Everyone has that one beer – the beer that ignited your love for craft beer and sent you on a journey. This could be a basic lager or something more complex like a gueuze or lambic. In many cases, it’s a flagship from one of the pioneers of the craft beer industry. In our hyper-local craft scene where breweries often crank out several new releases every week, sometimes we overlook the classics and the staples that may have been super exciting at one point in time. These beers may feel antiquated or old man-ish compared to the latest pastry stouts or quadruple dry-hopped haze bomb, but they are still just as worthy of attention. They are also quite often the go-to beers for brewers who want a beer that is balanced, respectable, and not too much of a palate overload. In our column The Beers That Made Us, we talk with brewers about the beers that have made the biggest impact on them in terms of their personal taste and love of craft beer as well as well as how it inspired their approach to brewing. 

Helmed by Colleen and Chad Kuehl and launched in 2013, Bellingham, Washington’s Wander Brewing has quietly carved out a respected place in the craft beer world. What makes Wander such a fascinating operation is their ability to not only nail pretty much every style, but to win awards for just about all of them. Since their founding, the brewery has garnered an impressive batch of awards for everything from their export stout to wild ales, lagers and classic European styles. Visit their brewery and you’ll see an overwhelming array of different offerings, and here’s the kicker…they’re all excellent! This, of course, begs the question of what beers inspired Wander on their journey. For brewer and co-owner Chad Kuehl, one of the beers that inspired his own path manages to be both unexpected and make total sense. 

Beer: 

Anchor Brewing Porter

Your first time:

Chad Kuehl (CK): Colleen (brewery co-owner and wife) and I loaded up a U-Haul van and moved to San Francisco in 2004. I was just developing my love for craft beer and Anchor was obviously very present around town. Anchor Steam is more widely known but I have always leaned towards stouts, porters, and brown ales on beer menus. At first sip I was taken aback by the rich dark malt flavor complexity that was so smooth and approachable.

What makes it special:

CK: It is extremely well balanced and highly drinkable regardless of the setting or if you are a fan of dark beers. It is also naturally carbonated, and the mouth feel is amazing.

Why this beer is influential:

CK: From a historical perspective, it was the first American porter produced after prohibition. For early craft beer pioneers on the West Coast, it was one of the only domestic examples of the porter style available for reference. The longevity of its production is impressive. It will be fifty years-old next year!

Why beer drinkers should pay attention:

CK: It is a classic style from what is considered to be America’s first craft brewery. Many of the dark beers grabbing headlines these days are high ABV, barrel-aged, or packed full of adjuncts. Anchor Porter is flavorful but lighter, smoother, and more approachable than those beers. It is a true classic representation of where dark beers originated in the American craft beer movement.

How this beer inspired your brewery:

CK: We don’t brew a year-round porter at Wander, but our Correspondent Export Stout aims to capture the same rich-dark-roast-chocolate-espresso flavors that perked my interest in Anchor Porter nearly 20 years ago. Since we opened the brewery, it has always been my favorite beer that we produce. Dark beer sales surge in cooler months, but Correspondent is my go-to beer year-round. It has also won gold at the GABF twice and I encourage you to grab a pint when you visit! Prost!

Read our previous editions of The Beers That Made Us with Upright Brewing, Chuckanut Brewing, Cloudburst Brewing, De Garde Brewing, and Russian River Brewing.