Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale - Anderson Valley Brewing Company

GoalieRon33

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Ruby red, with a brownish tint. Beautiful beer. Invokes a christmas feeling

S- Fresh, spicy smell. Reminds me of cookies, with a sweet smell.

T- Bready, malty, spicy. Again, not to be redundant, but it tastes like a delicious christmas cookie. Christmas spices give a warm flavor. Balanced, with a hoppy finish that adds a certain spice.

M- heavy, slick, easy to drink

D- Thee best winter beer I've had...ever. So easy to drink for such a heavy alcohol content

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2009 18:17:19 | More by GoalieRon33

LibraryTom

California

2.85/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

2009

Pours a nice deep amber orange.

All cream soda.

One dimensional sweet malt, with not enough spice or hop to balance it out. Almost no perceptible bittering component.

It is rich and overly done, and it is hard to drink more than a few ounces for me. Overall, eh, on a beer I am never that into.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2009 17:59:24 | More by LibraryTom

Jayli

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at BBC in Walpole 12/17

A: This beer pours a nice deep ruby/copper color. A thin film sat on top and disappeared immediately. No lacing to speak of.

S: Nose is of vanilla, caramel malts, and some white chocolate.

T: Taste starts with a slight hint of nutmeg flavoring, some anise, and leads in to a hearty malt taste. Light caramel, toffee, white chocolate, and a true vanilla finish.

M: Medium body, low carbonation, creamy feel with a rich finish.

D: Very tasty, goes down easily, I could enjoy another pint or two of these!

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2009 15:13:38 | More by Jayli

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Re-review in November of 2011:
Taste of Tops in Tempe, AZ.

A - Deep amber to medium brown in color. Not much of a head (could be due to bartender's pour) and no head retention at all.

S - Candied & dried fruit, sweet malt, caramelized sugar.

T - Sweet malt, wonderful lightly toasted malt finish with sweet, sugary undertones. Syrupy goodness. The alcohol is there but complements the beer.

M - Very slight carbonation that sizzles on the tongue. Smooth & drinkable.

2009:
On-tap at Taste of Tops in Tempe, AZ.

A - Copper, rusty, off-white flat head.
S - Sweet malt with some spice.
T - Very sweet, smooth, malty, a slight carbonation, slightly cloying. But very enjoyable.
M/D - Although cloying, a nice sweetness & very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2009 04:57:08 | More by Gatch

argock

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a clear pint glass at Beer Run (Charlottesville, VA) for $5.

A: Plum-colored with short cap of off-white head with a few lace formations.

S: Strong berry-cherry aroma with sweet malt and a light herbal hoppiness. Vanilla is also in there.

T: The fruity, berry character is most prominent with a cherry and light herbal character accented by vanilla.

M: Medium-to-full bodied with low carbonation and a creamy, somewhat chewy feel.

D: A good warmer that is a little too berry sweet but not bad at all with some interesting vanilla and earthy hops flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2009 06:07:09 | More by argock

spencerw

Washington

3.28/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - This brew poured an orange, brownish in color with a 1 inch foam head that lingered for a minute or two. It appearance was very dense.

S - Sweet edge of moderately spicy. It has a citrus, caramel tone that is very obvious. Very malty.

T - The taste was darn good however very sweet and malty. It tasted like a sweet caramel, much stronger than the smell. Very little hop tone yet a sliver of a kick mid drift.

M - Full body, thick, filling yet smooth and fairly refreshing.

D - Not sure this is a beer I would session with. It's a little t sweet and filling for me. It's a good beer, but nothing I'll run around trying to find again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2009 19:08:46 | More by spencerw

Amalak

New York

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This very dark beer (which has a good tannish head) is a good winter brew. Good full-body with an excellent mix of spices and caramel.

The maltiness is well balanced, and with the spice, it makes it truly an excellent cold-weather beer. Definitely a must try if you can find it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2009 23:10:14 | More by Amalak

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From old beer notes. Had on tap this past winter at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, IL.

A: Very dark and rich; perhaps a mahogany color with an infusion of a little extra read. The head looks good, and is a slightly-darkened cream color.

S: Excellent nose, with plenty of spices and some citrus; all of this overlays a nice base of buttered toffee and pure creaminess.

T: Much like the smell, though not terribly spicy. Quite sweet and overpowering in malt complexity.

M: Medium-to-full-bodied and very creamy. Not too much noticeable alcohol.

D: Exceedingly drinkable. I'd love to have a keg of this one for by the fire.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2009 02:15:36 | More by Thorpe429

clayrock81

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It is pretty good for a beer drinker when the only nitpicking is the appearance and smell of the beer. Poured a seethru copper/amber body with minimal head and had a thin aroma of hops and malts. Medium-bodied and creamy, this beer is also smooth and sweet with a chocolate and coffee malt taste bursting when it hit my tongue, and complemented by roasted, maybe toasted, some caramel and toffee malts. It passes excellently over the tongue and finishes with a dry, hoppy backbite that is mellow and complements the malts (also a little spicy but not prickly). Warms the mouth like a winter warmer does w/o having to use alkie burn as a method (at 6.9% they really hit the nail on the head with this one). This is a great beer and I could tip these back anytime during a cold winter night.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2009 15:43:57 | More by clayrock81

CrellMoset

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice, on tap at Beer Run, served in a 10 oz. nonic.

Appearance: A robust reddish/copper-colored brew that comes with a half-finger of white, fluffy head with average retention that leaves some sheets and wisps of delicate, fine-bubbled lacing. Carbonation is sparse and big-bubbled but slow.

Aroma: Fruity phenols are very prominent here, grapelike, with hints of cherry, pears, and candied apples. Robust and unique.

Taste: Fruity phenols abound amidst a bunch of crisp, toasty malts - hints of maple syrup, toast, waffles, faint chocolate - and some not-so-crisp, roasted ones - hints of butterscotch, honey, caramel. Spices are subdued though subtly present. The fruityness is a bit artificial tasting, however, and it unfortunately cuts the enjoyability of this one down a bit.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a lot of crisp, even carbonation that does a good job of slicing through the residual sugars and fruity phenols. It's largely even, though it does leave a bit of a sweet cloy. 3.5/5.0.

Drinkability: This one was interesting, not your typical winter warmer, with the spices way down low and the fruit way up front. That said, it was unique and pretty enjoyable - the malt profile was complex and tasty, the fruits added an interesting twist, and it was all decently balanced. Perhaps upping the spice quotient, cutting down on the residual sugars just a little, and making the fruity esters a little less artificial/phenolic would make this one really great.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2009 03:23:32 | More by CrellMoset

Proteus93

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Copper coloured pour with about a finger and a half of head. Aaaa nice webbing of lace on the way down.

S: Nice, well toasted malts with a sweet spiciness to it. Almost syrupy in some ways, with a bit of a warm caramel. Appears to be some scents of nutmeg and clove or something similar.

T + M: Taste is where it's at. Quite a full flavour, and a rather full body to go with it. Again, some syrupy notes with a toasted maltiness... nice and sweet with some well balanced spicing make for a wonderful flavour.

D: This is a nice one to sip at, but certainly some bigger gulps going down from time to time. A nice, solid brew, and a pleasing offering from Anderson Valley.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2009 00:26:15 | More by Proteus93

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a large glass mug.

A nice brown body with a slight off white head. No lacing really, head fades quickly.
Smells of caramel malt and roasted grain.
Taste follows the nose through a malty experience. Caramel, brown sugar and honey wheat bread. Just enough bitter hops to balance. Some roasted graininess plays with the hops and the sweet malt.
Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, thick and chewey.
Drinkability is pretty strong. A good brew for the winter months.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2008 15:37:55 | More by Stinkypuss

Offa

California

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is a fairly tasty, but rather simple and somewhat muted, winter ale.

It's dark red-amber with a medium pale tan ehad that steadily shrinks to a thin foamy-wispy top and leaves some lace.

The aroma is malty, sweetish burnt caramel, some caramelized fruit and stewed apples.

The taste is sweet, mostly caramel, a little burnt, with some spiciness and dried fruit and a little stewed apple. It has a lightly burnt-caramel finish.

It's easy to drink and tasty, but fairly one-dimensional and not too exciting.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2008 22:58:02 | More by Offa

Halcyondays

California

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours brown with a full light tan head, nice lacing and retention, all around good looking beer.

S: On the milder side, but it has nice spice notes, some cinnamon.

T: Taste a lot like a gingerbread cookie on the first sip. Lots of dark bread and cake batter, spices are mild.

M: Medium-bodied, does not feel almost 7%, off-dry finish.

D: A real nice beer from Anderson Valley, I like it a lot more than the Summer Solstice, one of the best western winter beers.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2008 01:03:52 | More by Halcyondays

theformula

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer #13 in my 366 Days of Beer Quest, tasted on 1/13 @ Capital Ale House in Richmond.

A: Poured a dark copper body into a pint glass. A smallish, dense off-white head has decent retention, nice lacing around the glass.

S: Great aroma. Rich, ripe fruits like cherry and apple are at the forefront. Dark roasted malts give off some grain, caramel and black pepper spice.

M: Light body, crisp carbonation. A little hard and thin yet easy drinking.

T: Where's the fruit? Sounds like an odd mantra, but I'm missing a lot of the great fruit character that the aroma promised. Most of what comes through is the black pepper spice, lightly smoked, bready malts and a subtle oak/wood note as well.

D: A tasty W.W., and a little different than what I was expecting. I wish the fruit was stronger in the taste, as the body was a bit bitter and one dimensional. Tasty enough though and a welcome beverage to ward off the chill. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2008 21:18:20 | More by theformula

dedrinker

Kansas

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

dark amber with a little off-white head. Aromas of nutty malt and vanilla. Flavors of caramel malt , vanilla, oak, and a little holiday spice. Medium bodied, and a little more subtle than previous year's editions. This one could beg further samples throughout the winter. It might not have a "warming" quality, but it sure does have a mellow, comforting one.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2008 08:12:41 | More by dedrinker

timtim

District of Columbia

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2007 winter solstice... reddish amber with an off white head that held pretty well and left georgeous lace. nose had hints of caramel, cocoa and roasted malt. taste was well balanced with a slight hoppy backbone and a nice cocoa finish. medium body and a nice, smooth drink. another great brew from one of my old favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2008 20:35:22 | More by timtim

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.8/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark brown, amber color (thought not entirely opaque) with a medium sized foamy tan head that leaves nice lacing down the glass.
S: Very rich, lots of malty sweetness. Notes of cinnamon, vanilla, some fruityness, etc
T/M: Very creamy, full bodied, with strong roasted malty taste with some slight bitterness for balance. There are a lot of flavors and spices in here, though strongest seems to be the sweetness/vanilla flavors.
D: I can't say I'm particularly crazy about the taste of this beer, but I love the appearance and aromas and has a very pleasant mouthfeel. As a result, I usually find myself ordering this when I find it on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2007 20:11:37 | More by yourefragile

pnkermiz

New York

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Barcade. One of my favorites of the increasing number of winter warmer releases. Reddish amber in color with a spicy malt aroma and a hugely complex flavor of "winter". Caramel and vanilla are very up front with a mixture of dark, sweet fruits (dates, figs, plums) and dark chocolate and spices as well. Warms my stomach every winter and makes me feel like that fireplace video I'm watching has come to life.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2007 06:08:58 | More by pnkermiz

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Coles, thanks for driving biegaman.

Pours a clear red/orange, small white head forms, nice spiral lacing, settles to a thin layer. Smell is sweet and malty, vanilla spices and toffee dominate, definately smells like winter love. Taste is sweet toffee, very malty, more vanilla spice, a neat flavour I can't really place but I thought this was an excellent example of a Winter Warmer. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation, nice spice kick in the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2006 02:16:04 | More by Viggo

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On-tap at Clark's Ale House

A very smooth beer, but a touch spicey for me. The beer was dominated by vanilla with a little dry cocoa and cinnamon. Looked pretty and smelled nice enough, but there wasn't enough malt or hops flavor. Easy drinking if you really like vanilla and spice, but I wasn't into it that much.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2006 20:12:38 | More by tempest

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled off tap at Coles, in Buffalo.
Nice presentation, served in a wide mouthed tulip glass. An icy, glossed over bronze colour. Very thin head that parts to the outside and sort of slumbers to the sides of the glass. An alluring aroma, warming and welcoming. Gentle, melodious spices. A great deal of caramel malt with softened vanilla notes. Very nice drinkability, quite enjoyable! Smooth carbonation with a mellow, warming aftertaste. Savoury, ripe flavours. Again a light note of reserved, timid spices that blend well with a generous base of sticky, toasty malt. A more than pleasant winter warmer, promising first impression of this brewer, and overall - greatly enjoyed!

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2006 16:26:06 | More by biegaman

psinderson

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap poured into pint glass.

Appearance: Deep amber color, mostly clear. Very little head as it was served.

Smell: A little caramel and some spiciness, but nothing too outstanding.

Taste: A strong vanilla taste hit me up front. There was a nice mildly spicy finish. I could pick out some traditional holiday spices, but in the background.

Mouthfeel: Nice full-bodied feel. The carbonation could be a little higher.

Drinkability: This is a pretty smooth beer overall and relatively easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2006 04:18:25 | More by psinderson

drinknewbelgium

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

poured with a small head smells of malty sweetness in my nose tastes of sweet malts holiday spices with little hop character a little watery in the mouth but i could have a few

not strong spiced honestly i couldnt help but think of cream soda when i was drinking this

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2006 14:27:05 | More by drinknewbelgium

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