San Francisco born and raised, Anchor is lucky to be surrounded by the San Francisco Bay, one of the world’s most impressive waterways and one of California’s most important ecosystems. That’s why we partnered with local nonprofit Baykeeper to create Baykeeper IPA, a bright and delicious IPA brew. Baykeeper, who has defended the Bay from pollution for 30 years, relentlessly confronts polluters and stops harmful actions from occurring in the Bay with their expertise in law, science, and advocacy.

To celebrate their accomplishments and 30^th anniversary, we’re introducing a collaboration beer that’s as fierce as Baykeeper’s commitment to preserving the Bay. Baykeeper IPA is a crisp and refreshing San Francisco-style IPA, overflowing with juicy and fruit-forward hop layers. A portion of the proceeds from this brew will directly support San Francisco Baykeeper and their efforts to stop polluters so the Bay’s water is healthy for wildlife and local communities.

The recipe for Baykeeper IPA was inspired by the feeling of being out on the water: salty skin, clean air, and a bountiful breeze. “There’s nothing like a crisp beer to celebrate a good swim, boat ride or kayaking session,” said Brewmaster Scott Ungermann. “The San Francisco Bay is intrinsically tied to Anchor, which earned its name because of the historical maritime influence on the city. A temperate climate and cool breeze from the San Francisco Bay have affected the way Anchor has produced beer since 1896.”

“Anchor Brewing, like the Bay itself, is iconic to San Francisco,” says Sejal Choksi-Chugh, Executive Director of San Francisco Baykeeper. “They know that a healthy Bay is part of what makes the Bay Area special. The Baykeeper IPA is a meaningful pairing for anyone who loves San Francisco Bay and is looking to support a terrific local company.”

Teeming with lime, orange zest, and papaya aromas, Baykeeper IPA has a slightly spicy, yet slightly sweet taste that finishes with a delicate bitterness. Mosaic, Cascade, and Amarillo Cryo hops were used to amplify the fruity and piney hop aromatics in this slightly hazy brew. Anchor takes a balanced approach to the bitterness while ramping up the hop intensity in Baykeeper IPA, making it a tasty San Francisco-style IPA.

Because this brew is a celebration of the Bay, we turned to our neighbor across the Bay for some of the malt used in Baykeeper IPA. Based in Alameda, Admiral Maltings contracts family farms in the Sacramento Valley, California to sustainably grow no-till or organic barley for its floor-malt. Floor malting is an ancient but vanishing art revered by brewers around the globe. For Baykeeper IPA, we used Admiral Gallagher’s Best from the local maltster. This pale ale style of malt has a bright aroma of multigrain crackers and hay with a mildly sweet flavor of toast and honey. In addition, Anchor used 2-Row Pale, Acidulated Malt, Golden Naked Oats and Toasted Rice, combined to create an exceptional malt profile. The beer pours a deep golden color with a creamy, fluffy head.

California watercolor artist Jenna Rainey hand-painted the label on Baykeeper IPA, which features Baykeeper’s patrol boat charging through the water underneath the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Since 1989, Baykeeper’s patrol boat has regularly monitored the San Francisco Bay, the treasure of the Bay Area, to identify and investigate pollution. From there, Baykeeper strategically uses advocacy, public education and legal action to secure smart solutions that stop pollution and restore water quality.

Baykeeper IPA is a limited-time offering and part of our local collaboration series. “The community we’re surrounded by here in San Francisco is very connected. We’re influenced by the spirit of innovation, environmental protection, and advocacy all around us,” said Ungermann. “It’s an honor to team up with our neighbors in the Bay Area to brew up something special.

Join us for an official Baykeeper IPA Release Party on Thursday, January 17^th from 5-9PM at Anchor Public Taps, Anchor’s pilot brewery and bar located in Potrero Hill. The event will celebrate the release of this new brew, as well as Baykeeper’s 30^th anniversary as an organization. Attendees can meet the Anchor brewers, get involved at Baykeeper’s local advocacy booth and geek out at Admiral Maltings’ education station. There will be a silent auction benefitting Baykeeper with exciting prizes, a DJ from community radio station BFF.fm spinning tunes by Bay Area artists, and Baykeeper IPA flowing on tap all night long.

Baykeeper IPA is available now nationwide in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draught at select bars, restaurants, and stores as well as at Anchor Public Taps and the Anchor Brewing Taproom. You can find a brew near you by using the Anchor Beer Finder.