Pyramid Hefeweizen - Pyramid Breweries, Inc.

JayTheFinn

California

3.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This is the hefeweizen I always seem to find myself drinking, wherever I go, whenever I ask for one. And it's not bad, just not abosolutely stelar. It's got an unremarkable amber color with a white head of little significance. Smells a little citrusy. The taste is too sour and sharp for me, and I don't like the carbonation level. But somehow I keep ordering it, so it can't be all that bad!

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2006 04:47:29 | More by JayTheFinn

NEhophead

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On-tap at the Berkeley locale.

Poured a slightly hazy auburn-straw in color. A pillowy white head that leaves condensed lacing with pretty decent strength down the weizen's glass.

Powdered, musty wheat and grains. A few notes of lemon with a touch of sweetness. Rather odorless.

Toasted oats and wheat; bready in flavor. Clean tasting with just a hint of mustiness. A semi-sweet baked malt character adding to the biscuit-like wheat and grain flavors. A few touches of bright citric flavors, mainly lemon.

Light bodied; airy and just a bit gritty on the palate.

A pretty average hefeweizen. Nothing that stands out about this offering, but nothing that is really unpleasant either.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2006 03:22:20 | More by NEhophead

vladimerjr

New York

2.48/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I don't know if I am being a bit harsh as I had this beer in an airport bar but some of the other reviews echo my concerns so I stand by them.

Sreved in a pint glass with a lemon the beer looked normal for a hefeweisen, the smell was mostly citruis. I took my first sip and my first thought was "is this watered down?", but from the look it was obvious it was not. I felt like I was in a miller light commercial drinking one of those empty glasses. Not something I would have again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2006 00:59:42 | More by vladimerjr

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This was an award-winner in 2004, so I had higher expectations.

In my opinion, it needs a little more Hefe! (it wasn't very cloudy).

It was quite drinkable, with that Pacific Northwest Cascade flavour & aroma, which paired well with the wheat.

For the general market, it's very drinkable.

For the beer-geek, it falls short of spectacular.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2005 16:10:54 | More by Derek

DogFood11

California

2.4/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Love the bar ...not sure about the beer....had this at the pyramid ale house in seattle on tap....great atmosphere....good location....eh so so beer.

I was enthused by the appearance of a cloudy light colored perimiter with a copper tone to the deeper middle.

smelled partially metallic ( I know even on tap ..very rare from my experience ) with marginal citrus.

The taste actually got better as the beer warmed up just slightly. I would recomend tasting this cold then give it a few minutes ...it improves slightly as some more citrus/lime flavor cleanses the palate.

Run of the mill american hefe....I like hefe's but this one just seemed like the ingredients were taken out of a homebrew kit.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2005 04:25:38 | More by DogFood11

misterscooter

California

2.75/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

From a pitcher, this beer poured well and looked pretty good. Nice head and a dark yellow, cloudy color.

A spicy nutmeg orange smell but not too strong, which was surprising.

I expect a good hefeweizen to be pretty complex with taste. Spicy, sweet, strong. This one was just a little bit of the first two and not much of the last. This one was weak tasting and a bit watered down. I wasn't impressed.

It would definitely get you drunk quick enought but that would be a waste of my time with this one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2005 05:10:28 | More by misterscooter

BrewMaster

California

2.23/5  rDev -28.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I've had this beer several times over the years and I've finally come ot put a review up. This review comes from a pint I had on tap at Red Robin in Chino, CA.

Appearance: Cloudy golden orange color with a 1 cm white head on top that thinned rather quickly to a lacy covering.

Smell: For a wheat beer this did not seem to have the usual rich aroma. The aroma was thing and it smelled only of light pilsner-like malts. Even with some swirling and warming over time, the aroma did not really develop much.

Taste: Strong astringent and alcohol flavor. Some bready maltiness peaks in but for the most part it tastes like an unbalanced mixture. It is hefeweizens like this that made me avoid wheat beers for a long time. There are some light pear of apple flavors in this beer, but it lacks what I would consider a strong malt backbone and the development of good fruity esters.

Mouthfeel: The unbalanced flavor gave me the impression that this beer was biting into the sides of my mouth. That's bad.

Drinkability: Something about writing helps me remember things better. Now that I've written this review, I think I will remember to select a beer other than this one in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2005 02:13:45 | More by BrewMaster

beersarang

California

3.8/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Chili's - Definitely a fresh keg
NO lemon added.

Pours a beautiful orangish color. Cloudy, as it should be, with a frothy white head that leaves some lacing down the glass. Head retention is not spectacular for a wheat beer.

Aroma is rather mild, light hops, light malts.

Tastes clean and crisp. The wheat and yeast flavor is there, but is not dominant. The hops come in at the back of the palate but don't ever overcome the wheat. Overall this is balanced, but lacks depth.

Mouthfeel is light but creamy, this beer doesn't fill you up, but its a pleasure to drink. Quite drinkable. IAfter work sometimes it just feels great to have one of these on tap. It doesn't let me down.

Note: Since this is not an exceptional beer in the bottle I know there are many better hefeweizens out there.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2005 08:40:49 | More by beersarang

GClarkage

California

3.4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12/05/04- Served at the Crow Canyon Country Club during my company Christmas party.

Appearance- Colored a cloudy-yellowish, with a small head and moderate lacing.

Smell- As with all Pyramids (except Snow Cap) it has a weird and funky kind of scent that I am not keen on. Maybe it's a yeasty and bready smell. But, there are some cloves and maybe a bit of tropical frutiyness.

Taste- Hmmm, not that bad. Has the typical hefe taste. A bit of cloves. No hops and a tad bit bitter.

Mouthfeel- Higher carbonation, but is a bit creamy so it goes down pretty good.

Drinkability- I only had one of these at the party, but if they hadn't have had SN or Anchor I would have had another couple of these. Certainly beats Coors Light or Bud any day of the week.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2004 00:03:55 | More by GClarkage

WTexas

New Mexico

2.88/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served on tap and made a nice presentation with a creamy head that lasted until the end. Absence of of a traditional banana/fruity scent was at first disconcerting. The traditional cloudy, golden appearance was reassuring. Taste was curiously absent and never developed. Rich mouth feel kept me satisfied to the point that I ordered another. Same experience the second time.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2004 16:02:06 | More by WTexas

Dmann

California

3.03/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A very average beer to say the least. This one poured a nice golden color with a very cloudy apperance and a nice white head that left good lace down the glass. The smell was non existant with just a faint hint of grain and lemon. The taste was only saved by it's smootheness. The flavor was pretty subdued for a hefe and was quite bland with just a hint of tartness and yeasty flavor. You can do much better than this one folks.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2004 09:59:39 | More by Dmann

MobBarley

Oregon

2.65/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Pours cloudy and cheesy yellow with a pristine, very airy head that vanishes quickly. Aroma is citrusy and vaguely bready. Not like any hefeweizen I've tried. Tastes like a dolled-up macro. The hops are barely discernable and there is little actual wheatiness to enjoy. Not hearty at all, thin in the mouth and very very carbonated. Drinkability is ceratainly acceptable. Eaten with spicy food it can be quite refreshing actually. However, lovers of great hefe (let alone great beer), will probably be somewhat disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2004 08:29:13 | More by MobBarley

Shiloh

Ontario (Canada)

2.6/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Arrived a murky medium golden colour with a slight fringe of foam around the outside...very slight lace.
Nose was slightly of yeast.
Body was full and the carbonation to view active.
Flecks of sediment floating throughout.
Taste was strong of citrus to start followed by minimal hops to try and even the playing field...but not effective. Citrus lacked continuity and finished poorly.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2003 01:05:29 | More by Shiloh

Gusler

Arizona

3.1/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A “Chill Hazed” orange color on the pour with a decent sized white head and nice covering lace to seal off the glass. Light hints of wheat in the nose, citrus fresh and lightly sweet with the start malt and sweet and the top middling. Finish nicely carbonated and a fair to middling hop presence with the appropriately dry lingering aftertaste. Nice beer, not a great beer, but drinkable in its own right.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2003 17:47:58 | More by Gusler

Kwak

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

they served this in your typical 12 oz. pint glass. It looked yellow and fizzy but had a sweet smell. The flavor was not bad a little thin for a hef. Its very easy to drink, have a couple on a cool day. not a great version but not bad. better than most american brewers with this style!!

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2003 05:13:05 | More by Kwak

RockyTopHeel

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +28%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy iced tea-colored with a thin head, my Hefeweizen was served with a lemon, and like the dumbass I am, I squeezed and plunked it right in. Oh well. It smelled of wheat and lemon (couldn't tell if that was completely from the wedge or if the beer itself had a touch of it). I liked this beer (I'm a sucker for hefes and whites), as it was light and refreshing, and as far from heavy as you could get. It was dominated by the damn lemon, so I'd like to try it again, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the nice wheat flavor paired with light carbonation and easy drinkability. A solid hefeweizen that I'll have again in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2003 23:51:01 | More by RockyTopHeel

jcalabre

California

2.2/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I originally reviewed this beer on 29 December 2001. I am writing this review from my notes.
Over the years, the quality of this Hefeweizen has really diminished. A few years back, this used to be a favorite, now it sucks. I would Not recommend this hefe to anyone. It completely lacked the crispness that one enjoys in a hefe.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2003 00:42:51 | More by jcalabre

WVbeergeek

Ohio

2.73/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Found this one on tap and found it a little weird considering I haven't seen it since last summer while living in California, it pours a cloudy orangish yellow opaque tone with a white vibrant in color but thin head doesn't leave much lace as many great hefeweizens do. Aromatics there are some of the cherished yeast effects here with light banana, clove, and citrus and a underlying sweetness making for a pleasant aroma. When it comes to the flavor however these flavors become dumbed down to me, finishes chalky, and I must say not impressed seems a little sour to me. Mouthfeel is not as spritzy as I was expecting and body looks full but feels thin going down not much texture here. Drinkability this is a mediocre representation and sort of an Americanized bastardized version of a hefe, just can't stand up to authentic German hefeweizens but overall not a bad beer it was refreshing in the summer heat.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2003 14:32:06 | More by WVbeergeek

Stopper

Connecticut

1.65/5  rDev -46.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I recently managed to get complementary pint of this at a low-traffic airport lounge. I was disappointed that the glass I got was actually much smaller than a pint, but then realized I wasn't as disappointed about the size of the serving as I thought I would be...

I definitely love a good hefeweizen, especially after a couple trips to Germany, and this is the worst representation of the style I have ever tasted in any country.

It looked very authentic, a very cloudy white/yellow, and I was hoping for good things. As I approached it, I was surprised to find little identifiable aroma. Hoping to find what was missing in the nose waiting in the body, I dove in, and the best description I could decide on for the flavor I was tasting was "weak Heineken"! It had none of the distinctive spicey, clovey, banana-ey flavors normally expected from a good Hefeweizen, and it wasn't even very like an american wheat beer. This was the first brew I have tried from Pyramid, and I'm not excited to try another anytime soon. My only hope is that they didn't truly do such a poor job of brewing this beer, but that it was just poorly treated at the bar.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2003 23:08:04 | More by Stopper

Naerhu

Japan

3.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep orange opaque color. Medium white head, wait, where did the head go?. Surprisingly high hops for a wheat, but all things considered not all that hoppy.

Lightly citrus but of a deep dark orange. This must have a relatively low amount of wheat, versus barley. This is a pleasant brew, but lacks excitement. The flavor do not stand out otherwise.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2003 14:05:05 | More by Naerhu

DESTRO

Nevada

2.4/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Ok so I'm at this local pub by my house which is a pretty nice place to a get a brew and some food. I had been drinking a pretty decent amount and had been eyeing this glass of beer next to me some guy had been drinking that looked like a hefe. So the bar tender says "i'll comp you a beer what do you want". I ask what hefe's they have, and low and behold it is Pyramid on tap. Never had it so i got one, what the heck, this place serves Chimay, Samuel Smith's and Stone so this cant be too bad, and of course i turned down the slice of lemon offer. First off I noticed it wasn't all that cloudy and had more of an amber color than
I had expected, it was also mouth numbingly cold. No head whatsoever, no smell really either. First taste...I dont know, but basically it tasted like a budweisser. Really weak with not one bit of the beloved wheat/clove/fruitiness I have grown to love. The mouthfeel was suprisingly good, lots of carbonation, light and crisp and when swallowed left my mouth a little dry. The drinkability is pretty good due to the fact it is a light and refreshing beer and on a hot summer day or after a hard day at work I wouldn't mind. But when I go to a pub I go for beer I can thoroughly anjoy and marvel at it's taste. So I apologize for not having all that much to say, I guess I was just very un-impressed. It's a mediocre beer brimming with macro taste. (not a great thing) no buneo amigo.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2003 17:45:36 | More by DESTRO

AtLagerHeads

Ohio

2.9/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A very average beer that is less flavorable than many others of this style; for me that is necessarily a bad thing, i.e., if it is less wheat-like. Cloudy yellow body with a small white head and minimal lacing. A bit thin and watery mouthfeel. The nose is of malt and grain. There is some thin sweetness and a small sense of spiciness in the taste. This is OK if up against macro brews.

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2003 18:18:40 | More by AtLagerHeads

OldFrothingSlosh

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On-tap at Brew's Cafe in Granville, Ohio.

Appearance: Cloudy golden-yellow color. Adequate frothy white head with impressive lacing of the glass.

Smell: Dominated by the lemon wedge. A very non-hefewizen-like aroma (grainy) that surprised me. None of the fruity smells I expected.

Taste: Very grainy ("macro") flavor. Not good.

Mouthfeel: Hmm.....thin? It was crisp and fairly dry as well.

Drinkability: Blah. It didn't really keep me interested and was a poor choice, given the other impressive beers on tap that were available. Won't be seeking this one out again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2003 18:42:58 | More by OldFrothingSlosh

LarryKemp

Texas

3.48/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer was served a bright golden and very cloudy. The head was okay but not outstanding. The fruity esters were present but not overpowering ( I like them strong) The taste was pleasant but again the fruitiness was not dominate. The beer's mouthfeel was light and not something to remember. Overall, I would recommend this beer as an introduction to the style. It was a good beer but not great.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2003 19:16:40 | More by LarryKemp

BeerManDan

California

3.5/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nice hazy golden wheat in color, tasted light and smooth. Was impressed with this beer on draught. There is a big differience between draught and bottle. This had so much more in the wheat flavor with just a touch lemon on the palete.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2002 23:59:11 | More by BeerManDan