Mission Mission

I’d never seen a can with a different color top before. Pretty trippy.

Yesterday I drank the second half of a bottle of Liberty that had been sitting open on my kitchen table since Tuesday afternoon — and it was absolutely delicious. How many beers could you say that about? I reckon not many.

Everybody’s so gaga over Anchor California Lager these days, but hopefully not at the expense of good ‘ol Liberty, a true San Francisco original:

The champagne-like bubbles, distinctive hop bouquet, and balanced character of Liberty Ale® revives centuries-old ale brewing traditions that are now more relevant than ever. First introduced in 1975, Liberty Ale® is brewed strictly according to traditional craft brewing methods, and uses only natural ingredients — pale malted barley, fresh whole-cone Cascade hops and a special top-fermenting yeast, and water.

The yeast used during fermentation produces many of Liberty Ale’s subtle flavors and characteristics. A natural process called “bunging” creates gentle carbonation, and the practice of dry hopping (adding fresh hops to the brew during aging), revived by Anchor, creates its unique aroma.

Liberty Ale® was first brewed to celebrate the bicentennial of Paul Revere’s historic ride. As the first modern American IPA brewed after prohibition and the first modern American single-hop ale and dry-hopped ale, Anchor’s Liberty Ale® is the original craft brewed ale and the historic beer that started a revolution. [link]

Float a little Fernet on top of a pint of Anchor Flying Cloud Stout. It’s a variation on the San Francisco classic The Bottom of the Bay. Dark and stormy.

They contain gin, sloe gin, apricot and lime, and they’re real fun to try to pick up and transfer to your gullet.

Longtime Mission Mission contributor (and originator of our occasional Drink of the Week series) Nick Pal has started anew as a DJ instead of a blogger. He hosts four different shows on BFF on Sunday afternoons, and he does this happy hour gig every first Wednesday at Pop’s.

Last first Wednesday, Nick Pal played a lot of great short rock ‘n’ roll songs, from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and maybe the ’10s too, including this jam:

See y’all tonight!

It’s actually really horrible, but it’s festive, and I like this picture.

On tap at Rosamunde right now. So good. Just look at it.

It’s an herbal liqueur from Latvia, kiiinda like a Fernet. It rules.

Here’s the deal:

Anchor Brewing Company’s Zymaster No. 6: Saaremaa Island Ale is inspired by Anchor Brewmaster Mark Carpenter’s journey to this Estonian island in the Baltic Sea. Inhabited for over 8,000 years, Saaremaa has been occupied by Germany, Denmark, Sweden, czarist Russia, and the Soviet Union. Its culture is a rich and fascinating melting pot. Yet few outside of Estonia have ever experienced its uniquely native beers. Mark enjoyed them so much that he not only brought back his memories of Saaremaa but some brewer’s yeast, as well. Inspired by Mark’s Estonian beer journey, Anchor’s Zymaster No. 6 takes you on a journey to Saaremaa by way of San Francisco.

“My wife and I were traveling through the Saaremaa Island countryside and we stopped at a bar,” said Anchor Brewmaster Mark Carpenter. “I asked for a local draught beer and the unfiltered brew I was served was completely unique. It was the native yeast that intrigued me and ultimately become the inspiration for Zymaster No. 6. After returning to San Francisco, the Estonian yeast was isolated and cultured becoming the cornerstone of our pale ale which is complimented by the medium bitterness from Northern Brewer, a favorite hop here at Anchor. The result is a one-of-a-kind brew that transports me back to that countryside bar. We hope you’ll enjoy this beer journey, as well.” [link]

I had it the other day at the Tradesman and it was pretty interesting (and paired well with the burger with peanut butter and cheese). Had no idea of its Estonian origins until I thought to look it up just now. Cool story, Anchor!