|
|
|
PRESS RELEASES - 1996
2008
,
2007
,
2006
,
2005
,
2004
,
2003
,
2002
,
2001
,
2000
,
1999
,
1998
,
1997
,
1996
|
|
|
|
INDEX 1996
Archive Index: Past releases and stories from AVBC
|
|
|
Two More Medals at GABF '96
BOONVILLE, Ca - Nov. 1, 1996 - Anderson Valley Brewing Company of Boonville,
California, was awarded two medals at The 1996 Great American Beer Festival
[GABF], held September 26 through 28 in Denver. Belk's Extra Special Bitter
Ale, a consistent medal-winner at the festival in previous years, was awarded a
Bronze Medal in the Traditional English-style Bitter category with 53 entries.
Deep Enders Dark Porter was also awarded a Bronze Medal, in the Robust Porter
category with 65 entries.
This year celebrated the fifteenth Great American Beer Festival, the largest
version of what has become the largest beer judging in the country. Three
hundred sixty-five breweries from coast to coast showcased 1,448 different
brews. Thirty-seven categories were judged in the blind-panel fashion, by 69
certified professional beer judges. The Robust Porter category had the fifth
largest number of entries in any category, and the Traditional English-style
Bitter category was the sixth largest. Only 103 medals were awarded.
This year celebrated the fifteenth Great American Beer Festival, the largest
version of what has become the largest beer judging in the country. Three
hundred sixty-five breweries from coast to coast showcased 1,448 different
brews. Thirty-seven categories were judged in the blind-panel fashion, by 69
certified professional beer judges. The Robust Porter category had the fifth
largest number of entries in any category, and the Traditional English-style
Bitter category was the sixth largest. Only 103 medals were awarded.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company has won five medals in the last three years at
the at GABF, proving their commitment to quality brewing consistently. AVBC President
Ken Allen said, "When over 1,400 beers are vying for 100 medals, it's an
honor to be recognized, with a bronze, silver or gold." Brewery and
Operations Manager, Loren Felder-Allen, admits the competition is important,
"It's great for sales and for overall morale to win. But the pressure is
really on you to go back and be able to do it again and again."
Belk's Extra Special Bitter Ale won Gold Medals at GABF in 1994 [Strong Ale
category] and 1995 [Traditional English-style Bitter]. Boont Amber won a Bronze
Medal in the largest category at the festival in 1995, American Amber Ale, with
99 entries. Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout won a Gold Medal in 1990. Other recent
awards for Anderson Valley Brewing Company include two World Champions, Belk's
ESB and Boont Amber, from the 1995 World Beer Championships; a Platinum
97-point rating for Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout from the 1995 World Beer
Championships; the second-highest rating in the 1996 World Beer Championships
for a Wheat Ale, High Rollers Wheat Beer; a third-place showing for Belk's ESB
and a Bronze award for Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout at the 1996 California State
Fair.
The brewery, in its ninth year, will be brewing in its new production facility
before the end of October. The facility is located approximately one mile east
of the Buckhorn Saloon, the brewery's pub, on the corner of Highways 128 and
253, in Boonville. The first phase of the expansion includes the installation
of a 30-bbl all-stainless brewhouse. The second phase, to be complete by 1998,
will include the installation of two copper Huppman brewhouses, an 85-bbl and a
100-bbl system.
With the help of four medals for Coors Brewing Co., Colorado took the most
medals at the 1996 GABF with 22. California breweries received 19 medals, and
Oregon and Washington combined received 8.
Back to Top
|
|
|
New Guy Joins Brew Crew
There's a new guy at Anderson Valley Brewing Company. A new Assistant Brewer,
to be exact. Who is this guy, you ask? Well, he's a clown, of sorts. No
seriously, between the ages of 13 and 16, our new brewer, Brit Antrim, of San
Diego, was a clown. Although he's no longer in the business of clowning around
professionally, I'm willing to bet there's a rainbow wig or two floating around
his bachelor pad.
That's right, ladies, Mr. Antrim is a 25-year-old bachelor, now happily
relocated in Boonville, California, of course. His background checks out like
this. He holds an Athletic Training Degree from San Diego State University, but
was lured into brewing by his passion for homebrewing (surprise, surprise),
which he began in 1993. He moved from the Assistant Brewer to the Head Brewer
position at RJ's Riptide Brewery in San Diego before he left to take the 1996
Master Brewer's Program under the direction of Dr. Michael Lewis, at the
University of California at Davis.
How is the world does a skate-board junkie from San Diego end up in Boonville?
The beer, of course. Brit says, "I wanted to get away from a brewpub and
go towards a microbrewery where the beer came first." He first came across
Anderson Valley brews when he worked for then Shamrock Distributing. Deep
Enders Dark Porter is currently his favorite AVBC brew, and if you've read the
article on page one, you know he has good taste!
How has our little Elvis look-a-like, when Elvis was younger, thinner and all
around hunkier, adapted to the boonies? In his off-the-cuff manner, Brit says,
"I've replaced the sound of the ocean with squirrels and screech
owls...traded stoplights for power outages."
"But I like it."
Back to Top
|
|
|
Mild Winter Helps Keep Expansion on Schedule
All in all, the weather we've had this winter has been extremely cooperative,
therefore allowing us to proudly report that construction on our new brewing
facility is right on schedule. As originally projected, we will be moving into
the new building as early as this month (April), test brewing in the 30-barrel
stainless brewhouse as soon as it is assembled, and in full production by June.
Progress is visible daily. We've set up a three-ton grain silo in the front of
the building, as well as poured the concrete foundation for our loading dock
(on the left side of the brewery, when facing it) and begun painting the frame
of the building that's pictured. In addition, our fermentors are in the process
of being built, we've secured the bid on a state-of-the-art bottling line that
packages up to 250 bottles per minute (compared to our current bottling line
that runs up to 15 bottles per minute), and we'll be getting more cooperage
this spring. Whew! Once things get rolling, so to speak, they really do.
We are all very proud of the fact that we've held the preservation of the
picturesque 30-acre parcel of land where the brewery is being constructed in
the utmost importance throughout all planning phases of the expansion. The
physical location of the building was chosen as such so that as many of the oak
trees on the property as possible could remain untouched, as well as unharmed
by the weight of trucks coming to pick up product or to drop off supplies.
Two red cedar trees now stand on either side of the entrance, in honor of the
one small oak that was removed. AVBC President, Ken Allen has stated, "We are
committed to doing everything possible to preserve and improve the beautiful
piece of property where our new brewery will stand. We're very proud of the
water reclamation system we have planned and have held fast to our word that
two new trees will be planted for every tree that comes down."
Back in our current facility, we're gearing up for the summer beer drinking
season. Recent specialty creations include a one-time only Red Belgian Ale, as
well as our very limited St. David's Belgian (brewed and named for David Keene,
owner of the Toronado in San Francisco). The Red Belgian is a beautiful, dark
amber brew that starts out sweet and spicy with low bitter tones, ending with a
dry tart finish. The alcohol content is 5.5%. A fruity aroma with low tones of
ester rounds out this beautiful glass of beer. Being released at approximately
the same time as the Red Belgian, St. David's Belgian is an outstanding, spicy,
full-bodied amber ale that is rich and estery. If you're a Belgian fan, you'll
definitely want to compare the two! Other upcoming specials will include
Whamber Ale, a strong, wheat amber ale similar to a weizenbock; and possibly a
batch of our pleaded for Horn of the Beer Barleywine, which at 10.3% alcohol is
a brew to be reckoned with. Another new addition to our line of specialty
releases is our Millennium Ale. Brewmaster and President Ken Allen calls this high
gravity, full-flavored, big bold amber ale, "a high-octane Boont
Amber." Originally created to be brewed in celebration of every 1,000th
batch of beer brewed, the overwhelming positive response by you, our customers,
has influenced us to add it to our list of semi-regular specialty brews. Break
out the next time you're about to order a Boont or Barney, and try an AVBC
specialty brew. We're sure you won't be disappointed. Cheers!
Back to Top
|
|
|
Cheers to Old Red!
Last month, we here at Anderson Valley Brewing Company lost a good friend. I
would like to depart from my usual column of beer styles or other information
and pay tribute to our old friend.
'Old Red' was with AVBC from the first day, giving tirelessly to the art of
making fine ales. Red worked as hard as any man and harder than most. Even when
not feeling well, and towards the end this was quite often, Red gave his all
and was a true asset to our team.
When Red started with AVBC, he was a seasoned worker that some considered past
his prime, but who is to say what a worker's prime is nowadays, anyway. Red was
not a skilled brewer, but learned quickly and became an integral part of our
brewing team. His primary job was to sanitize fermenters and kegs, but he would
happily help out wherever and whenever needed. I don't recall once that Red
complained about working a weekend shift. If fact, now that he's not around
everyday, I sometimes wonder if I took advantage of Red's good nature and
overworked him.
I will not stand at the pulpit and tell you Red was a saint.
Red was as cantankerous as anyone I have ever worked with. Truth be told, he
was not loved by all the brewer's as I loved him. There were fellow workers who
even plotted to replace him. I listened to their pleas but told them that
mandatory retirement is illegal, and that Red had more experience than most
will ever have. Red's failing health finally forced him to choose to retire and
spend his twilight years relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. He remains, to our
benefit, available if needed.
Red was replaced by a younger, more experienced worker. This was a day of great
emotions for me. The new worker works tirelessly as well, and the amount of
work produced is far greater than Red could put out on his best day. While we
are all grateful to have found someone so young and energetic, it is agreed
that things just aren't the same without Red around.
So, the next time you are enjoying one of our fine ales, raise your glass to
Red, for he was an important team member that helped make AVBC what we are
today.
Back to Top
|
|
|
Update on Local Brewery Expansion
BOONVILLE, Ca - April 8, 1996 - Progress continues to be made on the site of
Anderson Valley Brewing Company's new production facility. The frame of the
building has been painted a soft gray, and the installation of insulation, as
well as the erection of the sides of the facility will begin this week.
Development of the property continues, as well. During Easter weekend 300
raspberry vines were planted by Ken and Loren Allen. The fruit will be used in
the brewery's highly-acclaimed Raspberry Wheat Beer. The brewery has produced
their Raspberry Wheat for the past three years, made with only fresh, locally
grown, organic raspberries.
Final preparations are being made before the excavation of ground begins on the
four ponds that will make up the brewery's water reclamation system. Water will
be pumped into the first pond after it is held long enough in two tanks within
the brewery to stabilize the pH, as well as to let fallout of any large
sediments occur. In this first pond, the pH will continue to be monitored and
stabilized. Spill off from this pond will then go into a second pond, where the
water will begin to be oxygenated. Final oxygenation will occur in the
third pond, where the water will be held for reuse. A forth pond will
serve solely as an aquatic, landscaping pond. President Ken Allen states, "I'm
floored by the amount of attention we're drawing over this water reclamation
project. Apparently few other people in the county have taken the simplistic,
low-cost approach that we have. Now everybody wants to come see how we're doing
it."
Back at the current production facility, beneath The Buckhorn Saloon, the
equipment for the 30-barrel stainless brewhouse is being assembled and tested.
The brew team, under the direction of Brewery Manager Loren Allen and Head
Brewer Dave Towne, continues to produce new, creative, always-delicious ales.
The remaining gallons of a special Raspberry Wheat batch made for Valentine's
Day and the Millennium Ale are the two specials currently on draft at The
Buckhorn, the brewery's pub and restaurant. St. David's Belgian Ale and a
one-time-only Red Belgian will be available soon.
Back to Top
|
|
|
Update on Local Brewery Expansion
BOONVILLE, Ca - Mar. 28, 1996 - Anderson Valley Brewing Company is
pleased to announce their current expansion project is on schedule. The initial
phase, which includes the installation of a 30-barrel brewhouse, will be
complete by June 1996, increasing the brewery's per batch production
capabilities threefold.
The frame of the building is now visible on the site of the new brewery, the
corner of Highways 128 and 253 in Boonville. Preservation of the picturesque
30-acre parcel of land where the brewery is being constructed has been of the
utmost importance throughout all planning phases of the expansion. The physical
location of the building was chosen as such so that as many of the oak trees on
the property as possible could remain untouched, as well as unharmed by the
weight of trucks coming to pick up product or to drop off supplies.
Two red cedar trees now stand on either side of the entrance, in honor of the
one small oak that was removed. "I'm committed to doing everything I can
to preserving and improving the beautiful piece of property where our new
brewery will stand. I'm very proud of the water reclamation system we have
planned, and I've held fast to my word that two new trees will be planted for
every tree that comes down," President Ken Allen commented.
The brewery also recently purchased a state-of-the art bottling machine that
will bottle up to 350 bottles per minute, compared to their current 1940s
machine with a capacity of about 20 bottles per minute. A definite time frame
for 12 ounce bottles is still uncertain, but all elements are now in place with
the acquisition of a bottling machine.
Back to Top
|
|
|
Boont Amber and Belk's ESB Declared World Champions
BOONVILLE, Ca - Feb. 28, 1996 - Anderson Valley Brewing Company is proud to
announce that
Boont Amber
and
Belk's Extra Special Bitter
have both been awarded gold medals at the World Beer Championships. Boont
Amber scored 92 points in the Amber Ale category, and Belk's ESB scored 94
points in the ESB category, making both World Champions
.
The World Beer Championships is the largest international beer judging on the
continent. It is organized as a series of championships for each major beer
type. All tastings are sponsored and conducted by the Beverage Testing
Institute Inc. (BTI), an independent product testing service specializing in
focus groups, buyer acceptance panels, and descriptive analysis panels. BTI
uses panels of knowledgeable professionals in a blind panel tasting fashion,
under optimum conditions, working slowly to prevent palate fatigue, each
tasting separately and without consultation.
Boont Amber and Belk's ESB both recently won awards at the 1995 Great American
Beer Festival in Denver, as well. Boont Amber won the bronze medal in the
largest category at the festival, American Amber Ales, and Belk's ESB won the
gold medal in the Traditional English-Style Bitter Ale category. It was the
second straight gold medal for Anderson Valley's version of an Extra Special
Bitter Ale.
Back to Top
|
|
|
Millennium Ale Released
BOONVILLE, Ca - Feb 20, 1996 - Anderson Valley Brewing Company announces the
release of Millennium Ale, a brew for the next thousand years. Described by
President and Brew Master Ken Allen as "a high-octane Boont Amber," this
specialty ale is robust, malty, well-balanced and relatively high in alcohol
content.
Originally created to be brewed in celebration of every one-thousandth batch of
beer made since the brewery's opening day in 1987, Millennium Ale has been
deemed too good to wait for 1,000 batches to be brewed before it is recreated.
Therefore, it will become one of Anderson Valley's much sought after,
semi-regular specialty brews. This exceptionally smooth ale has an original
gravity of 1.062, a final gravity of 1.015 and is 6.4 percent by volume.
Millennium ale will only be available in draft form at a select few locations.
Interested parties should call the brewery at 800-207-BEER to find out where.
|
|
|
