For the longest time, I was on an Anderson Valley drought. That’s because their beers were not available here in Georgia, so from the time I moved here in 2011 to early 2012, there was to be no Anderson Valley Beer for me. I missed the great brews from this company that I had enjoyed in Rhode Island, beers like Boont Amber Ale and Hop Ottin’ IPA.

Luckily, Anderson Valley beers are back in time for me to enjoy Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale this year, a beer that seems to be a new seasonal for 2013. Fall Hornin’, of course, is a play on the Anderson Valley motto “Bahl Hornin’”, which is boontling for “good drinkin’”. Boontling is a local dialect in the Anderson Valley that the brewery cites as resulting from the valley’s isolated nature. So, Fall Hornin’ means fall drinking.

Of course, you don’t have to restrict Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale to fall drinking, because I think it’s just great for winter drinking, too. If you can find any still, that is. Fall Hornin’ was flying off the shelves in my area, both in cans and in bottles. And with good reason: this is a hearty, delicious addition to the growing pantheon of tasty pumpkin beers.

Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale is made with “Pale Two-Row, Maris Otter, Munich, Crystal 120L, Dark Chocolate, Pumpkin Puree” and Bravo hops per the website. My can says there are spices used too (of course). The beer has 20 IBUs and an alcohol content of 6% by volume. I paid $9.99 for six cans; bottles ran the same price.

Anderson Valley Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale pours to a very dark ruby color, almost brown really, with a very thick cauliflower head formation and a big, aggressively spiced nose of cinnamon sticks and clove. Taking a sip, the beer has a firm dark maltiness up front, a bit chocolaty really with some dark malt goodness going on. Fall Hornin’ is a tad darker than most beers in the style, both in color and in flavor. I get a little meaty pumpkin, too, and then a bunch of spice: dry toasty cinnamon, clove, ginger, and nutmeg. The finish is very dry from the spice, and as much as I’ve said there is a lot of spice, the malt really stands up to it.

Just a wonderful pumpkin beer, and a welcome addition to my fall hornin’. But from Anderson Valley, we really should have expected no less.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler



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