Valley Of The Heart's Delight
Almanac Beer Co.

Valley Of The Heart's DelightValley Of The Heart's Delight
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From:
Almanac Beer Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Wild Ale
ABV:
7%
Score:
96
Avg:
4.34 | pDev: 6.91%
Reviews:
112
Ratings:
886
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 15, 2022
Added:
Jan 30, 2014
Wants:
  123
Gots:
  125
This sour ale is inspired by the agricultural history of the Santa Clara Valley. Long before it became Silicon Valley, it was known as the Valley of The Heart’s Delight, a fertile basin overflowing with fruit orchards. Brewed with foraged apricots handpicked by the Garden To Table non-profit, this collaborative beer celebrates and supports their mission to promote urban farming in San Jose.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by starrdogg:
Photo of starrdogg
Rated by starrdogg from District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

Jun 01, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of entheos
Rated by entheos from California

3.02/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
More like a sour seltzer than a beer. Disappointing given the high rating by others. It’s alright, but not world class.
Mar 15, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by jakecattleco from California

Mar 14, 2022
 
Rated: 4.02 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Nov 29, 2021
 
Rated: 3.77 by Ristaccia from Nebraska

May 25, 2021
 
Rated: 4.26 by robotic_being from Illinois

Jan 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4.32 by EMH73 from New York

Oct 23, 2020
Photo of StoutElk_92
Reviewed by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pours amber gold orange with a creamy frothy white foam head. Smells like strawberries, banana, apricot, stone fruit, tropical fruit punch, oak wine barrel, hint of leathery acetic vinegar, some caramelized bready malts, with earthy herbal grassy hops. Tastes like sour apricots, fresh strawberries, tropical fruit punch, banana, stone fruits, cherry, plum, nectarine, red berry, oak wine barrel, caramelized bready malts, hint of mild acetic leather, spice, with floral earthy herbal grassy hops. Feels medium bodied, creamy smooth with moderate carbonation. Overall a real nice sour blonde ale aged in wine barrels with apricots and strawberries.
Jul 04, 2020
 
Rated: 5 by TallGuyCM from California

Jun 11, 2020
 
Rated: 4.34 by Lofreqwave from California

Apr 13, 2020
Photo of bubseymour
Reviewed by bubseymour from Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I’m not sure the high ratings on this one. Vinegar aroma, moderate/high sour scale. Minimal funk and complexity. Drinkable but very “amateur” IMO.
Feb 11, 2020
 
Rated: 4.32 by Kdouble from Tennessee

Jan 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4.44 by artf from Pennsylvania

Jan 01, 2020
 
Rated: 4.33 by Antwon616 from California

Oct 26, 2019
 
Rated: 4.45 by petrusek23 from Ohio

Oct 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4.36 by Curt3 from Ohio

Sep 17, 2019
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

4.32/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Pours a cloudy goldenstraw with a thin cap that fades to a film; spotty lacing

Smell: Lactic apricot and strawberry tones with some cheesy funk; oaky and acetic

Taste: Lactic and acetic sour tones mingle, with the apricot and strawberry peeking through; acetic, funky and oaky, through the middle, with a distinctly sour finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation; puckery

Overall: It appears that the fruit for this beer varies year to year (not sure what year this one is but I just bought the bottle and it is apricot and strawberry); really enjoyed this one as all the elements work well
Aug 08, 2019
 
Rated: 4.28 by gardner254 from Ohio

Aug 07, 2019
Photo of thebeers
Reviewed by thebeers from Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hazed, yellow-orange color with a wisp of soupy, off-white head. Decent lacing.

Tart, sour aroma that comes across like plum as much as anything, along with a hint of wood.

The taste follows. Strong, tart plum, white wine grapes, apricot, cherry, wood and a little raisin. Acidic finish.

Medium bodied with a slightly oily consistency and moderate carbonation.

The fruit is pretty well melded into just fruity tartness at this age. The wine barrel does add a nice undertone to it all. Decent, but not my favorite from the series. 1/25/18 bottling date.
Jul 03, 2019
 
Rated: 4.4 by NolaHopHead from Louisiana

Mar 29, 2019
Valley Of The Heart's Delight from Almanac Beer Co.
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 886 ratings