Anderson Valley IPA malts me nicely

I'm pouring this just as David is finishing up with TRON and it reminds me that I missed her coming to the office last week to meet my boss (I work at a production company). A little bummed, but I was in Napa so I can't complain. What about you - incredible wine or Olivia Wilde? Does Olivia taste like blackberries, chalk and pepper all at once? Doubtful.

Anderson Valley IPA is a good malty IPA with a light caramel flavor. Their beers tend to be maltier rather than hoppy and this IPA is no exception. However, the hops do balance their naturally malty beers nicely. I wouldn't say this is Hop Ottin, as their name advertises, but it results in a balanced ipa that's enjoyable. TRANSFORMERS rating.

Anderson Valley Summer Solstice lights up my perception of Amber Ales

I can't describe the beer's taste taste better than what's described on the label. "Smooth malt and lightly sweet with a hint of spice and velvety flavor." I not only appreciate it when beers are 'as advertised,' but I love summer brews (especially Alaskan Summer) and this is no exception better than on the back. Smootj malty and lightly swee with a hint of spice and velvety flavor. This is perfect for an afternoon in the hammock.

This is technically an amber ale and using my newly posted Beer & Food Pairing table, I'm in luck. Leftover pizza goes swimmingly with this brew. The sweetness and the touch of spice pair excellently with a savory meat pizzer. I'm not a typically a fan of Ambers, but I will drink more knowing how well they accompany dough and marinara. TRANSFORMERS rating.

Anderson Valley Poleeko Pale Ale doesn't bring the Cheers out

This will be beer number 368 for those of you notching your bedposts at home, three past the beer every day finale. David and I have split ways at the end of the year. He wants to take a month off and I want to keep going till I hit a nice round number. Saturday and Sunday, I had partners in crime to share my beers with, but today I'm drinking alone. This doesn't present a moral problem, but after coordinating every beer drunk each day for the past year, it's really weird drinking completely solo. Part of this year's glorious experience was bonding with someone over beer, but now I've gone rogue.  I'm without a side kick from here on out and the unfamiliar reality is sinking in.

Doubling the weirdness is a mug from the CHEERS bar which David brought home, and it's sitting on the counter all alone. It's an fitting symbol of the change that happened after beer 365. Wah waaa. So it goes, the drinking most go on!

I've stockpiled single beers from six packs over the last month, readying for this drinking-alone-time. This and the other upcoming Anderson Valley ales were pilfered during a recent bachelor party trip to Tahoe. The Poleeko Pale Ale tastes like a pale ale from the NW might taste like, very malty with citrus elements from the hops. This is a quintessential West Coast Pale Ale, but as it warms, a weird off taste develops which I'm not digging. ARMAGEDDON rating.

Anderson Valley Imperial IPA welcomes me back from Chicago

After being delayed for 4 hours in O'Hare last night, I arrived at LAX by 2:30am Monday morning and was in bed around 3:45, which was awesome. Party

Good thing Monday night we decided bring out this 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA from well known Anderson Valley based in Boonville, CA. Daddy needs his medicine.

This clocks in at 8.7% and could be the west coast stand in for Dogfish Head's 90 IPA. Like this Imperial, their beer was 9% alcohol and had a big, sweet malt. Anderson Valley also boast 20 separate editions of hops, which is very similar to the 'continuous hopping done by Dogfish. What differs, is Dogfish's distinctly British malt and their ability to blend their hops for a slightly more refined feel. David for some reason thinks this is too malty, but I and the beer advocate posters like the big malt. TRANSFORMERS rating