SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Anchor Brewing Company announces the long-awaited return of its annual Christmas beer, rolling out nationwide in October. First released in 1975, Christmas Ale is nationally recognized as one of the craft beer industry’s first buzz beers and one of many groundbreaking beers that defined the fundamental role of Anchor in the craft beer movement. Each year, Anchor’s brewmasters craft a new secret recipe and bottle the limited-edition beer with a different hand-drawn festive tree label. Like last year, a portion of all sales benefit One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization dedicated to global reforestation that plants millions of trees in 43 countries.
The 48th annual Christmas Ale features notes of orange, honeysuckle, roasted malts and eucalyptus. Well-structured with pleasantly grassy herbs and hops, this rye infusion finishes with a hint of spice like the warming bittersweet notes of Amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur often enjoyed as an after-dinner digestive. The 7.2% beer pairs well with hearty winter dishes like Achiote Roast Chicken with Mole or a sweet treat like Chocolate Bundt Cake. Tom Riley, recently retired brewmaster of Anchor Brewing, led the creative direction of the spicy red rye beer as the grand finale of his 38-year tenure at the iconic San Francisco brewery.
“Holidays at Anchor Brewing are always a special time to reflect on our history and the pioneering spirit that inspires our innovation,” says Dane Volek, Anchor Brewing Company’s new Master Brewer. “Our incredible team of brewers have created a Christmas beer that truly captures the essence of the holidays. We are delighted that the fans are celebrating the season with us.
This year’s hand-drawn label features a Blue Gum eucalyptus tree, a nod to Mary Ellen Pleasant, a 19th-century San Francisco entrepreneur, financier, abolitionist, and civil rights activist. Pleasant, who is known as the “mother of civil rights in California” for her impact during the San Francisco Gold Rush, planted Blue Gum eucalyptus trees in front of her Pacific Heights mansion shortly before her death in 1904. 1974, the City of San Francisco designated the trees a Structure of Merit, recognizing them and their accompanying honorary plaque as Mary Ellen Pleasant Memorial Park.
Available through January 2023, Christmas Ale comes in 12oz bottles; signature, 50.7 oz gold leaf magnums; and pressure in bars and restaurants across the country. Bay Area residents can enjoy Christmas beer at the Anchor Public Taps Taproom or visit the historic brewery in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood for festive Christmas beer tours from November through December.
About Anchor Brewing Company
Founded in San Francisco in 1896, Anchor Brewing Company is America’s first craft brewery, a pioneer and industry leader that persevered through earthquakes, fires and Prohibition. In 1965, Anchor’s new owner, Fritz Maytag, relaunched the brewery for a new era, charting a course that was fundamental to the craft beer movement. During this time, Anchor reinvented its now classic Steam Beer, introduced the first American Pale Ale, and pioneered new brewing practices, such as dry hopping, that are still used throughout the industry today. today. As a proudly unionized brewery, Anchor’s vibrant beer portfolio includes complex ales, refreshing IPAs and iconic classics such as Anchor Steam®, Liberty Ale, Anchor Porter, California Lager and Christmas Ale. As always, Anchor Brewing remains committed to innovation while handcrafting venerable beers that stand the test of time. Locals and visitors to the Bay Area can experience Anchor Brewing in person at their iconic brewery and Public Taps taproom in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood. To learn more, visit www.anchorbrewing.com and follow Anchor Brewing on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
