Mocha malt drone, heavy barley influence, and butterscotch glaze provide subtle up-front nuance for moderate-bodied Scotch ale. Soft hop-spiced bottom complements subsequent cocoa-caramel sweetness well. Just needs more resilience.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
PYRAMID SNOW CAP ALE
Strong sweet chocolate-wafted ale with loud raisin presence promptly backed by dry-hopped barley-roasted maple-sugared mocha malts. Secondary coffee-stained richness and heady wheat creaminess simmer down for complex, yet smooth, efficacy. Serve to brown ale fans.
PYRAMID PALE ALE
Mighty fine copper-toned dry-bodied ale stays spry as lively fruited malts gain rich nut resonation on each passing. Raspy citrus bite plus black cherry, birch, and maple accents counterbalance perfume-hopped orange rind bitterness at bold finish.
PYRAMID IMPERIAL HEFEWEIZEN ALE
Subdued murky amber half-wheat beer needs deeper up-front penetration and less chunky yeast sediment. Sweet banana-butterscotch lilt muddled by fragile fresh baked bread spine, dingy lemony hop fizz, and black peppered relegation. Apple skin, honey dew, and apricot illusions stay distanced.
PYRAMID HEFEWEIZEN ALE
Cloudy yellow-toned ‘wheat-brewed ale with yeast’ works grassy spice-hopped tingle, lemony plantain-clove slither and harvested grain rawness into pale malt residue for delightful initial impression. Plaintive floral wheat waft grafts citric-fizzed finish. Only its green banana reminder provides usual hefeweizen styling. Closer to an American wheat ale.
PYRAMID ESPRESSO STOUT
On tap, soft-toned black stout goes down lighter than creamy coffee-rich porters. Though initial coffee bitterness subsides and dry mocha finish fades dramatically, mild roasted nut aftertaste drifts heavenward. Serve with cannolis and cheesecake instead of espresso (who needs the extra caffeine?)
PYRAMID CURVE BALL KOLSCH STYLE ALE
Light-bodied sunny disposition of subtle spiced hop bitterness, yellow fruit tang, and casual herbal influence stays more buttery smooth than less watery Pyramid’s Coastline Pilsner.
PYRAMID COASTLINE PILSNER LAGER
Musty malt aroma negatively affects bitter grain astringency, lemony hop spice, and soured honey finish, lacking resolve front to back.
PYRAMID BEST BROWN ALE
Rich cloudy brown ale contrasts caramel malts against fruited hop tang and spicy-hopped bluster. Black chocolate-coffee resonation strengthens soft buttery flow. Undeniably fine.
PYRAMID APRICOT ALE
Pleasurable hazy golden poolside brew inconspicuous after pounding more than one. Melding strong apricot tartness to unfiltered German wheat styling, this tangy dessert treat could be creamier and bolder. Juicy peach essence lingers on breath.
PROPELLER EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER
Subtle malt aroma, flaked barley mouthfeel, and brown-sugared citrus easement softer and less effective than most ESB’s experienced. Yet sweet molasses creaminess caresses muted dry hop persistence affirmatively.
(PRIVAT) RAUCHENFELS STEINBIER
Intriguing mocha-scented dry-roasted smoked beer with wood-burnt beechwood spicing, toasted barley-oats sashay, and ashy tobacco undercurrent. Scotch malt sweetness lingers through sour yeast splurge and smoky cocoa malting above polite soft water base. Lacks strength, depth, and sufficient finish of better rauchbiers. Brewery defunct: 2009.