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.
(PRIVAT) OBERDORFER WEISS
Premium malt liquor-ish wheat ale brewed since 1516 in fine Bavarian tradition. Sharply phenol-hopped grains, delicate candied yeast, and mild banana-clove brighten lively citric tang to cracked wheat spine. Brewery defunct: 2009.
(PRIVAT) JUBEL OKTOBERFEST
Wavering light-bodied chestnut-hued jug-handled Vienna marzen offers powdery cocoa malting and wheat wafer sweetness to invigorate sharp prune-plum backdrop. Light caramel creaminess underlines fizzy hop spicing. Brewery defunct: 2009.
(PRIVAT) JUBELFEST ALTBIER
In attractive jug-handled white ceramic bottle, blissful soft-bodied X-mas treat will captivate curious pilsner drinkers and ale lovers alike. Though lacking expected holiday seasoning, its prim barley roast, addictive rye-sourdough continuance, and coy biscuit-sugar sweetness poignantly refine the crisp water flow for fine non-seasonal Winterfest simplicity. Brewery defunct: 2009.