BJCP 19B · Amber and Brown American Beer
California Common
An American lager fermented at ale temperatures, amber in color, with toasty malt, caramel and woody, minty hops. Firmly bitter and dry.
California Common by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.5 – 5.5%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 30 – 45 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 9 – 14 SRM18–28 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.048 – 1.054on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.011 – 1.014on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What California Common is like
A medium-bodied amber beer with toasty malt and caramel and firm hop bitterness with a woody or minty character. It's fermented with lager yeast at ale temperatures, but finishes clean.
Appearance
Medium amber to copper, clear. Off-white head with good retention.
Aroma
Woody, minty or rustic hops with toasty malt, bread and caramel. May have a light fruitiness.
Flavor
Toasty malt and some caramel with moderate to high bitterness and woody or minty hops. Dry, fairly clean finish.
Mouthfeel
Medium body and medium to high carbonation.
Where California Common comes from
It was born in 19th-century California, when brewers made lager without ice and fermented at mild temperatures. It was known as steam beer, and Anchor Brewing in San Francisco kept the style alive; the term steam beer is a registered trademark.
Ingredients
Pale malt with crystal and sometimes a little toasted malt. Northern Brewer hops, which give the woody, minty character, and a lager yeast that performs well warm.
Brew it yourself
How to brew California Common at home
Use a lager strain designed to ferment warm, such as the California Lager strains, at 14-17 °C (57-63 °F), then give it a few weeks of cold conditioning. Mash at 65-66 °C (149-151 °F). If you ferment a regular lager yeast at that temperature, you'll get too many esters and too much sulfur.
Food pairing
Pastrami sandwich, seafood or burgers.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Anchor Steam Beer
Frequently asked questions
How strong is California Common?
Between 4.5% and 5.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is California Common?
It has 30 to 45 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is California Common?
Amber to copper: 9 to 14 SRM (18 to 28 EBC).
What food pairs well with California Common?
Pastrami sandwich, seafood or burgers.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Amber Ale and Best Bitter.
If you like California Common, try these
Classification and statistics: official California Common guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.