USA: Pyramid Brewery celebrates 10 years in Berkley
The Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse celebrates its 10th year of hoppy, frothy operations in Berkeley, marking another milestone in the citys long history with breweries, The Daily Californian published March 2.
Since 1997, the Washington-based company has made wheat beers and operated a pub under the same roof in its location on Gilman Street in West Berkeley.
Brewpubs, which combine a brewery with a bar and eatery, were pioneered in Berkeley, said Mayor Tom Bates chief of staff Cisco DeVries.
Following Prohibition, beer could not legally be brewed and sold on the same premises, but this was repealed in California with legislation Bates wrote in 1983 during his time in the state Assembly.
That law that he wrote became replicated all over the country, DeVries said. Thats what started the whole brewpub industry.
In 1986 the Roaring Rock Brewpub opened in Berkeley. Now known as Triple Rock, it claims to be the fifth brewpub in the United States and the one running longest under its original ownership.
Although it does not distribute outside of the West Coast, Pyramids beers have been successful in major tasting competitions, winning a gold medal in the American-style wheat beer category at the 2004 Great American Beer Festival.
Like other Berkeley breweries Bison Brewing and Trumer Brauerei, Pyramid has become locally known for its specialty beers, including an apricot-flavored variety.
Weve had it as long as I can remember, and Ive been here for over 10 years, said Jeannie Anderson, a bartender at Blakes on Telegraph.
The Berkeley Historical Society last year held an exhibit titled Fermenting Berkeley studying the citys history with alcohol, with UC Berkeley students, local alcohol-makers and a strong pro-Prohibition movement at odds throughout.
Today Berkeley is home to numerous beer-makers, and the Pyramid facility is the largest brewery in the East Bay, according to company spokespeople.
I think that its a community that loves craft beer, said Pyramid spokesperson Kelly McKenzie. Were really trying to work to identify ourselves as everyones favorite hometown brew.
DeVries said that breweries and brewpubs have continued to do well in Berkeley is a testament to their quality.
The people in Berkeley and in the general area are very discriminating in their taste and they appreciate quality. I think its sort of part of that, DeVries said.
The Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse celebrated its 10th year of hoppy, frothy operations in Berkeley yesterday, marking another milestone in the citys long history with breweries.
Since 1997, the Washington-based company has made wheat beers and operated a pub under the same roof in its location on Gilman Street in West Berkeley.
Brewpubs, which combine a brewery with a bar and eatery, were pioneered in Berkeley, said Mayor Tom Bates chief of staff Cisco DeVries.
Following Prohibition, beer could not legally be brewed and sold on the same premises, but this was repealed in California with legislation Bates wrote in 1983 during his time in the state Assembly.
That law that he wrote became replicated all over the country, DeVries said. Thats what started the whole brewpub industry.
In 1986 the Roaring Rock Brewpub opened in Berkeley. Now known as Triple Rock, it claims to be the fifth brewpub in the United States and the one running longest under its original ownership.
Although it does not distribute outside of the West Coast, Pyramids beers have been successful in major tasting competitions, winning a gold medal in the American-style wheat beer category at the 2004 Great American Beer Festival.
Like other Berkeley breweries Bison Brewing and Trumer Brauerei, Pyramid has become locally known for its specialty beers, including an apricot-flavored variety.
Weve had it as long as I can remember, and Ive been here for over 10 years, said Jeannie Anderson, a bartender at Blakes on Telegraph.
The Berkeley Historical Society last year held an exhibit titled Fermenting Berkeley studying the citys history with alcohol, with UC Berkeley students, local alcohol-makers and a strong pro-Prohibition movement at odds throughout.
Today Berkeley is home to numerous beer-makers, and the Pyramid facility is the largest brewery in the East Bay, according to company spokespeople.
I think that its a community that loves craft beer, said Pyramid spokesperson Kelly McKenzie. Were really trying to work to identify ourselves as everyones favorite hometown brew.
DeVries said that breweries and brewpubs have continued to do well in Berkeley is a testament to their quality.
The people in Berkeley and in the general area are very discriminating in their taste and they appreciate quality. I think its sort of part of that, DeVries said.
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