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INDEX 2003

• Belk's and Poleeko Regional Champions at USBTC
• Fal Allen at Redbones
• AVBC Receives Third WRAP Award
• Haunted Brewery is a Scream
• Boont Amber takes Silver at GABF
• Fal Allen Pairs Beer w/ Food at GABF
• Open House Fridays are Back
• Boonville Beer Festival Results
• Shire Horses Help Keep Valley Green
• Visitor's Center Ground Breaking
• 15th Anniversary Party

Archive Index:  Past releases and stories from AVBC

Belk's and Poleeko Named Regional Champions at USBTC 2003 Summer Competition

(Sunday, July 20, 2003, Buffalo, NY) - The United States Beer Tasting Championship ^TM recently completed its 9^th annual summer competition , and two of Anderson Valley Brewing Company's ales made the California Regional Champion list; Belk's Extra Special Bitter Ale , in the Bitter/ESB category, and Poleeko Gold Pale Ale , in the Golden Ale/Kolsch category.

A total of 398 beers from 151 breweries were examined across 11 different beer categories (an additional 11 categories are examined in a winter competition). Within each category, the USBTC determined both a Grand Champion and the best from each of six U.S. regions: 1) Northeast, 2) Mid-Atlantic/Southeast, 3) Midwest, 4) Rockies/Southwest, 5) Northwest/Pacific, and 6) California.

The USBTC takes a unique approach in that its competition is held in multiple stages. Sequential field trials are conducted wherein judges evaluate beers and select the best to advance to subsequent rounds. This allows beers to be judged in relatively small flights while ensuring that the best beers are still determined through head-to-head competition. All beers were tasted in blinded fashion and judged on a hedonic scale.

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Fal Allen to Go to Redbones

(November 17-19, Somerville, MA) Brewer and AVBC General Manager, Fal Allen , will be speaking at the Redbones 9th Annual Northwest Fest, in Somerville, Massachusetts, this November. Three Beer Banquets highlight the month, held on November 17th, 18th, and 19th. On tap are speaker/brewers from Northwest breweries including Dick Cantwell from Elysian Brewing, Fred Bowman from Portland Brewing, and Jim Cline from Rogue, in additionto Fal Allen.

The annual beer bonanza offers the best craft brews from the Northwest, exclusively brought in by Redbones, and, as always, generous portions of Redbones BBQ and Northwest Brews, along with trivia games & lots prizes and other goodies . Over 20 breweries participate by sending kegs which will be on tap throughout November.

Price is $35.00 per person for everything - includes tax & gratuity. These dinners are so popular that reservations are a must! Call 617.628.2200

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WRAP Recognizes AVBC With Third Waste Reduction Award

(BOONVILLE, CA November, 2003) Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC) has been honored for a third time by the State of California for their commitment to waste reduction. The California Integrated Waste Management Board has noted AVBC's innovative recycling efforts, awarding them 2003's Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP Awards).

The WRAP recognizes companies currently using 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. Companies are evaluated on waste prevention, materials reuse, recycling, recycled product procurement, and employee education.

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

Of the award, President and founder Dr. Kenneth Allen reflected on AVBC's commitment to reusing resources, "It's important that all companies be responsible for impacting the environment in a positive way. Resources need to be used as efficiently as possible, and with some effort we can keep waste products out of the landfill, and find useful applications for them."

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

For more information on Anderson Valley Brewing Company, their practices and offerings, call 707-895-BEER or visit the company's website at, www.avbc.com.

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Haunted Brewery is a Scream

(October 31, Boonville, CA) The Amityville Horror house has nothing on this story. Every year, on All Hallows Eve, an entire brewery gets possessed by demons, ghouls, and spirits, bent on scaring the wits out of (and entertaining) those brave enough to enter. For the past seven years, Anderson Valley Brewing Company has undergone a magical transformation on Hallowe'en, morphing from an award winning world-class craft brewery, into something so sinister, so evil, so eerily enticing, that the residents of Anderson Valley and visitors alike just have to come and see it for themselves.

This year visitors to this evanescent supernatural realm wandered through a dimly lit maze, wherin they saw a ghoulish lynching, and a tragic trash compactor accident. Then they were met by none other than the Grim Reaper , himself, who ordered them into the Vault of Doom, a bitterly cold labyrinth populated by flesh eating, machete wielding ghouls and undead. Those who escaped at the far end had to brave the man eating Galumpher on Zombie Island , witness a blood-splattering beheading at the gallows, and view those decapitated heads revolving on one of the brewery's filling machines . Next they had to escape from a possessed child and her demonic jack-in-the-box, and risk being maimed by a seriously deranged woman with cleaver in hand, who had already removed her own leg (talk about self-destructive behavior).

Finally it was on through the spider's intricate webwork , and into the laboratory of the deranged Dr. Frankenstein . Herr Doktor was performing unspeakable experiments on his monster's bride, and the few visitors who remained were almost devoured by his less restrained mutant freaks. Those who made it out the other end were rewarded for their bravery and tenacity with candy, distributed by a kindly witch.

"It's a fun way for us to give a little something back to the community," said Fal Allen, General Manager. "Besides, it gives the kids something to do besides throwing eggs at passing cars."

If you missed it this year, don't worry. Like a twisted version of Brigadoon, the haunted brewery will rise again next year.

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Boont Amber Takes Silver Medal
at 2003 Great American Beer Festival ^®

(Denver, Colorado) Anderson Valley Brewing Company's Boont Amber Ale once again won accolades, at this year's The Great American Beer Festival ® , in Denver, by garnering a silver medal in the American-Style Amber/Red Ale category. The category had a whopping 66 entries this year and was the third largest category in the competition. The Great American Beer Festival ® is the nation's premier beer event, attracting approximately 400 breweries and displaying nearly 2000 different beers in 65 separate style categories. "We are very happy to have been honored with this medal," said Fal Allen, General Manager of the brewery. "To win a medal at this event is a major accomplishment, especially when there are so many good beers being made in America today." . Allen added "We are really proud of what this represents. We don't do a special batch of beer just for a competition. When we enter a beer into any competition, it comes right off our bottling line. You can be sure that the beer you find on the store shelves is the exact same brew that won the medal."

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Fal Allen to Participate in Beer and Food Pairing Demo,
at 2003 GABF, in Denver
Johnson and Wales Culinary University and the GABF Present:
The Short Course: Cooking Great Food to Pair with Great Beer

Craft-brewed beer is part of the culinary revolution sweeping America. Just as Americans are learning to appreciate full-flavored bread, cheeses, coffee and spices, they are discovering that beer is the best beverage for this new world of bold international tastes. Join the chefs of Johnson & Wales Culinary University paired with some of the country's leading craft brewers, as they show you how to cook great dishes to match the wonderful beers you'll be tasting.

Demonstrations will run daily from Thursday afternoon till saturday evening. Featured brewers will be:

- Fal Allen , author and Brewery manager of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company matches their Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA with Shrimp and Jalapeno Quesadillas and their Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout to Cajun Blackened Chicken.

- Brewmaster Geoff Larson of Alaskan Brewing Company presents his Alaskan Amber with Baked Alaskan Wild Salmon and his Alaskan Smoked Porter with Grilled Venison Chops.

- Brewmaster Lee Chase of Stone Brewing Company and Brewmaster Phil Markowski of The Southampton Publick House present their beers matched to vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Phil will present Chiliquiles with Southampton Secret Ale, and Lee will present a vegan Chana Masala (Chickpeas cooked in an onion masala sauce) with Arrogant Bastard Ale.

- Brewmaster Garrett Oliver of The Brooklyn Brewery, author of The Brewmaster's Table, presents his Saison de Brooklyn with Spicy Crab Cakes and Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout with Chocolate Mud Cake.

- Brewmaster Steve Parkes of Wolaver's Organic Ales presents his Wolaver's IPA with Organic Spicy Chicken Wings and Wolaver's Brown Ale with Organic Grass-fed Seared Hanger Steak.

- Brewmaster Dan Carey of The New Glarus Brewing Company presents his New Glarus Uff Da Bock with Stuffed Pork Chops and Raspberry Tart with Chocolate Truffles.

- Meadmaker Ken Schramm, author of The Compleat Meadmaker, matches meads (fermented honey beverage) with Chicken Apple Sausages and Scottish Butter Shortbread Cookies.

- Brewmaster John Harris of The Full Sail Brewing Company will present his Full Sail Pale Ale with a Thai Chicken Coconut Curry, and his Full Sail Amber with Steak Au Poivre.

-ewmaster Greg Hall of the Goose Island Brewing Company presents his Goose Island IPA with Pork Picadillo Tacos and his Bourbon County Stout with a Flourless Chocolate Tart.

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Open House Fridays Are Back

June 12th, 2003 - Boonville, CA - Once again, Anderson Valley Brewing Company is rolling out the barrels, and throwing open its doors. On the third Friday of every month , June through October, AVBC will be holding an Open House for friends, fans and visitors. From 4 - 8 pm we will be open to the public and have special offerings and events like specially priced beers (some limited release beers, as well as some from our regular award winning line up), an open barbeque (bring your own grillables), special brewery tours (every hour on the hour), exceptional deals on selected "Boonville Beer" items, snacks, games and even the occasional musical guest. Here is the perfect opportunity to come out and meet our brew crew and really get to know Anderson Valley Brewing and our full line of delicious beers. You can even score some deals on official Boonville Beer gear. So, mark your calendar, tell everyone you know, grab a friend and come on over to our Open House gathering. It's the perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon.

Dates - June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17

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Results of the 7 ^th Annual Boonville Beer Festival

Another Boonville Beer Festival has come and gone. 2,800 afficianados of fine adult beverages attended the Seventh Annual Legendary Boonville Beer Festival , on April 19th, 2003, to experience over two-hundred brews from sixty-four breweries. Let's look at those numbers again. That works out to fewer than 44 people per brewery, and only 14 people per brew. Surprising odds!

The weather couldn't have been more cooperative; 70's, sunny, and a light breeze. Folks cruised the stands, and enjoyed sampling tasty brewed nectar, while sitting on the grass under the redwoods. Once again, The Train Singer, Greg Schindel, with son Malachai, strolled the grounds and entertaind listeners with traditional railroad songs, and the Hysters and the Rolling Boil Blues Band kept them rocking and rolling on the dance floor. We even had a public marriage proposal (and accompanying acceptance) on stage.

On June 2nd, we were happy to distribute the proceeds of the festival to the worthy organizations that helped us make it all happen.

From left to right are;

• Cheryl Schrader, of Animal Rescue of Anderson Valley, which received $5,000
• Brewery President , Kenneth Allen, who awarded the funds;
• Michael Addison, of the Anderson Valley Education Foundation, which received $4,000;
• Coach Jason Page, of the AVHS Football Team, which received $2,400;
• Sheri Hansen, of the Anderson Valley Historical Society, which received $4,000;
• Community Services Dist. Rep. Tex Sawyer, accepting $2000 for the Anderson Valley Volunteer Fire Department;
• Ron Gester, of the Anderson Valley Ambulance Service, which received $3000;


• and the Mendocino County Fairgrounds (not pictured) will receive $4600 to sponsor fair events.

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Anderson Valley Brewing Company Increases Horsepower, While Remaining Green

(May, 2003) - Anderson Valley Brewing Company recently acquired four English shire horses, two mature geldings and two yearling colts. The large horses are the first step in their plan to offer low-emission, local distribution of their premium quality ales. The brewery will also offer a horse drawn shuttle service for visitors to the brewery.

The geldings, Duke and Dan, each standing about seventeen hands high (an average horse stand about eleven hands), have been drawing wagons, as a team, for approximately twelve years. Each mature horse will be paired with one of the yearling colts, Max and Zack, to assist in the colt's draught training, and to drive beer and beer lovers to and from the brewery. "This is something we've wanted to do for a long time," said brewery Vice President, Kimberly Allen. "The horses are beautiful, and take you back to an era when breweries were smaller, more personal, and provided the local pubs and taverns with superior customer service. We're still small enough that we can do this, at least on a local scale, and it will be lots of fun for the visitors." The shire horses arrived in early March, from Nebraska and Colorado and have now acclimated to their new, warmer home.

In addition to being a fun and nostalgic way to make beer deliveries, the two-horsepower system is another facet to the company's environmental commitment. "We truly do our best to keep the environmental impact of the brewery to a minimum," said Brewery President, Ken Allen ( Click Here to read about our Waste Reduction WRAP Award ). "When we built our new facility at the south end of town, we situated the construction site so that only one tree needed to be removed, and we planted two elsewhere in its stead. We reuse as much as possible and recycle all that we can, including glass, plastic, paper, newspaper, cardboard and steel. Our on-site water reclamation ponds are partially aerated through wind power. Our spent grain and hops are donated to local farmers for feed (we even feed a little to the horses), the yeast, and now manure, are used for fertilizer. We even have an all-electrical vehicle for staff members to make short runs into town. With that car and the horses, you could say that we now have a fleet of five low-to no-emission vehicles." The horses can be seen daily, playing and grazing on the 10 acres in front of the brewery.

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AVBC Breaks Ground for New Visitor's Center

(May 20, 2003) Anderson Valley Brewing Company has broken ground for their new visitor's center, located on the grounds of their brewery, at 17700 Highway 253, Boonville, CA. The new structure will house a tasting room, gift shop, and small event facilities, as well as give visitors a casual place to relax and sample the company's award winning ales, while waiting for a tour of the brewery. The visitor's center will offer indoor and outdoor seating with views of the 187 Bbl Bavarian-style brew house, with its gleaming copper vessels, pastures grazed by the company's newly acquired English shire horses, and the trademark hills of Anderson Valley, with oak, madrone, and open meadows to the East, and redwood forest to the West. Completion is scheduled for November, 2003.

The visitor's center has been in the planning stages since the brewery sold its pub, the Buckhorn Saloon, in early 2000, leaving the brewery without a direct venue for visitors who wished to sample the ales. "Once we built the new brewery, we found the restaurant was distracting us from our primary effort, which is to produce the finest, most flavorful, and distinctive ales available anywhere," said General Manager, Fal Allen. "We had the ten barrel brew pub, the gift shop, and the principal brewery all at separate locations. Boonville's a small town, so nothing was too far apart, but we found the division was dividing our efforts. With the visitor's center, we'll be able to have everything under one roof again," he added.

Artist's conception

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AVBC and Celebrator Beer News 15th Anniversary Party
The Celebrator, Anderson Valley, and other breweries celebrate their first fifteen years

In honor of a decade and a half of great beer, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Deschutes Brewery, The Celebrator Beer News, , and several other breweries, are putting on a Fifteenth Anniversary Party , this February 16th , 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Great American Music Hall , in San Francisco. Every brewery in attendance has been bringing you exceptional craft beers for the past fifteen years, and the Celebrator has been telling you about them for just as long. We've grown up together, nurtured each other, and now it's time for one hell of a birthday party. And you're invited! . Four hours of music, food, brewers, great beer, and more malty fun than you can shake a hop cone at.

Come on and join us on Sunday, February 16th. It's going to be a blast !

EVENT INFO

Date:    February 16, 2003
Time:    4PM - 8PM
Place:   The Great American Music Hall
         859 O'Farrell Street
         San Francisco, CA
Roster:  Anderson Valley, Alaskan, Anchor, BridgePort, 
           Deschutes, Full Sail, Portland, Pyramid,
           Samuel Adams, Tied House, Widmer, and Unibroue. 
Cost:    $40.00 (includes entry, beer, music, food, and souvenir glass)
Tickets: 800-430-BEER (Visa/MasterCard)

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