Anderson Valley Winter Solstice

Brewed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Boonville, California USA

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker, Tumbler

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Much like their Boont Amber Ale only even more complex and just as smooth. I don’t consider it a sweet beer some other reviews mentioned, but that’s all relative. I wish they made it year round! It’s so good I may have to lower my ratings on some of the other beers just to indicate it’s superiority!

Yummy. One of the most unique flavors around. Strong carmel flavor/color. Perfect for the winter. Don’t drink straight out of the fridge. Let it sit and warm a little. You will get the full flavor of this beer if you let it warm a little.

It was everything I expected from a fine light Spicy and Hops crazy Beer, Not as strong as the tasty Lagunitas Hop Stuupid, or As amazing as Stone Brewing Co.’s Arrogant Bastard, but will definitely please your pallet with its medium Hops taste and smooth overall tones. A seasonal beer, It has an aroma full of hops, vanilla and caramel. Winter Solstice comes in at a middle-high of 6.9% Alc/Vol but will not get you so terribly drunk that you are too wasted to enjoy anything else. This is always on my list each winter definitely!

Such a great beer. Just phenomenal. Please, if you live in the Southern California area, visit Father’s Office in Santa Monica. They have this on tap during the winter months. The beer is poured at the perfect temperature and is one of the most enjoyable things you can imagine. I love the hint of vanilla in this brew.

A strictly top-shelf winter ale. Malt profile is strongly redolent of pie-crust, as well as caramel and apples. At 6.7%, it goes down oh-so smooth. This one is unique, and a true must-try for serious beer fans.

Full flavor that doesn’t fade away too quickly. A wave of chocolate flavor (never a bad thing) as it washed down. Wonderful stuff. Bought two bottles of it to enjoy today for Thanksgiving.

UPDATED: JAN 16, 2004 2001 Vintage, bottle conditioned. A buddy of mine had this stuff in his fridge, and I tried some. By far the best of the winter seasonal beers I've ever had, it packs a good punch alcohol wise, without having the heavy taste. Nice and sweet and malty. Pleasant vanilla hints in the aroma. Noticeable vanilla flavor, with a hint of caramel. A beer to drink slowly and savor the flavor, and very strongly recommended for anyone looking for a good winter brew.

My goodness. Anderson Valley never fails to impress. A top 5 brewery for me, and probably one of their best beers...especially when it's cold out. Sehr dunkel. Sweet and spicy mouth follows the bready, spicy bouquet. A great winter time ale, possibly the best ever.

Translucent amber, dense beige head, chewy full body, medium carbonation.

Aroma: lots of sweet caramel malt, some bready yeast, and hints of silage and leafy hops.

Taste: loads of sweet caramel toasted malt, faint complex spicing, and a hint of leafy hops.

Spices are faint and hard to identify. I get vanilla, and bubblegum, and pecans or walnuts. Overall, it leaves the impression of having eaten pecan pie. It would need more attenuation or bitterness for me to enjoy drinking this by itself.

This pours a beautiful reddish-brown color with a creamy, fluffy head. The aroma was mildly hoppy with delicate malt sweetness. Vanilla bean is dominant with orange peel for balance. There also seemed to be a hint of nutmeg (i seemed to be the only one who could smell it). The Taste was of roasted malt, vanilla and carameled apple. The bitterness was mild which allowed the vanilla to finish slightly above the hopps. Sweet and slightly spicy, The higher alcohol (6.9% ABV) added a nice warming affect. The balanced was perect from start to finish. I loved this beer so much over the hollidays I bought all that I could, as to enjoy it year round. I find it very drinkable and i’m looking forward to a fresh batch this year.