Anderson Valley Brewing Company

verge

California

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

I stopped by the brewery on my honeymoon (a road trip up the California coast!). The first time we stopped by, they were closed, unfortunately.

A sign on the door noted they were closed on Wednesdays, so I understand the inconvenience...however, I could see there were lots of staff members inside, all at the bar, presumably all enjoying beers themselves! We pulled up in a car, even peeked in the window, none of them seemed to even notice us or acknowledge us, even to tell us it was closed, sorry, whatever. A little off-putting. Quite a contrast considering that earlier that day, my wife and I stopped by the Bear Republic brewery and left with a free case of Racer 5 after casually mentioning it was our honeymoon!

The place itself was very cool. A disc golf course, the german-styled brewhouse, and the beautiful nature setting the brewery was located in! Loved that a high-quality craft brewery was literally in the middle of nowhere in a small town.

Fortunately, we got to stop by the next day on our way down to Yosemite, and now they were open. The interior of the brewpub was nice, and they had some T-shirts and random memorabilia (kind of overpriced). We snagged a few gifts and I got a single of the AV ESB to enjoy later that night.

Overall, wish I had more time to get a brewery tour, but it felt like a complete lack of attention/service compared to some other breweries I've been to, especially compared to Bear Republic earlier that day.

05-16-2013 22:16:42 | More by verge

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.25 | $$

From the outside it appears to be something of Germania, with rolling hills with whate'r growing on them. After re-orientating myself after the roller coaster drive, I headed in. A few people were at the bar, and the inside was not at all like the outside feeling empty with open ceilings and lighter colored walls and floors. I got a flight and the beers ranged from OK to good but not great and there was not much if any for rarities. If you're looking for a kindred place in the hills and meadows, there are probably better alternatives and with other great breweries within hours away this place is lost in the fierce competition of proteges.

03-15-2013 22:24:42 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Stopped in here on the way to the coast on 30 Aug 2012.

Just off the highway to the right before you hit town. Largish bar with 12-15 beers on tap. All Anderson Valley, several that are one offs or brewery only. Bar area is not much to write home about (in terms of style), a few tables, small gift shop area, only some peanuts (gratis w beer purchase) and small bags of Doritos, etc. for food. Beer in bottles is available to go.

We sat outside because we had the dog with us. Was an amazing late summer day, sitting in the shade of some live oaks sipping a beer was a perfect way to spend a rest stop.

09-18-2012 18:32:14 | More by htomsirveaux

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.29/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | $$

Been up this way many of times, always an adventure. Tucked away in an area more known for its marijuana cultivation, comes the Boonville dialect. Imagine what happens when redneck meets California culture, this is what you get.

Back in the day, the brewery was distinct and located away from the 'brewhouse' which is really just a tavern in the 'city' that carries all their beers. It had a cool horseshoe pit down below and was a neat vibe. The tour now costs $$, it was free before. Disc golf is the highlight, not the beer, but whatever gets your atmosphere points up.

The place is really just a warehouse with a gift shop and tasting room alongside a brewery production facility.

Be careful not to get car sick, I've had it happen a few times on these roads. Look at something off in the distance, not something close like your dashboard.

12-12-2011 19:40:15 | More by Beerandraiderfan

scottfrie

California

4.19/5  rDev +16.4%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $

I’ve been to this brewery more times than any other brewery (except maybe Russian River). Why? My aunt lives down the street so I’ve been coming up to Boonville for years. I can even remember when the brewery was at its original smaller location down the street, although I was too young to drink back then.

The tasting room/bar/gift shop/seating area is all housed in one large warehouse style room and is very sterile and under-decorated. There is a bar along one wall. Beside it are coolers full of six packs, bombers and cases of their beer. There are tables and seating throughout the majority of the room, and there is a little side area full of clothing, Frisbees, and glassware available for purchase. There is no kitchen, only prepackaged salty snack food, so don’t come here expecting a meal.

The brewery tour is entertaining and detailed yet straightforward. It costs a small fee to attend but I got a voucher for a free pint along with a few free tasters out of it.

My favorite part about the brewery is the huge chalkboard over the bar which lists all the beer they currently offer on tap. They usually have just as many brewery-only releases flowing as they do beers that they bottle, which is why I get excited looking at a chalkboard. Every time I go here there is something brand new that hasn’t made it outside the brewery yet. They also occasionally offer things on cask.

Overall, I love the beer and I love the town, but the lack of a kitchen and the extremely sterile atmosphere are worth (negatively) noting. They do have a full disk golf course though, and you can drink beer outside on the course as well as anywhere on their property. Definitely stop here if you’re heading up to Mendocino for the weekend, you love disk golf, or if you’re in town for the epic beer festival they host every summer.

10-17-2011 00:45:20 | More by scottfrie

BigB415

California

3.78/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

I wonder why no one has it reviewed this place yet? probably because it's in the middle of nowhere and not very fun and easy to get to. Anyways, I went on a Saturday afternoon for the 1:30 tour and it was easily 95 degrees. They don't have a kitchen so I brought a sandwich for a picnic and ate in the shade. They do have a tasting bar and a gift shop. I bought a pint glass for my collection and a shirt. The tour costs 5 bucks a person but you get a discount at the shop. The tasting bar/gift shop is dog friendly so if you happen to be passing through with your dog bring him/her. There is a resident black lab that chills in there and walks around the entire time. The downside is that you can't bring your dog on the tour.

The tour itself was alright, I've been on better but it was still a cool way to kill an hour. The property itself was smaller than I was expecting but they do have a full 18 hole disc golf course. My tour guide was "interesting" and you got 2 free samples at the end of the tour. The only AVBC beer I have had was the Oatmeal Stout so I got the Amber Ale and the Summer Solstice and I found both to be ok.

In the end, Anderson Valley Brewing Company is good if you're passing through since it is on the way to the Oregon Border if you want to take Highway 1 along the coast. Other than that nothing really stood out for me other than the windy road there and back that almost got me car sick.

09-04-2011 00:44:53 | More by BigB415