ANDERSON VALLEY BREWING (Boonville, CA.)
Hi, my name is Brodie and I am a self-admitted “Beer Snob” (and quite proud I may add). I judge beers like it’s going out of style and I’m not afraid to admit it. One could say I’m passionate, even downright angry at times, about beer. I’m not afraid to tell someone what they’re drinking is pure, unadulterated crap! I despise the giant Macro brewers and their slew of “feux craft” or “crafty beers” some have dubbed, which they use to spoon-feed the unsuspecting public into thinking their getting a handcrafted ale or lager from a tiny brewery in the middle of nowhere, when in all reality, it’s produced by robots using cheap adjuncts and filler products. So when it comes to lagers, I’m even more discerning about the beer than I am with most ales.
I’ve only had one beer from Anderson Valley in the past, their Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale, and it was simply amazing. So when I saw this dark lager, I figured “Hey! Why not? I need to try more lagers anyway.”. Just based off the high quality and great flavor from Fall Hornin’ and their company slogan, “Bahl Hornin‘ “, which translates “Easy Drinkin’ “, I was able to easily put El Steinber in my basket.
El Steinber isn’t the typical dark lager. Brewed with Midnight Wheat for deep brown color and Indio-Hispano Blue Corn for a unique, toasty character. I’ll admit, I was a tad hesitant seeing that they used corn in the recipe as we know how the Macro brewers over-utilize corn in their recipes to dull the flavor of their beer. This is not the case at all with El Steinber. Rounding out the base malts with Pilsner malts gives it a smooth, crisp flavor. Capped off with a rocky tan head, musty wheat and toasted corn aromas arise. This beer has a beautiful cascade to it as the head recesses and the color of deep, rich mahogany is beyond inviting. Now, for the sip… and it is incredible! Never had I dreamt that a beer brewed with corn could be this awesome! I immediately take another sip and let it take a it’s time, mingling with my tastebuds. The mouthfeel is smooth, creamy and NOT over carbonated as most lagers tend to be. I can’t even put into words how smooth and delicious this lager is. It’s so easy drinking but not at all boring. A nice addition of Saaz hops give it a mild, earthy hop bitterness that really lets the malt profile shine through. Finishing off at 5.5% alc. this lager is something that can be enjoyed all day long without the hazardous repercussions of a higher gravity beer.
Anderson Valley Brewing recommends Jalapeno cornbread, pork carnitas, barbecued ribs, pomegranate tart and Meunster and Cotija cheeses for food pairings. As I become close friends with El Steinber, I invited it to lunch with my wife’s homemade pork and green chili tamales topped with monterey jack cheese and a side of spicy jalapeno black beans. It is a match made in craft beer heaven. Anderson Valley’s El Steinber has restored my faith in lagers and I give a big “CHEERS!” to the brewers for knocking this one out of the ball park. Anderson Valley Brewing doesn’t mess around! “BAHL HORNIN’! “
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