anchor Steam, which is the basis for the style, and Cogstone’s California Common, “COS Common”.

Thanks to everyone who watched our 10 Beer Challenge Episode. It’s been fairly popular and we’re glad that everyone enjoyed it.

Originating from the West Coast, where German brewers used a lager yeast to ferment beers at ale temperatures. Pumping the beer up to cool ships to to use the cooler temperatures to cool the wort, it gained the name steam beer.

Pulled from the 2015 BJCP Guidelines for California Common:

Overall Impression:
A lightly fruity beer with firm, grainy maltiness, interesting toasty and caramel flavors, and showcasing rustic, traditional American hop characteristics.

Aroma: Typically showcases rustic, traditional American hops (often with woody, rustic or minty qualities) in moderate to high strength. Light fruitiness acceptable. Low to moderate caramel and/or toasty malt aromatics support the hops. Appearance: Medium amber to light copper color. Generally clear. Moderate off-white head with good retention.

Flavor: Moderately malty with a pronounced hop bitterness. The malt character is usually toasty (not roasted) and caramelly. Low to moderately high hop flavor, usually showing rustic, traditional American hop qualities (often woody, rustic, minty). Finish fairly dry and crisp, with a lingering hop bitterness and a firm, grainy malt flavor. Light fruity esters are acceptable, but otherwise clean.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium to medium-high carbonation

Next Episode we’ll be tasting a pre-prohibition porter, and sample some others that Jesse’s niece brought back from the east coast.

Also upcoming, a couple of Tommyknocker beers will be reviewed in various segments or

For some upcoming episodes, Czech Pale Lager is lagering now, so that’s coming up, as is British Strong Ales

The Hamster Ball Selecto-o-matic decided to give us 24C Bière de Garde. We’re keeping that one on standby in case we run into issues getting the other styles which are in the queue.

We talked a little bit about our visit to Cogstone for their 4th anniversary, you can see that post here.

Beers we’ve Reviewed at Cogstone: