Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville CA

Category & Type :

Wineries And Breweries

Location :

17700 Hwy 253 , Boonville CA

Phone :

800-207-2337

Website :

http://www.avbc.com

Information about Anderson Valley Brewing Company...

Located in Boonville, California, in scenic, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC) opened the doors to its brew pub in late 1987. Since then, we've grown a bit, built a new facility, and now brew our world-class ales in copper vessels salvaged from two defunct German breweries, which can be seen to the right.

Founded in 1987, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company brewed out of a 10-barrel brewhouse, located in the lower level of its brewpub, The Buckhorn Saloon. Gleaming stainless steel vats brewed and fermented barley and other specialty grains to create outstanding ales, porters, stouts, and wheat beers. These brews began as a dream of Kenneth Allen to create the smoothest tasting ales available anywhere.

When the demand for our award winning ales exceeded the capacity of our 10-barrel brewery below the pub, we built our present 30-barrel facility at the corner of Highways 128 and 253, a mile from the center of Boonville. That was in 1996, and this brewery saw us through a dramatic period of growth, which included the introduction of a 12 ounce bottling line and a production level of 15,000 barrels in 1998, twice the amount brewed in 1997.

Yet, the brewery’s growth was outpacing its larger space and expanded capacity. In 1998, construction began on a state-of-the-art, three-story Bavarian-style brewhouse. The centerpieces of the brewhouse are gleaming 100- and 85- barrel copper brew kettles rescued by Ken Allen from a defunct German breweries during a trip to Europe in 1995. The new brewhouse went online in August of 2000.

By 2010 Ken Allen decided to retire and began to search for a successor to continue the Anderson Valley commitment to quality. In April of 2010 the brewery sold to industry veteran Trey White. In September of that year Fal Allen (former general manager 2000 – 2004, no relation to Ken) returned to the brewery as brewmaster. White has focused on innovation and quality, introducing the Bahl Hornin’ Series, expanding the barrel aged program, and increasing brewing capacity.

Valley History:

The valley was originally inhabited by the Native American Pomo tribe residing in nineteen known village sites, with an estimated population of 600 by the mid 1800′s. Legend has it that the first European explorers found their way to the valley by accident in 1851. Walter Anderson was tracking a wounded deer through the wilderness and was separated from his hunting party. After many hours of trailing the deer, he crested a rocky outcropping just south of what is now Boonville and looked out onto the land. Whether he caught up with the deer or not is unknown, but he did report back to his hunting companions about the amazing valley he had stumbled upon and his desire to return.

In the 1980s a wineboom began leading to the establishment of the Anderson Valley AVA, specializing in Alsatian varietals, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. Like much of Mendocino County, the hospitality industry is a natural adjunct to wine production. Fine restaurants and quality lodging are in good supply. The pleasant natural environment and rural lifestyle attracts artists, writers, musicians and a variety of skilled crafts people.

The Anderson Valley is a cornucopia of sensory delights, sights, smells, and tastes like no other place. We hope you come visit the valley and spend time enjoying our own slice of heaven on earth.