anchor steam vs sierra nevada

[baruch]

for the "best" beer one can EASILY purchase in the US, which is the better selection: anchor steam or sierra pale ale??

obviously aware of a zillion others, BUT after reading, tasting (the best part); appears that a rough consensus emerges between the above two with the deciding factor being "easily able to purchase!!! san miguel dark supposely considered superior, BUT can not find, even in manhattan!!!

thoughts appreciated.

[Hopleaf]

I am particularly fond of Anchor Steam, despite it being occasionally maligned on these pages. It's a solid, drinkable beer that doesn't make you pay later. That's my vote.

[rstarobi]

Of the two breweries, I prefer Sierra Nevada's flagship beer, the pale ale over Anchor Steam's Steam Beer.

However, when you get past the flagships and into all their other beers, I prefer Anchor Steam's catalog (mmm... old foghorn.. best beer I've yet had).

[rich]

I think both are excellent. It pinned down for a choice, I would say Anchor Steam by a nostril.

[LiquidBread]

It depends on how hoppy you like your beer. I like Sierra Neveda Pale Ale better because I prefer a hoppier beer (generally). If I was in the mood for something smoother I go with the Anchor Steam. Both are good beers to me.

[Stone]

I agree that these are probably the two best mass-produced beers in America. I usually choose Sierra Nevada because I like the hoppier taste.

[John]

I've had both many times, and comparing them is a little like comparing apples and oranges. I prefer Sierra Nevada; but I like this style, which is American Pale Ale (American hops like Cascade as opposed to Fuggles or Kent Goldings for an English pale Ale). Anchor steam is sort of an Amber Lager; actually a hybrid. They use a lager yeast, but ferment at warmer ale temperatures.

A better comparison would be between Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Anchor's Liberty Ale. The Liberty Ale is considered stylistically between an American Pale Ale and an IPA. The Liberty Ale is better, in my opinion, than Sierra Nevada. In fact, out of the hundreds of beers I've tried, Liberty Ale is in my top three, along with Great Lakes Dortmunder (Cleveland) and Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout (England).

[pnapoli]

sierra nevada.

[tighe]

Where's the love for Red Hook ESB? Since its being made on both coasts now, I would think it qualifies as widely available? Maybe I'm just a homer, but I much prefer it to either Anchor or Sierra Nevada.

[Dances With Possums]

I miss Celis White in the summertime...

Of the two offered here, though, I like the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I am just a hophead, I suppose.

DWP

[ranitidine]

I like them both very much but prefer Sierra Nevade Pale with Indian and Szechuan food. Had a bottle of Orval with a Belgian meal tonight. Wonderful aroma and good, bitter taste.

[erie1]

It's all about the hops to me. Anchor Liberty is great but Steam can't hold a candle to Pale Ale. Then there is Celebration.

[Stone]

Where's the love for Red Hook ESB?  Since its being made on both coasts now, I would think it qualifies as widely available?  Maybe I'm just a homer, but I much prefer it to either Anchor or Sierra Nevada.

Red Hook is great, but bitters just doesn't have the universal appeal of a good pale ale.

[jaybee]

Anchor Steam always disappoints. Sierra Nevada on draft never does. But Stella Artois on draft is killer.

[Beachfan]

Sierra Nevada, I don't care for Anchor steam

[Clay]

Sierra Nevada!

[Damian]

erie and John have hit on it. While I am a fan of Sierra Nevada's pale ale to the point that it is generally my default purchase along with Guinness in the new bottles, Anchor's Liberty Ale is superb. Liberty probably gets my vote over Sierra.

[beerguyjim]

Red Hook is great, but bitters just doesn't have the universal appeal of a good pale ale.

Perhaps you can explain the difference between bitter and pale ale?

[Belmont3]

Sierra Nevada, is great, but it is Deschuttes Black Butte Porter for me

[jciel]

There is no question that Sierra Nevada is the better of the two in my estimation. Although one cannot truly compare them stylistically, the hoppiness of Sierra makes it a fave on a hot California day. Then there is the mother of all cervesas, The Black Butte Porter! Mothers milk in the bottle. Like nothing else I've tasted, but alas, not readily available to most on the opposite coast. Buy Sierra, you won't go wrong.

[Hopleaf]

Despite my earlier post, I've been leaning toward Sierra lately. Been buying it a lot since Anchor's hard to find in my area. Plus, Sierra's got that added bite with the 5% alcohol. Anchor's still a good beer, though. It'll always be in my top five.

[LESider]

Anchor Steam for me. but I like a less "hoppy" beer. I prefer Sierra on Tap over their bottled product. In Manhattan I'll take both of them over Brooklyn Brewery's product

[NeroW]

Then there is the mother of all cervesas, The Black Butte Porter! Mothers milk in the bottle. Like nothing else I've tasted, but alas, not readily available to most on the opposite coast

Ah, yes, unfortunately, not available here in the Midwest either--that I have seen. But it is the greatest. Sierra Nevada for me, please.

[Matt Seeber]

i'll vote for anchor steam - liberty or regular and their porter is excellent as well.

i stopped by the anchor booth at the nyc restaurant show in january to try a few samples. andy musser was pouring the beer. pretty cool.

[Coop]

For me it is Anchor Steam. Perhaps it is my love for all things Maytag, blue cheese, York Creek Petit Syrah, my dishwasher etc.