Zymaster Series No. 6: Saaremaa Island Ale (Video)

San Francisco, CA (August 6, 2014)– Today, Anchor Brewing Company

announces the release of the sixth brew in their Zymaster® series, Saaremaa

Island Ale.

Beer is a journey. Wine is defined by time – on the vine and in the bottle – and

place, known as terroir. But beer, thanks to the miracles of modern science,

can now be made virtually anywhere in any style, transporting the beer-lover to

whatever time, place, and flavors he or she desires.

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.”

Zymaster No. 6 (6% ABV) is a medium-bitter pale ale with Old World hop

flavor and aroma. Made with pale barley malt, it has a light body and clean

finish. But what makes Saaremaa Island Ale exceptional is the native yeast

that Brewmaster Mark Carpenter clandestinely brought back from his Estonian

beer journey. It took months for Anchor to isolate and culture this special strain,

so essential to the unique character of Saaremaa Island’s indigenous beers.

Anchor’s trial brews confirmed that this yeast, reminiscent of some Belgian

varieties, contributes a richly complex piquancy to this deliciously distinctive ale

with overtones of freshly ground clove and allspice.

Watch Mark talk about the intriguing journey he and this special yeast strain had

to endure to achieve this brew: Zymaster 6 Video

Anchor  Zymaster No. 6: Saaremaa Island Ale will be available in limited release

beginning July 2014 in 22 oz. bottles and on draught in select restaurants, bars,

and at the Anchor Brewing Taproom in San Francisco.

Learn more about Anchor Brewing at www.anchorbrewing.com.