Anderson Valley Brewing Company Takes Gold For Canned Gold
Boonville, CA – October 23, 2009 – Anderson Valley Brewing Company (“AVBC”) takes a Gold Medal in the Pale Ale / IPA category at the first-ever beer festival event to exclusively feature beer in cans.
With thirty breweries in attendance, CANFEST held in Reno, Nevada, is hosted by the Buckbean Brewing Company. AVBC took home the gold medal with its Poleeko Gold Pale Ale.
At 5.5% ABV, Poleeko Gold Pale Ale’s golden color and generous use of Pacific Northwest hops establish a distinct style, separate from any domestic or European beers. The honey-gold pale ale is crisp and clear, with an unusual lightness and dryness for such a full-flavored ale. The arousing abundance of hops adds both a floral bouquet and a lively, citrusy finish. It is excellent alone, or with full-flavored meals and spicy dishes. Poleeko Gold Pale Ale is not only available in 12 oz can 6-packs, but also in 12oz 6-pack bottles, 22oz bottles, and draft.
In June 2009, AVBC started canning Poleeko Gold and Summer Solstice for the first time in its 22 year history and entered the two beers currently in 12oz cans to be judged.
Cans are not only better for the beer by allowing zero light and restricting headspace to minimize the oxidation in beer, it is better for the environment because its weight and ease of recyclability. Think of a can as a keg in your hand.
AVBC’s move into canning fits well with the company’s commitment to the environment. Already 40% solar powered, AVBC brews beer from water pulled up from artesean wells on the property, treats the wastewater then used to irrigate the brewery grounds – including its estate-grown hops.
Get Ready for the Holidays with Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale
Boonville, CA – September 8, 2009 – Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC) is going to help you enjoy the holidays with their seasonal release of Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale. Luscious, creamy, smooth, and warming, this medium bodied ale is brewed with caramel and crystal malts to give it a hint of sweetness. It is then paired with a private blend of holiday spice. From the first sip of Winter Solstice Season Ale, your senses will be aroused with the vision of a glowing fire, warming the hearth and home. Each lingering sip will gently warm your soul with thoughts of family and friends gathering around the table for the feast. Winter Solstice Ale is great alone or as an accompaniment to your favorite holiday dish, and it has been known to liven and spice nearly any social event. This coveted and much sought-after brew will be released on September 15th, and by the first of the New Year will only be a fond memory. AVBC Winter Solstice Ale has received 7 awards for quality and excellence including 2 gold medals from the World Beer Championships, a gold medal from US Open Beer Championships, and a silver medal from the European Beer Star Awards.
Back by popular demand, Anderson Valley Brewing Company (“AVBC”) Rolls out the Perfect Late Summer Session Beer.
Boonville CA – August 15, 2009 – High Rollers Wheat Beer is made with 40% wheat malt, 60% pale malt and special low alpha acid hops, which allow the natural tartness of the wheat to shine through. At 5.3% ABV, its effervescent head, delicate tangy taste, and crisp clear finish make it a refreshing, thirst quenching delight. High Rollers Wheat can be enjoyed alone or with a slice of lemon. Excellent as an aperitif or with lighter fare, such as gazpacho, salads, or sushi. Unlike most cloudy wheat beers, this unique beer is sparklingly clear and has been known to win over even the most ardent domestic beer and wine fans. Best when served in a tall pilsner-style glass.
Like most of AVBC beers, High Rollers Wheat uses the Boontling name for a location in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, California. High Rollers were the people of Yorkville that would come down into the main town of Boonville for festivities and forget to unroll their dress pants, which was done to keep them from getting damaged by stickers, burrs, and mud during the ride. Secondly, the Yorkville region was thusly named for the rolling hills comprising most of the area.
High Rollers Wheat Beer has won 6 medals, including a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival.
High Rollers Wheat Beer will be available for limited release August 15th in 12oz bottles, 22ox bottles, and draft.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company donates $66,500 to Community Non-Profits
July 23, 2009 – Boonville, CA – Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC) dispersed proceeds from the 13th Annual Legendary Boonville Beer festival, through its non-profit the Bahl Hornin’ Foundation. $66,500 was donated to help support local non-profits.
The founder and president of AVBC, Dr. Kenneth Allen’s 13 year commitment to support the rural Mendocino County community has resulted in donations totaling $442,630 to their neighbors since 2003, through the Legendary Boonville Beer Festival held each May.
This year the funds went to the Anderson Valley (AV) Lions Club, Parent Teachers Association, Elderhome, Education Foundation, Boosters, Animal Rescue, Senior Center, Historical Society, AV Fire Department, Volunteer Firefighters Assoc, AV Ambulance, AV Sheriff K-9, Kimmies, Acorn School, Navarro River Resource, AV Land Trust, and the Fairgrounds.
Many of the grateful recipients made note that their non-profit would not be in existence without the generosity of Anderson Valley Brewing Company.
The Legendary Boonville Beer Festival began in 1997, the inaugural event was such a success that the next year AVBC decided to invite other breweries and charge admission to raise profits for their community. AVBC invites breweries from all over the west to showcase their wares in a pleasant, festive, outdoor setting. The 13th Annual Legendary Boonville Beer Festival featured nearly 80 breweries and record attendance with 5,800 supporters despite rain and the overall economy.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company Takes Home 6 Medals
Boonville, CA – July 10, 2009 – Anderson Valley Brewing Company was awarded with 6 Medals from the 1st Annual US Open Beer Championships in Atlanta, GA, held on July 4th. Gold Medals were awarded for AVBC 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA in the Imperial IPA category and Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout in the Oatmeal Stout category. AVBC received Silver medals for the Boont Amber Ale in the American Amber/Red category, Hop Ottin’ IPA in the American IPA category, Brother David’s Double Abbey Style Ale in the Belgian Abbey Ale category and Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale in the Herb and Spice category.
US Open Beer also honored Anderson Valley as one of the Top Ten Breweries of the 2009 Championships!
The US Open Beer Championships is the first competition to include professional brewers and award winning home brewers. Fifty categories were judged and the competition was open to more than 1,000 breweries from 30 countries.
YES WE CAN!
June 19, 2009, Boonville, CA – YES, WE CAN!
Anderson Valley Brewing Company (“AVBC”) is excited to announce the release of world-famous beer packaged in cans for the first time in their twenty-two year history. Known both for their award winning beers and commitment to green business practices, packaging in cans is another step towards reducing the overall environmental footprint. AVBC cans will take on a new look for the brewery, but the beer inside is still the Legendary Boonville Beer.
Cans will allow their beer to go places where glass cannot. AVBC employees are already enjoying the first batch of cans as a refreshing beverage while playing a round on the brewery’s 18-hole championship disc golf course!
Cans require less energy to ship and use more recycled and less virgin materials than glass. Cans can be recycled many times in their lifetime. Cans get colder quicker, are lighter to carry, and crush easily to be packed in and out of the wilderness. The 6-pack holder is recyclable, as well as reusable and can be returned to the brewery for a rebate. Cans are better for the beer as well. Even brown glass allows light to penetrate and with a larger volume of headspace, these two factors will speed up oxidation. Cans allow zero light, and have less headspace. Think of a can as a keg in your hand.
The initial release of cans will be limited to Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema, and Poleeko Gold Pale Ale. Entering the marketplace at the height of summer, just in time for the solstice, both of these balanced brews travel well on any type of adventure and slake your thirst no matter how high the temperatures roam.
Summer Solstice stands out on a hot day for it’s copper color and silken, creamy texture. This Cerveza Crema pours a brilliant copper that captures the sunlight with a clean malt base balancing a hint of cascade hops.
Poleeko Gold Pale Ale pours brilliant gold, reflecting the pristine waters of Anderson Valley. Lightly toasted, golden malts rise in the aroma, with light body followed by a crisp and clean citrus hop finish.
AVBC Summer Solstice and Poleeko Gold cans will be available in 6-packs in California and 25 other states across the country.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company (“AVBC”) is proud to announce that it received two awards in the Los Angeles County Fair – International Commercial Beer Competition
June 19, 2009 – Anderson Valley Brewing Company (“AVBC”) is proud to announce that it received two awards in the Los Angeles County Fair – International Commercial Beer Competition.
The judges awarded AVBC the Gold Medal for its Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout in the British Stout/Oatmeal Stout category. AVBC was also awarded a Silver Medal for the Brother David’s Double in the Belgian Style Pale Strong Ale category. Both beers have previously taken numerous medals and accolades in both national and international competition.
Brother David’s abbey-style strong ales are named after David Keene, owner of the world-famous Toronado in San Francisco and now in San Diego. Keene graciously accepted AVBC’s first Gold Medal at the 1990 Great American Beer Festival ,when the burgeoning micro-brewery was not able to attend. Interestingly enough the medal was awarded to AVBC’s Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout.
With its deep, dark brown-black color, thick, full-bodied, velvety-smooth mouth feel, mocha character, and, strong yet subtle hop bite, Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is one of the thickest, richest, and most complex stouts on the market today. Try it and see why Stewart Kallen described it as, “Slippery, creamy, dark, and sweet as a Pacific May morning,” in his book, The 50 Greatest Beers in the World.
Brother David’s Double has a rich mahogany appearance. Firm and substantial head that slowly fades. Dry fruit aromas including apricot, figs, raisins, as well as malt and spice notes. The full body of this Belgian style ale supports initial fruit flavors that give way to malt notes and chocolate covered cherries, while suffused throughout with the distinctive flavor of the Belgian Abbey yeast. It finishes rather spicy and quite dry, with the warmth of its 9% alcohol. The flavors become more pronounced, blending and complementing each other as the beer warms. If you like Belgian beer, you owe it to yourself to try this American brewed Belgian-style beer.
AVBC Announces Winners of “Fill Out The Survey & Win Contest”
May 11, 2009 – Anderson Valley Brewing Company would like to congratulate the following persons for winning our “Fill Out The Survey & Win” contest held during the 13th Annual Legendary Boonville Beer Festival.
1st Place Winner – Tess Garton has won a V.I.P. Disc Golf Weekend
2nd Place Winner – Susan Lee has won 2 bottles of Port Barrel Stout
3rd Place Winner – Breanna Finneron has won a case of Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who took a moment from beer tasting to fill out our survey.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company Releases 7 Year Port Barrel Stout
April 20, 2009 – Anderson Valley Brewing Company is excited to announce a special release of 7 Year Port Barrel Stout for Spring 2009 with its debut in 750ml bottles at the 13th Annual Legendary Boonville Beer Fest. This extremely limited release (150 total bottles, limit 2 per customer) is the product of some exciting, under-the-radar innovation emanating from up in the hills of Boonville. Anderson Valley is also home to a great number of wineries, established as far back as the 19th century. Meyer’s Family Cellars, renown for their California Port wines, graciously provided the barrels used to age our award-winning Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. Meyer’s Family Cellar’s old vine Zinfandel California Port is fortified with Zinfandel Brandy and aged over 8 years using a modified solera method. It is in these Meyer’s Family Cellars’ Port barrels, brought in from just a few miles down the road from the brewery, that we aged our Barney Flat’s Oatmeal Stout for over 7 years in the barrel.
According to brewer David Gatlin, “The beer delivers subtle notes of chocolate and dark fruits of the stout as well as conveys the spicy red fruit qualities of the port. Hints of malt sweetness meld with smoke and leather on the nose, with green apple and earthiness rounding out the aromatics. The full 7 years of aging comes through in the mouth with a touch of sourness and a vinous, dry finish.”
This is a beer to be enjoyed at just above cellar temperature (55*) and should be savored and allowed to develop in a snifter. We at the brewery suggest serving it in our Anderson Valley Belgian snifters, in order to capture the aromatic complexities that develop as the beer opens up. Port Barrel Stout is being released in comically limited quantities, so get it while you can. If you do happen to be lucky enough to get your hands on more than just one of the 150 bottles, this is a beer that will cellar well and continue to develop over time.
Port Barrel Stout (ABV 8.7%, IBU 65) will be available in 750ml bottles at the 13th Annual Legendary Boonville Beer Festival only. These bottles will be released on the Sunday, May 3rd at 11:00am following the 13th Annual Legendary Boonville Beer Festival and will be limited to 2 bottles per person.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company Named #6 Best Brewery in America
April 2, 2009 – America’s Best Online named Anderson Valley Brewing Company #6 out of 10 best breweries in America. Read about it here.