Tuesday 11th of August 2009 12:23:05 AM

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On the outskirts of tiny Boonville California, on the edge of a field with horses, you find the tasting room/pub and brewery of Anderson Valley. The tasting room is a large modern warehouse-like space. The ceiling is high, floors are concrete, and the walls are white. It’s fairly bright with light from windows on two sides. The bar is on the right. It has an unusually shaped copper top and is wood below. The rest of the space is filled with tables, a refrigerated case with bottled beer for sale, and a gift shop area with t-shirts, etc. There’s also a great outdoor beer garden on one side with hops growing overhead, tall glass-top metal tables with comfortable metal and strap chairs and several picnic tables. It’s decorated by blooming roses, pink flamingos, and carved wooden bears with antlers.

(The story we heard was “Bear + Deer = Beer”, hence a bear with antlers is the theme throughout!)

Nine beers were available on our visit, both ales and Belgian-style beers (no cask beer, but this was just a timing issue). The beer is quite good, especially the Hop Ottin IPA.

Food choices are minimal - just sausages and cheese from what we could see (but we didn't taste anything).

The brewery is across the parking lot from the pub. It’s well worth your time to take the guided tour. The brewing system is a beautiful copper system from Germany (but the inside is stainless steel). We were also able to see the bottling line, their new canning line, the numerous fermenters, the refrigerated area, etc.

Thursday 21st of May 2009 11:58:16 PM

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I really enjoyed visiting the brewery as I have enjoyed their beers for many years. While out of the way to go to just the brewery it makes a great stop if you were traveling from the coast inland (or the other way around) - or if you can attend the beer fest.

The beer was fantastic and I was happy to see many offerings (seasonal and regular) that aren't available back home. Their Imperial IPA was very good, as was their wheat.

The disc golf course is a great addition, though for a niche market I suppose. We were in a hurry so I didn't get to play a round but I certainly would have liked to. Our schedule prevented us from going on the tour as well, which I very much wished we could do (since they have a lot of solar power, it's not your average brewery).

I didn't try any food, but the beer service was experience and friendly.

Wednesday 24th of September 2008 10:37:05 PM

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Honestly a little disappointed in this place. I was very excited about going I have had a number of their beers in bottle and was always impressed.

First of all, this place is off the beaten path, not easy to get to at all. EAT BEFORE YOU GO. There is nothing nearby and all they have at the brewery is pizza and peanuts. Boonville is very appropriate for the location.

Overall the beers were very good, Boont Amber Ale, the Oatmeal Stout and Dark Porter were as good as I expected. The surprise to me was the Summer Solstice- an excellent summer beer.

The best option is probably to come for one of their summer festivals when they draw some pretty strong breweries. They do have some wines to taste from nearby sonoma/napa valleys and a disc golf coarse.

They have a nice selection of brewery logo stuff. Overall, for the drive, they certainly don't make it a customer friendly experience- no tours, little food and rather expensive sampler.