What was the first US micro beer?

It's tricky to pinpoint the *absolute first* US microbrewery, as the definition of "microbrewery" has evolved over time, and there were small-scale brewers operating before the term was commonly used.

However, some contenders for the title include:

* Fritz Maytag's Anchor Brewing Company (San Francisco, CA, founded 1965): Anchor Brewing is often cited as a pioneer in the craft beer movement, reviving traditional brewing methods and paving the way for smaller brewers.

* New Albion Brewing (Sonoma, CA, founded 1976): New Albion is considered by many to be the first true "microbrewery" in the modern sense. They focused on small-batch production and innovative styles, and their influence was significant.

* Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant (Palo Alto, CA, founded 1988): This brewery is noteworthy for its focus on producing high-quality, European-style lagers and for its innovative "brewpub" concept, combining brewing and restaurant service.

It's important to note that the early years of the craft beer movement saw many small brewers emerge simultaneously, each contributing to the growth and evolution of the industry. It's more accurate to acknowledge the collective effort of these pioneers than to single out one specific brewery as the "first."