Never Too Late (Or Early) To The Party

Location of Origin: 17700 California 253, Boonville Ukiah Rd, Boonville, CA 95415-0505, USA
Date Established: 1987
Category: Independent, Regional Craft Brewery, 40,000 barrels of annual production, distributed mostly nationwide.

Though 1987 doesn't seem like it was that long ago, it was then when the Anderson Balley Brewing Company became America's only twentieth craft brewer. The small brewery could only produce 10 barrels of beer at one time, and in its first year of full production, Anderson produced only 600 barrels until 1996, when a 30 barrel facility was built a mile down the road. Two years later and one 12 oz bottling line later, production reached a respectable 15,000 barrels a year. Two more breweries were built (one 100-barrel, and one 85-barrel), increasing the capacity that it has today. The ownership has changed hands once (in 2010), but the original owner has remained as a brewmaster. The brewery is also very environmentally friendly. In 2006, the brewery had a $860,000 Solar PV array installed which provides nearly half of the electricity demands of the brewery. Most of their solid waste product is recycled, including organic waste, which is sent to farms for animal feed and compost. Waste water is treated on site and the effluent waste water is used to irrigate the 28 acres of land that the brewery owns. Their beer is very highly rated in many festivals, across many beer review sites (including this one), and the brewery tasting room attracts a large amount of visitors each year. The beer is marketed using local "Boontling" culture (of Northern CA), including the company mascot, the "Legendary Boonville Beer," a fictional animal that is part Bear and part dEER (BEER) which is a bear with antlers. Fun and friendly, this is a great regional brewery with many great tasting and highly rated beers to offer.

Reviewed Beer from Anderson Valley Brewery


3-08-13 - Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

All rated Beer from Anderson Valley Brewery

10-03-14 - Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale - 3.24, Pumpkin Ale, 6.00%
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6-04-14 - Boont Amber Ale - 3.14, American Amber/Red Ale, 5.80%
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12-12-13 - Winter Solstice - 3.54, Winter Warmer, 6.90%
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6-02-12 - Hop Ottin' IPA - 3.16 - American IPA, 7.00%
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12-28-11 - Imperial India Pale Ale - 3.79, American Double/Imperial IPA, 8.70%
This beer was created to honor the brewery's twentieth anniversary in 2007. With an IBU of 100, this extremely hopped beer is very bitter, and at 8.70% ABV, not exactly an easy casual drinker either, but if you're a fan of big IPAs, definitely give this one a try. This beer uses excessive amounts of malts as well, but that is only to help balance the 20 separate additions of Northwest Hops during the brewing process. Yes, this is a bitter one, yet it is very smooth, and easy to enjoy, if you are into hops.
7-09-11 - Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout - 3.63, Oatmeal Stout, 5.70%
Please see review above. This is a full bodied, top fermented, dark brown stout. This beer features a chocolately and coffee flavor and aroma. Very smooth and easy to drink. Slight hoppy finish and aftertaste that doesn't linger. This was Anderson's first Gold Medal Winner at the 1990 World Beer Cup. It won Bronze in 2010. Not exaclty something that you would want on a hot day, but when served cold, this semi-sweet dry stout can refresh, even during the summer. This is great by itself or with a chocolatey dessert.
7-09-11 - Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema - 3.97, Cream Ale, 5.60%
This is a smooth and malty beer that emphasizes the creamy, velvety flavors and feels that cream beers are all about. This is definitely one of the best cream ales out there. This brew is copper/light brown in color, filtered, top-fermented, and moderately carbonated. Because this is a malty and creamy beer, it is sweet and milky. Great with a sweeter dish like dessert.