F I R S TP R E V886NEXTLAST

Anchor Steam Brewery, Potrero Hill
Gold Rush miners wanting a beer found them extremely expensive because the ice needed to brew had to be shipped in. So early San Franciscans developed a process using a new yeast that required no refrigeration and which fermented naturally in our cool climate. The process was called 'steam beer' because the barrels under pressure released a rush of natural carbonation which looked like steam. The result was a hearty, delicious draft-only lager that wasn't injected with carbon dioxide like other beers.

At one time there were 27 steam breweries in San Francisco, today only Anchor Steam remains. Founded in 1854, the declaration 'Made in San Francisco since 1896' refers to when German brewers Ernst F. Baruth and Otto Schinkel, Jr. bought the old brewery. Anchor Steam still steam brews and enjoys a cult following around the world. The brewery is the sixth largest 'craft brewer' in the country producing well over 100,000 barrels a year. The Anchor Steam brewery on Mariposa, shown above, is available for free tours and tasting with a reservation.
[ MAP H-16 ]