Read more about Cellarmaker on the San Francisco Brewers Guild’s blog.

SAN FRANCISCO—He Said let’s brew a dark beer with pumpkin and spices and put it in a light colored can. He Said let’s brew a light beer with pumpkin and spices and put it in a dark colored can. So they did both and produced a pumpkin beer collaboration like no other: two black pumpkin beers and two white pumpkin beers, together in one box.

Brewing up a pumpkin collaboration beer should be a piece of cake for Dick Cantwell, the pumpkin king at Elysian Brewing and a slam dunk for Shaun O’Sullivan, the 21st Amendment Brewery Brewmaster who brought the world Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer. In truth, brewing up He Said wasn’t that hard. What proved to be more difficult was getting their story about its inception straight.

Here, straight from the mouths of the pumpkin king and one of the watermelon guys, is exactly what He Said:

Shaun: “I met Dick in 2010. He walked into our San Francisco pub, came over to Nico and me and said he’d always wanted to meet the watermelon guys.”
Dick: “I met Shaun in 1999. He walked into my Seattle pub, came over to me and said he’d always wanted to meet the pumpkin king.”
Shaun: “Later on, while I was knocking his block off at Rock’em Sock’em Robots, Dick mentioned his little pumpkin fest and suggested we attend.”
Dick: “Later on, while hatching a plan to colonize a planet entirely devoted to watermelons and pumpkins I invited him to my massive pumpkin fest.”
Shaun: “One year later, Dick asked me again. Then he kicked me in the shins until I said yes.”
Dick: “Ten years later, Shaun asked me if the invitation still stood. I punched him in the ribs and said yes.”
Shaun: “After drinking the pumpkin elixirs, I told Dick we should do a pumpkin collaboration sometime.”
Dick: “After some cajolery, Shaun and Nico begged me to do a pumpkin collaboration as soon as possible. I said we should brew a pumpkin beer like no other. A Baltic Porter with caraway and cinnamon in a light colored can. Courage!”
Shaun: “I said we should brew a pumpkin beer like no other. A Belgian Tripel with spices in a dark colored can. That’s as big time as it gets.”

He Said is a white Belgian-Style Tripel ale brewed with pumpkin, tarragon and galangal. He Said is also a black Baltic-Style Porter lager brewed with pumpkin, Vietnamese cinnamon and ground caraway. Both beers have an ABV of 8.2%.

Try them both. Two 12oz cans of each version of He Said will be packaged together in a pumpkin-colored carrier that features the likenesses of the two brewers, each telling his side of the He Said story.

Shaun O’Sullivan, Brewmaster and Co-Founder of 21st Amendment Brewery, said, “Last year I attended Elysian’s Great Pumpkin Beer Fest – and this is the truth as it happened – I lobbied Nico hard for us to brew a pumpkin ale and release it in a can.”

Nico Freccia, Co-Founder of 21st Amendment Brewery, said, “I agreed to the endeavor, but only if we could collaborate with the pumpkin king, himself: Dick Cantwell of Elysian.”

Dick Cantwell, Founder of Elysian Brewing and the Elysian Great Pumpkin Beer Fest, said, “Well, it went something like that. In the end, we decided that it would be fun to brew two unusual types of pumpkin beers – a dark and a light – and package them together. And that’s how it happened.”

He Said, part of 21st Amendment Brewery’s Insurrection Series of once-in-awhile four packs, will be available in four-packs and on draft starting in late September in all seventeen of 21st Amendment’s current distribution territories: CA, OR, WA, AK, ID, MN, OH, MA, NY, NJ, DC, MD, DE, PA, VA, GA and NC. For up to date availability, events and promotions, visit 21A’s website at www.21st-Amendment.com.

About Elysian Brewing

Elysian operates three pubs and a production brewery in Seattle, producing 32,000 barrels a year. They don’t only make pumpkin beers, but this time of year it’s a lot of what they do, leading up to their Great Pumpkin Beer Fest on October 4, 5 and 6. Elysian has made around 300 different beers since they opened in 1996, both traditional and innovative, in large and small quantities. At least 30 of them have involved pumpkin. Visit Elysian at www.elysianbrewing.com

About 21st Amendment Brewery

Hey, we’re Nico & Shaun. We live for great beer. When we opened the 21st Amendment Brewpub in San Francisco in 2000, we vowed to do things differently. To us, the 21st Amendment means much more than just an end to Prohibition. It means the right to brew beer, the freedom to be innovative, and the obligation to have fun.

SAN FRANCISCO—Anchor Brewers & Distillers will be celebrating San Francisco’s sailing traditions throughout September as the city hosts the 34^th America’s Cup. As a part of Anchor Brewers & Distillers’ planned activities, Anchor Steam® Beer has been named the official beer and Junípero® Gin has been named the official gin to San Francisco’s hometown team, ORACLE TEAM USA, 34^th America’s Cup Defender.

“Sailing is part of our history and life on the San Francisco Bay,” said Keith Greggor, CEO and President of Anchor Brewers & Distillers. “As the manufacturer of San Francisco’s original beer and gin, we wanted to help the entire city celebrate the world’s most esteemed sailing event taking place right here in our home town.”

In addition to serving Anchor Steam Beer and Junípero Gin at a variety of ORACLE TEAM USA Events, Anchor Brewers & Distillers will be inviting all of San Francisco to “Raise Your Anchor” at select bars, restaurants, beer and spirits stores, and at the historic Anchor Brewing Taproom.

Anchor has commissioned local artists in the “Raise Your Anchor” campaign to celebrate sailing traditions in San Francisco.  Capturing sailing on the San Francisco Bay and the history of Yacht America, Anchor will be offering a commemorative magnum of Anchor Steam Beer illustrated by long-time friend Jim Stitt, who has been handcrafting Anchor labels for 38 years.  Available for sale at select retailers and the Anchor Taproom, this unique offering is ideal for celebrations, as well as a one-of-a-kind collectible for both Anchor Steam Beer and San Francisco Sailing Fans.

As a member of SFMade, Anchor Brewers & Distillers partnered with fellow SFMade artist Marlon Beaver to design a limited edition t-shirt.  Depicting the icons of the City, Marlon’s drawings and interpretative designs are San Francisco Originals.  With aquamarine ink silkscreened on a navy v-neck t-shirt, Marlon’s design sails amongst skylines, yachts and trophies all anchored on the Bay.  The artisan designed shirt will be available for sale in the Anchor Taproom and at SteamGear.com.  If you’re interested in other works by Marlon Beaver, check out CityArtApparelco.com.

Finally, Anchor Brewers & Distillers is highlighting the Official Beer Cocktail of ORACLE TEAM USA, The Anchor’s Cup.   Developed in collaboration with Russell Davis, 2012 Nightclub & Bar Bartender of the Year, this beer cocktail creates a new sailing cocktail ritual, inverting a shot mixture of Junípero Gin and The Kings Ginger Liqueur into Anchor Steam Beer with a splash of fresh orange juice.  The Anchor’s Cup is best enjoyed sipped with an Anchor Steam Beer Back.

Anchor Steam Beer is a San Francisco original dating back to 1896. It derives its unusual name from the 19^th century when “steam” was a nickname for beer brewed on the West Coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. Today the name applies only to the singular process and taste of Anchor Brewing’s flagship. Anchor Steam Beer owes its deep amber color, thick, creamy head, and rich, distinctive flavor to a brewing process like none other

Made by hand in the classic “distilled dry gin” tradition since 1996, Junípero Gin is San Francisco’s original craft gin. Utilizing more than a dozen botanicals in their natural state, Anchor Distilling has achieved a distinctive, intriguing complexity in Junípero Gin: light and crisp and clean, combining a deep and mysterious spiciness with subtle delicacy. Junípero Gin won the Gold – Best Gin Show during the 2012 NY World Wine and Spirits.

To learn more about Anchor Steam Beer, please visit AnchorBrewing.com.  To learn more about Junipero Gin, please visit AnchorDistilling.com. And, to learn more about ORACLE TEAM USA, visit oracle-team-usa.americascup.com.

Anchor’s Cup Recipe

½ oz. Junípero® Gin

½ oz. The Kings Ginger® Liqueur

3 oz. Anchor Steam® Beer

Splash of Orange Juice

1. Pour Junípero Gin and The Kings Ginger Liqueur into shot glass

2. Place rocks glass over shot glass and invert

3. Add Anchor Steam Beer and a Splash of Orange Juice

4. Remove shot glass, sip Anchor’s Cup and enjoy with an Anchor Steam Beer back

SAN FRANCISCO—Today, Anchor Brewing Company announces the release of Craft Originals, a 12-pack offering four original Anchor beers.

An undisputed icon, Anchor Brewing originated today’s craft beer movement.  Anchor Craft Originals is a collection of America’s first craft-brewed beers.  Inspiring both brewers and beer lovers alike, Anchor Steam® Beer, Anchor Porter®, Liberty Ale®, and Original Wheat™ are handcrafted classics. Anchor Craft Originals brings together these legendary brews for the first time and will no doubt inspire a new generation of beer lovers.

Leading the pack is Anchor Steam Beer (4.9% ABV), an American original and a world classic.  In 1965, Fritz Maytag acquired the struggling Anchor brewery and transformed it into America’s first craft brewery.  Its flagship brew, Anchor Steam Beer, owes its rich, distinctive flavor to a brewing process like none other.

Three additional beers complete the collection.  Anchor Porter (5.6% ABV) is the definitive brew that became the first modern American porter when it was introduced in 1972. Those who look beyond its intimidating color discover its surprisingly smooth, full-bodied drinkability.

The beer that started the IPA revolution, Liberty Ale (5.9% ABV) was introduced in 1975, well before it was fashionable to call a craft-brewed, hop-forward pale ale an IPA.  Liberty’s introduction of the Cascade hop and the revival of the dry hopping technique revolutionized American brewing.

The first of a new generation of wheat beers in the US, Original Wheat (5.6%) was introduced in 1984.  Exclusively available in the Anchor Craft Originals Pack, this unique re-creation celebrates the rebirth of wheat beer in America.

“I joined Anchor as one of five employees in 1971 at a time when there were no other craft breweries,” said Mark Carpenter, brewmaster of Anchor Brewing.  “Mass-produced beers dominated American brewing and the hands-on art of brewing was being lost every day.   Our focus on classical brewing and long-forgotten beer styles resulted in truly unique, radically different, craft-brewed beers.  When we started, we didn’t know our beers would inspire brewers and beer lovers alike.   Here at Anchor, we take pride in our series of firsts and the introduction of the Anchor Originals Pack is a one-of-a-kind, a collection of America’s first craft-brewed beers.  Most people remember the first time they had an Anchor and we hope this offering will inspire a new generation of beer-lovers.”

Each 12-pack includes the Anchor Craft Originals Educational and Tasting Notes Sheet. Created to help the craft beer enthusiast understand the historical significance of these brews as well as an interactive tasting notes sheet to record each beers aroma, color and taste.

The Anchor Craft Originals 12-pack will be available beginning September 2013 in select retailers nationwide and at the Anchor Brewing taproom in San Francisco.

Learn more about Anchor Brewing at www.anchorbrewing.com.

SAN FRANCISCO—Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is celebrating 16 years of brewing great craft beer in San Francisco with a huge party. The venerable San Francisco brewery has partnered with Workshop SF, The Bold Italic and SF Made to present Speakeasy’s 16^th Anniversary Block Party on Saturday, September 7, 2013.

The all-day party, hosted at the San Francisco brewery and overtaking its adjacent outdoor lot, boasts a huge selection of Speakeasy beers, live music and DJs, artisan food trucks, crafts vendors, and even an old time photo booth.

Perhaps most exciting for beer lovers: the party will feature unlimited tastings of rare and never-before-tried Speakeasy beers, along with the first taste of this year’s anniversary release, Blind Tiger. “We’ve been dying to release a beer like Blind Tiger,” says Brewmaster Kushal Hall. “It’s a massively hopped Imperial IPA that embodies all that an Imperial IPA could want to be.”

The event will feature celebrated local food and drink from Southpaw BBQ, Rosamunde Sausage Grill, McVicker Pickles, Ritual Coffee, Hey Cookie! and Beaver Mobile Café, with more vendors to be announced. Get down at the Brewhouse Live stage, with musical entertainment from Burn River Burn, Custom Built Empire and Vagabondage.

All attendees will also receive a collectible glass to take home. A special “Godfather’s Club” VIP ticket provides exclusive access to the Speakeasy Tap Room, a collectible poster and ultra rare beers not available anywhere else. Speakeasy Ales and Lagers is easily accessible by bike, bus or train, with plenty of bike parking.

General Admission and VIP tickets go on sale August 15 at http://speakeasys16thanniversary.eventbrite.com/

Speakeasy’s 16th Anniversary Block Party
Sept 7th, 2013, 1-6 PM
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
1195 Evans Ave, San Francisco CA 94124

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers has been crafting unique and exceptional beers in San Francisco since 1997. Using its original steam-fired brewhouse, Speakeasy operates out of a warehouse in San Francisco’s long forgotten Butchertown District.

San Francisco

Style: Black IPA

ABV: 8.2

Staff Review: Starts off with a pine in the nose, and the smell of malt. Staff picked up a slight hit of dark chocolate on the nose. The hops are very evident in the nose, although upon tasting the beer you realize it smells hoppier than it tastes. Tastes chocolately, and also has a roasted flavor. As the beer warms, even more of the chocolate leather becomes apparent. Be careful, this beer does not taste as strong as it is, you will not feel the heat from the 8.2%. Finished very dry and bitter with a malt dryness in the flavor. Staff recommends enjoying with BBQ, roasted duck, ribs or s’mores, if you’d rather have dessert.

SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Brewers Guild invites you to celebrate 10 years of Brews on the Bay with us aboard the historic S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 45, on Saturday, October 19th, from 2-5pm. Enjoy over 50 different beers made by San Francisco breweries, while soaking up the salty air, sunshine, live music, food, and spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and San Francisco. Tickets are on sale now for $55 and are expected to sell out.

This year’s event is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet. You can expect our member breweries to serve unlimited eight-ounce pours of their latest and greatest IPA, farmhouse ale, session beer, barrel-aged sour, imperial stout, and many other beer styles. The brewers will also be on hand to answer any questions about your favorite beers.

Participating Breweries:

21st Amendment Brewery
Almanac Beer
Anchor Brewing
Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant
Cellarmaker Brewing Co.
Cervecería de MateVeza
Headlands Brewing Company
Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery
Pacific Brewing Laboratory
Pine Street Brewery
Pizza Orgasmica & Brewing Company
Social Kitchen & Brewery
Southpaw BBQ
Southern Pacific Brewing
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
ThirstyBear Brewing
Triple Voodoo Brewing

In addition to the local beer, we’re going to serve up local food and music. Off the Grid has provided us with three of San Francisco’s best food trucks and carts: Ebbett’s Good to Go,Onigilly, and Burr-Eatery. They’ll line the pier to fill your mouth-watering needs for a few extra bucks. We’ve also enlisted The Brothers Comatose to play their lively roots music on the ship’s deck, while The Up & Down will be playing on the pier.

The S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien is a historical landmark from the World War II Merchant Marine era, and a portion of festival proceeds will benefit the National Liberty Ship Memorial.

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Brews on the Bay is organized by the San Francisco Brewers Guild, a non-profit 501(c)(6) founded in 2004. The Guild’s mission is to unite those who make local beer with those who love it, and revive the vibrant heritage of beer brewing in San Francisco.

Fritz Maytag bought a controlling share in Anchor Brewing in 1965, around the time when more than 80 percent of the beer sold in the United States was made by just six breweries. Photo courtesy of Anchor Brewing.

One day in August, 1965, a 27-year-old former graduate student in Japanese studies at Stanford walked into his favorite bar, the Old Spaghetti Factory in San Francisco’s trendy North Beach neighborhood. He ordered his usual: an Anchor Steam. The bar’s owner, a World War II veteran and local eccentric named Fred Kuh, ambled over. “You ever been to the brewery?” Kuh asked the young man (they knew each other).

“No.”

“You ought to see it,” Kuh said. “It’s closing in a day or two, and you ought to see it.”

The next day, the young man walked the mile and a half from his apartment to the Anchor Brewery at Eighth and Brannan streets, and bought a 51 percent stake for what he would later describe as “less than the price of a used car.”

The young man’s name was Fritz Maytag.

The purchase came at a restless time for Maytag, who already looked every inch the Midwestern patriarch he would come to resemble in later years: trim, compact, with large-frame glasses and close-cropped hair, a tie knotted snugly during the working day. The Kennedy assassination less than two years earlier had jarred him, and made him reconsider his Stanford studies, which he came to regard as “very minor.” He dropped out in the midst of what we would come to call a quarter-life crisis.

What was he going to do with his life? He had grown up on the family farm in Iowa, about 35 miles east of Des Moines. There, he was aware not only of the appliance empire started by his great-grandfather, a German immigrant, but of his father’s blue-cheese concern. Frederick Louis Maytag II, using a herd of Holsteins and the expertise of Iowa State’s dairy department, made blue cheese modeled after the Roquefort style in France. Like the French, he aged the cheese in caves: two 110-foot-deep ones dug into the family farm in 1941.

“I saw the pride with which my father reacted when people would ask him, ‘Have you anything to do with that blue cheese?’” Maytag recalled decades later.

Perhaps that’s why Maytag bought Anchor after barely an hour of checking it out (he would buy full control in 1969). The brewery was the last of its kind in America: one that made small batches of beer from traditional ingredients and distributed locally.