Anchor Steam Beer

I think I may have found my favorite domestic beer. Yes, I’m going to say that I have. Although I do acknowledge that the next time I visit a microbrewery or run across another artisan beer, I may find my favorite domestic beer again. For now, though, Anchor Steam sits atop that list.

I had a pint of Anchor Steam at the Peoria Riverfront eatery, New Amsterdam Bar and Restaurant. Carol had visited NABR a couple times before and on her birthday, after a morning at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, we had lunch there and it was very nice.

Taking advice from our genial server Jim Bob, I first tried a New Amsterdam Pale Ale, a beer from the Chicago brewery Two Brothers called The Bitter End which the restaurant has branded as their own through a licensing agreement. It was quite nice but while I was enjoying the pint very much, Jim Bob came by and said I also might like Anchor Steam. He kindly brought me a sample and after the first sip, I immediately ordered a full glass. This very flavorful beer delivered a smooth punch up front and had absolutely no dull aftertaste, a characteristic of some of these ales. I can’t imagine finding a better selection at New Amsterdam, though they do have a great variety from which to choose. If you’d like a really nice glass of beer, give Anchor Steam a shot.

And while I have your attention, let me just say a word or two about the restaurant itself. We learned on this visit that New Amsterdam is owned by the same family who own Jonah’s and The Fish House in Peoria. So we weren’t surprised to find that the overall experience was a good one. Jim Bob was great, attentive but not intrusive and the Taco Nacho’s appetizer, which we shared, was incredible. The menu claims that they’re “seriously loaded!” and they don’t exaggerate. The half order, which was $6.90, was plenty for the two of us so if you order the “Full” for $13.90, you better be in a party of five or six. The ham, turkey, mozzarella, cheddar, pico, avocado, sour cream & taco meat sit aboard the best nacho chips I’ve had in a while. And though we didn’t go for it, they also offer Beer Ale Cheese as a topping for an extra $1.00.

I love having these great riverfront restaurant options here in Peoria and New Amsterdam is a nice example. I hope they remain successful because I would love to have easy access to Anchor Steam any time I want. After all, it is my favorite domestic beer…for now.

The Anchor Brewing website can be accessed by clicking HERE

Check out the New Amsterdam Bar & Restaurant menu and other information by clicking HERE