Curve Ball Blonde Ale - Pyramid Breweries, Inc.

cvstrickland

North Carolina

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

On tap at CPW's in Greenville:

Shaker pint draft arrives with a hazy amber body and a finger of white foam atop.The head settles into a sheet that leaves minimal lacing on the glass.

The smell of the drink is a bit grainy and vinous.

The tast of the drink is a bit fruity, lightly grainy and sweet. No bitterness to speak of.

Light-medium in body and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2008 10:51:27 | More by cvstrickland

zeff80

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out an orange/yellow color with a fluffy, off-white,two finger head. No lace.

S - It smelled of citrus and yeast.

T - It tasted berry-like and of light caramel malt. Fairly sweet with slightly bitter aftertaste.

M -It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light-bodied beer.

D - This is a nice, easy-drinking summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2008 22:07:05 | More by zeff80

DavoleBomb

Ohio

2.73/5  rDev -16%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a pint glass.

2.5 A: Pale orange (lime if light is nearby). Below average head retention, no lacing.

2.5 S: Weak smelling. Straw and yeast.

3.0 T: Earthy (straw, grass), some spice, lemon. Weak again. This would be pretty good if the flavors were magnified 10x.

2.5 M: Tingly. Not very smooth. Malt and spice aftertaste.

2.5 D: I don't think I could drink a second one without becoming incredibly bored (though it is much more exciting than cheap ass macro shit and would make for a cheap session due to its favorable price).

I wasn't expecting a whole hell of a lot out of this beer as it only cost $1.35 (as part of a mixed six). Once again, this beer would be a good pick to get tipsy off of, but don't ever eat your dinner with it.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2008 00:04:28 | More by DavoleBomb

becktone

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Done Horizontally with New Holland Full Circle From notes: 7-26-08

Eye: Nice looking body, clear(for the most part, not crystal clear like some brews, but still pretty damn clear). Color is straw gold. The head is of nice size and has great retention, nice billowy white with lacing that could use some work..

Nose: Sweet and strong malt aroma. Caramel and some nuttiness combine to form a sweet malt aroma. Overall nice strong aroma.

Tongue: This brew is crisp and finishes with a slightly dry finish. The bottle states that this has a slightly herbal taste and I'll have to say that its really not there. Definitely getting some fruitiness from the yeast, banana. Slightly bitter hops, just enough to balance out the fruitiness. Hops are hard to detect over the fruitiness that seems to take the foreground. Maybe some diacetyl in here.

Mouthfeel and Drinkability: Light in body and quite easy to drink. This is one I'd consider buying again, though I think that I'll explore some more of the style first. Finish is clean and ends up dry in the end. Compared to the Full Circle this one isn't nearly as drinkable, for the style, that is.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2008 19:26:32 | More by becktone

Pencible

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This poured a clear straw color with white head. It smelled like wild wheat malt with light lemon hops. It tasted like fresh wheat grain, sweet lemon hops, and a hint of delicate seasoning (perhaps thyme). It was very thin with some carbonation, and had a mildly bitter aftertaste. Overall this was a nice, clean beer that was perfectly light for summer drinking, but still flavorful enough to enjoy (and not too yeasty!).

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2008 19:46:35 | More by Pencible

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.93/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pure gold color with a thin white head.

Smells Kolsch-a-licious! Pickling spices, bready and some banana on the nose.

This beer is good. I find it difficult to describe the taste of as kolsch beer, but this seems like a pretty good rendition of the style.

High drinkability - if you blink, your sixer will be gone!

Will definately revisit this beer each summer, a solid seasonal offering from Pyramid.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2008 05:04:39 | More by twiggamortis420

orangemoustache

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had this at Medicis in Bloomington,Il advertised as a Golden Ale.

Pours a apple juice amber with a small head of white creamy foam that leaves no lacing as it vanishes.Smells of lightly toasted malts and some tart apple.The taste is a bit less assuming than I had anticipated,overall very balanced.Roasted peanuts,toasted white bread,along with fruity flavors of pear and red apples can be found within this subtly satisfying brew.The body was light,but not as light as other Kolsh offerings,the carbonation is light and the finish is clean with a lingering sweetness.This went nicely with the steak burrito,a bit to plain jane for me to order a second.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2008 16:43:22 | More by orangemoustache

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

2.65/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Tasted at the Lancaster brewing monthly get-together. Light yellow with bubbly head. Bit of head. Skunky aroma. Not at all a good kolsch, it's hard to nail this style. Acidic.A bit of spiciness. It's drinkable, if nothing better about. Not impressed.Bottle 6 months later just as mediocre.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2008 00:17:05 | More by northyorksammy

PiecefulToker

Tennessee

3.88/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Slightly hazy, orangish straw/honey colored, poured with a very thick head of 2 fingers in a pint glass, sustained for several minutes before receding.

S: Very clean, pale malt, some straw and earthy aromas, yeast, hay.

T: Grassy and grainy, some corn flavors (though I don't think theres actually corn in it), a smooth bitterness that rides in the background, maybe a little high. Well balanced (maybe a tad too bitter) and smooth on my palate.

M: Very smooth, medium bodied, with perfect carbonation.

D: This is a very drinkable beer with subtle flavors. Definitely a thirst-quencher on a hot summer afternoon. Pyramid makes some great lawnmower/session brews, and this one is one of the best in their line.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2008 00:33:40 | More by PiecefulToker

July2Nov

Hawaii

3.88/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Hazy golden with a slight head that quickly dissipates.
S: Has a slightly bent that trails off.
T&M: Light, with a mild astringent taste towards the end. Light on the mouth. Overall a bit mild, probably due to the lower abv %. Very pleasant. Holds up throughout the duration of the beer.
D: I could see drinking a few (6-pack) during a setting and being very happy with it. Very nice attempt at a Kolsch.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2008 04:39:56 | More by July2Nov

dsa7783

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Single, twelve-ounce bottle purchased from State Line Liquors in Elkton, Maryland...
"Crisp and golden with slight herbal notes" on the front logo sticker...
Pours a clean, clear, lucid, golden hue with no carbonation and hardly any head or lacing at all...
Musty, earthy aroma replete with slight hints of butter, caramel, and a tinge of vanilla essences...
Crisp, musky taste very refreshing and highly drinkable... Definitely would make for a good warm-weather beer...
Worth a go...

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2008 19:34:03 | More by dsa7783

nrbw23

Ohio

3.2/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a very clear pale yellowish gold color with a very thin white head that leaves very little to no lacing.

S- Crisp, fruity, yeasty and grassy not a whole lot going on here.

T- Kind of bland. Bready and finishes with a tiny bit of herbs/spices and fruit.

M- Light in body.

D- On a hot day this would be an easy beer to drink other than that I'll take something else.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2008 08:27:10 | More by nrbw23

dwilkens

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Golden, Light Honey-like color. The beer pours a generous, light, and quickly dissipating head; a light rim remains thoughout drinking. The beer has a light summery nose, but without the herbal notes mentioned on the bottle. The mouthfeel is crisp and effervescent as I would like with a Kolsch Ale. The taste is light and dry, with the ale character coming through to distinguish it from it's lighter lager counterparts. Hints of citrus and bitter greens. I would like to see just slightly more hop character for balance. Overall, a very drinkable yet not overly exciting offering. Good for a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2008 19:06:21 | More by dwilkens

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Enjoy By: 08-26-08. That's more of an approximation, as the numbers are so small and so scrunched together that I'm not exactly 100% on that. Let's just go with it, huh?

Appearance: Clear, deep yellow body with a tall, white head, though it's bubbling out fast.

Smell: Lightly floral aroma with hints of both apple and pear juice. Tiny note of malt way in back.

Taste: Very light, delicate maltiness - kinda like I just pressed my tongue against a saltine cracker. Subtle sweetness. Light fruitiness. Not much bitterness, but the overall flavor starts drying out on the way to the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: A light brew, but one should know that going in ahead of time. Overall, an acceptable lil' Kölsch-type brew, and not nearly as horrendous as everyone's making it out to be.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2008 01:45:20 | More by ChainGangGuy

rye726

Colorado

2.48/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

An orangish brown color and a middling tan head. The nose has pale grainy malts and some mild bittering hops. The taste is quite light with an herby hop presence over subtle barley. A light body has ample carbonation. Not a bad version of the style, just a bit on the light side.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2008 03:54:43 | More by rye726

iuhophead87

Indiana

3.08/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Pours a light gold color. Almost like a lager with less head. Small carbonation bubbles continually rise to the top during the entire tasting.

S- Smells more like a wheat beer, almost like peaches and flowers.

T- Interesting flavor. A little more sweet and fruity than other "Kolsch" beers that I've had. Also had more malt flavor than I would expect from a light colored beer.

M- Very light and crisp! A little too watery for my taste.

D- If the flavor was a little better, this would be a great session beer. Although it would be much better than a light lager at a picnic or at the ballpark.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2008 22:38:55 | More by iuhophead87

karengarys

Indiana

3.53/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Disclaimer: I have not been to Germany to experience a true Kolsch. I understand that is the only way to really understand what it is about. So, from my American point of view of what American micros should be all about, proceed with discretion.

Pours like a slightly greenish miller. My slow pour leaves no foam at all after a few minutes of sitting in the glass. You could mistake it for koolaid.

Smells a little more interesting than a typical beer. Somewhat earthy and spicy. Okay, cool.

Taste is a typical miller with tons of interesting stuff added. Earthiness. Spices, like, um, well, not sure. Malty too.

Its mouthfeel is nothing special. Not bad. Definitely not flat. But not killer, either.

Finish is clean with a snap of bitter asprin.

This is easy to down. nothing too frightening that would sprain the taste buds, though. bummer. I would say this would be excellent at a summer party where not everybody was ready to experience an over the top IPA or a heavy RIS. Anybody interested in experimenting should be happy with this, anybody wanting a little more should also enjoy this.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2008 01:31:39 | More by karengarys

MuenchenerKindl

Germany

3.05/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle to a pint glass the liquid is a cool cloudy gold, with good carbonation. The head is tall 2 fingers and leaves very good lace.

The smell is light malt, mild hops and a touch of floral spice.

The taste follows, drinks some what like a Wit. The main taste is like a spice bread but herbal/floral not cinnamon or nutmeg.

The mouthfeel is light body and a tad to bubbly like a soda.

The drinkability is ok for what it is, I would not have it again.

MK

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2008 18:30:27 | More by MuenchenerKindl

BigJTrucker

Oregon

3.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Picked up a 6er of this a few days ago.

It pours a very light clear yellow color, thin white head that settles very quickly. Smell is very faint fruit, very little if any hop presence. I'm not sure if i'd call this a kolsch, but it is a good brew. Taste has a very light malt sweetness, smooth and light mouthfeel. Low abv makes this a great session brew. I much prefer it on tap at the brewery before a game, but it's still good in bottles.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2008 04:01:51 | More by BigJTrucker

therica

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A= pours a rather large white foamy head on a light lemon-golden, with consistent small carbonation rising throughout.

S= modest, a little laundry-starch musty odor but not offensive, probably would have had better aroma if I'd have left it set for a few minutes-- too late.

T= Nice flavors, pleasant hops with just enough bitter but not really up-front; sweet creamy malts, a little grassy taste. Very nice blonde ale.

M= Smooth, a little syrupy sweet follow that resides, somewhat hidden tartness like cranberry that gives a modest pucker on my tongue, interesting.

D= if it's being poured and running somewhere, I'll definitely drink this for the night. If I wanted an interesting blonde-ale or golden-lager I might consider buying some more of this.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2008 22:17:15 | More by therica

KarlHungus

Minnesota

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

This beer pours a hazy golden color. The head is two inches in height, and recedes slowly into nice lacing. The aroma is of spicy noble hops, biscuity malt, and fresh cut grass. The taste is full of spicy hops, and soft malt. The mouthfeel is medium-light bodied with a high level of carbonation. Overall, this is a pretty good kolsch. I could drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2008 20:24:59 | More by KarlHungus

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Drinking this beer you need to be in a Summer frame of mind. This is patio fodder with enough hops and complexity to make it worth drinking. Clean finish with apple notes on the nose and midbody this is a solid version of the style. This won't blow your socks off but is a nice change from all the wheat beers out for the summer

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2008 18:27:54 | More by canucklehead

JDV

Texas

3/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a light/medium gold, with little short lasting white head. Smell was grassy, sweet, grain, metal, and tea like at times too. On the light side of carbonation and a very smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel for a lighter beer, that is incredibly easy to drink. Tastes smooth and has a satisfying creamy sweetness with just enough bite to be refreshing. Not as good the 2nd time I tried this. Maybe worth a shot, but I don’t think I’ll crave it a 3rd time.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2008 22:24:24 | More by JDV

CamuMahubah

Nebraska

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

Thought I poured myself a glass of Apple juice by mistake...

Smelled like peaches!...

Tastes light and really crisp...extremely light...This would have been a good Summer beer!...As it is I bought it in December and the kill date is August 8...So what!...She aged a lot better than expected...No taste of skunk or rot whatsoever!...

Smooth and easy light beer...bit of bite...nice aftertaste...mellow and crisp...

Could probably pound way too many of these!...This beer was here in Summer and I chose to ignore it then...For some reason tonite I just had to give her a go...It's a good thing my Summer didn't know what she missed out on!...

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2007 07:50:16 | More by CamuMahubah

wheelinshirt

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased as part of a mixed six without realizing that it was pyramids summer beer and thus is a bit out of season (did i mention i am an idiot, how did i not see it?). Poured a slightly hazy, dull gold color with a nice cap of almost white head that fell leaving no lace. Can see some rows of bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass.

Smell is ho-hum, kind of boring. There is some herbiness in there, but it does smell, as many have pointed out, like a wheat beer. Taste is mostly malt, some herbal hoppiness, bitterness balances out perfectly. Mouthfeel is light, drinkability is good. I bet this would have been better had i had it during the summer--hotter temperatures and lighter bodied beer go hand in hand, plus it would have been fresher. Certainly not a home run, but not a strike out either.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2007 16:54:24 | More by wheelinshirt