To commemorate an important milestone in Anchor Brewing's long history, a special ale seemed appropriate. Having found and experimented with a very rare and unusual hop variety called Nelson Sauvin, we knew that its unique character would impart a wonderful flavor and aroma to a pale ale brewed especially for the occasion: Humming Ale.

In 1965, Fritz Maytag and his small staff dedicated themselves to reviving the nearly bankrupt, almost medieval little San Francisco brewery on 8th Street. By 1971, San Francisco's venerable Anchor Steam Beer was available in bottles as well as on draught. By 1977, Anchor had become a tiny state-of-the art facility making a variety of traditional beers and ales. It was time to expand. Fritz purchased an old coffee-roasting plant a few blocks away on San Francisco's Potrero Hill, overseeing its gradual transformation into Anchor's current home—its sixth since 1896. Finally, on August 13, 1979, the move was complete, we fired up the brewkettle, and Anchor Steam had a new address: 1705 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, California.

Anchor's Humming Ale was brewed in San Francisco on August 13, 2009, 113 years after our founding and thirty years to the day since the first brew in our new brewhouse.

Humming is an ancient term, used centuries ago to describe both ales and beers. Although its origins are shrouded in mystery, it seemed the perfect fit for a new product from an established company celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first brew in our "new" brewery. From the very day of that first brew we were humming!

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