Press Release: 

(San Francisco, CA) – Today, Anchor Brewing Company announces the release of Anchor Saison™ Spring Ale, a sharply refreshing Belgian-style ale with a California twist.

Saisons originated with the rustic farmhouse ales of Wallonia, a mostly French-speaking region of Belgium. Bière de saison was brewed during the saison froide (cold season) for consumption during the warmer months. Today saisons are made and enjoyed year-round. Anchor Saison™ Spring Ale (7.2% ABV) is a traditional Belgian-style saison with a California twist. The distinctiveness of roasted Belgian wheat malt is enhanced by the peppery, clove-like flavors of a locally cultured saison-style yeast. And, for this release, Anchor chose three California ingredients—lemongrass, lemon peel, and ginger—whose synergy adds a tangy crispness and herbal spiciness to this sharply refreshing, uniquely Californian saison.

“When we brewed Fort Ross® Farmhouse Ale for our Zymaster Series, it was the first time we’ve experimented with Belgian-style yeast at Anchor,” said Mark Carpenter, Brewmaster at Anchor Brewing Company. “The response was terrific and we thought a saison would be a wonderful addition to our seasonal line-up. For a brewer, this beer style offers tremendous freedom while also demanding creativity. To complement the peppery, clove-like profile of our locally cultured saison-style yeast, I was drawn to flavors from my favorite Sushi and Vietnamese restaurants like fresh ginger, lemongrass, and lemon peel. We’re excited for this brew and hope you’ll enjoy pairing it with foods that incorporate similar flavors.”

Inspired by the imaginative and colorful beer labels from the late 1800’s depicting California scenery framed by mouth-watering images of fresh citrus, Anchor Saison™ Spring Ale’s label features an original hand-colored 1873 lithograph of the Golden Gate as seen from Telegraph Hill. The saison’s California ingredients, hand drawn by local label artist James Stitt, adorn it, creating a uniquely Anchor label for a uniquely Anchor brew.

Released in California this March thru May, Anchor Saison™ Spring Ale will be available in 6-packs and draught at select retailers and at the Anchor Brewing Taproom in San Francisco.

Learn more about our seasonal brew by watching the new video: