Anderson Valley Deep Enders Dark Porter

Usually a huge fan of Anderson Valley, Deep Enders Dark Porter ends up in the ‘meh’ category.  Dark dark amber color, big ol’ head and foamy, the aroma really doesn’t come through and that leads to similarly mild taste.  I usually expect some dark roastedness, chocolate, coffee, etc. but there really wasn’t any discernable flavor at all.  Not much more to add… pretty middle of the road, as the rating system says.

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Ah, probably my favourite Californians – Anderson Valley Brewing Company know how to knock out a good bottle of beer or two, and I’ve more than enjoyed every single thing of theirs that I’ve tried. As lady luck would have it, this bottle of Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is no exception.

Black as night in the glass with a hint of ebony around the edges, a dark bitter chocolate aroma and a foamy brown head to top things off, things start well for Barney Flats as he pays his first visit to my house. First impression is of something smooth, silky smooth and rich with a creamy texture and a healthy helping of oats and warm rich malt, finishing on a tender hoppy note that piques the interest.

Packed full of flavour and general all-around goodness, AVBC do everything right with this stout. A kick-ass beer that deserves your attention.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

 

Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema

Doug seemed to really rate this beer when he was at the Washington Brewers Festival a few weeks back, and I was pleased and happy to track down a bottle at my temporary Californian hideout last week. What am I talking about? Why, Anderson Valley Brewing Company’s Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema, of course…

Billed as “a silky, creamy dream, perfect as a warm weather beer”, this is another of AVBC’s creations that lives up to it’s promise. The first thing that struck me was the colour – darker than I’d expected, this truly is a copper-colourd pint. Second was the aroma – although it’s not hugely strong, you could definitely smell the alcohol in here, and that’s no bad thing. Third was the flavour: if I’m honest, the first sip wasn’t instantly impressive – but boy, did that change quickly.

What surprised me was how drinkable this beer became as I got into it. Really velvety on the tongue, insanely smooth, possibly one of the most more-ish beers I’ve ever had the pleasure to drink. With a spicy, almost orangey tang and a sweet follow-through that leaves you refreshed but wanting more, I’m now going to have to go in search of… more.

Wish I’d bought six when I had the chance.

 

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Hop Ottin’ IPA

Strange name, strange brew. According to the label, this IPA’s

Brewed from only the finest hops, malted barley, hops, yeast, hops, and pristine Boonville mineral water. And hops.

and sure enough, you can really smell and taste the hops in here. Up front on the nose as you open the bottle, stronger as you pour, and a veritable bouquet of them as you take the first sip. They’re right on the edge of being overpowering, and if you don’t already like west-coast craft beers this probably is going to be too much for you.

But if you’ve managed to acquire a taste for them, well you’re in for a treat. This is a great example of what I like about American beers: strong, well hopped, and with a firm malt foundation to carry the hops along. Unfiltered but not unloved, Hop Ottin IPA is a great, refreshing mouthful of ale and another favourite from the AVBC. Good stuff.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Boont Amber Ale

This is Boont Amber Ale, (actually, it’s the colour of burnished copper) which glints in the glass in an exceptionally inviting way, which smells great, which looks great, and which by golly – tastes great too.

According to the label notes, Boont Amber was the first ale produced at the Anderson Valley Brewing Company‘s Boonville brewery. What a glorious day that must have been – this is a strong, sweetly malted beer with enough hops and bitterness to counterbalance the caramel sweetness that underlies the flavour. Not quite outstanding enough to make the first rank of our beer rating system, but pretty damn close, Boont does enough to make me think I’ll be paying another visit to the liquor store pretty soon to pick up some more.

Boont Amber Ale

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Brother David’s Double Abbey Style Ale

Another beer from the Anderson Valley Brewing Company, rapidly becoming one of my favourite west-coast beer makers and, quite possibly, one of my favourites worldwide. This hand-crafted limited-edition ale just about manages to live up to their reputation.

Brother David’s Double is billed as a traditional Belgian Abbey-style ale, and provides a pleasing brown pour alive with carbonation and a strong malt and figs aroma that arouses instant anticipation. Looks great in the glass, and tastes pretty good too – despite the high ABV, there’s no overpoweing alcohol flavour, and one mahogany glass soon leads to another.

The “another” leads to some rosy cheeks to match my sunburned legs, and as the sun sets on a happy Pacific afternoon  I can’t help but think that I really like this deep brown ale. Reminds me of malt loaf and butter, walnuts and dates… a fine brew indeed.

Brother David's Double

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Anderson Valley Brewing Company 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA

Wandering the aisles of my local supermarket in search of inspiration for Mother’s Day dinner, I was distracted for a happy half-hour by the extensive and extravegant selection of ales on offer. Hard to make a decision… so, throwing caution to the winds, I dropped a bunch of bottles into my cart. And what a fine decision that was – for after a particularly crappy Saturday, this was exactly the pick-me-up the doctor ordered.

Brewed by the Anderson Valley Brewing Company out of Boonville, CA (another spot I need to put on the map for my summer road-trip), this Imperial IPA pours a golden, glorious sunset-orange pint (and more) that calls out to be drunk in a happy, sunny sitting. With a fantastically bright, sharp and citrus aroma, it fills you with a hoppy bitter hope for the future and a sense of well-being that only the cheekiest pint can provide.

Good times in a big brown bottle. As the first glass slides down, my attention turns to the label which like the psychedelic record sleeves of my misbegotten youth rewards deep contemplation. Bears with antlers, anyone?

The second glass lasts a little longer than the first; a little warmer and seemingly more lively now it’s had a chance to breathe, the sweeter malts and depth come forward and make for a mellow finish to the bottle. Or maybe that’s just down to the fact it’s got some decent legs in the alcohol department.

 

Fruit, hoppy, big and bouncy – this is a fine and daring ale that’ll hit you round the head with a mouthful of hops and fruit. It left me wanting more than I know is good for me, and it’s really no wonder there’s a hop shortage at the moment, given what’s in here… amazing stuff.

About the only downside is the pretty hefty price – $5.99 at Whole Foods Market… gotta be cheaper elsewhere, though. So, if you see a bottle on the shelf, take it down, take it home, and make a new friend. Take two. Go out and do it now.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

**UPDATE**

As we knew would happen from time to time, Po and I have overlapped in our tasting.  So… here is what I would like to add to this wonderful brew’s review:

I may have a new favorite brewery… at least for the time being.  Tonight’s special beer was the Anderson Valley Imperial IPA.  From the website:

“Also commemorating this special occasion, Anderson Valley Brewing Company will release their 20th Anniversary Imperial India Pale Ale (IPA) on February 2. This special brew, with its intense and complex flavors, is the proud result of decades of great beer-making, and comes in bottles and cases printed with a unique, colorful sunrise label. The 20th Anniversary Imperial Pale Ale is a limited edition brew and high demand is expected.”

I will be posting a potential Hall of Fame from these folks in the very near future, so I thought I would try something else from them.  This was picked up at Whole Foods in Bellevue the other day.

This anniversary IPA is probably one of the hoppiest and maltiest beers I have ever tasted.  I mean we have major pucker factor on this bad boy and it suits it well.  At 8%+ ABV, it packs a punch and doesn’t say its sorry, either.  With a clean finish, though, and an overall crisp taste, this solar powered beer is good to go!

JBB6 Rating: For the Win