Anderson Valley Fall Hornin 6Pk Cans

Anderson Valley Fall Hornin 6Pk Cans is a seasonal pumpkin ale brewed with real pumpkin puree, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg at 6.0% ABV in a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Scored 90 points in a blind tasting by BJCP judges for Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, Fall Hornin' stands out for its restrained sweetness and genuine pumpkin character in a category often dominated by cloying spice bombs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.0%  |  IBU: 20  |  Origin: Boonville, Mendocino County, California  |  Style: Pumpkin Ale  |  Brewery: Anderson Valley Brewing Company (est. 1987)

Production & Heritage

Anderson Valley Brewing Company has operated out of Boonville, deep in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley, since 1987. The brewery uses a state-of-the-art, three-story, Bavarian-style brewhouse outfitted with 100-barrel and 86-barrel copper kettles originally salvaged from defunct German breweries. Fall Hornin' is built on a grain bill of Pale Two-Row, Munich (20L), Caramel (80L), and Dark Chocolate malts, hopped exclusively with Chinook, and augmented with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. The result is a balanced, malt-forward ale where the pumpkin and spice complement rather than overwhelm the base beer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramelized malt and baking bread lead the nose, followed by warm waves of cinnamon, nutmeg, and roasted pumpkin. A faint honey sweetness and subtle earthiness from the Chinook hops linger underneath.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-driven, with sweet caramel and a gentle honey quality. Mid-palate, the pumpkin puree asserts itself alongside a measured tang of cinnamon and allspice. A whisper of dark chocolate malt adds depth without roastiness, and just enough hop bitterness appears to keep the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium in length with a pleasantly creamy, silky texture. Lingering notes of nutmeg, vanilla, and toasted grain taper off cleanly, leaving a round, warming impression.

How to Drink Fall Hornin'

Fall Hornin' is best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the spice aromatics open up. Pouring cold straight from the can works fine for casual drinking, though a slight warm-up reveals more pumpkin nuance.

• Pumpkin Shandy: Combine with fresh apple cider for a seasonal twist that amplifies the autumnal spice profile.
• Beer Float: Pour over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream — the caramel malt and nutmeg pair naturally with the cream.
• Michelada variation: Mix with tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime for an unconventional savory serve that plays off the ale's allspice backbone.

Best For

• Autumn gatherings around a fire pit or Thanksgiving pregame
• Gifting to a craft beer fan who appreciates seasonal releases
• Pairing alongside a holiday dinner spread
• Exploring pumpkin ales without overwhelming sweetness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fall Hornin' taste like? Fall Hornin' delivers a caramel-malt sweetness layered with real pumpkin flavor and warm baking spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice — without veering into dessert-like territory. The finish is smooth, lightly creamy, and clean.

How does Fall Hornin' compare to Southern Tier Pumking? Southern Tier Pumking is notably sweeter and more intensely spiced, often described as a liquid pumpkin pie at 8.6% ABV. Fall Hornin' takes a more restrained approach at 6.0% ABV, emphasizing malt balance and subtle pumpkin flavor over bold spice and higher alcohol.

Is Fall Hornin' good for people new to pumpkin ales? Yes — its lower ABV, moderate sweetness, and balanced spice profile make it one of the more approachable pumpkin ales on the market. It provides genuine pumpkin character without the intensity that can put newcomers off the style.

Where is Fall Hornin' made? Fall Hornin' is brewed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, California, a small town in the heart of Mendocino County's Anderson Valley. The brewery has operated from this location since its founding in 1987.

What foods pair well with Fall Hornin'? Roasted butternut squash soup benefits from the ale's matching pumpkin and spice notes. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the malt sweetness nicely. Pork tenderloin with an apple glaze mirrors the autumnal profile. Pecan pie or gingerbread cookies complement the cinnamon and nutmeg. Smoked turkey echoes the ale's subtle dark chocolate malt undertones.

What sizes does Fall Hornin' come in? Fall Hornin' is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this seasonal release.

Is Fall Hornin' worth the price? Fall Hornin' positions as a mid-range seasonal craft ale, competitively priced within the pumpkin ale category. Its 90-point score from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine and the quality of Anderson Valley's brewing infrastructure support solid value for a limited-release seasonal beer.

Why Fall Hornin'?

Fall Hornin' earned a 90-point score in a blind BJCP tasting from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, a meaningful distinction in a crowded pumpkin ale field. It is brewed on repurposed German copper kettles in a Bavarian-style brewhouse — an uncommon setup for a California craft brewery — which contributes to the clean, precise malt character that defines the beer. The use of real pumpkin puree alongside a carefully proportioned spice blend of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg sets it apart from competitors that rely heavily on extract and artificial flavoring. For drinkers seeking a pumpkin ale that tastes like beer first and pie second, Fall Hornin' delivers exactly that.