Arguably more prune-y, raisin-y, and mainstream than same-named follow-up seasonals. Cracked wheat spine and biscuit-y cereal graining disguise soft spicing. Caramel-crystal malts create candied subtlety.
All posts by John Fortunato
ANDERSON VALLEY WINTER SOLSTICE SEASONAL ALE
Copacetic cinnamon-nutmeg influenced holiday brew brings sharp spice-hopped infusion to creamily caramelized full-bodied alcohol warmth. Fruity esters attain bruised orange bittering as dusky floral nature and fig-plum confluence rise.
ANDERSON VALLEY SUMMER SOLSTICE CERVEZA CREMA
Delicious penny-coppered tropical cream ale brings luscious kiwi-mango freshness to ripe strawberry-raspberry sweetness and tart cherry dryness. Subsidiary juicy orange tang engulfs cracked wheat backdrop as vanilla-pecan notes dart across buttery kettle corn nuance and toasted almond finish for an extremely interesting summer celebrator.
ANDERSON VALLEY POLEEKO GOLD PALE ALE
Smooth grain palate and bread crust remnant immerse cloudy orange-hued medium body that’s just right for lagerheads and ale hailers alike. Dense barley-malted mineral grain sediment invades mild citric tang and tamped down hop bittering. Beautiful pine finish maintains hearty richness despite lack of creamy affluence. Dry honey tones nearly lost in the shuffle.
ANDERSON VALLEY HOP OTTIN’ INDIA PALE ALE
Billowy full-bodied white-headed IPA scores big points for originality and well-integrated ingredients. Dry pine-needled orange peel bittering and tangy tangerine-pineapple-cherry crisping decorate bitter oily hop scheme. Toasted baguette reminder aids subsequent rich mocha malting to bittersweet citric-grained finish. Brussels lace clings to glass sides, adding visual pleasantry to remarkably consistent brew. On tap, loud pine forest waft and faint banana illusions endure alongside tropical fruiting. Rivals Ipswich IPA for world supremacy.
ANDERSON VALLEY HIGH ROLLERS WHEAT BEER
Funky grape aroma consumes complex golden-bodied white-wined wheat beer. Sweet yeast, spicy cider, and floral hops merge at peaceful honeyed finish, but tangy citric grape recess falters and light carbonation needs more snap, crackle, and pop.
ANDERSON VALLEY DEEP ENDERS DARK PORTER
Lovely silken mahogany porter brings initial chocolate-cinnamon pinch to coffee-roasted barley-oats moderation. Dry nut and piney resin affirm burnt wood backdrop as earthy hops conceal fig-date spell. On tap, creamy chocolate-milked ice coffee depth and plush hazelnut-walnut respite darkened by charcoal nip.
ANDERSON VALLEY BROTHER DAVID’S TRIPLE ABBEY STYLE ALE
On tap, vinous grape-quince sourness juxtaposes cherry jubilee tartness, bruised orange tang, and candi-sugared sweetness of 10% alcohol feast. Clove, coriander, and banana underscore vanilla wafer pleasantry halfway through. Turbid bottled version allows creamier medicinal warmth and bourbon boozing to accelerate yellow apple, melon, and kiwi illusions propelling bruised cherry-banana-orange motif.
ANDERSON VALLEY BROTHER DAVID’S DOUBLE ABBEY STYLE ALE
Malt-y garnet-hued Belgian-styled ale gets unexpected earthy deliverance (peat-mushroom-mildew) to embody raisin-date-fig entry, banana taffy dollop, molasses spec, and vinous souring, but metallic acidity at vegetative finish dulls the edges of unassuming 9% alcohol liquid.
ANDERSON VALLEY BOONT E.S.B.
Fruitier upgraded version of Belk’s E.S.B. brings serenely cereal-grained orange-grapefruit tang to lemony floral-hopped bittering. Soapy finish slightly downgrades well-balanced easy-to-drink medium body.
ANDERSON VALLEY BOONT AMBER ALE
Smoothly carbolic berry-scented amber with crisp mineral-watered citric zest. Zippy blueberry-blackberry snip and slipping mocha nip initially captivate the senses. Sweet caramel malting frames sharp-hopped barley-roasted wild oats and candied mint stint at busy midst.
ANDERSON VALLEY BELK’S E.S.B. ALE
Refreshingly spry bitter with mellowing barley recession to crisp mineral water finish. Off-dry hop bitterness underscores grain intimacy for mild pilsner elan that lager fans may find tempting.