Mendocino Brewing 'White Hawk Select' IPA. 7% abv. 60 IBU. Hazy honey color. Two fingers of thick white foamy head. Outstanding retention and ample scattered lace. Nose of pine, sweet citrus, fruity hops. Front taste of bittersweet citrus peel, light spice, herbal hops on the back. Aftertaste of bitter fruity hop bouquet, grapefruit rind, mild floral sustain, dry finish. Medium body. Mouthfeel is light for a medium bodied brew. Tangy, acidic, carby.

This is an excellent IPA, true to standard and well crafted with bright notes of bitter citrus and sweet light malt. Its pungent aroma promises a basket of piney, fruity hops, which is delivered in its flavors of citrus and floral notes. Good stuff here. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"White Hawk Select IPA is a traditional India Pale Ale. We’ve blended American West Coast Cascade Hops with a very generous dose of English Fuggle Hops. This combination makes for a very aromatic character, as well as a truly authentic English flavor which you must taste to believe. 'Hopheads' will love this brew!"
[source: mendobrew.com]

Mendocino Brewing 'Anniversary Ale' Saison. Belgian Style Spiced Ale. 7% abv. Hazy honey color with velvety white head. Excellent retention, good lace. Nose of sweet bread, mild citrus, flowers. Front taste of grapefruit rind, ginger, cloves, floral hop back. Aftertaste is light fruit, sweet spice notes, bitter citrus sustain, biscuit. Light body. Mouthfeel is warm, small-bead carb, foamy.

This is a very good beer, an nice example of a "French farmhouse ale" saison, or in this case, Belgian style. It has a more abundant bouquet of fruits and spices than most beers in this category, which tend to have such flavors fewer but more prominent. It's clear this beer is aiming for complexity rather than height, and it mostly achieves this. I would have like some of the flavors to shine through more, at least in the aftertaste, but it's still a beer worth having. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"This limited edition classic saison is an unfiltered bottle conditioned ale. It is brewed with star anise, coriander, ginger, and orange peel. Our saison is richly refreshing and artfully balanced with notes of spices and fruit."

[source: bottle]

Mendocino Brewing Seasonal Pumpkin Ale. 5% abv. 30 IBU. Orange-copper color. Thin white  bubbly head. Good retention, nice lace. Nose of malt, pumpkin, spice, faint ginger. Front taste of caramel, pumpkin, nutmeg. Aftertaste of cloves, nutmeg, boiled greens. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is slightly thick, faintly astringent.

Among the many other pumpkin beers out there, this brew is enjoyable, with a prominent yet balanced pumpkin pie spice taste that many others either overkill or lack altogether. However, among beers in general, this is merely an decent brew, with some malty and spicy notes to savor. The promised complexity was just not there for me, nor were the cocoa nibs, the variety of spices, or the roasted grain. Recommended only if you like seasonal pumpkin beers.

From the brewery:

"Fall brings out the best in in nature. Almost overnight trees that looked acceptable in their majestic coats of green, now don the brazen hues of brass, gold and burnt crimsons.  Thanksgiving is perhaps the best of holidays, for it is a time for sharing and enriching our lives.  To honor Fall we offer our deep mahogany hued Pumpkin Ale, bursting with a robust roasted malt flavor.  To this mélange we add copious amounts of pumpkin and embellish that further with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. This would have been ideal, but perfection is our preference and so we diligently add cocoa nibs as the beer conditions and intensifies the depth of flavor.  This melds magnificently with the pumpkin and spice.  And as a fitting finale we gently introduce hops to compliment this complex potion and the result is a finish that is clean and brilliant.  At 5% alc./vol., this is a Pumpkin perfect session ale – Perfect for Fall and the approaching holiday season."

Mendocino Brewing Oatmeal Stout. 6% abv. 35 IBU. Black in color. Thick, creamy tan head. Superb retention and lacing. Nose of roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate. Front taste of coffee, bittersweet cocoa, sweet malt. Aftertaste of roasted oat grain, caramel, faint notes of vanilla. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is rich, silky, creamy.

This is an excellent beer, well made on every point. The rich texture from the ample use of oats is evident throughout, the roasted grain comes through with strong coffee and cocoa flavors, and the aroma shines long from the creamy sustaining head. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Nature has this uncanny way of knowing what is best for us. Take Oats for example. History records that it has been used by brewers since ancient times. Today we continue that tradition and present our winter seasonal Oatmeal Stout, a glorious jet black stout endowed with a rich long lasting tan creamy head with a captivating aroma of fresh brewed coffee. This winter seasonal has a flavor profile replete with nuances of bold dark chocolate and black coffee, embellished with a tint of a hint of creamy caramel.  These are equably well balanced by the nutty biscuitty notes, a result of the more than generous use of rolled oats.  These myriad taste sensations are enveloped with an artful use of hops, and the outcome is a suitably pleasant dry and lingering finish.  At 6% alc./vol., this winter seasonal Oatmeal Stout may be enjoyed singularly or as the perfect complement to winter hearty fare and rich chocolate or berry desserts."

Mendocino Brewing Seasonal White Ale. 5% abv. 13 IBU. Hazy light honey color. One finger of white bubbly head. Moderate retention, good lace. Nose of lime, toffee, grain, biscuit. Front taste of floral hops, lime peel, vanilla, wheat. Aftertaste of smooth sweet citrus, floral hops, spices. The coriander comes through nicely in the finish, creating a pleasant balance of flavors by the end. Medium body. Mouthfeel is thin yet creamy, warm, bubbly.

This is a fine brew that achieves a mild, delicate balance in its flavor profile. The key lime is surely present throughout, the wheat adds body and earthy notes, and the coriander eases in at the finish. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Seasonal - White Ale - This inimitable ale resonates with a chorus of vibrant aroma chords. The first note is the aromatic symphony of wheat and barley malt, counterpointed with a naughty hint of spice. The second movement echoes with tones of floral and citrus hops, followed by a vivacious vibrato in which the exotic key lime takes this White Ale to a magnificent crescendo of taste. Leonine-like straw gold in look and an enigmatic subtle yeast haze makes this opus, pitch perfect in body and soul. Key Lime orchestrates a composition that compliments the traditional spicy, bready middle adding grace to a finish that is clean and bright.  And as the harmony ebbs, you will feel an urge to replay this refrain.  Allow yourself, for it is only natural to do so."