Day 47, 2.16.11., Anderson Velley Brewing, Poleeko Gold

A trip up to the Mendocino coast for the weekend resulted in tasting several beers from the area's two micro brew stars, North Coast Brewing and Anderson Valley.  More on North Coast later.
On our way north, we stopped in Point Arena for a little lunch.  As we drove into town, Lesley and I discussed what we wanted for lunch: clam chowder in a bread bowl for her, and a beer for me.  No sooner than we voiced these desires, this is the sign we saw:

Sometimes things work out.

The food was pretty solid pub fare, and the beer selection pretty good, although the selection was nearly exclusively North Coast and Anderson Valley.  They're both good, but up here, they are the only beers you see on any taps.
I tried Poleeko Gold this time, a pale ale from Anderson Valley.  It has a nice nose with hints of grapefruit, sweet maltiness and acidic notes.  The body is on the full side of medium and has good bitterness backed up by just a hint of honey malt.  All that part is nice, but this pint had a definite skunky,  funkyness to it.  Unfortunately it was the kind of defect that comes with not cleaning your taps often enough.  Other than that, it's a nice easy drinking pale ale.  It'd be a good beer when you're planning on drinking a six-pack.  Fair beer.  6 out of 10.