Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale - Anderson Valley Brewing Company

karst

Missouri

4.58/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A near perfect looking under a big persistent head your going to wait on unless you have a tall pint glass for the 12 oz. of deep copper clear colored nector to erupt . Caramelized malt, Citris and a little alcoholic aroma are pulling you in. (one reviewer noted it was sensed by a friend accross the table!). I did not find the mouth feel chewy (reviewer drinking tap) but it is medium and more pleasing as it warms.

This seasonal ale was so good I started to think of the best flavored beers I have tasted. Its strong sweet malt taste (reminding me of aromas near the end of my 3 hours stiring mash just a few nights ago).This strong pleasing taste was well balanced with hops and it easily cloaked its nearly 7% ABV even at the end. You will want to drink more as your glass drops to the bottom. Toward the bottom half - the 360° panorama of laced "creatures" adhered, with their ropey lace shapes changing each time I tilted the large bell shaped weissbeir container.

Only worries about this refined Anderson Valley Ale is improving its mouthfeel and providing bigger bottles because your going to want to share it and everyone is going to want a second glass.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2005 05:15:19 | More by karst

RickS95

Indiana

4.56/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

It's a nice looking pour. Dirty brown with an offtan head up top. The beer is dark enough (mahogany) that you can't see through it, but you can still see what I can only describe as a richness. The head cascades to a couple fingers thick before giving way to half a finger where it stays for the duration. It's got a soapy look and has nice lacing.

Smell is muted a bit, possibly because my fridge is too cold. Even after warming, the nose struggles to find anything. What's there is all malt, mostly caramel it seems.

The taste, OMG. It's got some spices and some fruits, and again, a malty base. Not much hoppiness, but that taste is pretty outstanding. Cinnamon, caramel, dark, rich, ripe fruits.

Mouthfeel is about as good as it gets. I really don't know how you'd improve. It's spicy and sweet, earthy and full-bodied. Alcohol is only noticeable enough to let you know it's a beer. There's almost no bitterness, just the faintest bit in the finish, but everything else works so well together it's not really needed.

Overall, it's a hell of a good beer. Best beer I've ever had out of a can. Goes down extremely easily...making you beg for another sip. Possibly my new favorite Christmas beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 03:56:09 | More by RickS95

thebarnesbomb

Indiana

4.55/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Comes in 120z. bottle, poured a 1" slightly brownish head.

A- Head lowers quickly and leaves little lace as it goes down. Has a great color to it, a dark amber with some orange around the edges, a really great looking beer.

S- Aroma is mostly of sweet caramel malt, the sweetness is not overpowering though, just prominent. Some citrus hop scent is there as well, a really good aroma to it.

T- The taste is really exceptional, it's the first '5' I've given in fact. I love the taste of this, a little on the sweet malty side, but that's what I like about it. The hops are there to to add a slight bitterness, so it makes it just right. You'd never guess it was 6.9% abv.

M- The mouthfeel is good too, with a little more carbonation than I would've expected. There is a good thickness to it, not chewy like a stout, but a really great mouthfeel to it.

D- Drinkability is really great. The only reason I wouldn't make it a 5 also is because of the high ABV, but otherwise, I just love this beer and would keep drinking it one after another. It's not really filling, which I find to be a good thing. This is a fantastic beer, people, get it before the season's out!

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2006 00:46:30 | More by thebarnesbomb

ccrida

Oregon

4.55/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz. bottle (2008) poured into a nonic pint, Winter Solstice is a murky amber, large, dense creamy light kahaki head with long last but no lace.

Smell is bright, sweet fruity malt smell even at fridge temp when served. Once I had a taste and thought of cream soda, it was all I smelled. Very unique and tasty.

Taste is great, and instantly recognizable - cream soda. There's also light touches of caramel, cinnamon and oranges, but it's really predominantly cream soda, which I'm really loving.

Mouthfeel is super creamy, medium light body, again, very much like a craft soda.

Drinkability is super high, if you like cream soda, which I do. Normally I'd knock a beer for being one dimensional, and so un beer like, but this is just so fantastic, I've got nothing but love for it. The 6.9% is dangerously undetectable, and the beer is a decent value and readily available.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2009 02:14:15 | More by ccrida

mastodonj

Colorado

4.55/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

a - a dark oak color, the color of iced tea is the best description
....with nice but short-lived lacing and a short finely-bubbled head
s - not a lot of aroma but a nice slightly hoppy smell
t - the malty caramel comes through just enough then the 6.9% ABV bite gets you in the back of the throat
m - excellent creamy feel
d - a great beer for celebrating the solstice but probably not
going to crave more than a couple

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2011 01:53:52 | More by mastodonj

jeffboo

Minnesota

4.53/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

When I tried this for the first time in 2001, I stopped what I was doing and really took a closer look. I hadn't had a beer do that to me for some time. In a glass, the reddish amber color is very unique. A firm creamy head developes on top and the aroma lets you know that this beer is special. Candy, ginger, caramel ,and some spicy hop all play in the aroma.the flavors start spicy, like ginger and cinnamin, with a long toasty malt finish and a little bitterness along the side of the tongue. A very yummy beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2003 13:36:30 | More by jeffboo

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - pours with a small to medium head, off-white in color, about a finger's worth. Amber-orange color, good clarity when viewed straight on, but looks hazy from an angle.

Aroma - sweet and mildly spicy, with an initial burst of peppery yeast. Settles down to a malty nose with orange accents.

Taste - yummy malt base combined with some Christmassy spices and a cool hint of orange or other such citrus. Smooth transition into a mellow hop element. Finishes with a nice non-biting grapefruit sourness. Some increased alcohol presence as it warms, very warming in February...

Mouthfeel - smooth as silk, decent body without overdoing it. Superb balance of weight, feel, carbonation, and residual feeling.

Drinkability - A great beer by Anderson Valley, no surprise there. A pleasure to drink, very enjoyable and re-orderable despite it's nearly 7% abv rating.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2004 16:22:47 | More by brewdlyhooked13

whendeathsleeps

Indiana

4.53/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A- Medium amber, two finger off white head, nice retention, nice lacing.

S- Vanilla, caramel, sweet fruits, smells like a fresh baked pastry.

T- Big vanilla taste, brown sugar, malty, a little spice (doesn't overkill like a lot of winter warmers) Comes in at 6.9% ABV though alcohol taste is barely there. Hops are hardly noticeable, but do provide a nice balance in the finish. Tastes like a big hop infused sugar cookie.

M- Medium body, low carbonation, semi-dry finish.

O- One of the best winter warmers I've had, will definitely go to this one again.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 01:22:07 | More by whendeathsleeps

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

There's a sweet smell here. Not malty sweet, but similar to rock candy sweet. Beautiful deep red hue. Very unique beer. Sweet taste. A good sweet taste. I'm likening it to cherry and brown sugar. Maybe a titch of hazelnut. Very super brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2002 16:24:44 | More by Bighuge

ThaBobfather

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a translucent ruby/brown color with a great sampling of beigish head.
Smell is well spiced with some toasted qualities, very overwhelming smell spice wise.
Taste is highly complex, we've got the fizzy tastes of spice starts it off and it finishes well with sweet, sweet malts.
Finish is dry but there is so much spice and sweet flavor left over on my palate.
Drinks great with this complex spice flavor that can be tough for some to get through.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2010 16:16:14 | More by ThaBobfather

ely2000k

California

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Looks festive, deep amber color, a small head that dissipates quickly, but the beer looks really good overall.

S- Smell of vanilla, cloves, faint cranberry and citrus. Love the smell. Perfect for the style.

T- Sweet, nutty vanilla taste and some toffee flavors. I think the taste is pretty much exactly what I am looking for from a winter warmer.

M- Very mellow, good carbonation. No complaints.

O- I honestly think this is one of the better winter warmers I have had. The whole beer is spot on, and is what this style should be about.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 15:10:22 | More by ely2000k

guinnessdoc

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Deep brown, slightly darker than iced tea. Beige head of small bubbles. Was 1/2 inch but fell away quickly to ring around glass.

S - Strong malt presence. Definite fruit in there too, but not sure if it's dark fruit like raisins or something citrusy.

T - Sweet malt taste that fades to the slightest bitterness. No hops are really apparent, nor is the alcohol. Almost spicy somehow. By the end I could definitely taste maple syrup!

M - Low carbonation so it was nice and smooth all the way. Finished a little dry.

D - In one word, Awesome. I'm sorry this is only a seasonal because I would drink it any day of the year. It's a great mix of an amber ale and a winter warmer. Easy drinking and thirst quenching.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2006 02:51:15 | More by guinnessdoc

clabaugh

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear amber with a fluffy, bubbly beige colored head. Retains less than lustily, with the head giving way to a thin, creamy froth. Laces respectably.

Smell: Sweet-smelling baked malts predominate in the aroma. Pastry-like in the nose. Soft vanilla tones, hints of diacetyl, and sugarplum.

Taste: Deliciously sweet malts and spices. Vanilla, honey, macadamia nut, butterscotch, and buttery malts elegantly mixed. Some tasty fruit flavors as well; plum, or date perhaps.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and creamy, with a gentle tingle. Soft and sumptuous on the palate. Well done.

Drinkability: Highly drinkable. Exceedingly fine flavor, pleasantly warming, and not at all filling. Simply a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2006 02:02:40 | More by clabaugh

mjc410

Virginia

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The pour into my Fuller's nonic raises a modest half finger light tan head that falls pretty quickly to surface lacing. Glass lacing is resilient. The body is a murky but translucent brown with amber highlights. The nose is warm and toasty, with notes of brown sugar, cream, butter, bread, and vanilla. The taste is almost unique to me, with the only similar beer in my experience being AV's other beer Summer Solstice. It has a sweet, grainy, almost dessert-like character to it. At a loss of words to describe the flavor, I saw another reviewer describe it as "chocolate cake." I would agree with this to a certain extent, but also add in vanilla, caramel, and other flavors that defy description. The mouth is just right in terms of heaviness, but I think a little less carbonation would make this more enjoyable. Still, ever since I first had this on draft at McGrath's in Harrisburg, PA, I've been a fan, and I can say that this is one of the best tasting beers I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2007 21:03:39 | More by mjc410

tapman

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Perhaps the best surprise of the winter season 2007.

Appears a dark brown with ruby accents. The color of the beer is dark and there is a degree of unfiltering. The head retention is excellent and pours a 1 1/2 fingers, brown eggshell in color and melts down to a thin film that remains for the duration of the drink. Mouthwateringly beautiful.

Aroma is of chocolate and caramel malts with hints of toffee and brown sugar. The hops are spicy and tangy and are reminiscent of a mixure of different American cascade hybrid hops.

Everything that is in the smell is present in the taste so I don't think I need to write it again. However, also present are notes of licorice, nutmeg, and allspice not found in the nose. Hops are also a bit spicier than in the nose which gives this beer an amber ale character. Also is a bit of astringency in the aftertaste, probably due to high hop resins. Not horrible, but a small price to pay for the high hop and high malt that finds a balance without overpowering each other.

Mouthfel is decent, but there is a sticky dryness in the finish, and not a good, wine-like one. Body is full and the texture is pleasing so I don't mind it too much.

A very delicious and unique beer. Definitely worth a try if your looking for a great winter beer. Not much of a session brew, but what are you going to do.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2008 02:06:15 | More by tapman

Lambstrong

Virginia

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Dark copper hue. About a 1/8 thick off-white head that slims down after you let the beer warm up to optimal temperature. Great lacing and the foam sticks more to the edges of the glass then the middle of the beverage.

Aroma: Sweet, liquorish notes dominate.

Taste: Again, liquorish, however, not sure if it anise. Subtle notes of chocolate. There may be a bit of orange in there, but too little to make out completely.

Mouthfeel: silky smooth. The beer gives a nice warmth and carbonation is nicely kept down.

All in all a stellar winter beer. I really liked how the added spices didn't over dominate this beer, as some winter brews tend to go a little overboard.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2009 00:58:52 | More by Lambstrong

dmarch

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Amber in color and actually some pink hues. Pretty sweet. Lots of fruity character along with some caramel. A very slight piney hop character as well, but the fruitiness just blows me away. I think this is one of the best Anderson Valley beers I've had. Very flavorfull, yet not overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2003 21:15:03 | More by dmarch

RedBaron

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Um...wow! This 2002 bottled version was purchased from my local beer shop for $2.19/12oz. bottle. What a find.

The beer poured vigorously with a dense rocky head which faded somewhat, but left a nice dash of Brussel's lace down the side. The color was of an unfiltered, dark orangey variety, and had the unmistakable look of a California craft ale.

The smell was of feverish malt blendings, nice aromatic hops and several spices throughout (banana and licorice, perhaps?).

The taste was of a high concentration of malts and hops, plus the aforementioned spices both up front and in the finish (though the finish parted on the dry-ish side).

The mouthfeel, though full-bodied, isn't too cloying for a winter beer, and really doesn't appear to high in alcohol content, either. Actually it's quite drinkable, although it's still one to savor.

The beers of the west coast, from San Francisco to Seattle, like to emphasize a great blending of malts and yeast (infused with a shi@load of hops) for their beers, particularly winter beers, but the fact of this beer is that it has mellowed into a nicely quaffable ale. I'm sure that it may have been a bit 'green' when first released, but after a couple of years maturing in the bottle, it has found a stride that I find quite appealing.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2004 03:59:58 | More by RedBaron

sinistrsam

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was a complete sleeper for me; In my wildest dreams I wouldn't have thought this beer was as interesting and tasty as it was. It poured a dark brown with a small tan head, and left moderate lacing on the glass. It had a rich, sweet nose, caramel and dark sugars, possibly dark fruits. Most definitely dark malts, and some mild spices.
The taste was quite sweet, with plenty of fruit and spice, caramel and chocolate, very smooth and very creamy. I was expecting a bitter spicy seasonal, but I got a creamy chocolate caramel brew that really suprised me. The aftertaste was as smooth as a milk stout, with milk chocolate taste lingering for several minutes. Hats off to Anderson Valley on this one; possibly the best seasonal I've had all year.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2005 20:17:31 | More by sinistrsam

jmz62565

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This pours a dark mahogony with a medium tan head. A nice looking beer with the look of a hardy thick warmer. The smell is very strong with sweet malt.carmel, and a chewy nuttiness. The taste is really great with vanilla,carmel, sweet malt, and hops. A really nice mixture that makes the m/f medium,not "sticky', and very well balanced. The flavors of this beer are incredible, good luck finding a winter warmer that tastes as good as this and hides the alcohol. Here's wishing for a long winter.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2006 02:58:32 | More by jmz62565

jcdiflorio

West Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

served into pint glass from a 12oz. brown bottle crimp on cap.

Clear,deep amber color,thick off-white head,lacing the glass.
Moderate aroma,very complex spicey aromas up front. Fruity,carmelly,hints of chocolate also in the aroma. A very soft pleasing quality to the aroma.Would have been a 5 if the aroma was a bit more intense.
Taste was a very complex spiceness,very fruity,candy-like,nutty,hints of vanallia,the flavor explodes on the palate.A fruity tartness in the smooth, pleasing finish.
Medium body,very drinkable,due to the intruging taste.Wish I had more than 1 bottle of this beer.
One of the best winter beers I've had. A good beer to start up a conversation at a party,with all the different flavors. A hard beer to totaly describe from one bottle. A great winter beer,would highly recommend this one. I will be picking more of this beer up before it's all gone.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2006 01:43:53 | More by jcdiflorio

RBorsato

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Auburn color with a nice light brown head and good carbonation. Light spice hop aroma with a nice toasty malt balance. Nicely balanced malt and hop flavors with little to no true spice or vanilla character. Medium bodied with a nice balanced finish.

Not much vanilla compared to prior years I've tasted that were sickeningly vanilla-laden.

Per Label: "Seasonal Spicing"

2006 Edition
Tasted: 02/25/07

($1.99 / 12 oz.)

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2007 19:08:43 | More by RBorsato

drew37

California

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

An amazing winter warmer. Pours a dark amber/light brown color. Tastes of vanilla and cherry with other hints as well. Originally sampled at a beer tasting event and have been very happy with it. Will look to buy more this winter. Overall, very happy with this beer and Anderson Valley Brewing Company. Their amber is great as well.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2007 09:03:46 | More by drew37

pheurton

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

my favorite from anderson valley....a dark reddish brown with a nice fluffy white head. aroma is enticingly spicy....carmel malts dominate the taste, with a hint of nutmeg. hops come in at the end to balance assertively, without being over the top as so many PNW beers can be. a truly unique brew that is at the top of my winter seasonals must have list.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2002 09:54:12 | More by pheurton

beernut7

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is one of the more enjoyable winter ales on the market. Pours a deep brown with a light lace rimming the glass. The aroma is very much of tootsie roll chocolate. The flavor is lightly roasted with a distinct caramel and bold flavor very much that of a snicker’s bar. An obvious bitterness, very distinguishable from the other flavors, balances out the sweet candy-like malt characters. Very large on flavor and uniqueness.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2003 10:08:04 | More by beernut7