We’re heading out west for this month’s Brewery Spotlight, to Anderson Valley Brewing from Boonville, CA in the lower seat of Mendocino County. Anderson Valley is known for its wine, and tourism grew out of that notoriety along with the beautiful countryside near the famous redwoods.
When it was founded in 1987, Anderson Valley Brewing Co. was only the 20th original craft brewery in the country! They quickly outgrew their 10 tank brew house in the basement of the Buckhorn Saloon in Booneville, and moved into a 30 tank facility a mile down the road. After rescuing and installing two German copper vintage-style brew kettles in 1998, they have more than doubled production and now operate out of a 100 tank facility a mile from their original tap house.
In addition to being known for quality, balanced brews with innovative flavors like their Gose style sours and their Barl Series of beers aged exclusively in Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrels, Anderson is also a leader in environmentally friendly brewing. They generate 65% of the energy used on site from over 800 roof solar panels, and they recycle all of the water they can by reusing it for things like irrigation. They also source as many ingredients and as much equipment locally as possible.
But what about that logo? According to the legend the original owner, Ken Allen, was out to dinner at the Buckhorn Saloon (original home of Anderson Valley Brewing Co.) when he became enamored of the bust of a jacklope on the wall. But he had had several brews with his meal and by that time of night it looked more like a bear with antlers to him and he thought it would make a good logo and mascot… a bear + a deer = a beer! Thus, Barkey the Legendary Boonville Bear was born and continues to watch over the brewery to this day.
Join us on Thursday, August 30 at 7pm when Stew Schindewolf from Anderson Brewing will be here at The Malted Meeple to share the Bahl Hornin’* that has made this brewery a destination all on its own.
And be sure to try some of the Anderson Valley brews we will on tap this month, ask your server for availability!
*Bahl Hornin’ means “Good Drinking”, and is a way of saying “Cheers!” in Boontling, a local dialect of the Anderson Valley & Boonville, CA.
Maureen McCardel is a game industry veteran and has worked with publishers, designers, and retailers. She loves the logistical side of marketing and events and digging into a good spreadsheet. She is obsessed with circuses and survives on sugar and tea. Her favorite games include Citadels, Lost in R’lyeh, and Here, Kitty, Kitty!