At the dawn of the 20th century, the popularity of steam beer was waning. It may have had something to do with it’s “cheap as water” reputation. The news article provides one reason and what five Bay Area breweries planned on doing together to counter the sales slide. Bartenders take some blame and education is the key, which goes to show that a proper pour isn’t just a contemporary concern.

The story also mentions the existence of Anchor Brewery in Oakland, which according to American Breweries II, was founded by Charles H. Kramm in 1894, and was located at 49th and Shattuck Ave. The brewery operated until 1911. No records have been found connecting it with San Francisco’s better-known Anchor Brewing, which was run by Ernst F. Baruth and Otto Schinkel, beginning in 1896.