Thunderhead IPA - Pyramid Breweries, Inc.

Tupperwolf

Washington

4.3/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Received at Pyramid brewhouse in Seattle. Clear amber, a few rising bubbles, with a fizzy white head that soon dissipated and left just a little lacing behind.

Smooth malts are present, as is a citruisy, building oily aroma of hops. There's a definite floral quality as well; Not a hop bomb, not a weak IPA.

Wow! It really takes a lot to get a five out of a regular IPA from me - A standard IPA usually doesn't satisfy when I'm in the mood for hops, but the taste of this is incredible. It's not that it's overly hoppy, it's that the flavor of the hops is outta this world. They're fruity, floral, and citruisy all at once - an extremely bold, mouth-filling oily wonder. Fantastic!

Crisp and oily all at once - slight carbonation, just enough to notice - very mouth-filling, with a nice finish, lingering just enough to get you back in for more.

Final thoughts - wow! Quitre a distinct and delicious IPA. I'm more impressed than I expected! :)

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2006 05:12:23 | More by Tupperwolf

Spaz7

California

4/5  rDev +17.6%

05-24-2013 22:24:22 | More by Spaz7

tennisoscar1

Delaware

3/5  rDev -11.8%

05-23-2013 05:23:13 | More by tennisoscar1

laituegonflable

Australia

3.45/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle enjoyed at the Hong Kong Brewhouse in Lan Kwai Fong. As I said for Mendocino's White Hawk IPA, can't be sure this isn't grey-market imported to Hong Kong. Apologies to Pyramind if it is.

Pours a pale gold colour with a bit of sediment. Head is a shade darker than white, bit whispy but retains a nice tight crown with slight spots of lace. Bit dull, but OK.

Smells tangy with a big lychee hit. Slight metallic note with citric hint on the back. Bit sherbety and a bit phenolic. Quite pleasant, could use a bit more grounding.

Taste is quite sweet upfront. Big malty oomph with some mandarin and orange pith notes. Gets rich toffee caramel midway before hops take over with more strong lychee notes, sherbet and medicinal phenols. Nice tangy citrus note on the back that gets a bit resiny. Decent IPA but nothing amazing.

A bit sharp; hop oils, possibly carbonation bites a little.

I've had better IPAs; there's potential here for a very nice beer but it seems a bit heavy-handed at some times and underwhelming at others.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 07:15:14 | More by laituegonflable

djre4orm

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

05-16-2013 20:42:10 | More by djre4orm

Burkbom23

Connecticut

2.75/5  rDev -19.1%

05-16-2013 01:32:13 | More by Burkbom23

jburd19

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

05-15-2013 21:09:33 | More by jburd19

HarmonMW

Michigan

3/5  rDev -11.8%

05-15-2013 19:26:14 | More by HarmonMW

Laklimell

Washington

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

05-14-2013 05:00:12 | More by Laklimell

LuckyJohn

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

05-14-2013 01:49:34 | More by LuckyJohn

Jameswoody

Montana

1.25/5  rDev -63.2%

05-11-2013 00:23:53 | More by Jameswoody

cre83

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -4.4%

05-01-2013 18:28:23 | More by cre83

spycow

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -4.4%

04-28-2013 22:03:47 | More by spycow

lucasj82

Indiana

3.25/5  rDev -4.4%

04-28-2013 03:03:09 | More by lucasj82

LSx

California

3.75/5  rDev +10.3%

04-27-2013 16:19:13 | More by LSx

Kenai4

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +10.3%

04-22-2013 12:07:35 | More by Kenai4

zackb

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev +10.3%

04-14-2013 02:39:57 | More by zackb

WalterHeisenberg

New Mexico

3.65/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Bottle aggressive pour into pint glass
A: dark amber nice white foamy head great retention great lacing looks pretty tasty
S: malty floral not too hoppy or more malty than hoppy
T: slight malt up front bitter and bitterer and bitterer yet still malty . It's bitter but malt really stands out. Needs a something not sure what. Heavy hops heavy malt needs something to be a go between
O: It seems to jump back and forth between bitter and malty one or the other needs that something extra. Not bad. Not great you could do way worse but you can do better

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 03:59:42 | More by WalterHeisenberg

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.49/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Bottle > Pint Glass
A - Copperish yellow in appearance, shy of a finger head, minimal lacing.
S - Floral hops, some slightly lemon, big honey aroma, and a slightly offsetting soapy scent.
T - Definitely on the sweeter side of things, some lemon juice, lighter caramel malt, and floral hop bitterness.
M - A tad sticky and sour on the palate, not a lot of bitterness, but just enough.
O - Not too pleased with this, I'd like to try some other Pyramid beers, but this really isnt a good American IPA, lots of honey and sour sweetness that really doesnt make you want to get another.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 21:36:51 | More by Omnium

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -4.4%

04-06-2013 04:50:44 | More by DrunkinYogi

BESTIALEX

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -4.4%

04-05-2013 06:13:58 | More by BESTIALEX

Asics

Washington

3/5  rDev -11.8%

04-02-2013 12:27:50 | More by Asics

artoolemomo

Oregon

2.75/5  rDev -19.1%

04-01-2013 02:54:14 | More by artoolemomo

benbjb

Washington

3/5  rDev -11.8%

03-18-2013 05:39:02 | More by benbjb

Eaglefan344

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev +10.3%

03-16-2013 03:12:52 | More by Eaglefan344