Thunderhead IPA - Pyramid Breweries, Inc.

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.33/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber, split and shared with a mate.

Poured clear and well carbonated into a undersized pint glass. Pours a pleasing golden color with a nice off-white head that doesn't fade too quickly.

Smell: Light tropical fruit, spicy hops, honey and malt backbone. Nothing impressive here, the smell is soft and faint.

Taste is ok, mild hop bitterness that includes some citrus bite and some malt sweetness. Its a little toasty with bitter hops in the beginning and end.

The mouthfeel is good and crisp, well carbonated and pretty drinkable. If the taste and nose had been better this beer could have scored higher on the drinkability to me.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 01:53:25 | More by Scotchboy

Hollybee

Washington

3.53/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass, has a nice golden color and is very clear. Pours a nice head, but dissipates quickly and leaves little lacing.

Has only a faint floral smell with a little orange to back it up.

Makes up for the timid nose in it's flavor with a nice sweet malt followed by the hoppy bitterness accompanied with a bit of orange and just a touch of caramel. Bitterness lingers but not too heavily.

The carbonation is pleasing and crisp, has a medium-ish body but leaves a somewhat resiny quality behind.

Overall a fairly good IPA, delivering the hoppy bitterness and golden citrus quality one would expect from a Westcoast IPA. With a fairly strong ABV one or two will be plenty.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 06:58:48 | More by Hollybee

nezelrac

New York

3.23/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

poured from 12oz bottle into shaker pint

A - pale orange-amber; one finger of persistent dense white head; minimal lacing

S - slightly muted pine and citrus hop nose; rather clean/clear malt in the background

T - some simple malt and pleasant hops; moderate bitterness for an IPA; good length, but not very exciting

M - light end of medium bodied; slightly creamy at the back end

D - a crowd-pleaser, as it were; plenty drinkable, but a beer for beginners

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 00:30:26 | More by nezelrac

gkunkle

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Although this is certainly not the greatest IPA I have ever tasted, it is a great price for a decent beer. Pours a golden color with a white head. Smell isn't very impressive, slight citrus hop. Taste is pretty average, in the Pacific NW it's nothing to write home about, but in other areas of the country, it would be the talk of the town. Mouthfeel is crisp, refreshing. Pretty drinkable, good price, share it with your friends.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 07:39:17 | More by gkunkle

MikeThompson

California

2.7/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This was on sale, I am a big IPA fan so had to get it.

This beer poured well, and I was excited to get an IPA on Friday night. I am a grad student, and good beer comes once a week.

Needless to say, this beer ruined my night. It tasted like crappy malt liquor with hops added. Nasty rotten malt flavor with slight citrus from the hops.

This beer might have been cool 10 years ago, but when I can buy Lagunitas IPA for a dollar more, so screw this crap. Not a terrible beer by its own merits, so I can't give it less than a C, but c'mon dudes, let's put a little muscle in the hustle.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 06:05:44 | More by MikeThompson

NickRivers

California

2.93/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured From A TWIST CAP?!?! Bottle.

A - Light Golden Color. Nothin' Special

S - Citrusy Hop smell but again Nothin' Special

T - Hoppy. Bitter. More Bitter. Floral. Nothin' Special.

M - Crisp and Bitter

D - Not much flavor for a good session beer. But I guess i'll pick it up again.

Couldn't find anything special about this IPA. There's better session IPA's out there. Its kinda like Long-Hammer, good but nothing great. I gotta say I expected more from Pyramid, considering they make Apricot Ale, a fruit beer that actually tastes good. I ate a lemon and had another Thunderhead but it didn't seam to have effect. the mouthfeel has nice carbonation but the smell is bland. I'm a huge Hop-Head and hate to give this beer a "Meh" review.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2011 03:06:58 | More by NickRivers

bsp77

Minnesota

2.9/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into tall glass.

Appearance: Clear yellow orange with moderate stark white head. Light lacing.

Smell: Almost non-existent. Very light sweet malts and very light spiciness.

Taste: Mild, slightly sweet caramel and toasted malts, somewhat balanced by floral and spicy hops. The cheap hops used do not have much flavor, but at least the bitterness kills the sweetness.

Feel: Moderately high carbonation, medium body, almost dry finish that is tarnished by a slight residual sweetness.

Drinkability: Fairly bland IPA, but at least it is fairly dry and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 02:45:54 | More by bsp77

NWer

Washington

2.25/5  rDev -33.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I haven't had this beer in a long time and gave it a go because it was deeply discounted at the local Fred Meyer's.
For a flagship IPA from one of the premiere Seattle brewers, this is a disappointment.
I know they do better. Their Alehouse Exclusives are pretty good.
So what's with propagating an IPA that may have been above average years ago but is past its prime?
The industry has evolved. This beer is a relic of the past and should be retired.
By todays standard, it is boring and doesn't measure up to current West Coast standards.
Update:
I tried to give this another go since I have this sixer that will be finished - eventually - when I'm not in the mood to drink something really good - think eating the grapefruit rind instead of the fruit.
That's Thunderhead.
Pretty pathetic.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2011 23:34:17 | More by NWer

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle. Probably one of the first stateside IPAs that I tried years ago during a trip there, not surprising given its ubiquity in grocery stores. Bring on the 'Hop Heaping'...

This beer pours a slightly hazy muddled golden hue, with two fingers of tight foamy off-white head, which leaves a decent sagebrush profile of lace around the glass in its wake. It smells of citrusy herbal hops, and musty, bready grain. The taste is pine and herbal hops, caramel malt, and a nice zingy citrus note. The carbonation is moderate, the body medium weight, smooth, and quite creamy. It finishes with a stilted flourish of herbal, pine hops, backed by a soft, nondescript malt sweetness.

A so-so IPA, with just a bit more going on than the usual bitter hops/caramel malt standoff. However, those additional elements kind of put me off a bit, particularly the herbal character. Just a little 'unclean' for my full endorsement, and not a heap overly worth jumping into.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 23:53:41 | More by biboergosum

jsprain1

Minnesota

2.63/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Clear orange-gold. Thin head dissapears more or less into nothing, with little lace.
S- Smell is very much lacking. Little bit of floral hops.
T- A bit malt heavy and not enough hop presence.
M- Thin body. A bit low on carbonation.
D- Not a terrible IPA but not a particularly great one either.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2010 07:09:54 | More by jsprain1

flexabull

California

3.15/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a bright gold color with a pretty nice white head. Looks nice in the glass.

Aromas are faint, some pine hops, and grapefruit, but this is a pretty tame smelling IPA. Not bad though.

Taste starts a little bit bitter, some earthy hop notes, light creamy sweetness, and a dusty malty flavor. Finish is bitter, mineral like, and like crushed up aspirin. Ehhh... kind of messy tasting.

Mouthfeel is pretty good, full enough, and nicely carbonated.

Drinkability is so so at best. This isn't the most flavorful or tasty IPA, it's messy, and misses the mark for the style. Drinkable in a pinch if nothing better is available, but this isn't one I'd grab for.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 19:41:29 | More by flexabull

DovaliHops

California

3.8/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a slightly hazy golden-orange color with a medium white head that disappears quickly. Label says to Enjoy by 01-19-2011. So this probably isn't the freshest considering it will be past it's "enjoy by" date in less than a month. Smell is sweet citrus with very little hoppiness. Taste is extremely sweet, and lacking a strong hop profile. The bitterness is there at the end, but if this were a blind tasting, I would not be able to pick this out as an IPA. This doesn't make the taste bad, however. It just is lacking in style. There are tons of citrus notes (grapefruit, orange, etc.) and maybe even a little pineapple. There are some floral notes as well. There definitely are a good amount of hops, just not enough to be an IPA I feel. Mouthfeel is very creamy and quite nice. Drinkability is fairly high.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 08:23:13 | More by DovaliHops

albertjr21

New York

3.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: In a pint glass, this settles a dense foggy burnt orange color under a thin off white head that leaves a nice lacing.

S: A sweet citrus and cotton candy noted nose.

M/T: A sweet, spritzy lemon and orange citrus opening makes way to a crisp bitter hop (and robust) center. This ends with an "extra sweet grapefruit" bitter residual finish.

D: A solid and complex enough IPA for the hop session seeker.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 17:06:18 | More by albertjr21

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - cloudy orange copper with a very short head that dissipated to random thin covering
S - a hop mix of herbal, spicy, and citrus, with some syrup sweetness
T - herbal and spicy hops up front, light toasty malt with a strong lemon zest finish
M - decent carbonation with a nice hop bitter, although the citrus zest tang is a little much
D - i love american IPA's, and this is a good effort, but the citrus zestiness seems to build as you drink it to unneccesary levels, BUT still a nice hop bomb that may be appealing depending on your preference

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 05:34:48 | More by joemcgrath27

velosuds

Oregon

3.38/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a clear pint glass. No freshness date. Purchased at local grocer for $2.29 on sale.

A-Pours a clear burnt orange hue with a one and on-half finger, off-white head with modest retention and lacing. Very effervescent.

S-Aroma is way too faint for an IPA. All I discern is biscuit like malt. Smell is more representative of a bottom of the barrel adjunct lager. Disappointing.

T-Some mild hop bitterness up front without much flavor. Disappointing, but improves as it warms with citric fruitiness and grainy malts.

M-Smooth with adequate carbonation.

D-Another nondescript IPA that I won't buy again.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 03:18:32 | More by velosuds

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A nice looking beer. Bright, semi-pale golden. White head is big and somewhat rocky. Lacing could use more stick-um.

Aroma is a bit weak. Grassy and husks mixed in with citrus and floral hops. Malt is faint, would like to see this a touch more.

Dry feel, but almost like 'empty'. The citrus just didn't come through in the flavor, nor did the floral. They both were there, just weak and overtaken by the huskiness. This gives a bit more of a pine feel.

Easy drinking though. And good summer beer if you do want a bit of a biting beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2010 03:09:09 | More by Mebuzzard

PDXHops

South Carolina

2.23/5  rDev -34.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Bomber poured into a Duvel tulip. See thru light orange with a swirl of vigorous visual carbonation feeding the thick and fluffy cap of foam on top. Several rings of sticky lacing left in the top portion of the glass.

Smells grassy and grainy, with some softer sweet floral notes. Hint of cloves? It certainly doesn't smell bad, just not really what you'd expect from an IPA.

Tastes plenty grassy and grainy as well, with some weak citrus joining in. Malts are bready and very lightly sweet. The mysterious clovelike quality shows up again; it seems to evolve through the swallow into a slightly unpleasant medicinal flavor. Unfortunately, this is the flavor that lingers at the otherwise crisp finish.

Overall impression: Can't recommend this one. Something just doesn't seem right here. The appearance rating is keeping it from the D territory it probably belongs in.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 20:31:22 | More by PDXHops

Palesmith

California

1.63/5  rDev -51.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Very Dry and bitter with an acidic after taste. Dominant dry malty flavor. A little piney but not much hop flavor to it. This is just not what I'm looking for in an IPA. No citrus, no complexity, very one dimensional and flat. Not much to smell either, maybe even a little skunky (well within the freshness date, by the way). I did not enjoy this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2010 06:08:19 | More by Palesmith

bunnyhustle

Illinois

2.68/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Really confused here as to the IPAness of this. Pours nice and clear, golden in color with 2 finger head and good lacing and retention. I smell more malt that hops, a dry malt with some straw and/or grass, but not much hops. As far as the taste I again really only notice a dry, biscuit malt, some slight sweetness, and a very weak grassy hops presence. Very weak. I think SNPA is hoppier than this. Mouthfeel was fine, no complaints there. Overall not the worst beer ever, but not really an IPA I think.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 01:34:19 | More by bunnyhustle

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a slightly hazy dark golden brown with amber highlights.
Thick head with nice retention. Spotted lacing.

S - Earthy hops, semi-sweet malt, almost a bean scent coming through, a weird earthy, acidic tomato aroma.

T - Floral hops start it off, followed by a candied malt that is quite pronounced, slight chocolate notes mixed with peppery citrus bite, finish is grapefruit rind resin.

Not too shabby. A little on the floral side but other than that a descent IPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2010 23:04:08 | More by StaveHooks

Elimination

Oregon

2.88/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This is also another cheap bomber selection of mine. I have to say its like this, if the bmc companies really went after the craft market and made an IPA it would probably be only slightly worse than this

It really isnt an ipa, more like a watered down pale ale. No real hop notes at all, slight citrus, a little bit of alcohol, but doesnt present anything really.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2010 02:49:36 | More by Elimination

industrialswill

Washington

4/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bomber at Fred Meyer for $2.25

Light amber, typical "beer look", I kid you not, this stuff looks just like beer.

Smells OK, but who cares? I plan on drinking it, not using it as a room freshener.

Tastes very nice...malt and hops. Nothing sensational, but a fine example of an IPA. If you are looking for the ultimate IPA experience, this might not be it. If you want a nice beer at a decent price, this one qualifies.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2010 00:20:19 | More by industrialswill

climax

Kansas

3.15/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thunderhead.... sounds relevant to whats going on outside on this Oklahoma evening. It pours a well filtered amber with an inch of light tan froth that fades down in the middle, leaving a nice outer wall of lace.

The nose was the always acceptable blend of bready caramel malt and a citrus and floral hop bill. I question the intensity of the hops, but its pleasant nonetheless. Other flavors of mint, cocoa, and apricot seeped their way in as well.

The flavor was slightly odd, plenty sharp and interesting though. I couldn't help but think of Vanilla wafers, cocoa, and bubblegum.... The citrus and floral attributes I was searching for were not evident. The malt backbone is strong, and the finish is sweet and bitter.

The feel was slick off the bat, with a chalkier dry finish. I wouldn't want anymore carbonation, as it was borderline distracting.

It's worth a try, simply because it's not what I'd expect out of an IPA, but one is enough.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2010 23:38:10 | More by climax

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.83/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

An orange glow, slight head. Aroma was hoppy.

Taste, had a little bit of everything, was pleasantly suprised. Good hop character, good bitterness, slight wood edge to it, ample malt, a touch of honey and pepper? I should say more about the malt here, it is probably bigger than most, but not enormous, and it really works. Would have liked to have seen less of the woody flavor on the back end though.

Since its Pyramid, you can find it easily, and often relatively cheaply. These are good things.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 06:03:11 | More by Beerandraiderfan

philbertk

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pyramid Ales--India Pale Ale--12 oz. Bottle 6.7% ABV. 1998 Release (4.25 / 5.0) IPA--Good Rich Malt Body Balances Strong Hop profile. Unusual variety of hops. Growing to be a favorite. Clear Amber color and nice floral hop front. Finishing hops are a little abrasive. Body is rich. Sampled 10/4/1998.

Pyramid Alehouse Brewery--Pyramid India Pale Ale. 6.70% ABV--65 IBU's. Very nice smooth balanced IPA. On Tap @ Seattle Alehouse. (4.5 / 5.0) Sampled 11/20/2001. 2002 Block Logo Release. (4.0 / 5.0) IPA--Floral Cascade front. Clear thin light amber golden color. Crisp crystal malt body with rich balanced hop malt flavor. Malty sweetness leads to clean hop citrus end. Balanced Session IPA. Sampled 4/13/2002.

2002-B Release--Mixed 2001 and 2002 Label. (4.0 / 5.0) IPA--Floral Cascade front. Clear thin light amber golden color. Crisp crystal malt body with rich balanced hop malt flavor. Malty sweetness leads to clean hop citrus end. Balanced Session IPA. Sampled 5/30/2002.

2003 Release. (4.5 / 5.0) IPA--Clear dark golden color. Light mild lace head. Rich floral spicy hop front. Creamy sweet thick crystal malt body. Rich spicy citrus hop end. Balanced rich sweet and hoppy. Good. Sampled 10/12/2003.

Pyramid Brewing Company--ThunderHead IPA--2005 12 oz. Bottle. 6.70% ABV--65 IBU's? (4.0 / 5.0) IPA--Light lacy head. Clear thin bright golden color. Rich NW floral hop front. Tangy citrus caramel dry sweet rich hop spice body. Rich hop spice end. Nice unbalanced hoppy brew. Sampled 10/16/2005.

Pyramid Breweries, Inc.--Thunderhead IPA--India Pale Ale--2007 22 oz. Bottle. 6.70% ABV--67 IBU's. (4.5 / 5.0) IPA--Lacy mild head. Hazy bright rich gold color. Big tangy floral hop front. Crisp clean tangy mild sweet crystal malt pine citrus body. Tangy rich hop spice clean balanced end. Hoppy favorite. Sampled 6/13/2007.

Pyramid Brewing Company--Thunderhead IPA--India Pale Ale--New Graphic--2009 12 oz. Bottle. 6.70% ABV--65 IBU's. (4.25 / 5.0) IPA--No sediment. Lacy dense white head. Clear thin bright amber gold color. Fizzy. Floral hop front. Crisp mild sweet pale caramel malt rich balanced body. Snappy smooth balanced rich hop spice mild clean citrus end. Refreshing Well Made Balanced Definitive West Coast IPA. Sampled 5/26/2009. 6-Pack $7.99.

Pyramid Brewing Company--Thunderhead IPA--India Pale Ale--New Graphic 2009 22 oz. Bottle. 6.70% ABV--65 IBU's. (4.25 / 5.0) IPA--No sediment. Rich foamy mild lace big white head. Clear fizzy thin bright dark gold color. Mellow floral hop front. Smooth rich mild sweet delicate balanced caramel malt mild citrus body. Smooth balanced bitter hop spice clean dry end. Refreshing Hoppy IPA. Sampled 4/24/2009. 5 @ $2.17 Each.

Pyramid Brewing Company Washington--Thunderhead I.P.A. 6.70% ABV. 67 IBU's. Ignite The Night Seattle Beer Week 6 oz. Taster at Alehouse. Mild lace white head. Clear thin bright gold color. Nice floral hop front. Crisp clean light caramel citrus body. Refreshing hop spice end. Nice mild balanced IPA. (4.0 / 5.0) Sampled 5/14/2010.

Pyramid Brewing Company--Thunderhead India Pale Ale--2010 12 oz. Bottle. 6.70% ABV. 67 IBU's. (4.0 / 5.0) Big foamy lacy white head. Clear fizzy bright rich gold color. Mellow floral hop front. Smooth mild creamy sweet rich pale caramel mild hop resin biscuit fruit hint body. Balanced smooth refreshing mild hop spice bitter citrus hint end. Pioneer NW IPA. Sampled 7/2/2010. 6-Pack $6.99.

Pyramid Brewing Company--Thunderhead I.P.A.--Hop Heaping India Pale Ale--New 2010-B 12 oz. Bottle. 6.70% ABV. 65 IBU's. (4.0 / 5.0) Thin lace thin white head. Clear pretty bright dark gold amber hint color. Rich muted earthy pine hop front. Dry sweet fully fermented crisp hop resin infused pale malt mild fruit citrus grapefruit hint body. Spicy bitter dry hop end. Well made rich tangy hoppy IPA. Consistently good. Sampled 9/9/2010. 6-Pack $7.49 @ Fred Meyer--Ballard, Seattle WA 9/9/2010.

Pyramid Brewing Company--Thunderhead I.P.A.--Hop Heaping India Pale Ale--New Label Style--2010 22 oz. Bottle. 6.70% ABV. 67 IBU's. (4.0 / 5.0 ) Thin mild lace white head. Clear bright pretty orange gold color. Smooth floral NW Cascade / Columbus pleasant yet potent front. Mellow sweet crisp textured balanced pine citrus grapefruit orange pale malt tasty body. Crisp smooth bitter citrus hop dry end. Classic clean well made sturdy balanced 1st Generation NW IPA. Sampled 9/21/2010. Purchased for $2.47 @ Fred Meyer--Ballard, Seattle on 9/16/2010.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 04:59:07 | More by philbertk