Random Suds Review: Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose Ale.

Happy Friday everyone! I'm back with a random, on-the-spot review of a new beer for you. Served up this go round is the Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose Ale. My regular readers will know that I've reviewed multiple brews from Anderson Valley Brewing in the past, all with great success. Let's hope this latest ale will continue that trend!

The Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose Ale is 4.2% Alc. by volume and brewed with an extra special ingredient. During the fermentation process, blood oranges are added to the mix. As such, the final result should have a fair amount of citrus flavor. With this being a gose ale, it's brewed slightly different than other beers. Sea salt and coriander are employed in the brewing process, producing a much different flavor than one would expect. I've never had a gose ale before, so here goes nothing!

As with all of my reviews, I'll break it into two different parts. First, I'll taste test it while cold. Then, I'll drink it at room temperature. Some beers are better warm. Others are better when frosty. Let's get started!

Cold:

• No head upon pouring it into a pint glass.
• I can't detect anything citrus-like by the beer's odor.
• Lots of carbonation and fizz.
• WOW! Extremely bitter upon immediately hitting my tongue.
• One of the most bitter beers I've ever tasted.
• The flavor has a dull, highly muted lemon quality.
• The bitterness overshadows the citrus notes, almost to the point of eroding them completely.
• If there are any blood oranges in this beer, I can't taste them.
• I am amazed at how the bitterness continually smacks me in the mouth, gulp after gulp.
• Thankfully, the bitterness is all front-loaded, and the ale goes down quite easily upon swallow.

At Room Temperature:

• The bitterness nature has become more sour and funky, much to my chagrin.
• The fizz has all but disappeared.
• Flavor profile is completely bland and lifeless.
• Honestly, it's not really enjoyable at all.

Bummer. I was looking forward to trying another beer from Anderson Valley. Sadly, the Blood Orange Gose Ale was a complete failure in my book. I don't think it had anything to do with me not having experienced a gose ale before, either. Ultimately, the beer was just lifeless and awkward. If I wanted to taste something bitter, I'd suck on a radish.

Yule Grog 2015 Part 3: Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale.

After two straight weeks of terrible beers, let's hope the third time is the charm!

My next reviewed beer of the 2015 Yule Grog is the Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale. Based in Boonville, California, Anderson Valley Brewing has been in operation since December 26, 1987. At the time, they were one of only twenty known craft breweries in the United States. They've expanded from a meager ten barrel brew house to a state of the art three-story Bavarian style brewery. Over the years, they've been awarded time and time again for various beers, ranging from their Boont Amber Ale to their Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale (which I reviewed as well).

With each Yule Grog review, I'll be taking notes actively as I drink the beer for the first time. The notes I write will be divided into two sections -- drinking it cold and at room temperature. My comments will be genuine and on the spot. I'll highlight what I like and dislike about the beer. Whether I end up liking the beer or not, it'll be a 100% honest to goodness review.

Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale is ready for consumption every year between September and January. It is 6.9% Alc. by volume and available nationwide through most major specialty adult beverage retailers.

Time to drink!

Cold out of the fridge:

• Possesses a beautiful honey color.
• Has a thin head with a light amount of carbonation.
• The aroma is only faintly sweet and hard to detect.
• Not overly sweet upon taking my first swallow.
• First gulp highlighted with hints of caramel and nuts.
• Somewhat creamy in nature.
• Only the slightest amount of bitterness, but not so much that it is unpleasant.
• Not particularly spicy, unable to detect any certain spices used.
• Clearly a case of the sum being greater than the individual parts.
• Simple, smooth and refreshing.
• Very easy and pleasant to drink.

At room temperature:

• Became creamier and denser.
• Has a toffee flavor I couldn't detect when colder.
• The small amount of bitterness has disappeared.
• The creaminess really is quite delightful.
• Provides an excellent mouth-feel.
• Light in flavor, but hearty in stature.
• Overall, the change in temperature hasn't really altered the beer's flavor profile dramatically.

I was quite happy with the Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale. It wasn't complex, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I believe the smooth, simple nature of the Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale is what makes it so damn tasty and drinkable. I could have easily downed two or three more of these... though I'm not sure how well I'd be able to write this review if that were the case! Rest assured, the Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale from Anderson Valley is a mighty fine beverage that you should absolutely purchase.

Yule Grog 2015:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 4

Brew Spew 2015 Part 1: Anderson Valley Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale.

Whilst beer shopping at my local Total Wine retail establishment in Greensboro, North Carolina, my better half Crystal had one hell of an idea.

I should write an article every Friday night for the month of October featuring a seasonal beer.

Completely floored at her keen insight, I immediately agreed. Throughout the month of October, I will review one seasonal beer every Friday. That's five tasty reports in an effort to bring you, the committed reader, the best in top notch seasonal beer information. My critiques will be fair and honest. If I like a beer, I'll tell you why. If I dislike a beer, I'll also tell you why. No matter what, you'll get the truth.

In reality, this was also a fantastic excuse for me to drink guilt free and then get to write about it... but I digress.

The inaugural beer of what I'm calling JARED UNZIPPED'S 2015 BREW SPEW is the Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale from Anderson Valley Brewing Company. Based in Boonville, California, Anderson Valley Brewing has been in operation since December 26, 1987. At the time, they were one of only twenty known craft breweries in the United States. They've expanded from a meager ten barrel brew house to a state of the art three-story Bavarian style brewery. Over the years, they've been awarded time and time again for various beers, ranging from their Boont Amber Ale to their Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale.

Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale is available every year between August and October. It is 6% Alc. by volume and available nationwide through most major specialty adult beverage retailers. So, how did it taste? Well, I'll break my analysis up into two different stages. Keep in mind that I'm writing this article as I drink the beer, so the points I make will be in real time.

Cold out of the fridge:

• The fragrance is somewhat strong and spicy, but not overpowering.
• It is dark chestnut colored.
• The immediate taste is not bitter.
• This ale tastes like a dark stout beer, but not as bold in flavor.
• I could smell the spices more than I could taste them.
• Not frothy or foamy.
• Not necessarily a unique seasonal taste, but very smooth and easy to drink -- perfect for all year round.

At room temperature:

• The various seasonal spices, especially the nutmeg, are much more apparent.
• The fragrance has also improved and become more assertive, much to my enjoyment.
• Still not bitter.
• No funky aftertaste like some other stouts.
• Sweetness has gradually risen.

All in all, this was a fantastic seasonal ale that only improved after letting it come to room temperature. Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale is a beer that doesn't need to be refrigerated to taste great. It has just the right amount of spice to let you know it's Fall, but not so much that you get tired of the taste. This is pleasant and quite effortless to drink, honestly. I highly suggest you give Anderson Valley's Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale a try!

Brew Spew 2015:
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5