“El Steinber” to be first full-production lager  brewed by the craft beer pioneer.

(Boonville, CA) -  Anderson Valley Brewing Company announced today that starting in September, a new Dark Lager will join its portfolio of award-winning ales.  “El Steinber” is the brewery’s newest core offering in nearly seven years and its first full-production lager.   Debuting in select markets as a draft-only offering beginning in September 2012, national distribution of both draft and package will follow in early 2013.

“We’ve crossed a new border with the release of ‘El Steinber,’” says Fal Allen, Brewmaster for Anderson Valley.  “We wanted to create a sessionable dark lager with a twist.  In our somewhat unusual take on the style, we add Midnight Wheat malt to give this beer its dark brown color, but also use roasted Indio-Hispano® blue corn flour to lighten the body and create a unique, toasty flavor.  German Pilsner malt and Saaz hops round out this beer, producing a crisp, clean finish and smooth drinkability that is perfect for any occasion.”

As for the name “El Steinber,” Allen says it’s a combination of Spanish and Boontling (the local Anderson Valley dialect created in the late 1800s).  Literally meaning “The Beer,” he explains its origin this way:  “We were looking for a unique name that represented both the Latin influence of the Indio-Hispano® blue corn while keeping the heritage of our native Boontling alive.  Eventually we decided upon ‘El Steinber’ and the image of Barkley in a serape; it’s meant to be fun and quirky, and show that although we’re committed to brewing world-class craft beer, we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

For more information on Anderson Valley Brewing Company, visit us at www.avbc.com;

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