Those nuts at Pyramid. Will they stop at nothing to bring us delicious brews that keep our taste buds on their toes (an interesting vision)? I'm on to them. They're not fooling me. They secretly imported kegs of fine English ale and stuck it in bottles labeled "Pyramid Alehouse ESB." Yep. That's gotta be what they did.

ESB stands for Extra Special Bitter, a British style closely related to pale ale but generally possessed of more malt and hop character. Pyramid beers have been available in my area in the past, but we don’t see them much anymore. The company has pulled back distribution on the East Coast considerably. When I did see Pyramid ales, this ESB was not among the many offerings at my local beer store.

Pyramid offers many styles of beer, more than 12 different brews in all. The Alehouse ESB may just be one of the best of their brews I’ve tried save for the legendary Snowcap winter seasonal. It is available year-round in bottles and on tap. Here’s some label info:

ESB (Extra Special Bitter) is England’s undisputed premier pub beer. Extra, because its complex flavor and rich character go way beyond expectations. Special, because we care so dang much we feel like proud parents every time one is poured. And bitter, because that’s what you’ll be if you accidentally order something else.

It’s interesting that they use the word expectations, because when I popped the twist-off top from the brown-glass, short and stubby bottle I poured a beer into my glass that was far beyond my wildest expectations. I’m not sure why, I guess I just never thought of Pyramid as much more than a Hefeweizen brewer, though I am aware of the many styles they brew including the aforementioned and formidable Snow Cap and the wonderfully hoppy Sunfest pilsner.

Alehouse ESB stands up to those legendary brews, and is without doubt one of the finest English style ales I’ve tasted brewed in the United States. It tastes like it came from England, not the US West Coast. The beer has an alcohol content of 5.3% by volume and is rich with caramel and carapils malts. My bottle has a best by date of October 20th 2001 and tasted extremely fresh despite its journey cross country at the hands of the Boys in Brown.

Alehouse ESB pours deep chestnut in color with a thick, creamy head and a caramel malt nose. The palate is medium-bodied and rich feeling upon the tongue. It feels so good in fact you don’t want to swallow it, but you do so that you can take another sip. There’s chewy toffee here, a tad of butteriness, and a yeasty, mushroomy character. The hops become very apparent in the finish imparting a mild minty-herbal spiciness, a slight fruitiness and a bitter, lingering buzz on the tongue. Willamettes and East Kent Goldings are used but it is the Goldings that really steal the show.

This is an exceptional beer and a triumph for pyramid. Might I suggest it with bangers and mashed, steak and kidney pie or beef Wellington? I suspect the beer would go equally well with any of those English favorites. I enjoyed it with a broiled rib eye, baked potato, tossed salad and garlic bread.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 

 

 

 



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