Walnut Creek Alehouse (Pyramid)

Brewery, Bar, Eatery

1410 Locust Street
Walnut Creek, California, 94596
United States

// CLOSED //
BEER STATS
Average:
3.44
Beers:
7
Ratings:
464
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.69
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
13
pDev:
10.03%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
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Photo of Topskee
Rated by Topskee from California

3.91/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.5 | food: 5
its really a restaurant. said and done.
Oct 11, 2015
Photo of MIrvine
Reviewed by MIrvine from California

2.75/5  rDev -25.5%
vibe: 2.75 | quality: 2.75 | service: 2.75 | selection: 2.75 | food: 2.75
Cookie cutter place that could really be any chain restaurant or brewery. Not a fan of Pyramid beers in general, so the place didn't have much of a chance with me.
Jul 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by notSweeney from Hawaii

Oct 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by BeerisUber from Washington

Jul 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by portia99 from Massachusetts

Apr 30, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by seanlanefuller from Tennessee

Nov 04, 2013
Photo of hiku7
Reviewed by hiku7 from California

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
I feel like I have to like pyramid because it is in Walnut Creek and is the closest brewpub to where I live, but I wish the atmosphere was better. It is airy and loud and corporate feeling like a restaurant at Disneyland. Very high ceilings that echo sound.

They have a decent selection of beers, though none of them are outstanding. The selections change often enough to warrant return trips. The waitstaff is helpful and attentive, so it is good on that score.

Overall, I'll go back because it's close and its craft-brewed ale, but I wish the atmosphere were more intimate.

One recent plus is the addition of growlers with $7.99 refills. I'm thinking of getting one of their Outburst Imperial IPA to bring home.
Apr 07, 2011
Photo of jonnyipa
Reviewed by jonnyipa from California

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2
Pyramid Brewery in Walnut Creek has a great atmosphere and good beer. There is a small patio in the front which is nice to enjoy a couple of pitchers with friends and watch the Walnut Creek night life pick up. There is also a larger patio in the back of the restaurant where they have live bands and a separate bar from one inside. The inside of the Brewery is spacious and has a lot of seating. There is a party room which is perfect for a event with 25 or more people. Its a nice place to enjoy some good beer but the food is sub par.
Oct 26, 2007
Photo of Toddv29424
Reviewed by Toddv29424 from District of Columbia

4.18/5  rDev +13.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
In my view, this is what an Alehouse should be. Great atmosphere, with one translucent wall that lets you see the whole brewing process (I am not sure if they brew at this location however). The staff is knowlegable and are able to tell you not only about their beer, but give comparisons to other flavors and brews from around the country. I was inpressed by the food as well, with a full service kitchen that gets pretty creative in its creations. Its a big open place, which detracts from the hominess of it but makes you feel more like you're enjoying the beer right from the brewery.
Jan 09, 2006
Photo of misterscooter
Reviewed by misterscooter from California

3.43/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Overall, this is a pretty nice place but for some reason, when I walk in, I don't feel at home. I don't know why exactly. You walk in and directly ahead is the very wide bar with TVs above it. To the left and the right are tables for the restaurant and the required vats are visible so you know it is a "brewery" run place.

The wood is light, the windows are large, the room is warm with light, but it feels too...empty. Maybe that is it. Every time I've gone, there has never been a very big crowd or the people that were there were quiet, in their own space. I guess I expect it to be a little more boisterous. Of course, this is a good fit for some people which is why I don't really hold it against them. But maybe I just don't feel like it is the friendliest place.

I have been to a private party in their reserved room and that was very nice. That did feel relaxed but it could be that I was with people I new who were already engaged in conversation. And, looking out, the restaurant did seem busy and probably had that feel that it seemed to be missing other times.

The beer selection is good and if you like Pyramid brews, it is even better. We had some tasty appetizers of spicy chicken skewers and a type of flatbread with cheese and salsa and a catered dinner. I liked the slightly spicy meatloaf with sauce and bacon on it. Some great garlic rolls and a basic salad were also on the menu.

There are some other bars less than a block away that give you a completely different feel than the Alehouse but for some, this place will feel just right.
May 20, 2005
Photo of Troyone
Reviewed by Troyone from California

3.33/5  rDev -9.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3
The atmosphere is cozy, kind of yuppy-ish, with off setting dining and a patio out back.

Nice wooden tables, chairs, and bar. Has brass tap nozzles all around. The kitchen appeared to be in the open and the restrooms were clean.

Service was knowledgable and prompt.

Mainly Pyramid options with some Mctarnahan, ciders, and one nitro... no cask or handpump. The Tomahawk IPA and Draught nitro were notable.

Some healthy options on the menu.

Pricey, was not there long and had a parking ticket on a Saturday!
May 08, 2005
Photo of warmstorage
Reviewed by warmstorage from California

4.05/5  rDev +9.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Yes, it's similar to the Berkeley (and Sacramento , and Seattle) locations, but it's still about the best place in Walnut Creek for fresh beer.

As at other locations, the place is big and airy, with lots of wood and brass accents. A nice long bar is the focus of the main room and seats plenty, with some additional tables where the bartender cocktails. And sure, many of the customers in Walnut Creek wouldn't know a great beer if it smacked them upside the head and poured itself down their throat, but I'm not there for the clientle. At 2:30 on a Wednesday afternoon it was mellow; on another Thursday night visit it was quite busy, but tolerable.

Beer selection is typically excellent: usually ten or more on tap at any time, including about six standards, a couple of seasonals, and a couple of brewer's taps.

Beer quality is way above average for chain brewpubs (i.e., it's a million times better than Rock Bottom, Gordon Beirsch, Hops, etc.); it's only a little above average for brewpubs overall. The standards are fairly weak and thin: both the styles available, and Pyramid's intepretations of them. The reason to go (as in Sacramento and Berkeley) is definitely the "brewer's handles". Today it was an excellent barleywine (sweet and strong, with notes of prunes? figs? and definitely the sweeter style of barleywine, not the young robust style.) The other brewer's tap was an unfiltered amber, which was pretty decent, and certainly better than their regular amber, though nothing I'd order a pint of. The Curveball has cute baseball marketing but is otherwise an unremarkable Kolsch that finishes a a little (oddly) sweet. The IPA was surprisingly good: floral and crisp, although a little clean, and lacking of a hop bite I'd like to see in a west coast style IPA. The Draught Pale Ale is good, but a little boring: it's a somewhat uninspired british PA style, though the combination of nitro/CO2 service is fun.

Service: the bartenders have been excellent, friendly, and attentive each time I've gone; I've never sat at a table.

The food is always pretty good, though never amazing, and a little spendy for my tastes (though typical of Walnut Creek and Berkeley prices, and a little above average Sacramento prices.)

As with all locations, the absolute best time to go is the "Beer:30" happy hour, from 3:30-6:30 weekdays: a five-taster rack of 5oz. glasses is $3.30, and various appetizers are on sale. You choose which beers you get, so it's often the best damn happy hour deal running anywhere, especially if you want five 5oz. glasses of the barleywine!

Parking is a little tight, and all at meters, but can be found. Overall, I go to Pyramid Walnut Creek when I drive between the East Bay and Sacramento, and it's reliable and fine, though I wouldn't go much out of my way.
Apr 14, 2005
Photo of Mark
Reviewed by Mark from California

3.95/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
This is a decent place and a nice addition to ultra yuppie Walnut Creek to offset all the upscale white linen eateries. It's a pretty good sized place that is very loud and a bit on the dark side. Service was good with friendly staff, some were knowledgeable. All of Pyramid's acceptable line-up of beer is available at one time or another and some others that are not commercially bottled. Food was pretty good but all in all this place is a bit expensive due to it's locale. The Draught Pale Ale is a top choice. Worth a visit.
Jan 18, 2003
Walnut Creek Alehouse (Pyramid) in Walnut Creek, CA
Brewery rating: 3.44 out of 5 with 464 ratings