Pyramid Breweries announced yesterday that Outburst Imperial IPA will be released as their new spring seasonal. This is just one of the beers they have developed as part of their draft-only Ignition series. I thought it was a very solid beer when I tried it last year, and it is welcome news that they are committing to a widespread release of it as a spring seasonal. It sounded like customers at the Seattle Alehouse just couldn’t get enough of it. There will be a launch party for Outburst at the Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle on January 20.
Press Release:
SEATTLE, WA – December 28, 2010 – Pyramid Breweries welcomes Outburst Imperial IPA as its new spring seasonal. After debuting in early 2010 as the second offering in Pyramid’s limited-availability, draft-only Ignition Series, this dry-hopped IPA is poised to introduce itself to a wider geography of better-beer drinkers.
A crafty combination of four different hops along with a dose of dry-hopping powers Outburst to 80 IBU strong. Its bold profile offers an aroma reminiscent of the Northwest hop fields at harvest time, along with spicy overtones of fresh citrus. Seeking a harmonious balance to the hop overload, four different specialty malts are blended to create a distinctive deep amber hue, and sweet caramel and roasty flavors.
“Brewed with an astonishing four pounds of hops per barrel, Outburst is a fantastic beer,” said Simon Pesch, Head Brewer at Pyramid Brewery in Berkeley. ”This recipe has been fine tuned for years, and after several refinements and a great launch as part of our Ignition Series, many more hopheads can enjoy the bold taste and complex balance of Outburst this spring.”
Outburst will be available from February – March, leading the charge for Pyramid’s 2011 seasonal line-up, including: Curve Ball® Blonde Ale, summer; Juggernaut® Red Ale, fall; and, Snow Cap® Winter Warmer, winter. Outburst is available on draft, in 12oz and 22oz bottles, 6-packs, 12-packs, and as the seasonal guest in the Winter Variety 12-pack – alongside of Haywire® Hefeweizen , Apricot™ Ale, and ThunderHead® IPA.
OUTBURST IMPERIAL IPA
Availability: February – March
Style: Imperial IPA
Malts: 2-Row, Munich, Caramel, and Carared
Hops: Nugget, Chinook, Centennial, and Simcoe
ABV: 8.5%
IBU: 80
Now if they could only get some decent packaging/labels on there….
Another seasonal that will be off the shelves before the season it is made for even starts.
it all sounds great except for the fact that… PYRAMID SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 lbs of hops per barrel is “astonishing”? For those homebrewers out there, since a barrel is 31 gallons, and 4 lbs is 64 ounes, the equivalent is using a little over two ounces of hops in a 5 gallon batch.
Anyone who thinks using 2 oz. of hops in 5 gallons of an Imperial IPA is “astonishing” needs to have his head checked.
@ Adam – Agreed! They have TERRIBLE labels… Very easy to pass by in the isle.
It’s kinda sad as a very big Imperial IPA / Strong Ale fan, that I am not even going to give this a shot. I have tried almost everything out of Pyramids arsenal and have been greatly let down by everything. I would hate to buy a 12 pack and have 11 beers sitting in the fridge that are going to be hard to enjoy.
Just a quick correction: If my math is right it looks like 4lbs per barrel would equal 10.3 oz per 5 gallon batch (roughly 2oz per gallon), which i would say is a serious hop addition…just a thought
yes 4lbs is a lot of hops to put in a beer. However, due to the actually low level of 80 IBU shown I would wager a lot of that is dry or aroma hopping.
if you make a batch of beer (5gallons) with 3oz (90min) 3oz(10min) and 1.5 oz(flame out) using CASCADE which is not really a high AAU hop you can easily get to 80IBU with a midrange OG.
that said if offered this beer I would try it. I don’t buy beer anymore but I am happy to try it when I go to someone’s home or to a tavern.
I meant 10.3 oz is a lot…I was looking at the original estimate someone put out there…
Are you kidding me 7? I agree that Pyramid’s selection, for the most part, has something missing, but snow cap was a new chapter and outburst, in my opinion, is a breakthrough. Where else can you find a well balanced 8.5% thirst quenching six pack for $7…. See its your beer 7