Anderson Valley

Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale

ABV 6.9% • Vol 355 ml • bottle • USA • Mid-price • Flavour 6 • Bottle Conditioned
Other beers from Anderson Valley
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Thanks to our Texan friends Tom and Peg for this - the 2003 vintage winter seasonal from Boonville's Anderson Valley brewery that is, according to the shoulder label, 'Consistently judged one of the World's Finest Breweries'.
It pours cloudy, with a short-lived head and immediate cascade-hop aromas. This aroma is soon joined by grainy spirits and some spice (could that be what they mean by 'natural flavor'?). Although we perhaps tried this a little too cold, the aromas remain fairly subdued as the beer warms in the glass.
In the mouth it is quite strong, though the taste is initially much like an American amber ale - bitter and hoppy, though notes of milk chocolate, vanilla and perhaps cinnamon are apparent, plus a citrusy sharpness of oranges and lemons, maybe even a touch of lactic sourness. The label admits to the addition of 'seasonal spices', so we'd guess at something like cinnamon and orange zest. A light liquorice touch and some darker fruit are evident towards the finish, and the aftertaste is of resiny hops and a little malt. Somehow disappointing and not what one might expect from a winter ale, but drinkable and quite interesting nonetheless.

OBBD reviewer: Sparks

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Review updated 10 December 2004

Comments

Ok: bought in the 12oz brown bottle... GoldMedal Winner apparently. Nice enough beer poured into the pint glass, dark amber/ruby red beer. Slight haziness, nice creamy off white head. Good aroma mostly malts though the spices do peek through. The taste though, while above average, is not that good. It's mostly maltiness with a liquorice style bitterness. It ends fast too, then there's an alcoholic warmth in the throat. It is as it says, very creamy and smooth on the front of the palate, somewhat dry on the back, then the alcoholic aftertaste. Its a drinkable ale, ok, but sort of lightweight despite the alcohol volume. Not very exciting.
Kevin Reid

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