Pyramid Rye Ale has more of the grain in its character than most examples of this style. Distinctly spicy in its bouquet, with orange-mint aromas. Reddish-bronze color. Very firm, smooth, body. Fruity, complex, aley, palate: lemon, peppermint, anise, licorice. Dry, pithy, oily, finish. Twenty five percent of the grist is malted rye. I loved it. An esoteric recommendation: try this with a mousse of chopped smoked eggplant (I had the dish, but not the beer, in a Rumanian-Jewish restaurant, The Brown Derby, in Montreal).

From the same stable, Thomas Kemper Hefeweizen is less gritty than some of its Northwestern neighbors, but not as spicy as the Southern Germans. Opalescent yellow color; acidic, fruity, aroma; very smooth texture; scenty, orange-sherbert, flavors; delicate but not bland. A breakfast beer -- pour a splash on your pancakes.

Published Online: OCT 1, 1997
Published in Print: OCT 1, 1997
In: Beer Hunter Online

Beer Review