Snow Cap - Pyramid Breweries, Inc.

jtierney89

New Jersey

2.3/5  rDev -34.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark burnt amber with a little bit of haze and rocky off white head. Dark fruits and sugar plums on the nose.

Full body. Has some qualities that remind me of a weizenbock. Sweet dark fruits, a little watery on the tongue. Balance is there but a touch on the sweet side. Concise flavors that blend well together but its nothing wowing. In fact its quite a simple beer. Underlying notes of roasted malts as the beer warms a bit but mostly fruity. Drinkable but wouldn't buy it again just cause there are better options.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 00:57:59 | More by jtierney89

mastodonj

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- reddish dark amber, mahogany? Nice head and lacing
S-some spice, caramel, smoky
T- full complex
M- excellent, more clean than chewy
Overall, this is very similar to Avery's Old Jubilation. Just a little more subtle
I would definitely choose it as a winter warmer anytime, well worth the time.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 01:17:39 | More by mastodonj

CloudStrife

New York

3.55/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Enjoy by 031113.

A: Pours a dark ruby brown with a 1 finger dense off white head. Some real small bubbles visible in the body. Head is gone in a few minutes and leaves a touch of lacing.

S: Light chocolate malt aroma with a hop and dark fruit backing. A little banana from the yeast

T: Pretty tame, chocolate with a hoppy backing. Nothing that makes you go wow, but nothing that tastes off.

M: Average body with mild carbonation. Pretty easy drinking. Maybe a tad sticky.

Overall pretty drinkable that I think most people would enjoy. Outshined by many others in the winter warmer category.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 00:25:17 | More by CloudStrife

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a dark, deep, ruby-brown coloring with a frothy, off-white head that starts tall but quickly rescinds into a filmy coating. Aromas of malt sweetness, both rich and slightly spiced. Subtle old world fruit aromas fill the nostrils, while light nutmeg and cinnamon spicings highlight. Flavors are heavy and rich, with date and fig starting the ride. Chocolate profiles come shortly after, with an overall roasted backbone. The body is kept light by the carbonation levels, keeping all the rich and heavy flavors in check. Rich, slightly dark and cloying finish with a date/fig/raisin aftertaste. Not bad, and not overly boozey for a warmer.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 03:57:47 | More by GarthDanielson

Tone

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, dark brown color. 5/4 inch head of an off-tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of hops, alcohol, strong sweet malt, slight pale malt, slight caramel malt, and a hint of yeast. Fits the style of a Winter Warmer. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with a high carbonation level. Tastes of strong sweet malt, slight caramel malt, hops, hint of roasted malt, slight alcohol, hint of pale malt, and slight yeast. Overall, good blend, aroma, and body. The high carbonation level in this brew was a detriment.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 12:47:19 | More by Tone

BucannonXC5

California

3.2/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12-oz. bottle into a pint glass at my house on Oct. 7, 2012 (purchased at BevMo in La Mesa (San Diego, Calif.) as part of a winter variety 12-pack for $15.99 (with card) on Oct. 5, 2012). Dark, mahogany with two fingers of khaki tan head. Below average retention all-around.

Smelled roasty nuts, toffee, caramel and chocolate. Really comes together nicely.

Tasted a bit darker overall than the smell. A lot more bitter as well. Got roasty nuts, dark chocolate, smoky fire, wood, ash, toffee, coffee, coffee beans and caramel.

Full body. Slick texture. Average carbonation. Long, bitter finish.

I was a bit disappointed with this beer after liking the Chai Wheat so much. It just didn’t really do anything for me. I’ve had some better winter warmer styles.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 07:23:00 | More by BucannonXC5

N3rdM3t4l

Oregon

3.48/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Brown bomber into standard pint (my lucky Ninkasi glass :p) served cold.

A: dark brown with red highlights in the light. nice and clear. Not much head but it was a super gentle side pour. A thin ring around the glass, no cap really.

S: chocolaty and roasty. A hint of hops. The roastyness is really prominent.

T: roasty and chocolaty just like the nose. The hops come in strong at the end and a bit of alcohol warming.

M: solid medium on the chewier side of medium bodied. more carbonated than expected but not offputting.

O: not a bad brew. Tastes good and I love the roasty beers. So glad winter is coming!

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 04:28:26 | More by N3rdM3t4l

hreb

Washington

3.15/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz bottle -- screw top -- served in pint glass. Beer pours a deep cola brown with a thin chestnut head. Intense aroma, though possible ester/banana character? Flavor is pretty flat: strong enough bitterness just to cover the 7% ABV, but no particular hop character. Thick body that stays dry but not chalky. No detectable spice flavor for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 02:17:39 | More by hreb

TheSixthRing

California

3.91/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a dark cola brown with slight reddish tint. Head is a light tan, 2 fingers thick, great retention, resulting in a good, sticky lacing around the glass.

Smell - Smells of sweet malt, a touch of cinnamon spice, faintly chocolate.

Taste - Predominately sweet malts, caramel with a bitter chocolate undertone which pairs with a big citrus and floral hop bitterness. Spicy, with a pleasant alcohol warmth.

Mouthfeel - Medium body. Carbonation keeps this thing biting and fresh.

Overall - A really, really good winter warmer. One of Pyramid's better offerings.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 05:07:18 | More by TheSixthRing

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle - from Total wine summerlin las vegas NV for 1.49$

Appearance - Clear reddish brown colour with a large size fizzy beige coloured head. There is a low amount of carbonation and there is some fairly good lacing. The head lasted for 5 minutes.

Smell - Malts, caramel, raisins, apples

Taste & Mouth - There is an above average amount of carbonation and the taste is made up of caramel and malts mixed with dark fruits (grapes/raisins). There is also a touch of chocolate and a bit of all spice and a hint of smoke. It ends with a dark fruit and malt aftertaste with some light spiciness.

Overall - A pretty good winter warmer. This is my first beer from this brewer and I am looking forward to trying more of their line up. It seems well crafted and had a nice fruitiness to it.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 14:53:06 | More by spinrsx

beer348

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: nice bottle design
S: fine smell
T: good, a little bitter..
Mf: not bad
O: Not as good as I expected.

I was ready to give this beer a good rating. I bought a six-pack and didn't drink it right after I bought it. Now it has some debris settling at the bottom. I don't know what this is but in the past it's always a bad sign. I don't know if it means the beer is going bad or what, but that's what it seems like. I've had this beer before and that's why I got it again. Maybe there should be an expiration date?

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 21:03:24 | More by beer348

cyclonece09

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a dark brown, almost black with lots of carbonation showing on the glass and a tiny white head that goes away almost immediately. Smells of dark malts, a little bit of a toffee like smell, and a little bit of coffee. Tastes of dark caramelized malt, and a slight hint of a sweet candy type taste. Seems like it is a little overcarbonated, but still goes down nicely. Overall, a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 23:28:04 | More by cyclonece09

Giggy

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Nice Mahogony pour with an off white sandy colored head.

S: Mild, malty,caramel

T: Sweet with hints of chocolate and dark malts. Maple syrup and spruce. Generous amount of fresh hops.

M: Slight carbonation tingle on the tongue. Sweet beginning with a bitter finish on the back of the tongue and throat.

O: Paired nicely with a rare porterhouse steak.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 23:08:33 | More by Giggy

DavidST

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm not the biggest pyramid fan but I figured I'll try this. Poured from a 12 oz bottle, not sure of the freshness date. This pours a dark brown color with a pretty nice tan head which has good retention. The smell is a little light but some caramel malts and spice. The body is medium. The taste is okay, a little spice and bitterness, along with some caramel malts.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 05:01:09 | More by DavidST

suncrust

Washington

2.88/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a cloudy, dark amber. Pretty good lacing and a rocky off white cap.

S: Aromas of spicy syrup with a wet, gooey caramel malt. Rye breads, sweeter dark fruits and some apricot in there.

T: Definitely tastes like a Pacific Northwest winter brew. Notes of evergreens and spruce hit the palate amid a wet brown sugar sweet texture. Spiced caramel with a strong bready character. Mildly toasty. Finishes a bitter with lingering bitter hops and bitter coffee grounds in the aftertaste.

MF: Bittering finish with a malty, bubblegum feel. Medium carbonation, smooth clarity. Sugars were a little sticky / syrupy.

O: Kind of tasted like a hopped up honey mashed with pine and spruce needles, or maybe even a hoppy brown. Not outstanding.... I would call this a safe winter. Had it's moments.... Probably won't buy again.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 06:34:17 | More by suncrust

vkv822

Oregon

3.23/5  rDev -8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into tulip snifter.

Pours a dark amber red, with no real head. Just a thin ring of light tan foam around the rim.

The aroma is of some spice, with caramel malt and a light hop bitterness.

The taste follows the nose with some spice and caramel malt and a strong bread backing.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with slightly below average carbonation.

A fairly run of the mill beer, not anything I would seek out in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 08:37:03 | More by vkv822

soju6

Missouri

3.35/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark amber color with a decent head and some lacing.

S: Mild aroma of roasted malt with some spice and dark fruit.

T: Flavor of caramel, some spice and fruit with a bit of chocolate. Nice bitterness and a clean finish.

F: Medium body, smooth with a decent balance and no real trace of the alcohol.

O: Nice winter warmer, nothing over the top. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 14:00:37 | More by soju6

UCLABrewN84

California

3.6/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Best by 3/27/12.

Pours a clear dark copper with a huge 3 inch foamy beige head that settles to a small cap. Random streaks of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, caramel, dark fruits, and some spice aromas. There is also a distinct apple cider aroma I am getting. Taste is of bready malt, caramel, subdued fruit, and some herbal hop flavors. There is a mild bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a crisp level of carbonation with a bubbly mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good Winter warmer but nothing too exciting.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 03:53:52 | More by UCLABrewN84

merc7186

New York

3.93/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap in a pilsner glass at McGregors in Amherst NY.

A: Dark Amber/Brownish Hue, Passes Some Light, Off White Head, Great Lacing

S: Mild Caramel Malts, Bready, Mild Hoppiness

T: Bittter Hoppiness, Caramel Malts, Bready, Bubblegum

M: Good Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Malty, Bitter

Overall, a decent malty, bitter warmer with some good hearty taste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2011 21:27:41 | More by merc7186

nsabo

Washington

1.83/5  rDev -47.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

If this was a pale ale (one of my least favorite styles), I’d be impressed with how malty it is. But this tries to claim winter warmer, and it’s too hoppy for that side of the tracks. Bubblegum and cloves nose. Tastes like generic iced tea with a slice of lemon and some nutmeg. Caramel malts come in for a second before being drowned out by the hops. Tastes like something that 21 year olds are serving in plastic cups and tossing ping pong balls into after they tapped it last Wednesday. It’s not awful, it’s just boring.
Winter Warmers are one of my favorite styles because of their taste and cellarability. This tastes so uneventful I doubt any cellaring could even do anything. I’ve always naively associated Pyramid with being a micro on the edge of macro that pumps out mediocre beer; this only confirms that perception.
I recently tried Maritime’s Jolly Roger, also from Seattle. It costs about $2 more and tastes $8 better (hey, that’s how much Snowcap costs!). Panhandle that $2 if you have to, there’s no good reason you anyone should set their winter warmer bar this low, and there’s other better, just as local winter warmers out there.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 04:36:10 | More by nsabo

ScorpyX

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Dark amber pour with a little bit of cloudiness. Tan head leaves behind the barest fo lacing. You have to look to see them, but the bubbles are there.

S: Pleasant sweet malt and spice, with a slight fruity scent. Floral character emerges to accompany the fruitiness later on.

T: Stronger than anticipated, with a nice malt and hop balance. A bit of the sweet caramel flavoring one gets in a warmer like this. A little bit of chocolate underlying as well. A hint of alcohol, too.

M: Medium-bodied with a little bit of that sticky sweetness sticking around. Fairly smooth, though.

D: Different for a winter warmer, but still a flavorful and quite satisfying. ABV is a little high for a session, but it works well to cope with those chilly winter nights.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 00:44:19 | More by ScorpyX

wvsabbath

West Virginia

3.53/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Dark tan/black tint. Creamy 1 inch head, plenty of lacing.

Smell - Hops, dark fruits, added sugars, spices, malts and a little yeast sneaks through.

Taste - Malts and hops up front. Bitter and a little peppery spices. Some caramel and a bit of yeast make up some flavor also. Theres almost a soda like flavor from the malts and added spices.

MOuthfeel - Its rather bitter and bitey. Tounge gets alot of bitter hops, some malts and a little sugar. Palette gets malts, more hops and yeast. Aftertaste is hoppy and light malts.

Overall - This is ok, more hoppy then i expected, and the malt flavors arent that impressive. A decent beer, nothing special, a ok winter seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 03:27:21 | More by wvsabbath

minterro

Michigan

2.95/5  rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz split a sixer mixer from Oades.

No head even when vigorously poured. beer is a nice burgundy color. The smell isn't great, kinda smells like your average adjusted lager, with little hints of floral hops and malty sweetness. No sign of spices, fruits, nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger.

Taste has better elements of winter warmers: most prevalently ginger with some spice. Its overall pretty malty (bready malts). bittering in the finish but I didnt enjoy the aftertaste. Medium bodied, pretty high in carbonation.

overall: I glad I split this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 04:08:25 | More by minterro

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.23/5  rDev -8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

very generic type winter seasonal. pours a redish hue of brown with a very small head that disappears almost instantly. smells a bit spiced like mulled wine, same aromotics. the flavor is definitely more balanced with piney hops and a residual sweetness. beer is full bodied and has low to moderate carbonation. overall i found this to be a pretty average winter warmer, has all the critical components but does nothing to excite me in any rousing way.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 15:45:10 | More by StonedTrippin

Sorcerer

United Kingdom (England)

4.03/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass. Served very cold. Thin head dissipated immediately. No lacing. Deep dark mahogany color. Clove and allspice in the nose. Strong, hoppy, bitter spiced attack is sustained and crescendos with a highly carbonated and satisfying expanding flood upon the pallete which splashes against the tonsils, and the tide ebbs with a pleasant IPA finish. Yes there is a hint of bitter powdered aspirin in there. It is a bitter brew. Alcohol content is well masked by the bitterness. Malt sweetness tempers the spice into a spruce ale flavored toffee backbone, which I taste on successive draughts.

In conclusion, this is a favorable bitter-sweet decoction.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 05:26:21 | More by Sorcerer