Anderson Valley – Summer Solstice

Anderson Valley has been brewing since 1987 in Anderson Valley, CA and they make a number of tasty beers.  One very unique aspect of Anderson Valley is the people speak a mix of English and Boontling – a mix of words that developed in the Anderson Valley.  The brewing company uses a number of Boontling words to describe their beers.  Summer Solstice (5% ABV and 4 IBU) is a seasonal Cream Ale offering.  So, Bahl Hornin’!, or good drinking.

Cream Ale – http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/6 - BeerAdvocate

Appearance – This beer pours a copper color with a nice two-finger head.

Aroma – Sweetness with a touch of vanilla – no hop presence noted.

Taste – If you like a sweeter, malty beer – this is a good choice. 

Overall – B – Very easy to drink and I have not had many cream ales to compare it too.  I would have it again and I think this would be a great beer to take to a BBQ to enjoy with friends.

Website description – “Summer Solstice Seasonal Ale is not just your average summer seasonal. This unique copper colored ale is smooth, malty, and lightly sweet, with a delicate hint of spice for that oh-so-drinkable, extra velvety flavor.”

Summer Solstice – http://www.avbc.com/main/our-beers/summer-solstice/

A Pilsner and three Stouts

I picked up a few different beers in a couple of mixed 6-packs and I sampled the following one eveneing: 1) Breckenridge Regal Imperial Pilsner (7.7% ABV and 45 IBU), 2) Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout (5.7% ABV and 23 IBU), 3) Green Flash Double Stout (8.8% ABV and 45 IBU), and 4) Bison Brewing Chocolate Stout (5% ABV).  My favorite stout was the Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout - it was excellent and was just an easy drinking flavorful stout.  The Green Flash was a bit hoppier and it was easy to detect the increased bitterness after the Barney Flats.  The Chocolate Stout tasted "weaker" after the Green Flash and while I think it is a good stout, it lacked the flavor profile after the Barney Flats and Green Flash.  The Regal Pilsner was a very good pilsner and had a minty finish that I think is from the hops.  It is part of the small-batch series.  I highly recommend Regal Double Pilsner and Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout.

Website description - Regal Double Pilsner - "A double Pilsner with distinct hoppy attributes and a pronounced malty backbone. It is strong in character and steadfast in its resolve to provide maximum drinking pleasure. All hail our Brewmaster and the fruits of his labor, Regal Pilsner!"
URL - http://www.breckbrew.com

Website description - Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout - "Barney Flats is the Boontling name for Hendy Woods State Park, a deep redwood forrest with a tree canopy so thick it can seem like nighttime at high noon.  It is no wonder that Anderson Valley Brewing Company named its deep, rich, dark oatmeal stout after Barney Flats. Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is full-bodied with a decadent mocha character and smooth mouthfeel balanced by a subtle hop bite. Near and dear to our hearts, Barney Flats was our first gold medal winner in 1990, but recently took bronze at the 2010 World Beer Cup.  Great on its own or as the perfect desert beer. Pair with chocolate and you’ll never have anything else.  As with all of our products, Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is never sterile filtered nor heat pasteurized."
URL - http://www.avbc.com

Website description - Green Flash Double Stout - "Golden naked oats mashed with dark crystal and robust roasted malts create a luscious black brew with satin smooth finish. An old-world style, done the Green Flash way. Big, bold, flavorful and complex."
URL - http://www.greenflashbrew.com

Website description - Bison Brewing Chocolate Stout - "Bison’s Chocolate Stout is a medium-bodied ale characterized by rich cocoa and roasted malt aromas, charismatic flavors of dark chocolate and espresso, a creamy mouthfeel and smooth, dry finish."
URL - http://bisonbrew.com

Anderson Valley - Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice (6.9% ABV and 6 IBU) is a seasonal ale from Anderson Valley Brewer and I picked this up in a 12 oz. can.  Winter Solstice pours amber / garnet with a nice malt and spice aroma and a large head that subsides quickly.  This beer is malty and spicy that reminds one of a pumpkin beer without the pumpkins.  This beer would go great with holiday dinners and I think it would be a good beer to introduce to people who don’t normally drink craft beers. 

Website description – “The holidays are a special time in Anderson Valley. The days are darker, weather colder, and foods richer. And Anderson Valley’s Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale is perfect for this time of year. Deep amber in color, with an inviting aroma of spice and nutmeg, it was made for the turkeys, cranberries, hams, and yams of the holidays. Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale evokes a crackling fire, drifting snow, and smells of home. A hint of spice and hop bite to balance out the creamy and smooth mouthfeel, and medium sweetness.”

DAB Original, Boont Amber Ale and Alaskan White

Dortmunder – DAB – Export

Dortmunder or DAB Export (5.0% ABV) is a German Lager and it is packaged in a green bottle.  Now a short rant – I do now understand why brewers bottle a product in a container that is affected by sunlight.  The amber bottle or the can is the best packaging for beer because these two containers prevent the beer from being ruined by exposure to sunlight.  Quick rule of thumb – if it is not in an amber bottle or a can – don’t buy it.  Dortmunder pours gold with a two finger head and good carbonation.  I would compare this beer to an American marcro brewery and I was not impressed.  I recommend avoiding this one.

Anderson Valley – Boont Amber Ale

Boont Amber Ale (5.8% ABV and 15 IBU) is an American amber ale.  Boot pours cloudy amber with a vigorous head and I had to let it settle a couple of times while pouring.  I thought this beer was much hoppier than it is when I first tasted it.  This amber ale is better when it warms a bit and I thought it tasted more balanced at the end of the glass than at the start.  This is an unfiltered and is not pasteurized, so keep it cold until you are ready to enjoy.  The website recommends it should be served between 40 – 45 and I agree that the flavor is much better at this temperature that right out of the fridge.

Alaskan – White

Alaskan White (5.3% ABV and 15 IBU) is a Belgian-style Wit beer and I enjoy this style.  White pours gold with a large head – be careful when pouring.  White is a drinkable beer and I could pick up hints of coriander and bitter orange.  Both of these and probably grains of paradise are used in the brewing of this beer.  Using spices during the brewing process are part of the Belgian Wit history.  Another good beer from Alaskan Brewing.