a somewhat fusty and generic designation for the style more properly known as steam beer. California common has been settled upon by various beer judging and classification entities in compliance with the wishes of Anchor Brewing Company of San Francisco, which retains legal right to any use of the word steam in connection with beer made in America. The steam beer style harkens back to the limitations of lager brewing on America’s western frontier, where refrigeration was usually unavailable and colder-favoring yeasts were allowed to ferment at warmer temperatures. The result was a beer of some crispness and sulfur, yet displaying the fruitier esters of a less restrained fermentation. The beer is generally dark amber to brown in color, of medium alcoholic strength. German hop varieties are typically used.

California common is the recognized designation for the sometimes disputed style by the Beer Judge Certification Program, which oversees the judging of homebrewing competitions in the United States. It is also used by the Brewers Association in its judging supervision of both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup competitions for professional brewers.

Although some American brewers acknowledge Anchor’s right to the term “steam,” there are those whose California Commons offer tongue-in-cheek reference to the assertion of trademark, such as Victory Brewing of Downingtown, Pennsylvania’s, “dampf” beer (dampf is German for steam). Perhaps more artful is Sly Fox Brewing, of Phoenixville and Royersford, Pennsylvania, whose Gold Rush lager gives the idea without risking offense or action.

See also anchor brewing company, judging beer, and steam beer.