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INDEX 2000

• AVBC Strikes Gold in Denver
• Anderson Valley Christens Bavarian-style Brewhouse
• Fal Allen Named AVBC General Manager
• AVBC Receives Waste Reduction Award
• Hop Ottin' Gets the World Beer Cup Bronze
• Boonville Beers Journey to Antarctica

Archive Index:  Past releases and stories from AVBC

AVBC Strikes Gold in Denver

Boonville, CA (October 9, 2000)  Anderson Valley Brewing scored another triumph at the 19 ^th Annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver this past weekend.  The Boonville Brewery achieved a Gold Medal, recognizing their High Rollers Wheat Beer as the best of 49 entrants in the "American Style Wheat Ale" category.  Anderson Valley Brewing has now won a total of eight medals, including five golds, from the GABF, regarded as the World Series of beer competitions.  Over 400 breweries from across the United States took part, and over 1800 different beers were available for sampling by the over 20,000 beer aficionados who attended the festival over three days.  Beers submitted for judging were evaluated by the industry's most highly regarded experts in a rigid 'blind tasting' course, and a gold medal is not necessarily awarded in each of the 55 different categories.

Brewery President and founder, Dr. Kenneth Allen, on his return from the festival expressed his appreciation for the Anderson Valley "brew crew" that produces the frequently awarded beers.  "I am extremely proud of our fine brewers and support people, since most all of the beers at the GABF were wonderful," Allen said.  "It is an honor to be singled out to receive a Gold Medal because they are only awarded to world class beers that accurately exemplify the proper balance of taste, aroma, and appearance for their particular styles."

Head Brewer Brit Antrim, who attended the proceedings in Denver, was surprised and pleased by the award.  "For a brewery known for its high gravity, highly hopped beers, it's gratifying to win in such a challenging category.  There's really nothing to hide behind with this style—no specialty malts or intense hop flavor.  There were many good beers entered, and we are proud to have been named the best." 

High Rollers Wheat Beer has long been a cult favorite among Anderson Valley's fans.  Available in the 22-ounce 'bomber' bottles and on draft, it is made with 40% wheat malt, as opposed to the usual barley malt, and special low alpha acid hops, which allow the natural tartness of the wheat to shine through. High Rollers Wheat Beer has a dazzling head, delicate tangy taste, and a crisp clear finish that makes it a refreshing, thirst quenching beer that has won over many ardent 'mainstream' domestic beer drinkers. 

The timing for this latest award couldn't be more fortuitous.  Previously a seasonal offering from Anderson Valley, High Rollers Wheat Beer was available only from April to October, but last month the decision was made to make High Rollers a year round product.  Deep Enders Porter, another seasonal, has also joined Anderson Valley's roster of beers available throughout the year.  Anderson Valley, which just began operations in its newly constructed Bavarian style brew house, expects to be able to triple its production capability.

Anderson Valley Brewing last won a Gold Medal at the GABF in 1998, when their Boont Amber Ale bested over 90 entrants in its category.  Earlier this year, the Boonville brewery's Hop Ottin' India Pale Ale took a Bronze Medal in the World Beer Cup, a highly prestigious international judging.

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Anderson Valley Christens Bavarian-style Brewhouse

July 25, 2000 - Boonville, California - The wait is over.  We've finally done it!  Yesterday we brewed our first batch of ale in our new Bavarian style brew house with its beautiful, old-fashioned copper brew kettles rescued from defunct German breweries. There are still a few items to install and some systems that aren't quite complete, but it is ready, willing, and able to brew.  It was beautiful to see that wort boiling in the kettle, and a billowy cloud of steam above the brewery, like a halo. It took a bit longer then we expected to get here, but the wait was worth it.

And what did we decide to brew for this inaugural event?  The same ale with which we ushered in the new millennium, of course;  '000 Triple Naught. Brewed to the deep rich color of the rarest amber and possessing a smooth and full malt flavor, with just the right hoppy bite.  Truly special events require a truly special brew.  Look for it on draught at fine pubs and alehouses, around the second week of August.

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Fal Allen Named AVBC General Manager

Boonville, CA (July 17, 2000)   Long time beer industry veteran Fal Allen has been named General Manager of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.  He assumed his duties at the Boonville, California brewery on July 1 ^st .   Allen's well-rounded background in the brewing trade makes him a perfect choice for Anderson Valley which, despite its small size, has been considered a pioneering leader in the craft brewing world since its inception in 1987.  Anderson Valley has shown steady growth over the past few years despite an industry wide sales slump, and with their new 180 barrel brewhouse about to begin operations, is expecting Allen to help maintain the quality that has always characterized Anderson Valley's ales, and take their production and sales to the next level.

AVBC's President and founder, Dr. Kenneth Allen, (no relation to the new GM) said, "We expect great things from Fal.  The depth and diversity of his experience, his love of our beers, and enthusiasm for craft brewing make him a perfect fit for us.  We couldn't be more pleased to have him on board."  AVBC's new General Manager is also excited about his new appointment.  "I'm delighted to be with Anderson Valley.  It's stimulating to be part of a brewery that's making bold, interesting, and high quality beers.  It'll be my task to protect and expand Anderson Valley's reputation as a leader in the craft brewing industry, and I welcome the challenge."

Fal Allen's interest in beer first manifested itself when he began home brewing in 1985.  In 1988 he began his formal brewing career as a cellerman for Red Hook in Seattle.  He soon moved on to Pike Place Brewery, where he served as Head Brewer from 1991 to 1998, and has been a brewery consultant since 1997.  In addition to his workaday brewing credentials, Allen has written prolifically about the craft.  He maintains a regular column in American Brewer under the title "I, Beer Thrall", and was co-author of "Barley Wine" in the Association of Brewers style guideline series.  His byline appears regularly in other brewing periodicals.  Additionally, Allen was honored with the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing by the Institute of Brewing Studies in 1999.

Allen's responsibilities at Anderson Valley will include overseeing production, operations, sales, marketing, planning, and development.

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AVBC Receives Waste Reduction Award

Boonville, CA (Sept. 26, 2000)   The Anderson Valley Brewing Company receives frequent recognition and awards for the quality of its beer.  Now, it's the Boonville brewery's environmental practices that have been honored by the State of California.  The California Integrated Waste Management Board has noted Anderson Valley Brewing's innovative recycling efforts by including them as winners under this year's Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP).  Only seventeen businesses from the North Coast counties of Mendocino, Humboldt, and Trinity were so honored among the nearly 1,900 WRAP Awards winners in the state.

The Waste Board's WRAP awards are designed to recognize companies that develop creative and aggressive programs to reduce the amount of waste they generate.  Applicants are honored based on a set of criteria developed with input from the business community.  Practices evaluated include waste prevention, materials reuse, recycling, recycled product procurement, and employee education. 

Anderson Valley Brewing was cited for its operation of a unique three-pond effluent waste water treatment system which filters out excess nutrients and other byproducts of the brewing process, leaving the water suitable to irrigate the company's 30-acre property.  Further, the brewery also donates approximately 2000 tons per year of spent grain to local livestock ranchers as a nutritionally rich feed supplement.  Anderson Valley Brewing's employees also mix the company's protein rich spent yeast into the grain destined for animal feed after first thermal-killing any active organisms, making it safe for livestock. 

Upon learning of the award, President and founder Dr. Kenneth Allen reflected on Anderson Valley Brewing's commitment to reusing resources.  "I think it's important that all companies be responsible for not impacting the environment in a negative way.  Resources need to be used as efficiently as possible, and with an effort we can not only keep waste products out of the landfill, but useful applications can be found for them." 

Dr. Allen pointed out that most of the time the water used by the brewery is used three or four times before it is naturally filtered for irrigation.  First to chill and then to heat liquids during the brewing process, then to actually brew the beer or to clean up afterwards, then to the ponds for filtration and ultimately for irrigation.  "Good environmental practices are also good business practices, " Allen noted.  "We're always looking for new ways to save resources and reuse materials."

Since its inception in 1990, the Waste Board, which is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, has presented more than 4200 WRAP honors recognizing California businesses that have made significant strides in waste reduction.  The Board's mandate is to work in partnership with local government, industry, and the public to achieve a 50 percent reduction in waste disposal by the end of the year 2000.  In 1999, the statewide diversion rate was estimated at 37 percent.

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Hop Ottin' Gets the World Beer Cup Bronze

Boonville, CA (June 22, 2000)   Another piece of hardware for Anderson Valley Brewing's bulging trophy case was presented to the Boonville brewery Monday night in New York City.  Hop Ottin' IPA , their highly regarded India Pale Ale, was awarded the bronze medal in its category by the World Beer Cup , a prestigious global judging of beers conducted by the non-profit Association of Brewers.  Previously, Anderson Valley Brewing has won numerous awards and medals, including three gold medals from the Great American Beer Festival, and the designation of one of the top ten breweries in the world by the World Beer Championships for both 1996 and 1997.  This is their first recognition by the World Beer Cup.  The India Pale Ale category had 42 entrants, the fourth most crowded field among the 70 categories of beer styles that were judged. 

Honors from the World Beer Cup, staged every two years, are considered by brewing industry experts to be among the most coveted.  Michael Jackson, a world-renowned authority on beers of the world has said of the World Beer Cup "No other worldwide competition for beer is remotely as well judged.  Only at the World Beer Cup does the panel of judges truly understand the international diversity of beer styles.  The future of the industry lies in a new awareness of characterful beers, and the World Beer Cup is setting the standards for tomorrow's beers".  Beers from over forty countries from six continents were evaluated in this year's judging.

Brit Antrim, Anderson Valley's Head Brewer, expressed surprise at the honor.  "It's just amazing that this beer did so well in an international competition.  When we designed the recipe for Hop Ottin' IPA, we were really going for something that was 'over the top' as far as the normal category parameters are concerned.  Our IPA has a greater hop flavor and aroma than most, and while beer drinkers who love the hop bitterness rave about our IPA, judges usually find it a bit too much."  Antrim went on to say "we're very proud to be internationally recognized, and we're in very good company with the other medallists."  The India Pale Ale style was created back in the eighteenth century, when it was discovered that increasing the hop content of beers allowed British brewers to make a beer that could withstand the lengthy voyage to their distant colonies, particularly India, without spoiling. 

The President and founder of Anderson Valley Brewing, Dr. Kenneth Allen, wasn't so surprised by the timing of the award.  "We knew that Hop Ottin' was way beyond the standards of the category when we introduced it to the market about two years ago.  I said at the time it would take about two years for the industry to catch up.  Now other breweries are trying to make their IPA's as intense and hoppy, and the awards are starting to come for Hop Ottin'.  Seems like we were right on time!"  Anderson Valley Brewing, which has been brewing in Boonville since 1987, has long been considered a pioneering leader in the craft brewing industry, and the success of Hop Ottin' IPA, both in the market place and in competitions such as the World Beer Cup, shows that they are once again blazing a trail.

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Boonville Beers Journey to Antarctica

Imagine that you live in an exotic but isolated part of the globe where the temperatures rarely rise as high as 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and where it's totally devoid of sunlight for months at a time. Your neighbors are penguins. A tough environment in which to live and work to be sure, but the cruelest of these conditions is that you just can't walk to your corner tap room or liquor store when you have a hankering for an Anderson Valley brew.

This is the predicament in which Rich and Karla found themselves.  Rich and Karla work in association with a prominant scientific foundation and are stationed at McMurdo Station on the north coast of Antarctica, about 800 miles from the South Pole (of course, the entire coast of the island continent is the 'north' coast).  They are confirmed AVBC fans, too.  Just before Thanksgiving last year they sent a wistful, yearning email to our company president, Dr. Ken Allen, expressing their longing for a Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout.  Well, we pride ourselves on customer service at AVBC, and we decided to make sure that Rich and Karla would get the sweet nectar of their dreams; not just Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout, but also some Belk's ESB, Hop Ottin' IPA, and Boont Amber.  But how do you get beer to Antarctica?  Do we have a distributor down there?  No?  Didn't think so. Collaborating with Rich and Karla via email we devised several schemes.  We had no idea this would be such a painstaking and circuitous project.
 

To begin with, Rich and Karla receive their mail at a post office box in San Francisco, where it is then forwarded to McMurdo station. San Francisco is not all that far from Boonville, relatively speaking, so this should be a slam-dunk we thought, but the post office box represented merely the first obstacle.  Postal regulations prohibit the shipping of alcoholic beverages through the mails, and the private delivery services such as UPS or FedEx cannot deliver to post office boxes.  Rich suggested that we ship the beer to some stateside friends of theirs who would take the responsibility of 'smuggling' it to their address in San Francisco.  We agreed, although we wondered if this made us part of a conspiracy to ship illicit beverages through the sacred U.S. mails.  One doesn't want to get on the bad side of postal workers.  Rich then supplied us with an address in Utah, which presented our second obstacle.  The arcane laws of most states prohibit the direct shipment of beer to individuals, and Utah is one of the states to which we cannot ship .  More emails back and forth.  Rich then gave us the address of a friend in Vermont, one of the enlightened locations where we can ship beer with impunity.  So at long last, our case of beer began its journey to Antarctica, by heading north and east from Boonville towards the Green Mountain State, via UPS.  Upon arriving in Vermont, which is closer to the North Pole than it is to the equator,  the beer was repackaged for shipping via the U.S. Mail (shhhhhhhhhh…don't tell anyone) back to San Francisco.  After traversing the continental United States twice, the precious cargo was placed on a ship bound for New Zealand.  Upon holding our collective breaths that it would clear New Zealand Customs without any difficulty, we then had to wait for the next available supply plane, courtesy of the U.S. Navy, to head out for Antarctica.
 

Timing now became a critical problem.  There are no planes in or out of McMurdo station after February for a period of six months.  Furthermore, the staffing of the scientific outpost is reduced from roughly 900 to just a little more than 200.  There was a chance that our beer might not make it to New Zealand in time for the last flight to the icy continent.  There was also a chance that even if it made the plane, Rich and Karla might be furloughed for the dark months and be heading back to the States while their beer was heading for Antarctica.  The latter problem was averted, as Richard reported "It's official!  We just passed our psych tests last week.  They try to weed out the totally insane from the just slightly disturbed.  Had we not been able to create the illusion of sanity, odds are we might have been heading north as our beer was heading south.  How wrong and totally crazy would that be?"
 

Now it was just a nail biting waiting game.  Would the Boonville Beers make it to Antarctica before flights stopped for the season?  We finally heard from Rich and Karla on February 22 ^nd , more than three months after their first cry for assistance.  The jubilant email proclaimed  "The beer has arrived. Got in late last week. None too soon either. Last flight in is either tomorrow or the next day, depending on the weather. AVBC packaging is almost as incredible as the beer. Bombproof, nothing could harm those bottles. They're on a shelf in my room, almost shrine-like."
 

"The other night we just sat around and looked at 'em. Still can't believe it. 3½ months. Seems like a year ago that we started this whole thing. Makes us wish we got two cases. The sun finally set yesterday, first time in four months. It stayed down for a whole 27 minutes, before rising again. Days are getting colder. Today is a white-out."

Rich and Karla (and their very close friend Dave) shouldn't have any trouble keeping the beer cold, but nursing twenty four bottles of Anderson Valley Brewing's finest between three people, and perhaps some lucky co-workers, is going to make for a long six months.  Rich and Karla, are you ready for another round?  Since the next plane to McMurdo will be taking off in June or July we'd better get moving now.
 

They even sent us a nice card!

Please note: No orcas or penguins were harmed in the delivery of this case of beer...  Well, one penguin strained his back, but that's because he didn't bend his knees (do penguins even have knees?).

Click on the thumbnails below for a full size image of the Boonville Beers at
the Bottom of the World.