Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale

Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale by

Anderson Valley Brewing Company

ABV 6.9%

This was the first  Anderson Valley Brewing Company beer i have tasted. I tasted it after a naked October swim at our takeout on the north Santiam. After a freezing swim i felt that i was ready for a winter ale.

Its richness makes you say "wow". It has almost no hops bitterness and is full of maltness without the "strong spice flavor" of other winter ales. It has a caramel and vanilla taste. Theron said it is like "cream soda for adults" and i couldn't agree more. I enjoyed "Winter Solstice" but with its richness I couldn't see myself drinking more than 1 can in a sitting. 

RRCBR  Class III+

Caldera IPA

Caldera IPA by Caldera Brewing

ABV 6.1%

One or mine and Theron's few differences is IPA. I love IPA, all IPA: British IPA, American IPA, Belgian IPA, Double IPA and Imperial IPA. I am always looking for the fresh and strong hop taste i love. In contrast Theron rarely chooses an IPA (never turns one down though) and he seems to prefer his bitter beer to be a lager.We both loved this beer: i cant think of a fresher tasting IPA, and the flavor of grapefruit was surprising and satisfying. And then we felt a little unmanly-like : talking about fruit flavors in our beers, alone on our raft. So we talked about hockey instead, silenty agreeing on the rating of this beer. 

RRCBR  Class IV

Mama's Little Yella Pils

Mama's Little Yella Pils by Oskar Blues Brewery

ABV 5.3%

Thank you once again Oskar Blues! This is fast becoming my Favorite Brewer! If any beer could remind me of eating my father's "Pork Shoulder Cooked in Sauerkraut" then here it is. It is a simple refreshing pilsner, exactly just what i want with my heavy German meal. I couldn't help but thinking of celebrating Oktoberfest when drinking "Yella". It was a good Pils usually only found in import beers. I could find myself in a lawn chair up to my knees in river water and enjoying a 6 pack on a long slow day, just waving at the boater traveling down the stream.

RRCBR Class III