Outburst Imperial IPA - Pyramid Breweries, Inc.

robbrandes

Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pours an impossibly clear amber, decent head, that receded quickly. the aroma lived up to the 'outburst' name - an explosion of piney hops, malt and citrus.

taste is good, but not great. pretty hop-forward, but the taste doesn't quite live up the incredible nose. the citrusy-pine aroma is somewhat over-powered by a faintly peppery and slightly acidic bite. not bad, but the nose really had me expecting something special. mouthfeel is middling - a bit thin and carbonation, while low, is a bit rough.

the one big plus - pricing. $2.29 for a bomber? if value was a category, this would be an easy 5.0!

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 02:15:17 | More by robbrandes

zeff80

Missouri

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a clear, orange color with golden highlights. It had a small, white head of bubbly foam that was short-lived and left very little lacing.

S - It smelled of sweet citrus fruits - orange, pineapple and grapefruit. Some caramel aromas, too.

T - It tasted of sweet caramel and some slight bitterness. Orange and grapefruit flavors came through, too.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is an okay Imperial IPA. A little too sweet, but still pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 22:28:33 | More by zeff80

oberon

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an oversized wine glass a deep burnt orange tinged copper with a lacy 1/2 finger white head,aromas of sweet alcohol dipped fruit,caramel,and sticky,resiny hops.Pretty sweet on the palate with the big sugary sweetness bigger than than the herbal,citric hops in my mind.The hops play a late role but its a little boozy,and pretty sweet.Not a horrible beer but just not enough hop flavor and or dryness to the beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 23:20:41 | More by oberon

woemad

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle purchased at Bottles in Millwood, WA, for $1.39. No obvious freshness date, but when one considers the fact that it is a spring seasonal, it shouldn’t be too old at all.

Pours a dark amber color that had a very slight chill haze to it, with a big, creamy off-white head that slowly dropped unevenly and left lots of lace.

Tropical fruit flavors are what initially greets the nose. There are also some pine notes.

Fairly bitter tasting with a citric and piney hop blast to the palate. Very grapefruity flavor. Not that much of a malt backbone to the taste.

Medium bodied, with a slick, sticky mouthfeel.

While many beers labeled as DIPAs tend to have huge amounts of malt sweetness, this one leaves me thinking it could use a little more. While not as boozy as some in the style, this could pick up a little more drinkability if there was a little more balance. Not a bad beer overall, but nothing here that seems essential, either.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 23:28:21 | More by woemad

allforbetterbeer

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

"Best by" date stamped on label. Fairly fresh bottle!

Poured into a goblet. This beer pours with a classic looking soft two fingers of white head of a flamed orange sunburst body with just the tiniest touch of amber to darken it up. Very clear.

Smells of juicy northwest hops, primarily pine trees and pineapple. A fair dose of citrus is thrown in as well. After a swirl I smell a little solvent and lemon scented cleaning agent.

Alcohol and synthetic lemon are unfortunately strong in the flavor, and the heat is a detractor. Some spicy hops manifest with strong bitterness and a noticeable vegetal quality. "Earthy" would be a positive way to say it I suppose. There is a little malt around the edges but it is scoured away by the abrasive bitterness and strong alcohol.

The mouthfeel is slightly hot and prickly from carbonation. This isn't a "nectar" feel like some DIPAs achieve.

Conclusion: This really isn't a bad beer in any sense, nor is it a bad DIPA. The hops are pretty good and the overall structure doesn't have any flaws. However, this is a country that has glorified hops beyond any standing they have ever held in history, and there are so many fantastic DIPAs out there that I couldn't justify buying this again unless I had local loyalty or it was much cheaper then the competition.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 19:31:04 | More by allforbetterbeer

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a medium to deep copper/amber color, small head, and barely detectable carbonation.

S - Orange and citrus is detectable and subdued but buried beneath a wall of earthy toasted caramel malt; there's also a trace of tobacco aroma.

T - This is one of the more balanced D-IPA's that I've had. Earthy herbalness, a little minty, some tobacco, and toasted caramel malt monopolize the palette with slight citrus fruit and pine surfacing at times.

M - There's a little bit of alcohol effervesence and the finish is dry with a light medium body. The mouth is left with a coating of thin herbal pine bitterness and alcohol residue.

O - A decent D-IPA, but too herbally for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 20:30:19 | More by jzeilinger

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into an A-B flute on 5/24/12

Enjoy by 053112

Slightly hazy honey amber color with a huge expanse of foam - three fingers to the brim on the glass and a pile of bubbles beyond that. The head dissipates over time leaving scattered lace.

The aroma has notes of bread, hints of sugar cookie and faint caramel topped off with oily hop resin, dry pine and a smattering of citric tones. There is a touch of yeast, too. The hops come to the foreground come sipping time with a slick, oily feel accented by some blended tropical notions and a touch of piney bitterness on the finish. There is a bready, grainy backdrop, but the needle is tipped more in the direction of the hops. The body is medium-full; certainly not over-bearing. Carbonation is comfortably on the low side. There is just a hint of alcohol.

This isn't close to the best Imperial IPA out there, but it's enjoyable enough. I have to give Pyramid credit for keeping it at 8.5% abv, which is admirable for the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 23:17:51 | More by Ryan011235

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Aroma has pungent notes of hop inspired madness appears in body a golden apricot orange hue of deep amber malt goodness. Full on off white head forms thick with a delicious layer of complexity coming in once again. Aroma has huge apricot citrus layers of hops to balance out malts from the past. Flavor has big pink fruits and other tropical notes hanging out with the initial hoppy flavor going on. In fact it's quite bad, between big malts and alcohol layers, a medium bodied carbonation flows thick. WIth the overall mouthfeel bringing in a thick flow of harsh carbonation. Not my favorite beer by any means but it is what it is.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 20:34:17 | More by WVbeergeek

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Can you drink a sudden beer...? Anyway, this stuff pours a clear amber-brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises pine needles, grapefruit peel, light spearmint, and some light caramel. The taste brings in more of the same, with the grapefruit taking center stage (though never allowed to fully soliloquize). The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a dry, slightly sticky finish. Overall, an okay DIPA, nothing close to the top of the heap, but an enjoyable and wallet-friendly option.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 08:32:55 | More by TMoney2591

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.49/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured this Imperial IPA from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Poured a clear amber color, produced a very nice thick white head, great retention and above average lacing.The aroma was full of citrus fruit and pine. Full bodied, smooth mouthfeel, there was a foundation of toasted malt that gave way to bitter pine and citric hops. Dry finish. Overall very nice IIPA, well balanced, great session beer, aggressively hopped but its not over the top. A great beginner IIPA if there is such a thing. Prost!

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 16:17:02 | More by GossageBrewery

SamN

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours pretty thick, glug-glug-glug. Amber colored liquid, not very deep or dynamic colors. Head is mediocre, a little limp, doesn't last. Smell is pretty good, surprisingly malty, caramel malts, some biscuity bread aromas. Hop profile is rather subdued for an imperial IPA. Some basic citrus fruits of apples and maybe oranges. Really, this is too malty for an IPA. Taste becomes a little more hops dominant but still keeps a healthy malt profile throughout. More caramel malts followed by some darker fruits like plums and oranges. Finishes not too bitter with a fading sweetness. Not bad at all. The higher strength doesn't come through too much, either. Mouthfeel is smooth and relaxed with a bigger character.

Overall; not a great IPA, but decent as a hoppier amber-type ale. Nothing I would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 02:06:02 | More by SamN

rowew

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: 12 oz short bottle, typical new pyramid labeling. Abv and date are marked.

Appearance: clear red color, thick head with good retention.

Smell: nice balance of malt sweetness and a grapefruit hop aroma.

Taste: the sweetness dominates, but the hops do come through. Tastes closer to a barley wine than an iipa.

Overall impression: good beer, but it probably would fit better in the barley wine category. Still has some interesting flavors and is enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 02:35:51 | More by rowew

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip glass. Bottle bears a stamp on the neck label, "Enjoy by 072012". Pours a slightly hazy honey amber color, with a 1" head that leaves bubbly lacing down the sides as it reduces. A thin lid of foam remains on top.

Smell is faintly malty and sweet, with very little citrus or hop aroma. Given that this is an imperial IPA. I am surprised at the lack of aroma coming from this beer.

Taste is sweet and malty, with a slightly astringent middle and a sticky sweet finish with a hint of hop bite. A bit of alcohol and grape flavors are present as well.

Medium bodied, there is still enough hop bite to leave the tongue feelng a bit of tingle and burn as this is sipped.

I know the beer is not old because of the date on the label, but if I hadn't seen the "enjoy by" date, I would have sworn this was a beer past its prime. Then again, my experience with Pyramid thusfar has been that, while it was a trailblazer for craft brewers, ultimatley it has failed to keep up with the quality demands and standards of the industry. Just prior to this beer I had a Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster, and would happily trade this for that in a hearbeat.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 01:55:57 | More by TheHoppiest

RenzoD

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I am not a huge Pyramid fan but I have to say this is my favorite brew from them so far.
The beer has a dark copper color with a nice thick head leaving a good looking lace on the glass. The scent might be the characteristic with the least to speak of. Faint aroma of hops, cracker and a tiny trace of citrus, The taste is a lot more malty than what I am used to for an IPA but it is good. The bitter hoppiness is most definitely there but it is put to rest (not too quickly) by the heavy malt taste. I actually still really enjoyed it though. A good solid effort from Pyramid. Better than some, not as good as a lot, but still enjoyed it. Glad I bought a six pack.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 08:48:13 | More by RenzoD

stxp

New York

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

appearance: beautiful faded/opaque dark gold, apple cidery, almost no head, not bubbly

smell: earthy, slightly fruity, not a ton of hop aroma for 80ibu+ dry hop

taste: cascade/fruity start, peppery hop middle, finishes with a bit of floral hop, surprisingly fast, but leaves a little bitter taste linger

mouthfeel: creamy, foamy, not too heavy, but bitterness makes it not easily drinkable

overall: love the look, aroma could be a bit stonger/piney, taste is a big hop bomb, enjoy the peppery/spicy notes, could be a bit sweeter

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 00:11:51 | More by stxp

chumba526

Oregon

3.43/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appears darkish gold/ amber in color with a white frothy head.

It smells of pine and floral smelling hops. I get a bit of a caramel sweetness to the beer.

It tastes of pine like hops. I get a bit of an earthy flavor. I get a sweet sort of floral flavor. There is a bit of a caramel malt flavor. The beer finishes with a substantial amount of bitterness that balances out the sweet caramel flavor of the malt and the sweet floral flavor of the beer.

There is a moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is somewhat smooth.

Drinkability is pretty good. It goes down smooth though the beer does not seem to be that exciting. I could easily drink a few glasses of this though.

Overall not a great IIPA but pretty good for the price. It is not a complex IIPA but it gets the job done. This is the best beer I have had from Pyramid. I am probably going to pick up a few more bottles of this as they are only 1.89 per 22 ounces at a local store.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 19:03:10 | More by chumba526

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

I was able to get a bottle of the Outburst from the singles shelf at my local Binnys. The beer pours a cloudy light orange with a finger thick frothy head that is lacing like a Vicky secrets catalog. The scent is very malty with subtle scents of hop. The taste is much like the smell....very malty with twangs of pine and big alcohol. The mouthfeel is a full bodied iPad with smooth carbonation. Overall it is ok....I have had better and with the high abv it would be tough to drink very much of it.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 02:01:21 | More by WoodBrew

alexhahn82

California

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A--- Medium golden brown amber, .5 finger head.

S -- Malty with a hint of sweetness, nothing too crazy.

T/M - Meh, nothing that will knock your socks off, but considering this is a Pyramid brew (not bashing, just saying) this beer is very hoppy with a medium to heavy malt, decent ABV that is hard to taste.

Overall: Nothing to write home about, but at the same time, take a few notes. Hoppy with a lot of malt but for an IIPA this one is medium in quality (in a good way)

PP (Price Point) - Very nice, but its on tap at my father in law's house so I didn't pay a dime, PP= indeterminable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2011 03:05:36 | More by alexhahn82

julian

Washington

3.35/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Pours a nice crystal clear copper color with a good amount of slightly off white head. Lacing is a little oily, but otherwise nice. coats the glass nicely.

S: First impressions are the most important and right off the bat, this smells delicious. Lots of fruity hop aroma, sweet tropical candy. Very nice.

T: Less fruity flavor than the nose led me to anticipate. Kind of subdued, more of an earthy bitterness than anything. Not much in the way of complexity in the flavor.

M: Good mouthfeel, it coats the tongue and mouth nicely with a proportionate amount of carbonation and has a balanced flavor/feel and no off aftertaste.

D: Not my favorite IIPA, but definitely a step up for Pyramid. They're trying to branch out and I see that. Keep it up Pyramid, and keep these new "seasonals" coming...you just might hit the jackpot with one of them eventually (cmon do something BIG, like a RIS or something barrel aged).

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 04:16:29 | More by julian

HalfFull

California

3.35/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Brown 12 oz. twist off bottle, the Outburst claims to be a Spring Seasonal and not something noticed before. $1.69 for a single seems like a reasonable risk. Pours a clear copper into a large wine glass and offers half an inch of white foam. Bit of haze on the pour and with decent retention and light lace.

Light citrus on the nose with some pine and a bit of caramel malt. Pleasant and unobtrusive though a bit light and takes some digging.

Orange citrus and light caramel on the tongue up front, finishing a bit thin and with a return of hop spiced citrus on the close. Light in texture and with a moderate bitterness. Warming brings a drier finish yet without revealing more bitterness and also exposes a bit of sugary sweetness.

Decent brew though lightly hopped for the style. Yet rather smooth nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 06:51:23 | More by HalfFull

betsona

Indiana

3.35/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A- Clear copper color with a finger plus worth of off-white head. Head dissipates into nothing. Have one snake looking lace on the glass. No visible carbonation.

S- Very light citrus hop smell. A little tropical fruit/candy smell. Not getting much malt. Nothing that woos me off my feet.

T- Smooth malt start followed by a mild bitterness. Is extremely subdued all the way through. The back of the beer provides a nice piney bitterness. Is not hot in any manner. Straight forward and nothing that overwhelms.

M- Light body with minimal carbonation. Kind of flat. Slight bitter lingering taste.

D- The price is right. I think I may pick it up for friends that prefer mild IPAs. I will probably pick up a few more to try again in the future. Hard to pass up a Imperial IPA at $1.70 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2011 19:48:15 | More by betsona

mpedara429

Massachusetts

3.34/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 2.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Opened the bottle with a bottle cap opener only to find out it was a screw top. Fail.

A: Poured out a slightly hazy amber color. Less than a finger of white head. There was very little lacing and head retention even with a vigorous pour.

S: Pine, grapefruit, and floral/herbal spiciness along a toffee malt backbone

T: Very much like the smell. I'm getting more citrus like orange in the taste.

M: Medium body that is very chewy with medium carbonation.

O: Interesting concept. It feels a lot like a budget IPA, but it is imperial. The spiciness in this one makes it a bit unique. Not great, but not bad either. I could see myself wanting to bring a six pack of this to a party or something.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:14:20 | More by mpedara429

JayQue

Virginia

3.33/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A fairly mild DIPA. Tastes pretty good but the aroma is lacking. Mouthfeel is a bit light for a DIPA. Pours a slightly hazy golden amber. Takes a hard pour to get a medium size head. Average retention and some bands of lacing.

Aroma is almost completely lacking for a DIPA. A little piney hops, thats about it.

Taste had a decent amount of bitterness and a resinous piney hops taste. Nothing complex but a nice light bitter beer.

Mouthfeel is a hair light for a DIPA. Still crisp with a good amount of bitterness and a little piney oiliness.

Not a memorable DIPA, but it stood up well to the curry I made tonight. Think I will stick with some of the hop bomb DIPAs.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 00:25:10 | More by JayQue

chaz410

North Carolina

3.3/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very nice transparent amber body with a half finger white head.
Smell is of pine, grassy and slightly citrus hops.
Taste has a solid caramel malt backbone and has layers of pine and melon like hops, kinda cantalope and pineapple. Slight citrus finish and some grassy lingerings.
Mouthfeel is very smooth considering the IBUs.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 04:04:52 | More by chaz410

snaotheus

Washington

3.3/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a 22oz glass

Pours a moderately cloudy coppery-orange color, with medium beige head. Smell is surprisingly bright and flowery, nice.

Taste is a letdown from the smell...the nice floral stuff is definitely muted, and replaced with a sort of flat bitterness imparted by the hops.

Mouthfeel is mild, slightly grainy. Overall, I guess I'd classify this beer as "fine".

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2011 00:56:19 | More by snaotheus