Here's to Beer! Pyramid Snow Cap

It’s that time of year again when winter warmer beers begin to hit the market, and serve to brace us all to bravely face the elements. Pyramid has its own offering called Snow Cap, which celebrates its twenty fifth year this season. It’s one of my favorites in the Pyramid catalog, and so I am happy to taste it again.

The beer pours a deep mocha brown color and has a rich creamy beige head. The aroma is of bready malt and roasted espresso. The flavor comprises lots of classic malt flavor elements, including caramel, chocolate, and espresso. I also got a bit of vanilla as well as some spice such as cinnamon and pepper. The spicy notes to the flavor are most likely due to the hops used rather than any inclusion of actual spices. Pyramid uses Nugget, Willamette, and East Kent Goldings to comprise a well-rounded hops profile. No aggressive resiny or citrusy flavors, but rather just a clean, dry, and spicy finish that serves as a great balance to the maltiness.

Its 47 IBU’s puts it squarely in the mid-range in terms of bitterness, but some may find its 7% ABV to be a bit higher than they are used to. That would be the “warmer” in the winter warmer. If that seems like not warm enough, then you will want to be on the lookout for the “Super” version of Snow Cap that boasts a 9% ABV.

In terms of a food pairing with this I would suggest a big meaty dish to go with what is a pretty big beer. If you are serving up some prime rib, rack of lamb or game meat then this is sure to fit the bill. For cheeses, try it with a bleu or sharp cheddar. Snow Cap could also fly as a dessert beer. Any dessert that mirrors the chocolate and espresso flavors of the beer should be a fine match. Try it with something like a warm chocolate spice cake or espresso brownies. Cheers!

Rich Coffey is a chef and Certified Cicerone. Find out more about him here.