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Name: Pyramid Alehouse Brewery & Restaurant
Address: 901 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA, 94710
Telephone: (510) 528-9880
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.18

Pyramid Alehouse Brewery & Restaurant

901 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA, 94710

(510) 528-9880
Store is closed

Pyramid Alehouse Brewery & Restaurant Menu

Snacks From the Bar

House Roasted Mixed Nuts

Mixed Marinated Olives

Cheese Wedge with Baguette

Pint o' Pretzels

House Roasted Mixed Nuts

Mixed Marinated Olives

Cheese Wedge with Baguette

Pint o' Pretzels
Beer Bites

Chips and Salsa

Black Pepper Buffalo Wings

Grilled Chicken Quesadilla

Good ?ol Cheese Quesadilla

Chips and Salsa

Black Pepper Buffalo Wings

Grilled Chicken Quesadilla

Good ?ol Cheese Quesadilla
Fry Baskets

Basket of Fries

Cheese Fries

Chili Cheese Fries

Garlic Fries

Basket of Fries

Cheese Fries

Chili Cheese Fries

Garlic Fries
Soup, Chowder and Chili

Soup of the Day

Housemade Vegetarian or Meat Chili

New England Clam Chowder Friday

Soup of the Day

Housemade Vegetarian or Meat Chili

New England Clam Chowder Friday
Rock Pots

Rock Pots

Rock Pots
Tossed Salads

House

Caesar

Greek

House

Caesar

Greek
T-Rock Nachos

The Tail Dragger

The Twist

The Locomotion

The Tail Dragger

The Twist

The Locomotion
Sandwiches

Philly Cheese Steak

Reuben Rock

Bruschetta Rock

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Half and Half'

Bacon. Lettuce and Tomato

Ale Dog

Pesto Chicken Salad

Philly Cheese Steak

Reuben Rock

Bruschetta Rock

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Half and Half'

Bacon. Lettuce and Tomato

Ale Dog

Pesto Chicken Salad
T-Rock Burgers

'The Mill Grinder'

'The Rock Climber'

'The Keg Tosser'

'The Brew House'

'The Avalanche'

'The North Side'

'The Grain Belt'

'The Mill Grinder'

'The Rock Climber'

'The Keg Tosser'

'The Brew House'

'The Avalanche'

'The North Side'

'The Grain Belt'

Healthy Meal suggestions for Pyramid Alehouse Brewery & Restaurant

Snacks From the Bar

House Roasted Mixed Nuts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Marinated Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Wedge with Baguette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pint o' Pretzels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Roasted Mixed Nuts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Marinated Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Wedge with Baguette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pint o' Pretzels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beer Bites

Chips and Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Pepper Buffalo Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Good ?ol Cheese Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips and Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Pepper Buffalo Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Good ?ol Cheese Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fry Baskets

Basket of Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chili Cheese Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basket of Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chili Cheese Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soup, Chowder and Chili

Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Housemade Vegetarian or Meat Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New England Clam Chowder Friday [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Housemade Vegetarian or Meat Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New England Clam Chowder Friday [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Rock Pots

Rock Pots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rock Pots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tossed Salads

House [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Greek [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Greek [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
T-Rock Nachos

The Tail Dragger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Twist [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Locomotion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Tail Dragger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Twist [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Locomotion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Philly Cheese Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Reuben Rock [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta Rock [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Half and Half' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon. Lettuce and Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ale Dog [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Philly Cheese Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Reuben Rock [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta Rock [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Half and Half' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon. Lettuce and Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ale Dog [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
T-Rock Burgers

'The Mill Grinder' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Rock Climber' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Keg Tosser' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Brew House' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Avalanche' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The North Side' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Grain Belt' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Mill Grinder' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Rock Climber' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Keg Tosser' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Brew House' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Avalanche' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The North Side' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

'The Grain Belt' [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Jason T.

It does not get better than this! Great service, great beer, well ok.... decent food. But there is an exception. I came here with some friends for the U$C Vs California, game on Saturday. We did a short beer tasting and than had 5 more pints of beer and some appetizers. We found out that we could use the press pass here on the most expensive appetizer (free appetizer with purchase of an entree). So you can get 14 dollars of chips, meat, and guac. for free and only buy a 8 dollar burger. Plus with that saved cash grab yourself some beer on the way out.
(4)
Linda B.

I gave this 4 stars for the beer. Tried the Snow Cap and it was so delicious. I had the turkey burger, which was nothing our of the ordinary, but tasty.
(4)
Brad J.

Truly horrible, airport quality food.
(1)
Micaela G.

I had the pyramid burger, medium rare, and whatever the raspeberry cider on tap was. Left me pretty satisfied. I also asked about one of the beers and the server offered a sample so that was nice.
(4)
Andy O.

This place is what places like BJ's, Karl Strauss, and Gordon Biersch should aspire to be. Mind you, the beer isn't even that great here. Of the other three choices, it only beats Gordon Biersch (which always has terrible beer, absolutely terrible). But something about the way the beer pairs with the various nasty food items is magic at Pyramid Brewhouse. I don't remember any of what I ordered, because I always end up leaving this place trashed out of my mind. But I do remember all of it is great. RANDOM story: The last time I was here, I was taking a dump in the large stall in the restroom. I was pretty drunk and staring at the ceiling while thinking,"woooooooooo" in my head. I might have been audibly "wooooo"ing along, as somewhere along the way I grabbed the attention of a little girl who looked no older than 4. I looked over and noticed this little rugrat crawling under the door of my stall and standing up and smiling at me. I thought to myself, "Ohhh man, this is bad!", and I tried desperately to shoo her away. Finally, to avoid being wrongly accused of molesting a child, I cleared my throat and began to reach out desperately for help: "Umm.. Hello? Excuse me? There's a baby in my restroom stall... Anybody there?" Somebody finally responded, "Oh Jesus!! I'm so sorry!" and reached down and pulled the girl (his daugther, I presume) out from under my stall. I then saw the guy later and we laughed about it and had a beer together. Okay, I made the last part up; I actually just avoided that entire group like the black plague for the rest of the evening. Yes, that interesting. More so because I was drunk and didn't quite believe what was going on.
(5)
Jonathan D.

Last night we went to T-rex (review is below), but the real story is that we started out at Pyramid Brewery in Berkeley (about 2 blocks away from T-rex). We all met out front of Pyramid and before we went in I asked why we weren't going to T-rex which, again, was only 2 blocks away. Both my friends looked at me and said, they had no idea. When we got to T-rex, we each told our stories of bad dining experiences at Pyramid and decided we were just being polite when noone questioned whether or not we should be at Pyramid (looks like I was the least polite of the three of us). I would say that Pyramid deserves a 3-4 for beer and a 2 for food. So, I will give them a weak 3 and call it good. I will eventually eat there again - because my son likes the fries, but if I have my choice I will always be at T-rex.
(3)
Cori W.

I haven't eaten anything at Pyramid but damn do I love their beers! Apricot, the Hefe, their summer Curve Ball, its all good! Definitely appreciate happy hour, Mon-Fri I believe from 3-6, with $3.50 pints and $10.50 pitchers, WHAT A DEAL! Not sure if I'll try the food, being a vegetarian they only have one entre I can eat. We'll see. COME FOR THE BEER.
(4)
Jean-Arellia T.

It's really just about the beer at this brewery. My hunch is, the beer is a great as it gets because, by the time people are too drunk to care, food quality is an after-thought.... The mac and cheese is overly greasy and salty. The portions are huge...but, the food isn't that great. The stars are mainly for the beer choices! 1 star for apricot 1 star for the sampler 1 star for large portions -1 for salty and unappetizing food -1 for discontinuing dark beers and changing the pyramid hefeweizen-name to haywire hefeweizen...wtf is haywire..doesn't sound as cool and mature!
(3)
Danielle B.

Okay, so our server was WAY cooler than the last time I went here...and the food seemed to make me happier as well (I killed an entire pizza, go girl!), finally ordered a beer like I meant to last time (the delicious Crystal Wheat Ale, a pretty good match with the creamy cheese from the pizza Margherita) and the others in my party couldn't stop raving over the Snow Cap, which I shall try next time. And note the those who prefer a "girly" drink...their Soju Cosmos rock! Usually I prefer harder stuff, but try one for sure!
(4)
Jessica M.

Amazingly good for a brew pub. Food is actually very tasty; I've had the cesar salad and that steak and mushroom sandwich a few times and think they're fantastic. I usually get either the beer sampler (awesome!) or a pint of whatever is in season. The best part is, Tuesday is pint night and you get to keep the glass! My entire stock of pint glasses has been supplied by Pyramid - I even bought a few at their gift shop (different logo). Cool anecdote: I went here on my birthday, because at a UC Berkeley event Pyramid had a booth where I signed up for a "free appetizer on my birthday". Well, when I mentioned this at the restaurant they said that promotion didn't start until 2009. I was really disappointed! However, someone in charge came out with our waitress and said they would give me a complimentary appetizer anyway! This was great customer service - they recognized their promotion was ambiguous and made an exception. I really appreciated this on my birthday and try to frequent this place as often as I can! One of my favorite beers is Snow Cap, and the Apricot hef is great too (buy it at safeway all the time). Pyramid is a Berkeley classic and I hope they stick around!
(4)
Patrick S.

I want to love this local brew pub, but the gigantic portions of food make me think of one of those horrible chain restaurants. Do we really need cheese on every menu item? They do have great beers and a fun environment.
(2)
Naida E.

This is a beautiful building and two stories to boot. We got the taster deal and took a break from a punk show at the Gilman. I was disappointed to find out that their outside theater was closed indefinitely. The service was stellar. I particularly enjoyed the Hefeweizen and Curve Ball beers in our flight of six.
(4)
Jason Z.

Bad customer experience overshadows the good beer and food. I tried ordering a root beer keg for a youth event but was told over the phone that one cannot preorder them. I called back a few days later to check on availability only to be told that they have to be preordered through a manager. No manager was in so I left a message, but NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK. I wrote a letter expressing my disappointment and finally received a return call from a manager who apologized, said he'd "probably" send me something (he never did) and invited me to call him back to talk about my negative experience. I called back, but haven't heard from him again! Pyramid really needs to work on its customer service. I'd gone there for years but now will be taking my business elsewhere!
(1)
Kay M.

so perhaps I'm being slightly mean for giving it a 2 but it could just be because of service we had last time I was there. I was with a group of 20 or so celebrating a friends 24th birthday, we got there and once we were seated in our section we ordered drinks. As expected they took a while to arrive, then we started to order our meals. I can't seem to recall what I ordered exactly I just remember it being a sandwich (it wasn't satisfying to my taste) so I ended up not eating it. A few of my other friends had issues with their orders the meat on a burger was totally dark! Super super DARK. a COUPLE OF OUR GROUP MEMBERS WERE UNABLE TO GET THEIR ORDERS WE ARE NOT SURE IF THEY FORGOT ABOUT THEM OR WHAT, BUT IN ALL IT WASN'T SUCH A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR US AT THAT TIME.
(2)
Alisha Y.

Been coming here since 1997 and used to work at a publishing firm on Ninth & Gilman. I have enjoyed private events here too. I had the salmon blt w/ fries my confidante had pizza twists and coffee. Passed on libations this time. The service was lacking in the following areas: asked for no ice, got ice in water, had to ask for mustard, it was gross that she gave me ketchup from our next table where two men were dining (was it even wiped down for sanitation?), not once were we checked in upon and she didn't fill the coffee. Obviously I'm a fan of this place just thought you needed to know some constructive criticism. It was a quaint bday celebration with my 66 yr old very hardworking friend who also bought our meal. I understand bad days I just felt our server didn't want to be there and it put a damper on my friend's celebration who carved in an hour to give me facetime.
(4)
Jean Y.

Good beer & food. Fun place to go.
(4)
Shirley H.

I've only come here on Sundays during football season to watch NFL games. They have a breakfast buffet that runs from 10-1 that includes bacon, sausage links, tater tots, eggs, granola, and yogurt. I believe it cost about $10. There is free wi-fi so you can keep track of your fantasy team while watching the games. Great place to watch games.
(3)
Mei C.

Just another run of the mill brewhouse/restaurant. Reminds me of BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse. Nothing bad to say, but nothing good to say either. Try it if you're in the neighborhood!
(3)
Jenn P.

I had just gotten my wisdom teeth removed the first time I went to Pyramid so there wasn't much I could pick from an already short menu. I ordered the clam chowder soup and their mac n cheese. Since I didn't have much of an appetite or the ability to taste food, it wasn't a big deal that they were out of soup or that the mac n cheese was bland. I stuck to a liquid diet of their Apricot Ale which I've always been a fan of. The best value appetizer is the cheese and chicken quesadillas for $7. Given that Chipotle charges $1.65 for a side of guacamole, this dish is a steal given the amounts of sour cream, guacamole and salsa they give you on the side. Also, I personally find it hard to justify $12 nachos which is why the quesadillas have been my favorite appetizer. Under the "specialty sandwiches" section of the menu, it states that they are "served with seasoned fries." I ordered the chicken Caesar flatbread ($10) hoping to sub the fries for mac n cheese ($3 extra) but was disappointed when our server informed me that's the only sandwich that doesn't come with a side. I thought it was a conspiracy that THAT particular sandwich doesn't come with a side. Shouldn't there be some sort of asterisk noting the fact?? He said he would see what he could do. I was afraid they were going to charge me the full side price of $6 which would've been NOT worth it but was very gracious when our server was able to charge us the $3 sub price. While I might have been momentarily disappointed over the whole fries/sides thing, all disappointment was dismissed when my plate came out. I had expected a small pita bread sized entree but what came out was SUPERSIZED. Maybe that's the reason why this sandwich doesn't come with fries is because there's no room on the plate! Everything was delicious although the mac n cheese was again bland. (I added seasoned ground beef to the leftovers to fix that problem). I was impressed by the size of the flatbread (took half to-go) and by how good everything still tasted the next day. Even the salad was still crispy. I also tried their summer ale, the Curve Ball, which was mildly forgettable. Overall, Pyramid is a fun place to grab a bite to eat. The food is average but moderately priced. The service is decent but the wait time can vary. If all else fails, just go for the beer!
(4)
Isabella V.

My friends from back home came up to visit me in Berkeley, so I took them to Pyramid Alehouse because we love Pyramid Hefe. We went on the free tour, which ended with free samples of all their beers. The tour ended during happy hour so we decided to stay for some half-priced appetizers and a pitcher of hefe. DELICIOUS (the hefe, not the appetizers). I always take my hefe with an orange slice because it accents the sweetness of the beer, but I didn't even need an orange for this... We had to get another pitcher. Took off one star because the food is whatever.
(4)
Manny H.

The attention and the environment was very good (5 stars). The beers are good (4 stars). The food is as bad as the acoustics (1 star). Not going again.
(2)
Evelyn K.

They accommodate large parties with relative ease...they set up tables for 20 of us on a Saturday afternoon towards the back of the restaurant. The service was a little hit and miss, but it could have been due to the size of our group. I know that I shouldn't have expected much out of their wild mushroom pizza, but it was pretty darned good when it came right down to it, especially with a healthy shake of red pepper flakes to give it an extra zip. I tried the mussels, and they were acceptable, but nothing special. The hot buffalo wings were more fried that I would have liked, but the meat was extremely tender and the sauce was mouth-wateringly zesty, almost vinegary enough to bring tears of joy to your eyes. Decent food, okay setting. Wasn't much to watch along the line of sports...we saw a couple holes of golf (yawn!) on their big screen TVs that were perched right over our table.
(3)
Katherine P.

Good for groups, and in an interesting part of Berkeley, and has good beer, but I wouldn't make the trek here unless it was for a birthday bash or a long lost friend. I came here last night with my boyfriend for his friend's birthday, and the place seemed pretty cool, with the brewery part open for tours (though not at the hour we were there), and plenty of seating. They also sold cases of their beer right on the way out. The kitchen was also large and extensive and if you sat upstairs, you could peer over the railing and see what they were all up to. I didn't eat anything (since I just came from a wedding) but the food looked and smelled pretty decent and I've heard that it's good bar food from my boyfriend ( he used to come here a lot). I will have to try that the next time I come..I did order a HefeandAde, which is their sigature Hefe mixed with lemonade. It was very good, and light on the palate with a hint of lemon tang. The service was pretty slow and unavailable since the night was winding down and we were seated upstairs, where few tables were occupied. Also, I tried to use the bathroom but apparently it was flooded, the water came out of the bathroom door and onto the hallway in front...gross. Will give this place another shot sometime, it seems like it could be a good drinking place...assuming the bathroom isn't exploding and the service is around.
(3)
norine h.

This is based on what we had. I ordered the short ribs which was very tasty and tender with the meat falling off the bones just the way I like it. The vegetable was very crunchy like it was just blanched in boiling water. Wished they that a bigger portion for the mashed potato because it was so good with the sauce from the short ribs. Husband had the fish taco which came with a large plate of salad. He thought the fish taco was pretty good. Service was very slow. It took about 30 minutes to get our food. Good thing I wasn't starving.
(4)
Kristin C.

I bring all my friends who HATE beer here and by the end of their meal they love at least one of the selections. I usually have them start out with a flight so they can take sips of multiple kinds of beer and I can finish off the ones they don't care for. hehehe ;) The food is surprisingly delicious for a brewery,(most of which have light snacks or appetizers) no friends, this is a full restaurant. They accomodate larger groups or families and they do tours which is a fun way to show people what brewing beer is all about and maybe inspire you to brew your own! Take home a growler of beer and you will be aching to come back for more! :D PS the staff is very knowledgable about the beers and can help you pair the perfect brew with your meal.
(4)
Big Baby Jesus C.

The positive: -ample seating -lots of TV's to watch sports on The negative: -food is really lackluster -even more damning, their beer is gross. It's all very sweet. -I had a server tell me once that it was impossible to split the bill (at a 5 top) when we let a Ravens fan we'd never met sit with us to catch the Ravens game because they have a policy to not split bills. I laughed and told her to go split the bill or we're all getting up and leaving.
(2)
Amanda B.

This place is totally fine for a Sunday afternoon watching the game. Not the best beer or the best food, but consistent to be a decent neighborhood spot. Service is hit or miss, but generally, they'll let you loll for hours with a beer shootin' the shit. Checkin on Yelp and you get 30% off your first appetizer. Sweet. Don't mind if I do.
(3)
Nina S.

This place is great. The beer selection is vast and delicious. They have a lot of vegetarian options (Their cauliflower "wings" are to die for) and good happy hour prices. The staff varies- a couple months back, I had a very friendly pregnant server but I haven't seen her there recently. I've never had a rude server but sometimes they are just too busy to tend to my table (I usually go in big groups) so we get a little neglected. I've only had to wait for seating once and I go there quite often. Once you order, the food comes out fairly fast. I love their apricot ale!
(4)
Dara G.

I went here for the first time a few weeks ago, invited by friends to watch the world cup final with them. When we arrived, there were a ton of people in the front lobby area, and lots of empty tables yet to be filled. My friends had extra room at their table but we were denied permission to bring over another chair by the wait staff, and could not claim an adjoining table either, due to "having to follow procedure seating customers." Ok, I can understand that. it's a busy day. When we went to ask the front desk if we could be seated by our friends, the lady there said we'd have to add our name to the list and to wait in the shop area, so we gave her our name and sat down. Fifteen minutes later and there's still a crowd milling around, hardly anyone is getting seated, and we have no word what's going on. So I go to ask the lady how long we have to wait and she says "your name's not on the list, you have to put your name on this list before we can seat you." Then she ignores me. WHAT. I had to ask her point blank if she would please put our name on this list and she GLARES at me! Then she puts our name down, not based on when we talked to her first, but at the END of the list, after the last ten parties that came in. When I point this out, she ignores me again. I've never experienced such rudeness from restaurant staff EVER. We left! And when my husband, who's by now totally irate, calls to complain, this chick has the nerve to say "oh yeah it's really busy right now" in this breezy voice as though that's a valid excuse for treating a customer like crap. Pyramid Brewery, you are not some exclusive hoity-toity place that only does reservations. You have no reason for your staff to be so rude and exclusionary whatsoever. Your food smelled cheap when I walked in and I was only there because of my friends. Now none of us ever want to come back. Oh and being busy? NOT an excuse for being rude to a potential paying customer. You need to hire some front-desk host staff who can handle pressure gracefully.
(1)
David S.

Attention Pyramid Managers and other people responsible for making the big decisions at this location: YOU HAVE SERIOUSLY F***ED UP. But, you can turn this around if you're willing to pull your heads out of your bank accounts and start thinking about the repercussions of your greed. When I first heard about the dust up over employees getting fired for unionizing, I didn't want to believe that you could be so callous as to fire people for daring to ask for a living wage. So I kept coming. On my previous visit about a month ago, I was unpleasantly surprised by the mediocre quality of the burger I ordered. The presentation was also lacking any appeal. When the plate was set in front of me it said: "Here'syourburgerbye ." It should have said: "Oh, my! Doesn't this look delicious? Where you should start? Wait, just take a moment to soak in the view and sniff the aroma!" That's how it used to be, and that's why we came to you often ever since you first opened. Given all those years of positive experiences, I was willing to give you a pass for having a bad day. Then we came in last night. While our server was wonderful, and allowed us to get a couple of pitchers at the Happy Hour price even though it was after 6:30pm, the food was another letdown. I didn't know how bad until later. I've always loved the nachos. I could rely on them. The sides of salsa, sour cream and guacamole added a lovely, creamy contrast to the spice of the jalapenos. I rarely finished them, but what a treat to have something to take home and warm up tomorrow! However, when I received my order I knew something was off. Where did the black beans go? Why have they been substituted for these mushy brown tasteless capsules? Why are the chips different? Where are the two kinds of cheese, the sour cream and guacamole? Why the f*ck are there bright pink pickled onions sprinkled on top?! HOW CAN YOU F*** UP NACHOS?! Did you fire your previous chef because they were part of the pro-union group? Did you reduce the menu to abate the costs of firing all those other employees? MISTAKE. This bland and tasteless pile of blah was the most unappetizing thing I have eaten in quite awhile. However, the worst was yet to come. At first I thought it was indigestion when I rolled out of bed at 2am, so I had a glass of water with baking soda to quell the acute pressure in my innards. Instead of settling things down, my muscles clenched and I spewed the entire contents of my stomach into our porcelain throne. Pyramid, you're now as dead to me as the pharaohs who built the real ones. Have fun counting your shekels now, because with "food" like this, that well is going to run dry pretty quick. P.S. Just to be clear, I don't like to read or write reviews like this, but I feel it was warranted. I cannot say anything negative about the quality of service or cleanliness of this establishment. Our server was very attentive through the entire course of our visit, and every employee with whom we have interacted has been courteous, warm and professional. The beer is just as good as ever, but the food has become HORRIBLE.
(1)
Reg B.

just not worth the trip, the beer is good, but just had a terrible experience with the staff, the minute the found out we were not eating and just drinking - they moved us to a table down the back where we could see the tvs! why? and she would not let us sit at the bar... just weird... no wonder the place was half empty!!
(1)
Lisa G.

Pyramid is a very cool place to go to. They have tours everyday at 4:00 p.m. The tours are FREE! AND...they give you free beer tasting at the end of the tour. We went on a Sunday and our tour guide, Roberto, was awesome. Super fun and knowledgeable. He answered all of our questions and we had a really great time. You have to wear closed toe shoes, but if you wear sandals, they offer you boots to wear (bring socks). We then tasted some more beer at the restaurant. You can taste 5 beers for $9. They have some beers that you can only get at the brewery. I had the clam chowder and it was pretty good. It was very creamy with lots of clams. If you check into yelp you can get 30% off an appetizer or if you check into foursquare you can get a growler at the refill price. Take a growler home with you, you won't regret it!!!
(4)
Tim w.

The beer is good; the food is blah. We had the fish and chips and a couple of appetizers. Price for the food was quite expensive for what one gets. (16 dollars for a plate of fish and chips... 3 fish) However, I guess I shouldn't judge a brewery by its food, though. But at the same time if I just wanted the beer I could have gone to the grocery store.
(3)
Austin G.

Great beer selection and great food. I'd recommend the pulled pork sandwich.
(4)
Alex L.

They have the best beer in the world!!! I love beer!!! Yummmmmm. The blackened seafood is my fav
(5)
Angela L.

I like the huge space. Food is satisfying. Beer is good. Had the chili which was pretty good! It wasn't as temperature hot as I would have liked though. Spiciness level on the other hand was great! Sampler platter was pretty good, the quesadillas were better than expected and the chicken wings were super crispy on the outside, juicy on in the inside. Mac & cheese had no flavor and the noodles were too soft, was definitely the least favorite thing I ordered. Parents had a burger which I did not try but they seemed to like it! Honey Bock beer is tasty and light! Lemon meringue pie was pretty legit too. This place is definitely convenient and you can't really be disappointed.
(4)
Ladonna A.

I went here once during lunch time which was a pleasant experience. They have a great selection of beer and always cold and refreshing. I also went here during dinner hours in which every 1st Monday of every month they play Bingo which was a different outlook on the restaurant but enjoyable since you're having dinners and a good time. Their food is nothing to rant about as it is simple dishes, but the beer is the real winner here. Would come back for sure!
(4)
Lou S.

Not much to choose from to catch a football game in the area, so we ended up here. Was looking forward to the bacon cheddar soup, but was disappointed. It wasn't creamy at all, it was separated and cold. The burger and beer was just ok.
(2)
Shaina S.

We have been to Pyramid quite a few times and had always enjoyed ourselves, but last weekend was the first time we visited since recent changes to the menu/prices. The new menu is limited, prices are higher, quality is lower, and portion size is smaller. Out of our group of 4 no one was satisfied with their meal. I ordered the Cod & Chips for $15 and received one small piece of fish and a few french fries. Service was okay, but not great. Server was not very attentive even though the restaurant was practically empty. The beer is still pretty good, so it might be worth stopping by for drinks, but we likely won't go back for a meal unless some drastic changes are made.
(1)
Crystal N.

Service was okay this time albeit on the slow side. It was a Thursday night so it wasn't too busy. My sister and I got 4 sides and they were all terrible. The calamari seemed undercooked and the chicken wings were overcooked and dry. The breaded cauliflower was good, but not sure if it was because it was better than all of the other options. The vegetarian tacos were weird because everything in it was pickled. My roommate got their classic combo pizza (mushrooms, pepperoni, & sausage) and it was also mediocre. The crust was terribly flat but the toppings were okay. Overall bad food. I recommend Pyramid for beer but not for anything to eat.
(2)
Wendy H.

Good times will be had by all. This friendly alehouse should be at least 3.5 stars. Refreshing beers, crispy chewy calamari, hearty burgers and an easy-going staff. Great place for groups. Think happy hour in the outdoor patio. Don't expect a revolutionary food experience, but a solid dining option.
(4)
Matty W.

Seriously would never waste my time or money here. Food was disasterous service sucked. After ordering our food and waiting 25mins server came out and said they ran out of paper and we needed to place a order again. Mac and cheese had no flavor. St Louis style ribs were covered in char and not even what I call ribs. And if you get the bald server who has tattoo's good luck..he tried hard at ignoring us and simply checking in..oh calamari tasted like it was deep fried twice and was harder than a tire. We actually had to ask the hostess if she could bring us some water.. my advice this place simply needs to stick to making beer and stop trying to cook food. Oh the best part was the water. Horrible and I had friends visiting from out of state. Worst experience ever.
(1)
Meridith L.

Horrible time at Pyramid today. Such a shame, my family has been coming here since they opened in '97. Restaurant was nearly empty at 3. Hostess was busy cashing out a waitress. Empty tables everywhere, I asked if we could seat ourselves since I was with my disabled son who can't stand for long and was sharply told "No", and waited longer. Ok, got seated, server was nice, but the new menu sucks. 1 salad (unless you want to spend time building your own), 2 burgers both froufy, sandwiches full of sauce and sweet jam and slaw...no thanks. What happened to normal pub fare? We were told the menu changed because Whole Foods was opening up the block in a couple of months...sorry, don't see whole foods as a threat unless pyramid keeps this horrible menu. Wouldn't fill our growlers from another brewery, despite the recent state law allowing them to, because it is "rude to their brewers". Note to pyramid: you fired your brewers several months ago and shut down your brewery.... The whole point behind this law is for resource conservation and to cut down on waste. With facilities in Berkeley, Portland and Seattle, the recycling caps of the US, you don't seem to fit in with our green ethics. And btw, I have 3 pyramid growlers, but they suck...normal screw tops don't keep the beer fresh long, and your sealed flip top growler is so freaking humongous it doesn't fit in a normal fridge. May have lost a longtime customer and advocate today. Looking at other reviews, I'm not the only one. Time to take a good look at your ops Pyramid.
(1)
Greg M.

Pyramid was a long time favorite, but the new menu, higher prices, and decline in service quality puts it further down / off our favorites list. The new menu is much smaller and lost a lot of favorites, like the pulled pork sandwich and other entrees. I ordered the $7 nachos and received a paltry and lukewarm helping that was maybe worth a single serving. The steak sandwich was ok, not great. The entrees are now averaging $2 more than what they were from last visit. Server seemed to disappear for extended periods of time, not very friendly either. I'm disappointed to write this negative review. Looking at the other recent posts, it seems like Pyramid is headed in the wrong direction.
(2)
Carole L.

Terrible food and service. Watery Mac and cheese. Beer is just OK. It is disappointing because it has so much potential -- this area needs a good brewpub. If they got a new chief and trained their servers, I'd come back. They could be making so much money with the space. The past two times (keep wanting it to work because it's in a convenient location) I was seated and had to wait 20 mins to even see a server. I won't be back.
(2)
Sean O.

The beer is good, even though they are not making it onsite in Berkeley (but in Portland) at the moment. The food is only average. We had a cod fish sandwich ($12) and a salmon patty sandwich ($14.50). Both came with fries which are only average. I come in every month or so since I live in the area, and was surprised that with their new menu, the prices have climbed significantly. The two sandwiches plus two beers ($6/each) was $42. In my opinion, the food doesn't warrant these prices. I will return for the beer only (and maybe an appetizer or two).
(2)
Gerald M.

Well, I'm sitting here and having a apricot ale, it was ok and I ordered a sampler to eat a small half potatoes with broccoli and HARD bacon with salad dressing, the potatoes was not fresh, it look like it was sitting around for a couple of days, then re soaked in the old oil, the bartender was toooo busy talking with his friend about getting a Corvette, he did not even think about asking me if I was ok, but in the beginning he told me to get his attention when I am ready to order, why don't you come to me!!!., the food quality has gone to the pit's and the prices don't match the quality of the food, very high prices for food that is not even a dinner. Will only come back for the beer.
(1)
Amanda K.

I came here after the racetrack recently and it was good. Our server was really nice and helpful. She even noticed that I didn't eat much of my sandwich (it was heavier than I was expecting) and she offered to take it off our bill. Thank you! The beer is always tasty. I highly recommend the DPA.
(4)
Daniel A.

Maybe I came on a bad day but the service was horrible. I was seated at 9:10pm and my order wasn't taken until 9:29pm, yes I kept track of time. The restaurant wasn't busy, if so id understand but the fact that I wasn't even greeted during my almost 30 minute wait really set the mood off to a bad start. Other than that it was ok. Nothing great. Buffalo Bills in Hayward has better beer and much better service.
(2)
Elaine L.

The server and hostess were nice, but I hated everything else. 1. Wait was atrocious. 2. Patrons are drunk and rude. 3. Food is dry and mealy and doesn't come as ordered. 4. Table was sticky. 5. Understaffed so no one cleans tables or brings you utensils unless you ask for it. Good thing you can just get the beer from Target.
(2)
Katelyn M.

Pyramid gets five stars as an event space! My husband (then-fiance) and I were having a tough time finding the perfect venue for our wedding. We wanted something offbeat, unique, and relatively affordable in the SF Bay Area, and Pyramid has that in spades! At first glance, it might seem like an odd choice for a wedding venue, but after meeting with Casey and walking through our options, we were convinced it was the right one for us. Casey, the event coordinator, was an invaluable asset to our wedding. I can't say enough good things about her. She was extremely organized, but was very flexible as well. While my husband and I consider ourselves fairly laid-back, we nevertheless had pretty specific ideas when it came to our wedding timeline and layout. And we're happy to say that we never felt like we were being pressured into fitting our wedding into any kind of mold. Casey was so supportive of our ideas and vision of how the day would unfold. She was also onsite day-of, and was a complete lifesaver in that respect! She swooped in and helped with a lot of the setup that I had planned on tackling myself, which meant I had more time to relax and calm my bridal nerves. She kept the event flowing flawlessly, and checked in with us many times over the course of the evening to make sure all was well. And most importantly, everyone had an amazing time! We got so many compliments. The food was awesome, the beer was delicious (of course), the space looked beautiful, the staff was friendly and fun, and all of our guests left with huge smiles on their faces. We could not have asked for a better wedding. If you're looking for an outside-the-box wedding venue, definitely consider Pyramid! As a side note, we have eaten at Pyramid numerous times during the planning process, as well as a handful of times since the wedding, and we've always had great experiences. The cheddar burger is my favorite!
(5)
David N.

Showed up at the Yelp day drinking event in solidarity of the host, Jocelyn! CM Nique F. was there too with her ever loving self! Not much of a brew mister, however, I did pick the IPA sampler. To my astonishment, IPA can be a scary beverage!?! So say the half doz Yelpers that showed. No one wanted to taste my brews. Strong 10%+ libations! Five of the latest IPA 's in the house. I didn't know who was on first or second, but they were a nice afternoon plethora of beverages. Got a nice tasting 'n buzz. Best of all, for my son, who was home, requested a jalapeno, bacon, and cheese burger ready to-go! Snitched some bites and fries on my way home. OMG, yum! The servers were fabulous too. I'll be back! Jeez! Speed dial Pyramid for carry-out! Thanks Joceslyn and Nique for a great afternoon of day drinking!
(5)
Schel H.

So you are in the east bay and want a non chain major micro brew with some grub? Well this was my go to place for a long time with friends after work or for special events. They have a special room and a patio that you can reserve and thus have a large space uninterrupted here. They have decent grub, good beer, and great happy hour specials. I hightly suggest that you head over here for HH sometime as that is what they do best. cheap beer and lots of great priced appetizers. The ambiance is fairly bleh but overall you get all that you want for a cheap price and the ambiance is what you and your friends make of it. This has mostly come down to your friends personality... I think that it always makes a big difference. They have a good sized parking lot here which helps and street parking is available closeby. The spaces are also big enough to support an SUV or a full size truck. =) I love the non compactness of it here. I honestly am not sure how many trips I have made to this joint. but it is more than a bunch and less than a hundy. As I alluded to earlier I have done different group things here. This includes a USC website meet up dinner with about 20 people. The work HHs that we used to have here ranged from 5 to 25 people as well. The patio is a great place to hang out as well. During the summer at least... I think it is likely too cold during the winter. I suggest you guys try this out its good times!
(4)
Betty S.

Came here for a beer tasting and expected a tour. They don't offer the tour anymore so it is just a tasting with pictures explaining the brewing process. The beer was ok but I liked how they explained each beer for me. I recommend beer novice to go experience the tasting (everyday at 4pm) and learn the difference between IPA vs Hef.
(3)
T.J L.

Yeah...don't ever order the fish and chips. It's more like chips and a fish. For 15 dollars a total tip off. Glad I filled up on beer. Appetizer nachos was quite small for 7$. Service was decent. Avoid this place for for food. Just buy a twelve pack of pyramid at a store and stay at home. **edit** Friends turkey burger was good.
(2)
Sebastian Y.

This place is just delicious! The service is great and the beer is greater than the service :)
(5)
Brian R.

I usually come here for either happy hour or trivia night. The beer is always amazing and the servers are always knowledgeable of what drinks are on tap, but on trivia nights there is usually only one server working up there and can become easily overwhelmed. I have also gone on the brewery tour that is offered for free and is highly interesting and comes with a few free samples at the end, the tour guide knows his stuff and is well informed on the attributes and taste of the beer they give samples of. I recommend going on the tour beforehand so you know what your getting yourself into and anyways it's pretty fun.
(4)
Sandy T.

Came here for the $3.50 pint of beer during happy hour. Keep in mind that the happy hour times are during peak commute hours. Good to know if you're going on those freeways to get here! Got the Sampler Platter appetizer since happy food items did not appeal to us. Plus, 30% off appetizers for Yelp check-in! That's pretty persuasive, doncha think? Our $15 dish dropped to $10. And let me just say... this thing is not worth $15. Nor $10. Maybe $7-$8. It was rather disappointing but hey, it's a brewery. You go for the beer, not the food. The fried onion rings hardened, the "calamari" tasted like fish sticks, the jalapeno/cheese quesadilla was OK. The wings were the best but it would've been better if it was a tad bit less spicy. And I swear there was supposed to be nachos too... but guess not. If I'm ever back, it'll just be for the beer and the tour.
(3)
Ruobin W.

Nice free tastings - the beer has a decent flavor but it wasn't like amazing or anything. I think that the best course of action would be to add the apricot ale to the list.
(3)
Lisa L.

This is a really great pub, with both macro and micro vibes. The beer selection is great - a wide of variety and solid food. Today we got the appetizer sampler and got 8 appetizers for $48- a great deal for 9 people! The calamari is crispy and authentic. The hot wings are moist and delicious. The kids fruit bowl is amazing with mango, grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. I love this deal. And with the beer ... A perfect combo. This place has a big parking lot, which is a relief in Berkeley, for sure. A favorite for both the adults and the kids!
(4)
Jessica L.

So I really enjoy the beers here but the food is pretty terrible. We really ONLY go for beer. The one and only consistently good thing is the pizza bread twist things (get the kale ones). Everything else they serve is just plain not good. We love the Apricot Ale and love getting to try all the seasonal brews! We go for beer not food - that's your tip!
(3)
Samantha G.

4 stars instead of 5 because the prices make me a little sad. They do have great happy hours specials though and specials for when you check in with various social media. I love bringing out of towners here because everyone knows and loves Pyramid, the restaurant has good atmosphere, burgers are awesome. They also have a free brewery tour everyday at 4pm with a tasting so that's fun. I discovered their apricot ale here and now it's one of my favorites. The seasonal brews are consistently good too.
(4)
Claire B.

We haven't been to Pyramid in years. we went on a sunny sunday afternoon and sat outside. Beautiful day. Great service. Great beer & even better food. Why did we stop going? Who Cares! We will be back next week!
(5)
Elizabeth D.

My sampler of fresh beer was delicious, but my companions got some pretty terrible recommendations from our server. Similarly, the portion sizes were all over the place, so some dinner entrees were huge (like the ribs) and others (the pork and potatoes) were relatively small.
(3)
Alicia T.

I rate 3 star because I did come in on Oktoberfest celebration, however the Resturant was not packed or insanely busy. It took 25 mins for the waitress to take our order. Got drink order wrong- never received correct drinks. Expo ran food to table, we sat with no silverware for 10 mins until we hunted it down for ourselves. Food was awesome. Waitress never came back to cash us out. Literally walked into kitchen to hunt a person down for help.
(3)
Connie Y.

Nice spot to have a snack/drink while watching a game. Went on a Thursday night and did the "thirsty Thursday special".. Which is a pizza and a pitcher of beer for $20 Tried the pep, sausage, and mushroom pizza, which is pretty good... U can't really go wrong with that.. Also tried the potato pizza with pesto sauce, potato, bacon, and grilled chicken. I think it's good, but a bit dry. For the beer, we got a pitcher of apricot ale. I'm usually not a fan of beer, but I did like this. Also tried the "trio of fries" after 9pm for the happy hour price. It's a big plate of three different kinds of fries: garlic, sweet potato, and spicy (which isn't spicy enough to me). I love fries and these were good! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Yum!
(4)
Ploy S.

Went here for happy hour. The service is great but all the food on the happy hour menu is deep fried. However, since this is a brewery you can expect that greasy food and beer go together. I would come back for the beer but if I'm looking to watch what I eat, I would grab dinner after somewhere else.
(3)
Melissa M.

Consistently bad service. Repeatedly have to ask for things you order, can never get anyone to refill your water or to order another beer, and food is sometime served warm, but more often served cold. I don't plan on coming back.
(2)
Jocelyn T.

I've been going to pyramids now for as long as I can remember and my favs are their margherita pizza, chicken wings and washing it down with a hefeweizen or apricot ale. On this particular day I went, I decided to order a Cobb salad and hubby ordered their BBQ pork sliders with a side of sweet potato fries. I dug into my salad and noticed something quite off, tasted something sweet towards the bottom of my salad. As I looked at my salad, there were chunks of brownies in my salad!? The server was apologetic and asked if I wanted the salad taken off the bill which I said yes. I asked how did brownie chunks get into my salad and quite honestly couldn't get a straight answer. I'm glad thy were able to remove the salad from the bill but was disappointed a manager did not come to give me a full explanation of the whole ordeal. I really like pyramids but this makes me think twice about dining here if they are mixing their salads with their dessert? WTF?
(2)
Glenn M.

Typical brewery food. Ain't nothing wrong with that! Fries, chip n dip appetizers, TV for sports, the usual. My mac n cheese, however, was forgettable and yelpable in the wrong ways. I'm a pretty easy person to please, not too picky, no crazy refined palette, but this mac n cheese had no cheese taste at all. it was just mac and creamy sauce.
(3)
robert h.

I know the Pyramid is a big operation been around for awhile and have their fans and I started coming here off and on from the day they opened on Gilman. But I have noticed the vibe has changed from when they started I don't if you can really call them a Brew Pub anymore. First thing you notice is all the families with little kids screaming and crying the parents are not drinking beer so they have taken over the place. The bar the crowd seems low key the beer is to warm and I know its the way its supposed to be but Berkeley is a lot warmer than say England so warm days and warm beer don't match. The menu cant be considered a Pub Menu unless the price dropped a few bucks. Overall there are better places to get a beer close by!
(2)
Camille B.

I was surprised to see the reviews so low for Pyramid Brewery. I came here once to watch a warriors game and shared a burger, some wings and an Apricot ale with my husband. The Apricot ale was good for someone like me who doesn't really drink beer at all, and I thought the food was good. The burger was juicy, the fries were seasoned nicely and the wings were crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. The service was just ok. It was busy and it was hard for us to get our server's attention for water, ketchup, doggy-bag, bill..etc. I would still be back for games though.
(4)
Christine W.

First visit here yesterday. It was packet pick-up for the Berkeley Half Marathon and decided to grab a bite to eat. It was crowded, so about a 30-45 minute wait. In summary, great beer and great service, but the food was so so. Not really impressed. - Pizza twists appetizer with kale and cheese filling: They tasted alright. Very heavy. Came with 2 sauces- ranch and marinara. - Veggie tortilla soup: Poorly executed soup. Had black beans, corn, tomato, onions and avocado with tortilla strips. Not much flavor. Corn tasted frozen. Not temperature hot. Spicy, watered down soup. - Mac and Cheese side dish: I've had way better mac and cheese - Apricot Ale: Tasty and light in flavor. Our server was nice, knowledgable and attentive. Checked in with several times to see how things were. Bathrooms were gross. Probably won't return here.
(3)
Chris N.

One of the best happy hours/places to go to check out a game. There's atleast 3 or 4 tvs in the main room and behind the bar are another 3 or so. Happy hour ends at 630 and then starts up at 9pm. Great deals! The mexican corn was pretty authentic-mayo lime chili powder cheese. The meatballs were a decent size, good marinara. Brussels sprouts with cheese was okaay. Stuffed mushrooms were kinda small but were tasty. Wasn't a fan of the blue cheese chips- too oily. Huge beer selection & pitcher also available for happy hour.
(4)
Tj K.

Food was atrocious. The beer, mediocre. Calamari: God awful. Pizza twists: a stick of burnt dough with a side of marinara. Heard about pyramid being in berkeley for ages, never made the initiative to check it out.... And I should have kept it that way. Will never go again
(2)
Jerry P.

Three stars for beer selection food rates 1 1/2 stars for poorly executed pub fare much of which is from freezer to fryer to plate. Since I'm not a beer drinker this place is not high on my list at all. I leave it to the beer experts...
(3)
Jesi V.

Twice the nachos were chewy or hard to bite into and the calamari had little to no flavor and were chewy also. Never again. Had to go elsewhere to eat.
(1)
Anonymous R.

Imagine a combination of an American diner, brewery, and a sports bar - below average food, TVs, and beer. This is what you find at Pyramid. I don't drink, but I've heard that the beer is pretty decent. Sure, this is a good place for groups. I'll give them that. But overpriced, bad food isn't worth coming for, even with a group. Find somewhere else that's broadcasting the game. Verdict: nice concept, but really, step up your game!
(3)
Lindche T.

This place is great for a get together with friends or one on one with a friend. Try the samplers & see which one you like. Usually the entree will tell you what brew best compliments it. My favorite is the blackened salmon. mmm .
(4)
Valerie A.

In house brewed beer + TVs = great place to watch the games! I've been here a couple of times just to catch up and hangout with my buddies. However, that's what it's good for. I suggest ordering your first two rounds of beers the first time the wait staff comes around. It's a very busy operation, so trying to flag someone down to get another round or check on your food may take some time. The food is pretty standard. Great little munchies for their happy hour selection. I do admit that I'd love to go here after a long day at work. It's a very comfortable place to just kick back. The beers are great. Apricot Ale tastes some much better when you buy it directly from where it's brewed. If you can't decide, they also offer a flight of 5 beers. However, like I said earlier, the service is rather slow. In addition, the food doesn't come out at the same time. You're most likely to finish your first appetizer before that extra side of sweet potato fries you ordered comes out. And you had to ask your waiter who nonchalantly admits, they're probably just waiting for me to pick them up. Perhaps this was just a bad day. It did get worse when the waiter spilled some of my beer on my jacket (luckily it is rain proof). I just shook my head as my friends made their "oh hell no!" faces. Don't worry Pyramid. I'll still come back to dine with you. Just please make sure your staff is up to par despite the fact that it's a busy time. Until next time, bottoms up!
(3)
Rikki S.

I've been to pyramid before however this time the service and food was not up to mark. I had to ask three times for water.. The server forgot to put in the order for wings we had asked for.. I had tried thier salmon BLT sandwich before too and ordered it this time but this time it was so gross. It had no flavor, bacon looked as of it wasn't cooked enough.. And it was supposed to come with seasoned fries but can't with plain. The buffalo chicken wings came very dry with the sauces on side.. I'm giving three stars for the beers.. I had apricot ale and my friend had IPA flight which was amazing.. And he tried Thai chicken wings which he was praising.. Will def go back for the beers and wings bit not ordering the salmon BLT and would prefer seating by the bar rather than the tables..
(3)
Aleina H.

Great place to watch the game, hangout with friends, beer taste, hangout on the patio, etc. Huge portions, burgers are my favorite (they use ACME bread!) Staff is always friendly. Clean.
(5)
Ed L.

Nachos were really well-portioned and could be shared with 3-4 people. Paired the nachos with fried vegetables and guacamole which were a great filling side dish! However, beer quality was lacking.
(3)
Merve K.

The service is good , food is not. I had the worst flat bread i have ever had. I don't recommend to go there to eat.. Oh , I guess they have brewery tours on some days of the week. That might be cool to check out.
(3)
Aleyda C.

So we decided to try this place again but for dinner as well. Last time we just sat at the bar and tried a few beers. I tried the Classic Pyramid Burger and I thought it was delicious! I tried the Espresso Stout beer and it has become my favorite! I'm not much of a dark beer person but it wasn't heavy. So the only reason I didnt give it five stars is because my bf ordered a philly cheesesteak type sandwich and he said the meat was really dry. He didnt finish his food. The service was great and the food was quick to come out. We will try again. I have become a fan of the beer!
(4)
G-man B.

Had lunch her with friends and the wife. Friends ordered the beer sampler and I ordered the "Curve Ball." We ordered food and it was great as usual. Their salads are humungus and the burgers are great! I noticed when I checked in that I also had a 30% off Yelp coupon so that was an awesome help from Yelp, thanks Yelp! Beer here is great! highly recommended for any occasion.
(4)
Helen L.

I like it cause people are nice and knowledgeable about beer. They encourage their employees to get their cicerone certification. Big venue for parties. BEST PART - free tour and 4 tasting after - happy hour 3:30 - 6:30pm $3.50 pints $3-6 food - daily specials like 'kill the keg Monday'
(4)
Robynn H.

Today 7/10/14 Had lunch while at work Brianna is super. She served my co-worker and I. Yeah Briana!!!! The new menu is wonderful it's way more better than the old one and more choices. Its really really GREAT. My coworkers and I come here all the time. The blackened seafood pair and the salmon patty are so delicious. The brussel sprouts are cooked perfectly. The burger was juicy, yet light and well seasoned. We r fans!!!!! YEAH!!!!
(5)
Julie Z.

Thank God the beer is good. Looking for something delicious to go with your beer? You are so very out of luck. I have never, in my life, sent back food. Yeah. It was that bad. Our order came out in about 5 mins=RED FLAG. The food was absolutely tasteless. Sent most of it back. The manager came over and didn't seem to understand why we didn't like our food, although the poor girl has never even tried what we ordered. Hmmmm... NEVER AGAIN!!
(1)
Danny H.

Man this place just gets worse and worse, food quality is poor, waiter was pretty overwhelmed ,we where seated behind bar and ouch!!! Crammed up against like 3 other tables super loud. It's to bad I used to come here all the time , down grades are keeping me away ....where are the sluts?
(2)
Erica P.

I really want to love this place. I have been here a million times. The food is decent and I love the beer but the staff, especially the hostesses are miserable and make me want to leave every time I come back. Sadly, Berkeley doesn't have many places for large groups, so I know I'll return. I just wish that the same people who ran the Walnut Creek Tap house also ran this one.
(2)
Todd C.

Been here several times over the last couple years. Food is always good and their beer is decent although I always gravitate towards the guest taps . . . That being said, I've had mostly poor experiences from the wait staff. Last time I went I tried to use the Yelp check in coupon which would have been a couple bucks off our appetizers; no big deal I suppose - but I ordered the $14 nachos, then we decided right then to change to regular nachos, no meat, so $2 cheaper, minus what should have been the yelp coupon, which would have dropped two other appetizers as well. At the end of the meal, was still charged full $14 for the nachos, no yelp discount. $84 for four people isn't too bad but I could have saved quite a bit had the waitress been paying even a little bit of attention. When I'm looking at getting a discount for whatever reason I always put a bit extra in the tip. When I'm expecting a discount, as above, and don't get it, guess who's paying the difference? Not me, in case someone may be wondering why she got a $2 tip that night.
(3)
C T.

This place used to be a favorite but no longer. The beer is good: 4 stars or better but the food is mediocre and poorly prepared. They used to have decent, if not ambitious, pub food. Now they have a smaller menu w/ fancier items or preparations that they just can't pull off. Maybe the cooks are still getting used to it but the wings were kind of heavy and flavorless, the beer belly bowl was a glob of decent tasting meat on a glob of over cooked but still tasty coconut rice. The pizzas lacked any pizzaz. Not bad food but just not good. Thank god there there was good beer to wash it down.
(2)
Casey U.

Mediocre burgers, mediocre beer, high prices and average service define this soulless, corporate brewpub in West Berkeley. Although the Kobe Beef (which is never a good choice for a burger patty, although I digress) of the "Pyramid Burger" (12$) was cooked to my specifications (on the juicier side of medium-rare), every other element was unmemorable, with flavor profiles that were disjunct, and textures that never quite came together to form a unified whole. The onion rings that came as a topper weren't properly fried, the "Habenero BBQ Sauce" never approached a mild level of spice, and the delecate flavor of the Smoked Mozarella cheese that came as an accompaniment was lost underneath the overpoweringly salty flavor of the three strips of bacon atop my burger. The double fried French Fries were acceptable, although not special by any means. I've eaten much better (and more innovative) burgers for half the cost. The beers I tried were largely unmemorable as well, with an Imperial Pilsner having entirely too much biterness and too little carbonation to balance out the hefty ABV, and while the pitcher of "McTarnahan's Red" (try saying that when you're drunk, it isn't easy) we ordered was unoffensive, it was grotesquely overpriced at 18$. For a place that exists as a wide-scale distribution brewery, I would expect much better then the uninspired drafts I sampled. Perhaps the only factor in Pyramid's favor is that its size allows for large parties to be easily accommodated. My group of six was promptly seated and promptly served, despite our indecision in ordering our beer and food. 1.5 Stars rounded down to 1. Why deal with a boring burger and mediocre beer when there are so many better places in the East Bay for both?
(1)
Tarang M.

I have been coming here for a long time for happy hour and usually sit at the bar where you get great service. However today's experience was different. I walked in at 6:10pm (happy hour is until 6:30) no seats available at the bar so I took a high table behind the bar and sat there until 6:35pm with no service! No one came to ask me if I had been helped or not and waiters were walking back and fourth right passed me and didnt even get served a glass of water! This has happened once before, but didnt mind it given that they were pretty busy. This is the second time and that is unacceptable service! If you are going to Pyramid and want to have some service sit at the bar!!!
(2)
Mo L.

They changed the food menu( a real mess) to the detriment of long time customers. I just wanted my regular Caesar Salad with it's usual dressing and Salmon with it. Total = 9.00. Now some menu genius bastardized the menu so I have to figure out how to order it! Lets see, croutons are extra$, cheese is extra$, salmon is the same, but whats the dressing$? So I try to tell the bartender what I want thinking he understands. So anyway, I get this big chopped up mishmash salad pretending to be a Caesar.Tastes like rabbit food. I inform the bartender(a real spineless character) it sucks and he does nothing! Guess I'll just drink the beer and forget about the food. Many long time customers are fleeing this place now. Serving Seagrams Malt Liquor now, REALLY!? Stopped brewing beer on premises? Really!? Owned by some BIG BEER conglomerate now.
(1)
Erin T.

I love this place. The food is always great ( I order takeout regularly). The front desk staff are very nice and accommodating. 5 stars all around!
(5)
Willie C.

Went here today 11/25/13. Food was so so and the service was horrible. We waited for water and Root Beer for 30 mins. Food took 45 mins. only to be told by our waitress that they had a party of 30 from Cal Berkeley. So What!!!! Are you telling me that we have to be punished because you have a large party? Oh, by the way, the waitress never came back to check on us for anything. We even had to get her attention to ask her for the check. Now the first thing I thought was the fact that we were people of color and were being ignored since we were the only people of color in this place at the time but didn't want to play the race card. Never ever will go again and will mention my experience on my radio show! See Ya!
(1)
Miss L.

SAD. I was a frequent customer when I started drinking beer but once my tastebuds developed their own tastebuds, Pyramid beers were just okay.. nothing too exciting but not bad. I kept coming here cuz of their delicious pizza twists and a lot of my friends enjoy their beers. Went this past Sunday and THEY CHANGED THE MENU. Pizza twists are no longer an appetizer but just a side and they give you "3" twists for $5 which really equaled to 1.5 regular sized pizza twist (appetizer size was 6 big ones for $8). This horrific disappointment plus the lack of beer selection means that I will have to pass on Pyramid from here on out. The rest of the menu changed as well, less food, more expensive (4 wings for $7!), less selection. Even our server apologized (when we didn't complain) about the tiny sizes and menu changes blaming the corporate head hancho.
(2)
Amy Z.

Visited here for the first time last night, and I really enjoyed the experience. Lagunitas is the only brewery I've been to and could hold up as a comparison. While I prefer the ambiance of being outside in Sonoma over the ambiance of Pyramid, it's a really nice place in Berkeley. Thought it might be more crowded for a Friday night, but we easily got a parking space and a table upstairs. There was a mixture of families and couples of various ages, and I thought it was nice that it was suitable for young children to be there. Food was good, just ordered burgers and Apricot Ales (really good!) Service was ok, not remarkable. Had to ask for water, and refills weren't offered. Would definitely return.
(4)
Casey W.

We really love this place. They have the best wings ever & the beer selection is fresh & great. Good prices & good atmosphere. & you really can't go wrong with much of the menu.
(5)
Jerome D.

Ive been coming to all the Pyramids since 2007 been to all of them except in Sac the best part is the growlers if you know a thing about breweries. The have game night have to check for your local times and dates always fun with friends.
(5)
David S.

We usually went to Pyramid every other week for lunch, but what a disappointment today to find the menu completely changed - unfortunately very much for the worse. Virtually all the items on the menu we used to order are gone. What's left is uninteresting and not very appetizing. We'll not be back.
(1)
Donna F.

I have been to this establishment quite a few times, but didn't remember to check into Yelp until the most recent visit. To my surprise, an offer popped up giving us 30% off our appetizer for checking in! We ordered the Cheese Pizza Twists, the Pyramid Burger and the Margarita Pizza. All three items were delicious and reasonably priced. For dessert, we decided to order the Berry Parfait, which was a perfect size. Light and not too tart. We came on a Sunday early afternoon (~12noon), so there was not a lot of people and our server was very attentive and friendly. We'll be back!
(4)
Pablo R.

Pyramid Brewery is a great spot on Gilman. It's good for large parties, happy hour, lunch or dinner. I've visited for all of these and had a great time every time. I'm not a dark beer drinker so I usually order their seasonal light beers. The food it your typical pub type fare. Lot's of crispy and savory selections that go well with beer. The salads and sandwiches are really good too. The dining room is family friendly, large and open, surrounded by beer vats. There are a couple of private party areas and a large patio for outdoor enjoyment. The main bar area has a couple of TVs and can get full on game days. My favorite time to go is Happy Hour when you can get a pitcher of beer for around ten bucks. If you're into breweries, give Pyramid a try. There can be a wait on sunny weekends. Parking is easy in their lot.
(4)
Katrina H.

Not bad. A good spot if you're looking for a typical alehouse with roomy space (they have a PARKING LOT!), something for everyone on the menu, and local-brewed craft beer. It's a pretty cool space, surrounded by beer vats where the local brews are made. My favorite is the Apricot Ale (very girly and fruity, but delicious). They also offer beer flights if you want to sample the different types. Pretty typical alehouse menu, but there's something for everyone - burgers, salads, wings, sandwiches, etc. A good place for families and big groups.
(3)
Linda B.

Great customer service first time here not a beer fan but everyone else is. They loved all brews and food was great
(5)
Joe M.

Wow. It was packed today with lots watching the US beat Ghana today, which was nice to watch but that's no excuse for what I got. I ordered the $7.00 appetizer nachos and what I got was a joke. A kids plate with a few chips and cheese and some beans with stuff on the side. When the server put it down I asked if she was serious that this was all I got for $7.00. The server actually said she was shocked it was so small of a portion and said she told the chef, but no a thing was done about this pathetic serving. Probably won't ever come back again after this poor lack of customer service and satisfaction.
(2)
Noel M.

As part of the San Francisco Beer Week, Pyramid released new beers. Weiss Cream, Irish Red Ale, Honey Bock, Wheat Lager and Wheat Passion joined the ranks. Free samples let us determine our favorites before ordering a $3 pint / $10 pitchers. My pick for the afternoon was the Wheat Passion and I'm always a fan of the Oatmeal Stout. We couldn't sit there without an appetizer and the Lobster and Bacon Rolls made the cut this time. Unfortunately, the macaroni dominated the roll.
(4)
Ryan R.

Started with a spinach and artichoke dip, which was excellent. Chunks of artichoke and great flavor. Apricot ale,you can't go wrong. Delicious on tap. Bummed they were out of the crystal wheat ale, but enjoyed the rest if the flight. Service was good, game day ambiance was fun and the crowd was into the game. Good place to watch the games. They asked what games we wanted to watch when we came in. Good food, good service and some really good beers.
(4)
Sam Y.

Since yelp decided to delete my review saying how I was attacking someone personally, I decided to write a new review. The manager the day that I was there named Crystal is probably the worst manager I have ever dealt with. In order to be a great manager or even a great worker at a bar or restaurant or even a clothing store is to be personable. Know how to deal with your customers whether they are right or wrong. I came in here with a party of 12 people or so and we came in to grab food and watch some games. We sat at a table where there was a tv right in front of us so we were stoked that we could watch the game. There were two long tables next to us with no one sitting there. The place seemed not busy at all so we had all that space to ourselves. To make a long story short we asked our server if she could change the channel to the game because no one cared to watch the redsox game. Crystal came up to our table with just a rude attitude. Not even a im sorry we cant change the channel. She said that people were watching the game. People at the tables next to us said no please change it to the heat and spurs game! She looked dumbfounded and said no. I asked if we could be moved to the table next to us since they also had a tv there and the game was on. She said no. Those are reserved. To make a long story short the way that she approached the situation and the way that she explained herself was rude. Im not mad that we couldnt watch the game. If I really wanted to watch the game I would have gone to a sports bar. Its just the fact that if I paying customer is asking to have something so simple as the channel being changed tell me in a nice way. Dont be RUDE! She had the nerve to tell me to keep it down and lower my voice. I told her very politely if I was going to get mad or raise my voice you would know it. I dont pay more money or drive really far to drink Pyramid beer. People come for the experience and the service. I can watch the game at home and drink a Pyramid beer from safeway that I bought. If you want to have repeat customers who are loyal that keep coming, you need to learn how to treat your customers first. I will never come back to this place.
(1)
Marc F.

I've been going to Pyramid once every few months for at least a decade and it's usually fine but this last time was horrible. I walked in for lunch on Tuesday and saw that the outdoor patio was almost empty - great weather, why not sit outside? I'm into the World Cup but not right now interested in going to the bar and watching the current game. So three tables out of twenty on the patio have guests. I say to the hostess, 'one for the patio'. The reply was, 'That will be a ten minute wait.' I look around to confirm that the patio is mostly empty, gesture with my sweeping hand and say "you're kidding, it's empty". Reply, "Sorry, it will be at least a 10 minute wait" I turned and walked out of the building because that response was ridiculous and insulting. You have mostly empty tables in the patio and you want to ask me to wait? Upon reflection, maybe she did me a favor. I imagine that if I actually had sat down, I would have had to wait forever for service and food because I didn't see any servers anywhere. Maybe they are gating the seating flow because they can't attract enough servers to work there? Either way, Pyramid is broken and disfunctional as a restaurant.
(1)
Tiffany N.

Awesome place! If you check in you may get a nice little deal off the appetizers ;) Great spot to eat, drink, hang with friends and watch the game. Big space with a big parking lot. You can't go wrong with a pitcher apricot ale from it's source! C'mon, am I right? I also recommend their cherry stout for something a little heavier in body, darker, and delicious with some 7% APV. Woohoo! Who doesn't like'm strong. Lots of food options ranging from $9-14, which is really decent! Their pizzas are a good recommend! Happy drinking & be responsible!
(4)
Dena D.

They wouldn't change the tv to the nba finals. Mediocre food. Too many children running around. Honestly I wanted to leave but Didn't have my own car. cuz the server or manager wouldn't change the only tv w BOSTON baseball.
(1)
Shanny L.

I was really disappointed on the menu change...the food choices weren't very appealing and the menu has been cut in half....i used to love going here for a nice beer and great food with the family...Unfortunately it won't be a first choice anymore when deciding to go out
(1)
Taylor B.

Beer. Good beer. Had my brother's wedding here and it was amazing! They gave us a whole buffet, and what seemed to be unlimited amounts of beer. The service is awesome &the space is great for large parties (upstairs). Can't wait to go back in a few months for my anniversary dinner!
(5)
May D.

Great place for happy hour and big groups! There's nothing like cheap beer, decently priced appetizers and grub, and enough tvs to watch the game! The place itself is open and airy with an industrial feel. There's plenty of parking in the lot as well. Oh! If you're looking for a sweeter beer, I highly recommend the Magic Hat #9 or the Apricot Ale -- or both! A pitcher is about $10 during happy hour!
(4)
Daniel R.

This place has great food and great beer! Which i both love lol i got the beer sampler and all 5 beers were great. Me and my gf shared the calamari (which we get everytime we go out to eat) and it was great. Not the best we've had but definitly great. I got the philly cheese steak and was extremely statisfied! Gf got the burger and she loved it. Our server was really good. Not super excited about her job but still delivered great service. Also checked out the gift shop and the beer mugs were surprisingly cheap. A beer stein for 10$! Pretty good deal. Check this place out!
(4)
Scott R.

I've been here 6 or 7 times. They have a new menu which is an improvement. Plates still focus on size over quality. I came here tonight and had absolutely terrible service. I never got a chance to order a second beer. We were in a big group and the place was seriously understaffed. I will never recommend this place for a group again.
(3)
Gail H.

I like this place, but the service could be better. We sat at the 2nd bar (behind the main bar) and at least 6 servers walked right by us without even looking. When are server did stop to take our order, she wasn't very pleasant.
(2)
Kris J.

Food was ok, nothing to brag about, the wings sucks, expensive, small portion, and tough. probably wont return.
(2)
Rebekah T.

Wow, it's been so long since I visited Pyramid, I forgot I had written a review back in 2008. Well three years later - they are still one of my favorite breweries in the area. I'm lucky to be able to find my favorites in most liquor and grocery stores, but stopping in here for Happy Hour was a great choice. *wink* Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday, pitchers are $10.50 and pints are $3.50. Appetizers range from $3 to $6. If you check in on the yelp app, you get an automatic 30% off appetizers. We ordered a pitcher of the Nitrogenated Pyramid Draught Pale Ale, which was crisp and mildly sweet yet the amber hoppy taste. I usually go for the Hefeweizen or the Apricot Ale, but the HH King always recommends a good beer and I listen. Since it was a pre-dinner Happy Hour, we only ordered one appetizer to share. He said chicken wings and I picked the Thai Chili Chicken Wings. I'm hardly a fan of "wangs", but these were really great. It was another Happy Happy Hour in the East Bay. Great beer and great company is a winning combination.
(4)
Benjamin B.

So its spring oakland Dream league time, and we got our @$$ses handed to us today. What better way to feel better about ourselves than drink some good ale. I have been here before, usually in huge parties which make it not so fun waiting around for food and beer. Today we came with a party of 7. Our waiter was awesome, attentive, quick, and even had other staff members helping here and there. The parking lot was full but the restaurant had no wait. We ordered beer and lots of it. From hef, to cider, to stout, to my favorite IPA. The thunderstrike IPA was great. I havent had draft beer in months and it was very pleasant. Basketball players have to eat right!. So we ordered and shared turkey burgers, cod & chips. The burger looked horrible, but actually tasted great. One of the best turkey burgers i have tasted. The fish was not bad, generous portion with a nice sauce, and lemon and tasty fries. Im raiting this place a 4 based on what it is. A brewery, and i have been to way too many of em which offer good beer and crappy food. The food isnt amazing but it hits the spot. The beer is fantastic, and the staff was superb. When your tired, on a slump and just want some good beer with great staff and good beer food, you cant go wrong here.
(4)
Don s.

Very nice place, the food is always good. Sometimes the service is slow. But we keep coming back. One of our go to places after a UC Berkeley football game.
(4)
mary r.

Just wrote a review for the airport location meant for Berkeley. To sum it up: need to step it up! While beer is fine, food is boring, tasteless and overpriced. Won't be back with all of the other options around east bay now.
(2)
Kristy K.

3.5 Stars Don't forget to check-in and get 30% off appetizers! I was pretty impressed with this place since I didn't expect a bar like this to exist in this area. There is a bar in the middle, large screen TVs playing sports games around and large vats in the back part. The space is very large and bright. Sampler $15- Pretty good portion for its size. The chicken was very crispy but a bit on the salty side. The calamari wasn't too thin, juicy and crispy. The onion rings were breaded perfectly and really crunchy. The avocado egg rolls got kind of soggy but the filling was interesting with the creamy avocado with the sweet and tangy mango salsa. The sauces were really good but the wing sauce, which just kind of tasted like tabasco. Apricot Ale $6 You could smell the apricot before you drank the beer. It's on the lighter side but went really well with the food. Service could be a bit better. It wasn't too busy, but it was still hard to find our waitress to get the bill, etc.
(3)
Angie M.

I'd have to disagree with some of the reviews about the food. I came here a week after our class field trip because I missed the field trip. I went with R and after the tour, we sampled some beers then ordered our pints and had dinner too. We ordered one Hefeweizen and one Apricot Ale as well as 2 veggie burgers with side salads. Their burgers are house made and the salads were legit salad! Not just lettuce! My vinaigrette was amazing, too! Great service, fast and delicious food, and beer! What more could a girl as for??
(4)
Jennifer L.

My first visit to this brewery was for an art class of all things, but that didn't stop me from having a couple of beers to go with my acrylics. The Oatmeal stout - tasty, but with a punch from its high alcohol content. The Weiss cream - so silky! Seriously. Silky. A great "chick" beer, but I bet it pairs well with spicy food too. You haven't really lived until you've sat in a room full of strangers, painting masterpiece ripoffs of Monet, and hearing several voices singing Adele under their breath. Magical. You should go for the beer if you can't do that though. Or the burgers - they looked really good.
(4)
Stacey R.

Truly disappointed. They opened at 11:30 today. It is 11:46, we have waited 16 min. No seating, and there are a ton of empty tables. We are leaving.
(1)
Nicha K.

SPICY CHICKEN WINGS. Mmmmmmm. Crisp, hot, barely breaded - spicy and very flavorful. Our party of six ordered 4 plates of these wings plus the Fried Calamari Rings & Tentacles (which if you're getting calamari, you've gotta get the tentacles. Double yummm). It was Lent so most of our party was fish-bound and hefe-downed. The blackened salmon had a wonderful lemon aoili and fingerling potatoes. I really enjoyed my Spicy Pacific Sole with amber aoili, garlic red-skin mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. The Cod and Chips were just eh. I've had better. These calories would be better diverted to trying more of their extensive beer selection. Desserts: It was a birthday so my sister got a free birthday sundae to enjoy along with the Apple Crisp and Apricot-Berry Cheesecake (both came a la mode with vanilla bean ice cream). Our server was great. Very friendly and attentive. There's also a great 30% appetizers with Yelp check-in. Score!
(4)
Tricia L.

We will not be back. My family and I didn't know where to go since we're Berkeley newbies. I was there the night before for packet pick-up for a race and it being close to the finish line, I suggested it. Our wait for a table was long which was expected since we were a big party. If only they were not understaffed for a Sunday, we might have been able to sit a lot sooner. Host seemed overwhelmed so thanked goodness for the manager on duty. We finally sat down after about an hour wait. We were seated close to the restrooms and it was smelly whenever those doors opened. Our server said she couldn't tell the difference, she got used to it. Eeeks. She took our drink order which was water all around and a soda. She took our order, pretty standard no substitutions. We can see the kitchen from where we were sitting and can see those tickets come out. That kitchen was understaffed too. At the most we counted 5 people putting together food. Several minutes later, maybe 20, our server came out and told us they were out of stir fry (there were two orders in our party). Two new orders, we were thinking okay a few more minutes for our food. Nooooo...out came the rest of our party's food. WHAT?! Couldn't they have told us they were out of something a little sooner. Of course the rest of us didn't wanna eat if 2 people are not eating. Awkward. Food wise, I can only comment on what I ate: Chicken wings, unbreaded - I like the crispiness of the skin and the edges but the meat was dry. Pizza (sausage, mushroom, pepperroni) - thin burnt crust. My family might not let me live this suggestion down.
(2)
Rikos P.

DO NOT WATCH THE WORLD CUP HERE! They only have 2 tiny TV's showing the matches and refuse to change the channel on the other ones. We asked very politely but they were being very rude about it. They were showing baseball, and I'm 100% honest when I tell you NONE of the people there were watching baseball. This was at 3pm (England vs Italy) and their excuse was that there will be a baseball match at 7pm. The lady just seemed to hate soccer. Also they food (nachos with pulled pork) was horrible. Dry meat and soggy nachos.
(1)
Ryan J.

I've been going to Pyramid at least a few times over the years and unfortunately I have to say that over those years it has gone down the drain a little. Little changes in management decisions such as a being able to split your bill on a maximum of 2-3 cards (depending on total bill, obviously) and checking in to be assigned table seating (instead of first-come, first-served) have really altered my outlook for the worse. As others have stated, most of the staff could clearly couldn't care less about your specific table or group of friends, and I've experienced this general trend on multiple occasions so all of these complaints weren't a one-time deal. These factors combined with food that really isn't all that great have led me to stop coming here all together - you are much better off at Jupiter or Triple Rock; both have better beer and food for the price.
(2)
Winston O.

Come for the beer, not the food... I keep eating here, but really, it is never very good. I had the fish tacos and side salad last night. The tacos were tiny and had no flavor. The salad was just plain. The special strawberry beer - fabulous! This is a good place to watch the game. I have eaten just about every salad, side dish, Portobello burger and bar bite on the menu. I always wish I went somewhere else. The location is convenient - right off of 580 and easy back on. I wish they would get a new chef. The prices are a bit high for the poor food - the fish tacos and side salad- $13. The beer is good - sometimes warm - that is my only gripe. I like my beer cold. It can be crowded, so make a reservation or come early.
(2)
Alison W.

Came here with 3 others for a quick bite during happy hour. Good list of options. Large dining area, unique building. I LOVED the mushroom caps and their meatballs were decent. The mini-pizza was perfect for the little guy we brought with us but I was super disappointed with the sliders. There was a lot there for the price, but it was severely lacking in flavor! Just pulled pork and an onion ring with a tiny bit of bbq sauce on the bun. If they had a side of bbq sauce or had mixed the pork with the bbq sauce I would have been completely happy. As it was, the slider was just too dry and lacking in the flavor department. I'm not a beer drinker but the two that were seemed to enjoy their beverages.
(4)
Tim O.

Marginal beer paired with marginal food. Drink enough before you come here and you might not notice? On the positive- The space is cool and it is a gr8 setup for watching sports.
(2)
Nakisha R.

Had it not been for Avalon, I would have given a higher rating. The food is generally good. The wings and pizza twists are awesome when they come out hot. My family enjoys coming but they need to make sure the service is more consistent. Avalon was the worst waitress we have encountered at Pyramid. She was not friendly, we saw her eating in the back. She did not smile, and we did not know her name until she brought the check. The gentleman who brought our food out saved her, she was not responsive. Had we not been to Pyramid beforehand, and received excellent service - we would not return.
(3)
Wendy H.

Great meal - delicious pulled pork (could use a bit more sauce, though), super crisp fries, and a huge fresh dinner salad. Good service, too - and excellent, responsive and helpful management.
(5)
Emm B.

Went here a few times because I was dragged by my friend. Nice ambiance, dining area is huge and spacious. Like the fact that they are open late and have happy hour on certain appetizers. Many selections of beer, Hefeweizen is my fave. The food is not too bad, but not all that special. The chicken wings appetizer with buffalo sauce on the side is pretty good, large enough portion to be an entree on its own. The trio fries are delicious. Good place to go for groups also and to watch the game and have a beer. Will be back
(4)
Dexter M.

I was in here not too long ago because a friend gave a good review of the place..... and honestly I was disappointed. My server was extremely slow and completely inattentive. While I can't remember her name I do know that she was stocky built and perhaps one of the rudest servers I've ever encountered. I order just an appetizer plate and for some reason they brought me a side of fries. of course they corrected this but it took 15 mins for them to bring our actual order. The beer was good but once again our server accidentally mixed up our beers. I'm beyond belief how that can happen twice but that wasn't it. I asked for my check and another 30 minutes passed until I got the bill! What's worse is that I could see the server texting on her phone talking to her coworkers while I patiently waited. Never again pyramid! and shame on that server!
(1)
Mina K.

I was so excited to try this place as I love their beer. I got the opportunity to visit recently for a friend's birthday. Upon entering, it's a pretty cool place. Big, wide space with lots of seating for the restaurant. We had to wait a while even at 8:00 pm on a Thursday night. Happy hour was over, but if you check in on Yelp, you can get 30% off entree. We opted for the Appetizer Sampler -- don't get it. Even with the 30% off, at $10, it was overpriced. It only had 3 fried onion rings, 3 fried egg rolls (what are egg rolls doing here, I have no clue), and a handful of mozzarella sticks. I ordered the Chicken Cranberry Walnut Salad, while the rest of the party got burgers. The burgers looked delicious, but the salad (I know, I know, what was I doing ordering a salad at a brewery??) was not worth the $10. It was essentially a few cranberries and walnuts thrown on top of a bed of baby spinach. Not much creativity involved; I personally have made a better salad. What rubbed salt into the wound was the ant I found crawling around in the lettuce in the middle of my meal. My appetite quickly left me as finding a small black insect in your food is not a pleasant experience. The pitchers of beer are about $18 each; not cheap! The service was really good, but extremely slow. Our waitress was very personable and a sweetheart. Despite the good service, I don't think I will be coming back. Finding bugs in your food can do that to a person.
(2)
Sunil R.

This place is HUGE! I felt like I was going into a train station. Pyramid is a good option to take a large party out. They have two levels of seating and tons of tables. Pyramid is more a brewery than a restaurant. There are lots of good options for beer but the food is just OK. So if you are going more for the beer, you will be happy but if you are going just for the food...not so much. Unfortunately on the occasion that I went, I was the latter. Service was just OK, though they were not as busy, our waiter seemed to disappear on us for long periods of time. I am not a fan adding gratuity automatically for large parties, I think it leads to some waiters taking things for granted and service dropping off.
(3)
Alfredo P.

Great place to watch games with friends! They have a huge selection of beers! Friendly service, I wish they had bigger TVs The seasonal Oktoberfest , Apricot and you can't go wrong with the hefeweizen
(4)
Duke D.

Came here last night for a date with the lady and I will say that I have had bad experiences with pyramid brewing in the past but that's because all I have ever had from them is really fruity beers that were not meant for my pallet but I enjoyed the imperial IPA they have on tap which was delicious! It was great to see the selection of different beers they had that I had no idea about! then we moved on to a bottle of wine which was very reasonably priced and also tasty. next we got the spinach and artichoke dip and the chili which was my favorite chili I have had in the east bay( I will defiantly be back just for the chili) then the sausages were a great way to finish it off! The meal was reasonably priced, the food was fantastic, and the service was fast. All and all this place has a great thing going.
(5)
Domingo N.

This is an interesting place to me. I'm a bartender so I always sit at the bar. I love this place yet, 70% of the time I dislike the bartenders. I feel like they could careless about you. But then I love the atmosphere, beers and bar food :/
(4)
Irene L.

My sister and I recently attended an Art Social wine and painting event at the Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse. Because we had tickets to the painting event, we were able to get 10% off food and drink. We had dinner at Pyramid before we headed upstairs to the private room upstairs in which the painting event took place. My sister ordered clam chowder and caesar salad and I ordered the grilled pork loin. The food was okay - have definitely had better elsewhere. The service was good. Definitely a place to go for happy hour - sports on TV, a ton of different beer on tap, and bar type food.
(2)
Karlie T.

Watching the game. Good ambiance. The staff is very attentive sitting at the bar we ordered sweet potato fries and the margarita pizza, both good. Cute staff, what more do you want Berkeley?
(4)
T Y.

food is better now than 6 mos ago, Lord Alesworth is a great beer.
(4)
Victoria H.

The beer selection was somewhat limited but of good quality. I especially enjoyed the alehouse amber ale which tasted a bit smokey and chocolatey.
(4)
Elaine L.

Pricey for the what the food really is. $5 for fries.... eh. And it came with a weird mayo sauce that had a cumin/curry taste to it which I wasn't particularly fond of. The sampler appetizer plate my friend got didnt look too appetizing either. The place is pretty big with an upstairs and downstairs portion which can accommodate large parties (which pertained to my group who was there for a birthday get together before hitting the bars). Overall I'd rather come back for happy hour next time.
(3)
Cat M.

My daughter recently had her wedding at the Alehouse and I have to admit I was not 100% sure about the venue for a wedding, but I want to say that I was wrong and the wedding was fabulous! The ceremony was there and we did bring in Quest Drapes to build a lit fabric backdrop, which added beautifully to the atmosphere. Casey, the wedding coordinator was great, attending to every detail, the staff did a wonderful job, the food was delicious, and over all the wedding was fun, chic, and kind of magical. My daughter and her fiance brought in some great vendors i.e. DJ, photographer, florist, baker, photo booth, etc, which is a standard process when planning a wedding. They made it very personal, and the Alehouse was completely accommodating. The ceremony was lovely, we had the cocktail hour out in the terrace while the staff set up for dinner. The dinner tables were set up behind the bar and up in the mezzanine which worked out well, then the toasts, first dances and the rest of the reception were mainly in the central area which was also a great dance floor. I live in NYC, and have been to many weddings in some very elegant venues. This wedding was as good as any I've been to. Everyone had a fantastic time. And as far as weddings go it was also affordable. Thank you Pyramid Alehouse for helping to make it a joyous evening.
(5)
Steph G.

Ranch-Carbs-Ranch-Carbs...REPEAT! Whatever genius came up with their Pizza Twists deserves a raise. This delicious mix of carbs and Ranch were heavenly. And in my version of heaven, there is an endless supply of ranch and carbs have no calories. I love dipping my pizza in ranch, so having ranch inside of the pizza twist and being able to dip it was like Ranch porn! Okay, enough Ranch obsession talk. This is the second Pyramid Brewery I've been too, but I remembered the food being much better (except for my ranch pizza nuggets). The nachos were aight. The Cesar salad was just okay. Our server was a mixture of a magician and count dracula...weird, to say the least, but had a plethora of beer knowledge. We thought he was going to start performing at our table...his service wasn't stellar. It was late on a Friday night and semi- busy in his section, but I got my own water and we waited 30+ minutes for our food (2 main dishes were appetizers). Good thing those pizza twists hit these lips, because everything else didn't live up to what I remembered it to be...
(3)
Evan G.

Just went here last night for a beer week brewers dinner. So not your typical pyramid experience but...still have to give them kudos for the experience. The total experience was outstanding. Much credit to the staff and chef there for creating a top notch experience that was relatively inexpensive and entirely for charity. Was blown away by the quality of uor 4 course meal - not standard pub fare. Still thinking about that crabcake benedict "app" that could have been the entire meal.
(5)
Ramin K.

I'm not giving Pyramid 5 stars only for one reason: the service here is a hit or miss. I go here often and sometimes the service is not great. The beer is fantastic and the new food menu is much improved over the previous one.
(4)
Ellen O.

Having lived in the Bay area for several years prior to moving to LA, I drove past Pyramid so many times and yet never had an occasion to check it out. Last night I had my daughter and her boyfriend touring around and we ended up hungry on Gilman right there! The place is large and made me think it could have been loud but I remarked during dinner that it was quieter than most places and I guess the sound just travels upward and leaves us in peace. Staff were great. We had spinach artichoke dip with crostino. Very nice. I ate a black and blue burger with blue cheese, onion strings, fries. I had the paired Apricot ale which was very nice. Considering they say the beef is Angus/Kobe the dish was not any more expensive than a regular burger in a nice place ($12)... The kids enjoyed the grilled salmon with incredible spices and great perfect veggies, and a pizza with pepperoni. We enjoyed the sports atmosphere, fun people and totally enjoyed ourselves. I cannot wait to go back and try more food and drink.
(4)
Nick C.

Food is good. The waitstaff always come off like zombies who are incredibly busy though. Plenty of TVs to watch sports. Pretty cool spot. Really nice beer selection.
(3)
Chris H.

Their apricot ale is my favorite beer on the planet. The rest of their beer selection is good as well. The food here is very good as well. Has a nice atmosphere.
(4)
Nico S.

I've been here so many times, I've lost count. This is definitely my go-to place to watch Sunday morning NFL Football. Pros: - Food: Great food, and the menu offers beers to pair with the food - TV's: A lot of TVs to watch the games, along with labels that show what games will be showing and at what times - Beers: Excellent selection of beers - Atmosphere: Enthusiastic atmosphere; I have even joined in on cheering for my favorite team several times - Kitchen View: I like the fact that we can see what the chefs are doing - Decor: Sporty decor and overall aesthetically pleasing Cons: - Booths: The booths have really high backs separating them, which normally is a good thing, but not if you want to sit in a comfortable booth and watch the games, but there's a giant wall blocking your view - Service: Service is a hit or miss, but the servers are generally inattentive. There have been several instances where I had to either get up and tell the server we're ready to order something or ready for the check. Granted, we are usually there for 3-4 hours, but having no one check in on how we're doing for 30-40 minutes at a time or after a game is over is inexcusable, especially if it's not even that busy. The servers are very friendly and helpful when they are around. However, it's mainly due to the service that I can't give this place 5 stars. Pyramid does an excellent job accommodating their guests during Football Season. This is why it is my favorite place to go on Sunday morning. Not only do they open earlier, but they also offer a special breakfast buffet, as well as sheets for customers to bet on the games. To this day, I have never encountered a restaurant that offered this specifically for Football Season. Major points for this. Overall, I recommend this place to people who want a great selection of tasty beers and good food while watching the games.
(4)
Josephine H.

My god, what was that?! When you can't even do appetizers right there's a real issue. We ordered the sampler platter expecting to get a nice bite of everything they had to offer in their appetizer section. Included in this sampler platter are 4 fried chicken wings, calamari strips, onion rings, and fried bacon potato balls. Only one word could describe the entire platter: terrible. Everything is just drenched in oil and grease. The chicken wings were nice and hot and came with some tasty sauces. The worst were the calamari strips: chewy chewy chewy. It was the most difficult thing to get through despite all the sauces available. As a bacon lover, I have stress how disappointed I am in their bacon potato balls. There was not enough bacon in there to even call it a bacon potato ball. Just call it a fried mashed potato ball! The beer? Not bad, but not worth the growler. We ordered the sampler and I must say the apricot beer was nice. Great aroma, great flavor, and very light. However, the problem here was when we bought a growler to fill it up with the apricot beer. What they filled up for us was not fresh, not tasty, and had absolutely no flavor. Dull. Service? Not attentive. I had to ask for a fork and napkins to eat my platter. It should be already known that I would need napkins in the first place because I didn't plan on licking grease off my finger. There are other alehouses in the Berkeley area I'd rather go to that offer better food, beer, and service.
(2)
Neeenya J.

I'd come here probably mostly just for the beer. We came here on a Saturday late afternoon and it wasn't even packed. They took 20 minutes to sit us on a table that was empty the entire time. The waitress didn't check up on us much and our beer was warm by the time it got to us. But three stars because it's a nice place to drink and watch baseball!
(3)
John D.

Excellent service and very tasty food. Great idea to offer flights of beer. Apricot beer was the star of the show.
(5)
C P.

I have pretty high expectations for a brew-pub, mostly that the number one food I'm going to enjoy with my beer (a burger) needs to be done right. Sunday was my first time visiting Pyramid and I have to say I was extremely disappointed. $6 for a so-so pint of beer and $14 for what was one of the least satisfying California burgers I've ever had. The only thing I could taste in the burger was pepper - in such an excess that my mouth was burning from it and easily tasted like pepper a half hour after my meal. Gross. Personally, I think it's a shame to take your supposedly "kobe" style beef and ruin it by over seasoning it. I couldn't even finish my burger because eating it felt like torture. My burger was slightly over-cooked (ordered medium-rare), but not terribly so. The kicker: When I mentioned to the waiter that the burger was WAY over-seasoned, he offered no solution. He just kind of stared blankly and then supposedly went to inform the kitchen of the situation. Thanks, dude. I'm now out $20+tip on a very dissatisfying dining experience - food and service included. Very unlikely to eat here again. This was Sunday at the beginning of lunch time and it was slow.
(2)
Jimmy S.

First off I'm a big fan of Pyramid's ales. On occasion I underestimate the abv, which isn't a big problem. Visited the brewery for the first time. WORST service at a brewery I've ever had. Server, David H, literally took a sandwich from my hand because he realized he forgot cheese... What server takes food from a customer because they messed up the order??!? Beer was great, Oktoberfest. I will, however, never eat here again. Service was slow in general and all staff I encountered were indifferent and seemed bored. Disappointing to say the least. I plan on filling a growler there and if its the same quality of service I plan on speaking to a manager.
(2)
R. F.

2 stars because the beer is good and they had soccer on the TV. We came here because we must have amnesia: we thought the food was consistent, but not great. We were wrong, or the food has taken a steep dive into inedible. The Mrs. ordered the veggie burger, which came extremely spicy. I ordered the fish & chips, which had a funny breading taste, the fish pieces came soggy, and tasting oil-laden and stomach churning. The point of the deep fat frying is to have a crispy outside and cooked, flavorful inside. I don't know what happened, but it was awful. To management's credit, they took the item off our bill, but how did that plate make it to the table in the first place? The fries were okay. In short, come for the beer and soccer.
(2)
Lisha A.

Go early for better service. I don't know if it is because they know they are off soon or what but the service at this location goes downhill after 8pm. Food is still delish, it just might take a while for your server to realize its ready and waiting. The food runners are polite and entertaining! Otherwise I absolutely love this place, the patio is a great place to sit on sunny days... They might want to invest in new tables out there though they tend to wobble and be unsteady. Chicken wings and pizza twists are a must and literally everything on the menu is good!
(3)
Jana C.

The apricot ale still has it--for $5/pint. That is one refreshing glass of brew love; has got wonderful crisp and balance, and the fruitiness adds, not detracts. 3 of us here for lunch the other week: I really just wanted that ale, so chose a very weak sauce bowl of tortilla soup. Don't get me started on the cheese I could not pull off my spoon down in that bowl...and the chips, the chips were not even crispy by the time it reached our table. Disappointing. Other diners pulled up the rear with a shepherd's pie (doctored) and a reuben sandwich. Don't go diggin for some mashed potatoes now, y'hear? It's a microscopic find atop what is basically a shallow bowl of lame lamb.... and about that unrisen puff pastry sheet lying there on top... how very unattractive non-puffiness. Reuben looked promising and perhaps the best bet, though I did not sample. Surprisingly, for a late lunch on a weekday, there were at least 6 other parties present, all enjoying the beer and more. I'm a bit saddened to witness the decline of a place that, in the late 90's, was ridiculously popular and imperious of an East Bay destination spot. Worlds away from the emptied stillness with the farrago of tired entrees served today. Mourning its heydey. PS Perhaps what keeps it alive is the beer itself, and its happy hour, which appears decent.
(2)
Dave T.

Go for happy hour! Food is decent and mostly at a good price. Service is good as well although I usually sit at the bar or the copper topped "bar service" tables.
(3)
Zoha R.

Gross! My friend took me there for my birthday. She got a salad, I got the roast beef and my friends daughter got the burger. The food was very bad and we couldn't finish it. We asked our waiter for a refund, but he only gave us some stupid coupons. The beer was good, from now on if I go, I'll only have a beer or two!
(1)
Dave W.

Regardless of what this place calls itself, do not come here to watch sports. During the first weekend of March Madness we have been subjected to a Reds/Cubs spring training game and a first round women's blowout game, all because there is this 'set' tv schedule firm which the cannot deviate. When we asked to change the channel to actual college basketball we were scolded and threatened that if we asked the staff again they would kick us out. This place has great potential but the management and absolute cluelessness will have me going elsewhere. So choose yet so terribly far.
(1)
Gail P.

Apricot ale is good. Service was very friendly.
(4)
Melissa C.

I've been to Pyramid twice now and both times I wasn't too wow'd by the food but the beer selection is definitely the reason worth a stop in. The food selection is your typical bar food...burgers/sandwiches/pizzas/fried apps...nothing about what we ordered really stood out but it wasn't bad either. We were hungry and the food got the job done. We did see that they have a fire oven for pizzas so their pizzas might be pretty good, but I haven't had a chance to try those, yet. We ordered the artichoke dip (good, nicely paired with the toasted sliced bread that comes with it), fish and chips (standard..nothing out of the ordinary), and a pastrami panini sandwich (just ok...the meat felt like it was just layers of cold cuts piled together. it wasn't bad, but i not something i would probably order again). Now, on to the beer. Their Apricot Ale is definitely something worth trying. It's light, refreshing and just has a hint of the apricot fruit flavor. A really nice refreshing beer. Of course their other beers are good, as well...I've always liked their hefs.Their beer type selection is pretty good so there's something for everyone. This place is a great local place to gather with friends, wash down some fried food with a cool beer, and watch sports. They have a few tv's for viewing around the bar area. While we were there they were playing an A's game and it got pretty lively all around when the A's ended up winning the game. There's lot's of room for bigger groups, and it's a comfortable fun atmosphere.
(3)
Jabez L.

I think we can all agree the beer is great. I've enjoyed Pyramid beers for a long time and particularly like the Snowcap and their IPA is an easy drinking beer. This place doe no justice for the quality of beer this brewery produces. If this was a review on the actual beer it would be much higher. As for the Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse...well, the staff is slow, could care less, and seem to offer little in the way of service. The food is subpar at best. The wait is long so do yourself a favor and buy a six-pack of Pyramid beer then pick up some food somewhere else. Here is the long version of our experience. It was a normal, fairly slow, Sunday evening. Sat for about 12 minutes at our table before anyone said hello. Luckily the person sitting next to us worked at the restaurant and when we ask her if we could barrow her menu she tracked down a server. Once we ordered beers they got to us. We asked the server if they could find a basketball game on a Sunday night. The server said they couldn't change the channels. Then another server said they could, but didn't know of the game's channel. We asked the bartender who said he didn't think they had it, until finally we looked up the channel ourselves and did finally figure out they didn't have the game...and that's ok. Ordered food, as you can guess it wasn't any good. Overall - save your money and don't waste a night spending time at this place. Still good beer though.
(2)
Yao S.

The Apricot Ale is always a winner here.
(4)
Katherine L.

I liked this place a lot! Really good beer! I tried the Heifenweiser and apricot ale and were both very refreshing. The baby back ribs were so good! Crispy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside. The service was great too! (: The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is cos I'm not a big old fan of greasy foods and most their food was greasy to the max. Fries were kinda stale/soggy too but hey, I'll take my fries any way you give em to me. Try ittt!!!
(4)
Seth E.

There's something odd about Pyramid Brewery. The beer is decent enough. They focus on lighter beers. There are some dark ales, but no stouts, for example. Still, beer is tasty (especially the apricot ale), so no complaints there. But the restaurant attached to it is barely a step up from a TGIF. The space is open and brightly lit with loud colors. It feels, really, like a tourist destination. That was my first time there, so I guess I was a "tourist" in a way. But, I didn't leave feeling like I would eventually want to come back. It had a decidedly "one-off" kind of feel to it. If that's what you're looking for, then check it out by all means. But if you're looking for a brewery with character that will leave you wanting return, then I don't think is the place.
(3)
Kate H.

I had a problem with a meal here and wrote to them about my experience and disappointment. The manager Leila Hammonds wrote back to me immediately and offered to give me a complimentary meal, and asked me to give them a second chance to make it right. I really appreciated that she seemed truly concerned that the food quality and service mattered to her.
(5)
Aarash Z.

Part of our post Eat Real bar crawl... i'd been there before and it was exactly the same as before... i love their Apricot Heff... there I said it... :) I need to go back more often
(4)
Bob S.

If you are looking for a place to sample a range of local beer, give this place a try. On entering we were immediately shown to a booth near the plate glass windows overlooking the production area, selecting a flight of five from their long list of choices grouped by type. Gotta say their Apricot exceeded my expectations - it was smooth ,sweet and thirst quenching. Would have definitely enjoyed a second one if time allowed. The Hefeweizen and Honey Bock were my second favorites, both drinkable, with nice coloring and flavorful small batch beers. The summer ale Curve ball was... well...low and outside, and Thunderhead was a bit malty for my taste. We stuck to light apps, which were what you would expect from a brew pub, but we did not come for the food. Place seemed clean and open in a post-industrial sort of way. Not much of a crowd on a Monday night, but could imagine that this place gets noisy when its at capacity. Damn, still thinking about the Apricot Ale...
(3)
B C.

I'm just going to give you the pros and cons. We'll start with pros: Huge space. If you're really hungry and don't want to be put on a waiting list, come here and sit right down; even with large parties. You like sports? You get sports. Multiple TVs and the bartenders are usually cool with switching one of the smaller TVs to a sport that you want to watch. There is a small outdoor eating area. Their beer is not bad. Not very adventurous, but it's good and you can buy growlers of it to take home and bring back for not free refills. The food ain't cheap here, but the portions are fairly big. A good amount of parking spaces. Cons: The food is not fabulous; it is adequate, which is fine if you are starving. The basic burger is great, my friend ordered a cheddar jalapeno burger and the 'cheddar' was cheese whiz nacho sauce - not cheese at all, so beware. Plus my friend was so hungry, he ate it anyway because the server waited way too long to come back and ask us how our food was - he was more than halfway done at that point. You have a problem with your order, I strongly suggest flagging down or walking to find your server to correct any issues ASAP. If you order anything with bacon, make sure to specify that you want it well done or crispy, or you will get soggy, fatty grossness - which is especially gross on a BLT. It took several visits for us to realize that this was what we had to do to get normal bacon. The last thing is just subjective for me. Cloth napkins. I think they are gross. But that's just me.
(3)
Tarah D.

In many ways, this is your above-average-micro-brew-experience. The beer here is obviously excellent. I'm a huge fan of the apricot ale here, but all the brews I've had are really on-point. I recommend the beer sampler so you can try a variety of their micro-brews. The food was all very good. It's pub food, though a step above standard fare. Burgers, sandwiches, soups, pizzas, fries, etc. But, for example, the vegetarian-friendly tortilla soup is a change from your normal pub (and it's excellent), as is the grilled avocado and watermelon appetizer, which I *definitely* recommend! Go for the beer, obviously, but enjoy some very decent food while you're there.
(4)
Ryan D.

Attended a private event here last weekend. My first brewery.
(4)
bob r.

Beer flights are great, food is ok, plenty-full and at ok price for the quality. Looks to be stopping food at 10pm unfortunately. Service looks unsupervised, long wait time, no advice on beers, forgotten request for food switch. YMMV
(3)
Hillary T.

Food was decent. Beer was good. The fried calamari was pretty tough, they were bland, needed a lot of sauce. Chicken wings were really good, like homemade. The service was not good at all. i felt like our server had an attitude the whole time. They were very slow. We ordered the caramel apples and it took them about 30 minutes to come out. the manager was nice and they gave us them complimentary but after that, We waited about a half hour just for our server to bring us our bill. I come here only for their beer. My favorite is the snow cap beer.
(3)
Anne B.

Beer review I went for a free tour a few weekends ago and I was pretty impressed. I've gotten their Apricot and Hefeweizen at the store before so I was already familiar with their offerings. The Brewery tour itself was fairly short, but afterward we were given 3 small samplers. One beer in particular stands out, I think it was called Scottish toasted. It is only available at the brewery, and I recommend at least trying it. 9% but sooo smooth.... Anyways, I look forward to going again but trying their food next time. Happy drinking!
(4)
Victor G.

Pyramid is set up so you can see the brew vats next to the restaurant. the multiple dining areas gives the illusion one is at a three ring circus inside a chicken coop. imperial beers sampled: -outburst -johann(apple cider) -discord -dunkel except for a characteristic of each beer, they all tasted the same pour: dunkel (5.5) -smooth, tasteless beer. they almost all taste the same. on tap: -happy hour 3:30-5:30?, 3.50 pints, appetitzer special. -might be a "fun" place to eat/drink, pyramid makes sissy beer. -wasn't given menu when i said i wasn't eating, just browsing the menu. -service ok.
(2)
Liz M.

The food is ok. Not bad, not great. It's a fun and casual place that you find yourself coming back to again and again.
(4)
Jane K.

We came here for their brewery tour at 4 pm, even on sundays! It was short and simple, although the guy giving the tour wasn't the most personable and talked really fast, he was very informative and showed that he wanted to give us a thorough tour without leaving out any pertinent information of their brewing process and how it all works. You get to try three different types of beer at the end of the tour for free, and if he's nice he'll even give you extra if there's leftover from the pitchers.
(5)
Mai W.

Hungry one day two co - workers and I came here to pig out after a long meeting. The three of us come right after everyone was done with their lunch. Being quickly seated we proceeded to order basically half the menu. We literally ordered enough to feed an army. With so much food, we wanted some smaller plates to share. When the waitress brings us our plates, they were still dirty from who ever used them last x_X!!!!! There was some sort of slimy green vegetation smushed between the second and third plate..... Image how much our appetite decreased after seeing this. We ordered: Cobb Salad Sweet Potato fries Nachos Beef Chorizo Dip Sampler Platter
(3)
Ron P.

Good spot to try beers and watch football with all the flat screens. Came in at 6:30 on a Thursday. Not crowded this time. I've been here appx 3xs before, although I'm still very upset they shut down their Sacramento location - I miss the $2.50 pints on Tuesdays. They brew a lot of different styles of beer. Only maybe 3 do I like. Tonight I tried their new Brown porter, tasty, around 4% alc. Good session beer. Also got sample tastes of their rye and octoberfest. I did not care for either so I went back to the brown porter. Their Thunderhead is real good if you like IPA's. I was charged $3.50 so I assumed it was happy hour until 7pm. Score! The next beer I ordered at 6:50 pm and the beertender charges me $6?! I politely say "really?" (if that is really possible to do) and she goes "sorry $6 this time". Uhhh...WTF! Minus a star for that. Sorry beertender lady...btw, She was very nice and attentive. Anyways,overall a 3 star rating for the beer and experience. I took an informal poll at the bar and the food is good. Apparently the chicken wings are the bomb. I will be back to try more beers! Cheers peeps!
(3)
Marie T.

First of all, thumbs up to their big spacious parking lot right on Gilman. Overall......Bad service. Took forever for them to take our orders, bring us our food, and get the bill. We came at 3pm too... and it wasn't even busy. Mediocre food. Good beer though... but I think I'll pass on Pyramid next time.
(1)
Adam H.

Great beer, large dining room, knowledgable staff, lots of TV's. Our server was beer server cicerone certified, knew her stuff. Had a great tour at 4pm. The food pairing with our IPA was perfect.
(5)
Niki T.

Such a great restaurant. Every time I come here the staff remembers me. They have such a HUGE selection of beer, something for everyone. They genuinely care about your experience and if you have any problems they are willing to work with you so you leave satisfied. A fun place to go with groups of friends.
(5)
Mia C.

Beer was great. The calamari (rings and tentacles) was one of the best I've had. The pulled pork tacos were a miss. No flavor and their was so much liquid from the pork that the taco fell apart completely. The salad that came with the tacos was drenched in vinaigrette. My husband liked his philly cheese steak. I'll come back for the beer and calamari. BTW this spot is kid friendly so that's a plus.
(3)
Jennie K.

The FREE tour is 4pm, 7 days a week, and lasts about a half hour. Then you get to the tasting. I went on a weekend so I was able to look inside all the vats on the brew deck, which was kind of cool. I was a little disappointed we didn't get to see inside the cooler or the bottling machine. I thought it was fun, for beer newbs and experts alike. Got to taste the haywire, thunderstone ipa, and alehouse amber. Our server had 9 larger samples for those who answered questions about the tour right, I won one and tried the Hum Bug, a winter seasonal Porter that was awesome, this coming from a wheat beer drinker. They have a few beers that are only available at their alehouses, the crystal wheat, the alehouse amber, and the nitrogenated version of their mactarnahan's amber ale called the draught pale ale - I would order ALL of them again!!! Pot roast made w/ the thunderstone IPA was top notch, go for it. ======================== Summary: Tour - 4 stars, average tour but the price of free made it better Beer - 5 stars Pot roast - 5 stars
(5)
Jenny E.

Been here twice - both times the service was fantastic. :) The first time, we happened to show up when a tour group was forming and decided to join. I highly recommend checking out the tour once they finish construction in the brewery - our guide was very informative and friendly. We have left with a growler both times because the beer is so tasty! My favorite dish so far was the "That's My Jam" grilled cheese, which is delicious if you're in the mood for something super rich.
(5)
Julie T.

What a fun place! I haven't tried many of the beers here, but I'd have to say my favorite beer is from here - Apricot Ale. It's sweet, light and hits the spot. The rush of customers don't come in until about 5:45 so you have plenty of space till the evening time. It's a place for large parties and small gatherings. Everyone looks happy and the staff is all so nice. If you get there during happy hour (3-6), you can order really tasty foods - The Jalepeno Poppers are amazing! The Cheese Sticks are pretty tasty. The Chips and Dip don't really have much dip though. Overall, I had a good time here.
(4)
Christine W.

First brewery tour. Bring on the free beer tasting! First brewery tour so i don't have much to compare this to. The actual tour was very detail oriented and not gonna lie, got a little bored :T Ha but our guide was cool and the tasting was the best part :) Afterwards we did eat at the restaurant and it was not bad your normal pub grub. We ended up getting a growler of the blueberry stout? The next day we brought it over to a friend's place so it was the perfect gift! I think I like their apricot beer the best!
(3)
Bianca U.

I've never been impressed with the food here. I've had to have something sent back or changed each time I've come. -The brownie sundae was obviously microwaved and made the brownie itself hard. -The lemonade was Country Time or some other bogus "ade" -The chicken foccacia sandwich was dry, unimpressive and uninspired I know they're all about the beer here, but amp up the food and the service a little PLEASE. I've always had to wait longer than necessary, even when it's an off hour with plenty of waitstaff. The parking lot is a clusterfuck. I won't be back if I can help it.
(2)
Bonny C.

They have a really awesome and generous happy hour menu! I have been here twice now and both times was completely happy and stuffed. Food is really good very generous portions and high quality product. Something for everyone, PLUS trivia too. One of my new favorite spots! Service is casual and friendly my server on the patio today was really great.
(5)
T M.

Poorly managed. Sat down after driving here from San Diego, got a "sampler" all the beer here tastes the same. Hefe? Ale? Water? No character at all in any of the beer. Initially ordered the sampler as we sat down. 15 minutes later waitress came to get drink orders. Waited 30 minutes for drinks. Had to grab waitress, Opps, forgot your orders. Some random guy brings them a few minutes later. We are now 45 minutes into this experience. Waitress comes back took our orders for food. 30 minutes later, no food. Ask about it. Opps! forgot your orders. Retook the orders. Food arrives 20 minutes later. OOPPS! wrong items! Must have been stoned, or quitting, or something... Wont be back, lost roughly 2 hours at this place by the time it was all said and done. What a joke. Way overpriced too, trying to catch the trendy's with more money than sense I suppose.
(1)
Kathleen T.

Our server was HILARIOUS. He went down the list and told us all of the dishes not to get! We really appreciated his advice. We ended up getting the chipotle chicken salad and the blackened salmon. The salmon was done really well, still moist and the aioli sauce was perfect with the vegetables. I sampled a cider (which there is not a large selection of) and the glass that it was served in reeked of beer... maybe run it through the was again please.
(4)
Marie B.

Went on the tour today. Cool to see how they make the beer. Afterwards let us sample 3 kinds of beer. My friends enjoyed the samples, said the Apricot beer was the best. We also had dinner. I order the spring salad for $5, simple but nice. I want to return for happy hour, the prices looked very good.
(3)
Kathy p.

This is where i found my all time favorite fruity beer. The Apricot Ale is so good! If you're not a huge fan of beer and want something light, go for the apricot ale-its much better than Blue Moon or the like. I had a burger before the Bjork concert and it was pretty good, my husband had their wings and he liked em. If it wasn't for the Apricot Ale, I'd rate 3 stars but the beer got the +1.
(4)
Diana C.

I did the tour here. It is pretty informative. After the tour you get to taste 3 of their beers, for free!! pretty awesome. I didn't have any of their food though. Heard it's pretty expensive.
(4)
Bora R.

Pyramid has a good selection of tasty beers and plenty of seating. It's a good place to take a big group or to watch the game on one of the numerous big screens. The burgers, fries and appetizers are uninspired standards: they will do when you are hungry, but there is little to expect beyond that. Service is down-to-earth and friendly.
(3)
Mark M.

Went in for lunch on Sunday before going to the Horse Races. We were early since they open at 11:30. When the girl came to open the door a couple of minutes after 11:30 we were waiting at the door. Instead of greeting us with good morning or hello she just turned and walked away. This did not go unnoticed by my wife and daughter. We did not get the beer so this review is strictly on the food and service. The 3 of us all ordered Burgers. My wife and Daughter both asked for well done burgers. My wife is really scared of undercooked burgers. Well her burger was the least cooked of the 3. She is not one to send anything back so she proceeded to tear it apart to look for cooked burger. She hated it and was not happy. My Daughter enjoyed her Burger. My burger was over cooked and pretty dry. I also ordered onion rings instead of fries. They were very average. The service was decent but we probably won't be back.
(2)
bah h.

Beer review only. The staff is always polite, the place is always clean, and I have not tried the food. I drink alot of beer. I enjoy it very much. I make an effort to try every new beer that I can and make a note to try offerings from the breweries that I don't like, in order to give them a fair chance. Sam Adams is an example; I think they make deeply middling beer but will make an effort to try them. Pyramid is one of those too. Their beers, whether bottled or on tap, never come above middling, and many are downright dull. I would like to say that their on-tap offerings at this location are different, but that's really not the case. I have again tried everything, and have been impressed. The berliner weisse is their best beer in my opinion. They also have beers from Portland Brewing Company, which are also largely middling. The Oyster stout from them is probably their best. What is particularly staggering is how RARELY a new beer gets put on the board. I will go three weeks without visiting, and when I come back, I'm floored to see that one beer has been replaced on the entire board. Pyramid is not a real brewpub in the sense that they are not always experimenting, putting out small batches for the taps. No, not at all. They don't make anything new or in small batches seemingly. They don't carry any other company's beer except PBC, who they own, a few stock ciders and a single Magic Hat product. They could stock beer from meaningful breweries in the area but those would quickly overshadows Pyramid's own offerings. Sometimes the bartender can't answer extremely basic questions about the beer - which again is odd, because there's so few of them, and they never change. Their happy hour is long and a pint is only $3.50, so I still come in for a middling beer from time to time when I need some time on my laptop. The best thing about this place is the way it makes the neighborhood smell when they're brewing. I hope a proper brewpub or beer bar (ala beer revolution) opens up in this area soon.
(2)
Sylvia K.

This review is about the FREE brewery tour Pyramid offers EVERYDAY at 4PM. My friends and I went on this tour after we randomly saw a billboard of theirs advertising it. We called them first to check to make sure that we didn't have to make reservations, since we wanted to do it that day. The girl on the phone said we could just show up, by 345PM and make sure to wear closed-toe/close-toed shoes. Done and done! We told the guy at the front that we were here for the brewery tour and he had us wait at the benches till our tour guy showed up. He took us in to the brewery area, which is literally attached to the restaurant and you can see into it from the restaurant. He handed us hair nets and safety goggles, and for guys with facial hair, they had to wear beard nets. The tour was pretty interesting - the guy goes through the whole process from beginning to end (kegging/bottling) of beer. We went on a Sunday, so it was quiet in the brewery - they don't brew or bottle the beer on weekends. So the weekday tours are noisier! I want to come back for that! After touring the brewery, we went back to the restaurant part of Pyramid and go to sample some of the beers! Everyone got to sample three of the beers in these cute little taster glasses, and then there were three more samples that there was only one of and you could only get it if you answered one of the guy's questions correctly! So you should really pay attention to the tour! The tour itself was excellent! it's free, a great way to spend an afternoon, and you get to taste some beer! That said - I guess the reason why it's not a whole five stars...I've had their food and it's just okay. It's a great place for large groups - big space and has it's own parking lot. And free wi-fi! And it's own little retail shop!
(4)
Jen S.

There's really NOTHING good about this place. The food is terrible (cold, super unhealthy, and not even tasty.) The service is terrible (SLOWWW even when it's off-peak times.) The beer was FLAT. All of them?! And they charged us $4 for a birthday "Sunday"-- SERIOUSLY? I've always felt kind of "meh" about this place but charging for a birthday sundae, especially when everything else blows, is just too much. Insult to injury big time.
(1)
Drew N.

Overall good food and beer selection at Berkeley. Also, the atmosphere is great to watch a Baseball game. The only negative I find is sometimes iis it can be super loud and when ordering a main plate, you can get a really small side dish, for example Coleslaw.
(4)
Cath L.

I love the samplers. Just the right size to be able to try everything. The happy hour specials are pretty sweet, too.
(4)
David C.

Great place to grab a beer and snack on some killer appetizers. If you get here at 4pm on the door, you can take the free tour of the brewery. After the tour, you get a couple free samples. The brewing room smells like banana nut bread, which I love. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because Happy Hour ends a little earlier than most places.
(4)
Zeng W.

Chicken wings are really good.
(4)
Edward W.

Nothing like quality beer straight from the brewery. Came here for 3:30-6:30 happy hour on a Friday. Pyramid offers a 5-beer tasting sampler for only $6(?) The hefeweizen wheat ale and apricot ale are excellent options for those that prefer the lighter colored, yet still flavorful beers. The 6 mini corn dogs are delicious snack-sized bites that remind me of Hot Dog on a Stick. Compliments the beer quite well. Also ordered the Trio of Fries: Garlic Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, and Spicy Fries. Nothing really hits the spot like these fries. I'd definitely hit up Pyramid Brewery again for their happy hour and beers. Great place to chill after work.
(5)
Brian G.

Good beer selection! Some of the beers are meh but some are pretty good. Not too much in the food department for veg/vegans.
(3)
Craig F.

My go to happy hour place after work since it's just down the street! Happy Hour is from 3pm(?) to 6pm Monday thru Friday, pitchers are $10.50 and pints are $3.50. Appetizers range from $3 to $6. If you check in on the Yelp app, you get an automatic 30% off appetizers (on the regular menu, discount wont apply to the already discounted HH menu) If you haven't already, take the free tour of the brewery, you'll learn something about how they make their tasty brews and you'll get a free sampling of their beers at the end of the tour. Tours are at 4pm every day - ask the hostess at the podium. One of their most popular beers just happens to be one of my favorite, a unfiltered wheat beer, their Hefewizen is usually my first choice. Their Apricot Ale is pretty solid too. Of course they have a wide selection of other beers too and if beer is not your thing, they have cider also. Another tip for finding out about deals and goings on at the brewery is to follow Pyramid Berkeley on Twitter ( twitter.com/PyramidBerkeâ€¦ ) - They will often have deals exclusively for their followers (ie: $1 pints with a purchase of any entree) As you can tell, I'm a huge fan and will be back for more cold beer soon!
(5)
Rob L.

As some people have already said, Pyramid Brewery is either a staple, icon, and/or landmark of Berkeley. This brewery has a full service restaurant and bar, plus an area that sells their fresh beer along with souvenirs. There's much to say about this establishment, which is located conveniently near the Gilman exits off of I-80/I-580. As mentioned above, this is a brewery that makes great beers from light to dark ones, including which ones are year-round or seasonal, all with some background information. If you're not in the mood for beer, there's a full bar for those who want liquor. As for the food, it is your typical American cuisine such as pizza, chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches, and more, where all is served by a professional wait staff. Keep in mind that virtually all of the food here is not for those on a strict diet or a program that counts calories, especially when most of their food is fried. Like most places, there's happy hour deals that are different daily. Pyramid is a great place for gatherings or just a night out with close friends, especially when a game is on TV, where this place is wired with flat-screens on both floors. They have guest rooms for private events, so keep that in mind if you're considering a low-key party.
(4)
Anneli M.

I've been here several times over the years, and was there for lunch today. I love Pyramid beers, especially the apricot; the food was good (sausages this time, with excellent mashed potatoes), and more than I could eat on the plate. The service was friendly and prompt- our waitress checked back multiple times, so we felt well taken care of. It's a big, noisy place, with large screens everywhere - which is great if you like that vibe. I'm not keen on having screens in view when I'm eating at a table with friends, but they are nice when I'm having a beer at the bar after dropping my car off at the local repair place, and waiting for my ride.
(4)
Kyle S.

came in during a 924 gilman st show, quenched my thirst and the bartenders were pretty cool...
(5)
Aris L.

Agree with a previous reviewer that this place is somewhere in-between 3 and 4 stars. Good? Yes. Great? Probably not. That said, I tried their Imperial pilsner, which was surprising and something new I hadn't tasted before. It was really memorable and I highly recommend it. This is a bar you go to with a bunch of friends to watch a game, have a lot of drinks and maybe even get a little rowdy. If you're looking for a craft brewery or something less "soulless and corporate" as one reviewer put it (still laughing about that), then this place probably isn't for you. I'll go back to fill my growler with the Imperial pilsner...but I'll probably dine elsewhere. Good enough!
(3)
Corey H.

Some friends were in town and wanted to check out the Alehouse. TLDR: The food is fine. The beer is alright. The service was stunted and awkward like watching a geek friendship fall apart over the 'right reasons' to enjoy Star Trek. We arrived. Seeing about half the tables had anyone at them. We requested a booth for the five of us. We were told no booths were available AND we couldn't wait for a booth. Whatever. As we walked to the closest table the hostess spied a perfectly clean and available booth and took us there. I tried to order a pitcher of Apricot Ale. I said growler; my mistake. The waiter forcefully said we couldn't drink from growlers unless we were at home. Confused, I suggested some glasses so we could share. I wasn't going to make the faux pas of drinking directly from the growler, by myself, and not sharing. Again, its banned from the Alehouse to drink or share a growler. After a stunned few seconds we literally had to ask if we could only order individual glasses of beer. The food exceeded expectations, though I had low expectations. The Honey Cilantro Chicken was good and I'd order it again. Everyone's food looked good. Our appetizer, Pizza Twists, came out after our meal. That was odd, but we were quite hungry and no one cared. We were chatting and drinking beer when our intrepid waiter brought us, and updated, the bill three times as we continued to drink and sample different beers. Once, he walked by and picked up the check despite it lying in the middle of the table where he put it last ... and no credit cards or cash on the table at all. I've never felt like I was burdening a waiter until today.
(3)
Margaret L.

I'm not a weekly regular but I come here pretty regularly. I should have written a review long before because as far as East Bay goes, this is definitely the place to come to drink a beer, have a bite and watch a game. Regularly rotating beer options with some great beertenders always on staff. They even tolerate and/or encourage any request for a pint of this with a touch of that to make something new. Food is pretty standard fare for a brewery setting but it has great portions so you can almost always split something with a friend and be totally full. Last night Pyramid went above and beyond for a friend in from Canada with extreme allergy to pepper/capsaicin. We explained the allergy and our beertender (I am so sorry I forgot her name!) agreed that safest route to go to avoid any and all pepper was fish and chips. She talked to manager and kitchen to make sure they understood the seriousness of the allergy. Kitchen took it from there making sure to even use plain flour to fry up the french fries so there would be no pepper seasoning. All this happened while the brewery had a pretty good clip of people throughout the entire place the whole time we were there. Definitely deserves a regular stop on your brewery stop in the East Bay. Thank you Pyramid you are great!
(4)
Jonathan F.

I don't need to come here again. Food was pretty blah. Typical bar food. Beer was good. I guess if I just feel like having a beer, I'd sit at the bar and be perfectly happy, but I wouldn't go and have dinner here again. Id like to see a menu more similar to Champs or something more interesting to match their fine beers.
(2)
Andrea C.

I really dig any place that centers a menu around beer. Having the mighty Hefe being brewed mere blocks away from my parents house always brings out my local pride. So I went on a hot and spicy date with my mustache clad man friend at prime dine time, Friday at 7. The wait was only about 15 or 20 minutes, which isn't that bad considering it was poppin'. We were sat upstairs, which brought me endless pleasure (I love seeing the food being cooked, and being able to see down people's shirts is a big plus). Our server (Alex?) was super quick and very friendly, and was kind enough to let me get sloshed on beer. We started off with the pizza sticks, which came out way too hot but were delicious. I landed on the tri-tip sandwich with mac and cheese, which was fairly yummy. The tri-tip was a bit too sweet, but the mac and cheese was insane. I loved the bacon in it. I found it a bit too pricey for what it is but I am a big fan of beer. I was also fairly drunk when I left, jug o' beer in hand. So that may have created bias in this review.
(4)
Kao S.

Nice brewery with good food and beers. Good place to go and mingle or catch up with friends or family. Apricot is a must....
(4)
Alana S.

I came here with my family a few months ago. The food was really not acceptable for the price. One of the dishes was lukewarm, the soup appetizer portion was small, and it tasted like it came out of a can. The beers were expensive, too. I would recommend Jupiter restaurant or Triple Rock in Berkeley if you are looking for a good brew experience. We were really disappointed. We couldn't figure out if there had been a change in chefs, ownership, or management, because our previous food experiences here in the past couple years had been much better. I give this restaurant two stars because our waitress was polite and accommodated our requests, and because it is in Berkeley, my favorite city ever. (Go Bears!)
(2)
Joseph G.

The service can be a little touch and go and it's probably a little overpriced, but I can't complain about the beer selection or the overblown bar food. It's worth a visit or two, at least.
(4)
Jessica R.

This was my first Happy Hour in the Bay. Of all people who start drinking shamelessly before 5, you would think this Happy Hour thing would be a regular thing on my to-do after a hard day. $10.50 for a pitcher of Apricot Ale and three appetizers for $3-$6 each, my best gal pal and I drowned our lack of a good day with some greasy food and beer. Add an attentive waitress and it was just what we needed. Amen Pyramid. Amen.
(4)
Shanda F.

Place was clean, staff was nice. Average beer and beer-food place. Didn't do a brewery tour, etc. Not a huge fan of their beers. I'm mainly reviewing on my experience with redeeming a groupon after first visit noted above. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my groupon to redeem that time. So, I forgot to use my groupon before it expired, then I moved out of state. I thought..."hey, i'll order some glasses and use my groupon for that. At least there I'd get to redeem the value i paid." Little thought was put into this. I didn't read fine print. Upon contacting Pyramid re: groupon redeeming on recent glass purchase I was informed that I may only use my groupon value on in-store purchases. I read the fine print. Crap. Some establishments are concerned about customer good will, service, etc. This place is not. Its run like your standard corporation and is concerned about their bottom line. From a legal/contractual standpoint was the individual right in denying me my use of my measly $12? Yup, probably. But, what I assumed at the very least in not putting a ton of thought into redeeming that value through a glasses purchase is that any brewery would likely cut me some slack, let me use the value that I had given them via a mutually agreeable solution (i.e. purchase online). I was wrong. What I dislike most about this place is its vibe. Beer is about more than selling food and throwing ingredients into a canister to later sell. I'm not anti-corporation/anti-business, but this place is more of a business selling any old product than a brewmaster selling an art. I suspected this upon entering and was confirmed of this later. There are so may great places to go in the bay area....avoid this one.
(1)
Vanessa G.

I went quite a while ago, big and spacious, yummy food and beer. Good menu.
(5)
Jim T.

Pyramid has a great facility, which includes PARKING in Berkeley! The large brewery is visible through glass windows from the dining area. The parking lot retains the frame like an old warehouse, with lights and trees. The restaurant is modern, clean, and classy. There is even an outdoor seating area. The menu has some interesting items, and the food is good. We will be back again!
(4)
David C.

Fun place. Very cookie cutter 'American' cuisine. Prices aren't great, but aren't too shabby. The service can be terribly slow on busy nights. A great place for large groups, since they can accomodate large seating parties. The selection of brews is simply fantastic.
(3)
Thomas L.

There on a Wednesday night. Not crowded. Took the server 20 minutes to acknowledge us. Ordered a burger rare, it came well done. Were watching a basketball game and the server brings us the check. Told her we would like another beer. One person in our party said she didn't want anything but got a beer any way. Good beer selection, horrid service, poor food quality. No reason to go back.
(1)
Earlene C.

Apricot Ale and the Chicken BBQ Pizza is gooood! Came here with a group of 10 last night and we had a great time! We also had a pitcher of the IPA, talk about bitter beer face!! I like the Apricot Ale the best. It's a fun, causal spot to hang out at with several TVs all around with all the major games on. Service was decent and food, typical of a brewery.
(4)
Gee M.

very spacious, nice staff, knowleadgable bartenders who also help brew, the managers know how to run the bar too, lots of choices great tasting beer and you can sample them all if you want
(4)
Alice C.

I like this place! Are people seriously removing points because Pyramid looks and functions like a chain restaurant? God forbid they make a restaurant like this within Berkeley city limits! This is NOT your typical Berkeley mom and pop, and if that's all you love, you'll need to come with an open mind. Living in SoCal now, these chains are the norm not the aberration, and this reminds me of a Karl Strauss/Rock Bottom Brewery Restaurant. I tried the Apricot ale which was really tasty. I really loved that they did the Beer/Entree pairings for you. It was fun for my friends and I to choose our beers based on what we wanted to eat and vice versa. Huge portions!
(4)
Alex W.

Food isn't great, typical bar food, I wouldn't recommend it, they aren't trying very hard in this category. The beers on the other hand.. Hefeweizen, brewed on site are really good. Go for that.
(3)
S Z.

Bar food is great this was bellow average bar food and bar food options. Also we were seating at the Biergarten and there was one server for all the tables on a Friday happy hour and he wasn't really paying attention to us. We head 2 beers each and left because the atmosphere was also very boring didn't seem like it was Friday there.
(3)
Kiarash H.

This place leaves a lot to be desired. Horrible beer selection, one or two good beers but that's it. Awful cheap food, good service and good atmosphere. Those are the only reasons you will ever find me here, to have a hefeweizen and watch a game. If they spruced up the beer menu, I would be a regular
(2)
Tien L.

Been here about 2-3 times now. Like the beer selections, food is good, the setting and environment is good. During one of the visit, the service was terrible and slow. Felt like we were being ignored. But then again, they had a group of 20 people who last minute came in with no reservation so they were so focus on them that they forgot about EVERYONE else. Our server came over to our table maybe every 20 minutes. and when she did, she forgot maybe 1 or 2 simple things we ask for. It was a pretty bad service that time.
(3)
Akvile H.

Oh Pyramid, I always have such high hopes for you and want you to be much more awesome than you really are, but have let me down every time in Seattle and now here in Berkeley. I just moved here from Seattle, thought it may be better, but nope. I went last night and still feel a little sick today (and I have a strong stomach). I do like your breweries because of the atmosphere, decor, cleanliness, super friendly staff, and some of your beer, however your food is really mediocre at best. I haven't felt terrible after eating in a long time and you have broken my feel-good record. I still heart you a little though because you have rad happy hour and check-in specials. I also really like how social media savvy you guys are with the QR codes everywhere, check-in specials, and your weekly events that involve twitter. The beer selection is good though. I am a huge fan of the Snow Cap (excited that it's back in season) however, the Nitrogenated Ale isn't very good. I think Nitrogen should be kept to darker brews such as Porters/Stouts. It was hella watery and light in flavor...so the next pitcher was Snow Cap to save the day :) If you haven't had it yet, you must try it, it's really good! I will come back (to drink), but I promised myself last night after eating your pulled BBQ pork that I won't be eating at your establishment again. This may have been the saddest Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich I've ever had. It didn't have much BBQ flavor, was dripping this weird watery oil substance, and it just didn't look very happy. In the past, I've tried your Philly Dip, Turkey Club, Chicken Fingers, Pizza Logs, and Fish & Chips..and all have left me feeling remorseful for consuming them. I am an avid brewery visitor and I've never been so disappointed by brewery/pub food. Sincerely, my sad tummy.
(3)
Tasha D.

Good beer, shitty food, meh service. Cute interior.
(3)
Daisy M.

Good beer good time!!! Service = aah need more experience and charism. Food = good salsa for calamari nachos great.. But their fried chicken it was not good.
(3)
Jamie L.

After the YEE me, my boyfriend and his co-worker drank some more at the bar downstairs and ordered some chicken wings (for my bf) and pizza twists for moi. The food was good and the drinks were good. I definitely would like to come back another night.
(4)
Jin S.

The food is so awful! I had the pork tenderloin with veggies. It was dry, chewy, unseasoned and the cranberry compote was infused with ale which sounds fancy and tastes like shit. My friend had the angus burger. It tasted fresh out the freezer. The garlic fries tasted like an amateur tossed them. Awful food run by children. Will never return.
(1)
G C.

The service and food are both good. Their beer is great!! Apricot Ale is the best
(4)
Bill B.

Most importantly, the beer was good. The food, too, was reasonably good for a brewpub and service was attentive and friendly, though nearly to the point of being intrusive. It didn't help that the kitchen apparently didn't tell the waiter they were out of one of our entrees until the other was already plated and ready to come up. Fail. Portions are quite large and filling. Be forewarned - the chocolate brownie ala mode is really a small cake, 6" square, and would easily satisfy 4 people for dessert! Or you could just have it for dinner. :D
(3)
Eve H.

Bummer!!!!! They claimed to have a new menu. I was basically served a Lean cuisine. Actually, a Lean cuisine would've been better. I love breweries, but this was a huge disappointment, BECAUSE the beer is GOOD! How hard is it to make good food if you make good beer? Ditch the restaurant, make a taproom, save your dignity, Pyramid.
(2)
Eugene L.

Ive rolled by Pyramid for a while and its been on my Bookmark list. So today was Pyramid day. I jumped in the Weekend Whip cranked 98.1 Disco Saturday Night and rolled to Pyramid . This Pyramid has a nice Covered parking lot where I stashed my Whip . I wandered in and was greeted by a Hostess and seated right away. This Pyramid is located in a Huge building with a Open air feel to it . They have a second floor with Tables and Seating also. It also has a retail area where they sell Tee-Shirts and Cases of Beer to take out. There are Flat Screens with ESPN on located thru out the restaurant. My Server was great she was Attentive ,Perky and Fast. She dropped off a Menu and took my order 10 minutes later. I ordered a Brewers Rack - Which is a Beer Sample Pack that had -Apricot Ale,Haywire Hefweizen, Crystal Wheat Ale, Thunder Head IPA and Outburst Imperial IPA. I also ordered a Cup Of Clam Chowder , a side of Grilled Asparagus with Red Peppers and a Pepperoni ,Fennel Sausage Pizza. My food and drink arrived 15 Minutes later I enjoyed my Beer and the food was good and enjoyable. Its also a good people watching spot , lots of freaky folks in Berkeley lol.
(4)
Patrick T.

Excellent beer. Bring your friends. Food is not too shabby either.
(3)
Billy C.

Great beers and food is a hit or miss. I like that they have two different flights available (commercial flight and higher end flight)
(4)
MJ A.

I'm a sucker for this place. Amazing food? not really-- but good enough and better when drunk. Mice in the building? You betcha-- but at least the one i saw on the restaurant floor was dead. Did they remove the dead mouse when i let them know of its whereabouts? No, but a bucket placed over it prevented me and anyone else from seeing it. Good beer?-- yes. Reasonable prices for beer? Yes. Cool ambiance too. So, despite all its imperfections, Pyramid will always retain its 4 star rating.
(4)
Mahesh S.

A coworker suggested we stop by here before he drops me off at airport to get my plane back to OC. We had time, so I said yes. and I am glad i got to try. I dont remembe rall the specifics and names but I got the beer tasting thing, with bunch of beers, and every one of them was good. the place had a good vibe. and the beer was really good! Soo good, I forgot what i was drinking.... if you are there stop by and try!!
(4)
John H.

As much as I'd like to I can't give a three star "A-Ok" at this point. The food is pretty good, and the beer is pretty good** But: 60 Bucks for a couple of burgers and two pints, plus decent tip ?!! Talk about "Sticker Shock"! PB&AHouse has become unaffordable. $$ percentage increase of 30-40% in the last couple of years... Now, often shorting their pints and side fries ... not to mention the mind boggling "13oz Pour".*** The Folks are friendly, but price-wise Pyramid has become a pub more appropriate for Dot-Com'rs,TrustFund Kids, and perhaps 3 to 4 income families. ** re: the beer is pretty good, but I would not consider it 6 Dollar a Pint quality. *** Yes, perhaps Pyramid has been influenced by Hagen Dazs' new invention of the "14 oz Pint".
(2)
Amy L.

Beer=awesome. Food=meh. Have been here a couple times now and, of course, Thunderhead IPA or Apricot Ale on tap is tough to beat! Their pizza wasn't very good at all, but was made up for a bit by the fact that the chicken parmesan sandwich was pretty good. The brownie sundae is solid. I got the Margherita pizza and there were very few tomatoes on it and it was almost tasteless. The chicken sandwich, by contrast, was very flavorful and loaded with toppings. For me, this is more of a place to meet friends and have a beer and then maybe go eat someplace else. Service is very good.
(3)
Jess C.

I had no clue they had a pyramid brewery so close! To my surprise this hidden gem is only 15 minutes from home. I hit up happy hour a week ago and couldn't get over the fact of $10 pitchers. Shout out to who ever came up with the coconut shrimp and mushroom caps! I had a great time and enjoyed a tour around the brewery. I had no idea so much work went into brewing beer and now understand the different between quality vs. quantity when it comes to beer (Apricot Ale from Pyramid vs. a Mickey's) Not only the taste but the process it goes through. For all my yelp beer lovers, go in for the FREE tour and enjoy a sampler ;) A+ on service, price, location and staff who got me excited and knowledgeable on my beers now! I will be coming back very soon.
(5)
Chi N.

Scene 1: College days, group of mech E. students on tour of beer factory on the premise that... there are machines involved in beer making? Eh, whatever, free beer! We got to walk through the facilities and see the huge fermenters, and end with a beer tasting. So many beers, my favorite was the hefeweizen, and many others liked the apricot too. With all the free samples, it adds up to about 1-2 beers, good stuff. Scene 2: About two months ago, went here for lunch with a few people, had the snowcap (only available during winter months) and a stout. Snowcap is def worth the trip. Food was okay, but not great :/ Fries are good though!
(4)
Kory R.

First off... Beer at Pyramid is fantastic! I recommend the apricot ale!!! But on the food note.. I was apparently not drunk enough to eat the Tri-Tip Sandwich. The menu stated that it was "Homemade roasted corn focaccia bread stuffed with smoked tri-tip, Habanero barbecue sauce and melted smoked mozzarella cheese" $9.95 ...but they left out the part about the HUGE chunk of fat stuck in the middle of my sandwich. I understand there will be some fat in a tri-tip but not a whole F**king piece!!!! and the homemade roasted corn focaccia bread tasted like it came store bought and had been sitting out for a week.. disgusting!!! One good highlight were the...ONION STRINGS $5.95 Thin-cut onion strings marinated in our Haywire Hefeweizen and fried in a buttermilk batter, served with chipotle ketchup. Very tasty and huge portion.. nice thin things that were good with the beer... My boyfriend had the PYRAMID BURGER $10.95 Smoked mozzarella, peppered bacon, habanero BBQ sauce and giant onion rings. Which was good but they didnt cook it to his specifications.. he wanted medium and the thing came out burnt and charred.. gross.. but he said it was good. Overall.. good atmosphere and beer.. but the food is less than stellar.. skip the food.. drink the beer..
(2)
Edi B.

5 stars for brews and service. Take two away for lame food. What's up? Microwaved? Not sure but out of a table for 6 no one was satisfied.
(3)
Gabby Y.

As a zerlous day-drinker and happy hour patron, I had to check this place out. There is a great assortment of snacks, appetizers, small plates and the like, varying in size and price- very well organized on the happy hour menu. I highly recommend getting the sampler! Pints are $3.50 during happy hour, but for the sampler you get to try 5 different types of bear for ~$7, it's about 2.5 pints so well worth it! I got two samplers so... tried 10 different beers. Apricot ale ftw.
(4)
Christine C.

Try the beer sampler! The food is okay but the beer is awesome!! We waited about 15 minutes to get a table for 7 on a Friday night. I LOVE apricot ale :)
(4)
TM T.

I was thorough unimpressed with this place, which is a bummer since I was really excited to try it out. The atmosphere was nice and there was plenty of seating and parking. However, the actual food was really disappointing. I had the: California Burger Dry and tasteless...There wasn't any sauce on it to liven it up, just a LOT of pepper that was too overpowering. I saw some of the other burgers as well and didn't see a difference between mine and the others except for the avocado. It's hard to go wrong with a burger, but this was a really bad, completely overpriced one (at $14!). Sweet Potato Fries Limp and not crispy...I really love sweet potato fries and was really disappointed to find how unappetizing these were. They looked especially oily because they were so limp. I also had the fried calamari and clam chowder, which were both decent. They really skimped on the clam part, though. My friend had one of their pizzas and that also wasn't very good...very thin pizza, stingy on the toppings, and the flavor was nothing to write home about. The best thing was definitely the bacon mac and cheese. Just skip the fries and replace them with the mac and cheese! It's probably the only thing good on the menu. I am not a fan of cheese and I never eat mac and cheese...however, I tried a little bit of my friend's and really wanted to take the entire bowl from her. The dessert menu was extremely limited. Didn't try the beer, so I can't speak for the drinks here. Overall, extremely overpriced food of mediocre quality.
(2)
Christina L.

First of all, when you first get to the place, it looks like a giant airport terminal. The interior is also large, but it makes the actual seating area look more cramped than it really is. Aside from that, the service is super slow because they try to prepare all dishes for everyone at the table before they bring dishes to you. So if you're part of a large group, like I was, then make sure to snack beforehand because you won't be eating for a LONG while! Even appetizers take a long time to arrive! As in the name, this place is known for its beer, so if anything, order beer. The apricot ale is my preferred choice (aka. the girly beer) out of the selection. In term of the food itself, it's not the most filling and the vegetables could be cooked longer. I ordered the spicy honey salmon, which wasn't even spicy. It also seemed that they missed in pouring honey on the salmon and, instead, poured the majority of it on my mashed potatoes. But the salmon was decent, and the honey was a nice touch to my mashed potatoes (whether or not that was intentional). I was worried that ordering the blacked salmon would bring me an unpleasantly burnt looking surprise, hence I ordered the honey one instead. However, I sampled the blacked salmon from a friend and it's not bad, just a bit on the salty side. The cheese fries were pretty good, and the mac and cheese wasn't much to rave about, could be a little more cheesy (they use big macaroni). Pretty pricey, especially for a starving college student, but hey, it's not known for its dinner, but rather its beer, so stick with that if you decide to come here.
(2)
patricia r.

My family and I had a horrible experience on Sunday, June 16th. I was so upset at how we were treated by Avelan (I think that's the hostess name) and Crystal. We showed on time at 12, we walked up to the podium, Avelan did not greet us just asked right away, how many? I said 5 she turned around and started walking us toward a table, I said, "excuse me were her for the Fathers day BBQ, she said it starts at 12. I said it is 12, she pointed to the banquet center and said just check over there so see when it's ready and just walked us to the table and left. Were like ok....... I guess well go check , so we walked to the banquet center and asked another waitress that was there and I asked her "Its 12 o clock is the BBQ starting soon? She said "I'm not sure, then she points to a waiter coming in with salads and she says "he's bringing in salads I think" and then turns and continues on with what she was doing. I look around and see nothing set on the tables, I walk back to my family and my husband says you know what were hungry, there's nothing ready just ask for our money back for the tickets for the BBQ and let's start ordering appetizers and well order our lunch from the menu. My daughter and I walk over to the hostess station and ask Avelan to speak to the manager so we can get our money back. She said ill try to find her and walks away. Were standing there waiting for the manager, Avelan is there helping other patrons and says nothing to us. Then another girl shows up at the register, my daughter walks up to her and says, "Excuse me were waiting for the Manger", she responds I am the manger, I'm Crystal my daughter motions to me and I walk over there and tell her what happened and when I glance over at Avelan and was going to tell Avelan that she knew we where waiting and didn't even tell us that the manager was here, Crystal cocked her head to the side in front of Avelan so as to position herself in front of Avelan , so hat I had to direct myself to Crystal only , that set me off. I got so offended when she did that. I told her give me the full refund and I want the fee also that I paid on eventbrite for this event, she said ill need to figure this out I'm not sure how to do this and walked away. We walked back to the table and told my husband what happened he said let's just leave, by then we were all pretty upset, by then Vanessa came and asked if we were ready to order I told her that we were leaving and to just charge me for the soda that my daughter had ordered while waiting. She asked if everything was ok, we told her we were upset at how we had been treated at the front, she apologized and said we didn't need to pay for the soda and once again apologized, she was the only professional and courteous employee we encountered that day. We walked back to the hostess station, Crystal was already there, she asked me for my credit card that I used to purchase the tickets, I told her I didn't have it because I wasn't planning on getting a refund, she said "any credit card will do" I handed her my ATM, she processed it handed me to sign and said there's your refund and handed me the receipt and my ATM and turned to another customer. She did not apologize, or anything. I have never been treated so horribly at a restaurant. My family was so excited, my husband had wanted to go to the Brewery for awhile and we where really looking forward to enjoying Fathers day with him. I was so irritated and frustrated at how we got treated. I have never in my life played the race card, but for once I understand what that means. I feel that because we are Hispanic, we didn't get the same respect or professional courtesy that another frustrated non-Hispanic family would have received. I will never visit this business again. This was the most horrible experience I have ever had.
(1)
Lorrayne L.

After a month and a half of missed schedules, the guys and I finally pulled it all together and hopped on over to try this place out. We had a Groupon, you see, and how tragic would it have been to not use it?? S_ and I have harbored a love for the Hefeweizen, and out of them all, Pyramid's our favourite brand. How fitting to go straight to the source? The brew was excellent, and we all tried something new. I dabbled in the apricot ale, S_ had the Imperial, and T-san partook of the IPA. We were all satisfied with our choices of the night, and S_ made note that his brew went very well with his Mac & Cheese, for anyone out there wishing to try a complimentary pair. The apricot ale was good overall, yet the fruity quality was something to get used to. I think I'll stick to my tried and true. As for supper, we were dismayed to discover that most of the Yelp reviews only consisted of salads, burgers and sandwiches. We were dying to know what other peeps thought about the other types of fare this establishment had to offer. So, with forks in our hands, we took the plunge for the Yelping community. I had the meatloaf, and it was fairly good. I'm not much of a mashed potato without the gravy fan, so I only had a little of that. The broccoli was very well done, and I enjoyed that immensely. However, my brew did not go well with the entree, so I'll have to switch it up next time. Both guys ordered the shephard's pie, and it was the fanciest looking shephard's pie I'd ever seen (please check the accompanying photo. Yes, T-san stabbed it). They were okay with it. It was a little on the bland side of things. For appetizer, we had the potato skins. Those were fairly good. I had a cup of the clam chowder, and S_ grabbed the Mac & Cheese. Folks, I've gotta say, if you want good grubs, get a bowl of the clam chowder and the Mac & Cheese. These two ended up being the gems of the night! 5 separate stars for these two! I've got one more Groupon for this place left. Who wants to go with me? But only if you're down with Mac & Cheese too.
(4)
Tianyi S.

Pyramid Brewery offers a great tour, lots (and lots) of free beer, a spacious and eye-pleasing reception venue... and really terrible food. Terrible, as in, "the food can't hold a candle to school lunches" terrible. Though that might actually be where Pyramid hocks its "personal Happy Hour pizza" from. The flaccid, spongy disk looks suspiciously familiar... And don't even get me started on the "churros" with cream cheese "dip" which taste as though they've expired a year before they're served. That is, if you can rip your teeth through one and break it down enough to actually taste it. Still, I would hop right in for a tour, which features an engaging tour guide, an up-close-and-personal look at the beer-making process, and glasses of free and refreshing beer. (Yumm, apricot ale... Haywire Hefwizen, and a good squeeze of lemon...) If you're lucky, someone in a lab coat will pull out a sample of beer fresh from the vat... For the price of $0, it is totally worth it. Be sure to grab food elsewhere though. Bottom Line: Sad how good beer and good food seem mutually exclusive...
(3)
Tim W.

What happened pyramid? Your food used to be decent but it's gone wayyy downhill... I always come here with large parties of 10+ or more and have always been pleased with the above average tasting pub food. But this time was like a disaster. We begin with the atrocious things that they call pizza. The buffalo chicken, which had one measly sliver of buffalo chicken on each ugly slice, was just confusing and sad. The whole pizza tasted one-dimensionally of buffalo sauce. And really, you put whole giant garlic cloves on your tiny personal pizza? The margherita was even worse. You can't use shitty out of season tomatoes on a pizza in which the star ingredient is tomatoes. They had absolutely no flavor at all and were sliced onto the pizza in awkward shapes and thicknesses. And seriously... again with the whole roasted garlic cloves. The Cod & Chips, which used to be my favorite dish, especially because of the tasty tartar sauce was again a giant disappoint. The tartar sauce was just bland and never have I ever seen fish and chips made with square fish fillets that looked tacky and straight up from a Van de Kamps box. The best part of the meal was the sweet potato fries, which were nicely cooked. Overall a big disappointment...
(2)
Vince E.

Berkeley and beer come together at pyramids. I am giving 4 stars for the beer, not the food (which is notoriously standard bar food). But when 60% of what they sell is Hef, you gotta try the hef, and when its brewed fresh and the back and brought out to the crowd, it's good. I used to come here during UG for happy hour Beer:30's. Not sure about their HHs now, but when I was back in town, I just had to grab a pint here for old times sake. Not much has changed which is good and if you come at 4PM each day, take their beer tour where they take you all over how they make the stuff. They even give you a couple samples at the end. Come here for the beer definitely. Their Hef is definitely first rate, and for something different. Their apricot ale something you can find only at Pyramids
(4)
Drew P.

The two times I have been here have always been pleasant. The food is always good and the portion sizes are good as well! Happy Hour ROCKS! Service:Good Food:Good Beer:Good Solid 4 stars Would definitely go back especially for Happy Hour.
(4)
Sonia M.

I don't understand all the low star reviews. The two times I have been here have been very pleasant dining and drinking experiences. Most recently, I came for dinner, and tried the beer sampler. A couple of the beers were definitely not my taste, but I could appreciate their quality nonetheless. As far as the food, it was really good. The tortilla soup was hearty and flavorful. The BBQ chicken pizza was really good and smokey. The cobb salad could have used quite a bit less dressing, and I'm only saying this to caution others to order the dressing on the side. Otherwise, though, it was flavorful, with lots of chicken chopped in. As far as casual dining and drinking, with generous portions and a friendly wait staff, this place is great. The server even playfully teased my boyfriend when he party fouled with his beer, while assisting with sopping up the mess. I'll come again.
(5)
Kim S.

I'll make this simple. Beer: Unimpressed Food: Unimpressed Service: Adequate Yeah, that's about it.
(2)
Allison S.

The beer is beer. It's not great, and it's definitely not craft quality. The service was... terrible. It was a busy-ish Tuesday night. People were there for the game and some trivia. Most tables were full, not all. Our waitress was prompt with the drink order, which was great, but it went downhill. I ordered one of two vegetarian options on the menu, the Grilled Avocado and Watermelon appetizer (the other option is a veggie burger). She comes back and says, "We're out of avocado, you have to order something else." No apology, no recommendations about what I should try instead. I have to order something else? No I don't. We finished our beer and left for more friendly grounds.
(2)
Lisa O.

Recently, I went there for lunch with an old friend who lives in Berkeley. This was his choice this time (as we've done before). Disclaimer: I don't drink beer, somehow I've never developed a taste for it, so maybe people like this place in spite of the food... The waitress was very good, the food was plain bad. Against my better judgement (but upon my friend's recommendation) I ordered the prime rib Philly sandwich. It was inedible, but clever me: I ordered their onion rings which were fantastic! I have watched my friend eat everything on his plate without pausing over the last 15 years, so he's not much help in discerning the quality of a dish. He'd ordered the fish and chips, as he has before, and they looked really good. This is the third time I've had a meal there, but I hope I won't have to have a fourth. There are so many good places to eat in Berkeley!
(2)
Alli Q.

Really friendly and accommodating place! I came here to watch Game 6 and there weren't any seats at the bar so the hostess seated us at a table right behind the bar and changed the channel for us! It was also 10 mins before happy hour ended and she rushed our order so we could get happy hour prices. The buffalo wings are good - you can get them baked instead of battered (our waitress was really knowledgeable about menu items that were gluten-free). During happy hour you get a plate of 6 for around $5. In addition to their beers, they just started doing cocktails. They actually all sounded yummy! I tried the Sabe Sangria and it was pretty good.
(4)
Cliff M.

Good pub food with a flight of their latest brews. Good service. A great place to take friends in Berkeley for the day.
(4)
Sarmad N.

I like this place a lot. It is such a cool building first of all and 2nd the food is great. I have tried a bunch of items on their menu and enjoyed everything i tried. This is an awesome hang out place. Sometimes the service is a little lackluster when they get really busy but no more so than any restaurant. I'd recommend them in a heart beat.
(4)
Dpig O.

Solid brewery. Not always the most inventive, but the standards are always tried and true. Never really been let down there. The snowcap is a great winter beer.
(4)
Alen K.

Mental note - This review is based on the restaurant. I came here for a birthday dinner, there were about 11 people in the party. We occupied the side room on the right of the main doors. This would be a neat room for a larger party, you can take the whole room for yourself. We ordered appetizers and beer to start. We got some confusion when the staff gave us the beer and said the wrong name of it. We got it cleared up by our waiter later, but it sort of set the tone for the rest of the day. When we decided to order our entrees, our waiter was MIA for awhile, and we all made jokes to raise our hands and hold them in the air until someone arrives. I decided to do that and everyone followed suit. The hostess decided to walk over and take our orders (good job waiter man). After we ordered, it felt like an eternity for our food to arrive. All the beer was done, we were sitting at an empty table just waiting. We didn't even have water! But of course, perfect timing when one of us said we should leave, the food all came out. However - one of the plates did not arrive. So as all of us minus one began to eat, all I felt was fried food. I ordered the Pyramid Burger, which was a bit dry (this was medium rare), but the dryness was more like the condiments were lacking. I'm not a heavy ketchup person in my burger, I like having the burger and maybe cheese speak for itself, but I had to drown some ketchup just so that I could chew. In the end, it was nice of them to split the check onto 8 credit cards, most places won't even go higher than 2. Until my next visit, this place is A-OK, let's do better, I wanna try your selection of beer with a better dinner experience.
(3)
Matt R.

Ordered Cod & Chips.. Cod was crispy but very bland and i sent them back. Changed to a simple burger with swisa. Burger was just okay nothing special. Server was pleasant and efficient.
(3)
Valerie C.

I would really only give this place one star, but for their them inventing the best fruit flavored beer EVER: Pyramid Audacious Apricot Ale. I mean, it takes like liquid Captain Crunch, except less sugar and more alcohol. Other than that, the food kinda sucks. The rest of their beer kinda sucks. It's in a really cutty part of Berkeley which kinda--you guessed it--sucks.
(3)
FLICK R.

closed ; ( update; i guess the brewery is closed but the ale house is open? I messaged vlad to clarify but got no response?
(3)
Eric C.

Apparently being patient doesn't get you anywhere here. And first come first serve policy for getting kegs either. Last time I get a keg here. But the staff was very nice.
(3)
Dr. L.

Wow, I had a truly terrible experience here. I don't want to dwell on it, so here are the most pressing issues: - Nobody greeted us, and it took at least 5-10 minutes for some skinny, bored-looking 25-year-old to seat us. - He seated us in the empty "family" room, away from the bar and away from the main area. I guess it's because we look young and, I guess, poor? - I ordered a "medium" Pyramid burger. My +1 looked at it, and said, "HA! That's way 'well-done'." Mmmm, dry, flavorless, and crumbly! Just how I like my "medium" burgers! Ugh. -The waitress looked like it pained her to serve patrons younger than her. Well, I'm sorry. That's not my problem, is it? Pros: The onion rings were the only things stopping me from storming out. The beer helped, too. Thank you, Mr. Hefeweizen!
(1)
Laurie H.

Maybe not fair to rate this place when I'm not a beer drinker - so keep that in mind with this review. Very friendly service....and if you're a sports fan you're in heaven. The food was okay....fish tacos were fine, margherita pizza was fine, fish and chips were fine, etc. I'd probably give it 2 1/2 stars if allowed to do so. But not my cup of tea so I won't be back.
(2)
Becky H.

Beer is good, food....eh. Next time we will eat before be come.
(3)
Brittany R.

Good selection of beer. I'd recommend the Passion Wheat for the novice. Stay away from the salads and stick to the more traditional brewery menu options. The spinach artichoke dip is a must have.
(4)
Jennifer W.

Let me tell you. Come here for happy hour and not anytime else, unless it is for the tour. The service is terrible and the food is only decent, but the prices are pretty good. The happy hour prices for beers is incredibly reasonable and the press pass deal applies during happy hour too, so we got an pizza to share for full price and a free appetizer because of that. We got our choice of any appetizer, so we got the nachos and we added chicken to it too. Again, the food is alright. But, my favorite part of coming to the alehouse is getting the alehouse exclusive brews. I got my growler refilled with some crystal wheat for eight bucks. I'm glad I didn't get curveball. I was tempted because it's seasonal, but seriously, get the alehouse only brews. You can't get that anywhere else.
(4)
Michael C.

The pulled pork nachos are huge. The pulled pork is pretty decent as well. Also lots of tvs to watch sports on.
(4)
Corrina S.

I really love the apricot hef, it's delicious and I'm a big fan of hef. We got to try all the other beers on their free tour and they brought a pitcher of each beer for FREE so that was awesome. We couldn't hear a single thing the tour guide was saying, but the beermaster or whatever his name is let us try the beer right out of the big metal vat thing. It was warm and kinda tasted like tea! :) We didn't eat any of the food, we were too busy watching the ncaa tournament and drinking beer. I like the atmosphere of the place too, very casual and a good place for groups. Overall it was a fun experience and a BIG PLUS for their private lot, no parking worries!!!
(3)
Debbie T.

Not an amazing restaurant, but not bad either. I came here with three other peeps last night. We ordered two pizzas: margarita and BBQ chicken. The margarita was pretty bland. In addition to tomatoes, cheese, and basil, it comes with roasted garlic, which I love, but only a few pieces were on three of the eight slices. It looked like the chef just threw everything on the pizza, and wherever the ingredients lands so it may be. The BBQ chicken was a much better pizza. I LOVE Pryamid's BBQ sauce! It's tangy, but sweet at the same time with a hint of saltiness. We also ordered the sample platter, which came with ranch, the BBQ sauce, hot sauce, and a creamy tartar like sauce. A typical tray of onion rings, potatoes wedges, and hot wings. I loved the potatoes wedges and hot wings! The wedges were seasoned and had melted cheddar cheese. Yum! The hot wings had an amazing kickin' flavor, but were over fried. Boo! The beer braised sausages and artichoke dip were the last things we ordered. The sausages were pretty good--very flavorful. My party enjoyed the dip, but I thought it was too creamy and milky. Chucks of artichoke were mixed into the sauce, which is nice, but my biggest problem was that the dip was actually more of a spread. You'll def. need a knife to put this baby on the slices of bread it comes in. Think peanut better. Not the organic kind, but the classic Skippy. In the crunchy jar. Mixed with half and half. Yep. The best beer to order here would be the apricot ale. And, the Hef is decent, but go for the apricot.
(3)
Dan M.

I didn't really want to go to this place, as I thought it was just going to be a "macro" type brewery. I've mainly tried their Pyramid Hefe (now called Haywire), which is okay, but they have plenty of other interesting brews on tap to sample. I enjoyed their seasonals which are quite good.... Curve Ball and Fling, but I really enjoyed the Sling Shot and Thunderhead. This place is nice inside and has plenty of seating inside. They have a gifty shop for those that want to by logo apparel and hats.
(3)
Marakia R.

I love their BEER! The food? So So..... The first time we went the food was SALTY! I Understand the concept of bar food but I was over it! The second time we went and the food was yummy. I dont know if they read the yelp reviews but something changed for the good! I will always come back for the beer and now that the food is normal again I can eat as well
(4)
Austin W.

Woohoo! I love this place! From the moment we parked our car in the spacious parking lot to when we left our table to leave, I had a overwhelming positive experience. I came here with a party of four during a busy night and the place was packed. I was expecting a wait and bad service which is typical for the given level of busyness but I couldn't be more wrong. When we walked in, we were greeted by a super nice waitress who found a nice booth for us. My friends and I aren't the most hardcore group when it comes to alehouses so we really needed some help in knowing what drinks to order. The waitress was super helpful in helping us decide, asking each of us what we liked and telling us which drinks we'd probably like. Huge props for knowing the menu. Too many times I've seen waiters not know a thing about what they serve, We ordered a good amount of food, and it all came quickly. The appetizer, some sort of artichoke dip, was really creamy, rich, hot, and delicious! I wouldn't have mind if I ordered a couple instead of my entrÃ©e :P My main course was the Pyramid burger which was really good. I want to say it was a bit bigger than your standard 1/4 lb burger and it was cooked to perfect medium rareness. Everything in the burger was packed with flavor. The BBQ like sauce inside the burger was tangy, the onion rings were crisp and fresh, and they were very generous with the fixin's. The fries were pretty good too. The beer was so good here, we had to get a 6-pack to go. I would recommend this place anytime for any occasion.
(5)
Elli C.

Ordered nachos w meat again today but this time there's a lot of cheese and very limited meat. Maybe last time I got it was a coincidence that they put a lot of meat.
(3)
Jen S.

I chose this place for my husband's graduation lunch due to the fact that it's easy to find and there was a parking lot. Very important as my mom was driving in with my grandma. His graduation was on a Monday so it was pretty empty at 1:30pm. I had reservations for our party of 10 and so they were ready for us. Service was great, however, I shouldn't have expected less since it was a slow afternoon. All of us ordered either sandwiches or salads. The turkey club and the honey cilantro chicken, particularly, was fantastic. With the sandwich, you could order mac n' cheese for $1 more which I did. You get a pretty sizable bowl and the taste was decent. Not overly salty and very cheesy. Since it's within walking distance of where I live, I would definitely stop by here for sandwiches and beer.
(4)
Andrew D.

This place isn't very Berkeley. It isn't a hole in the wall, mom and pop shop. A nice atmosphere and lovely property that I haven't experience since moving to Berkeley. Maybe it reminded me a lot of the suburbs I've grown up in. It's very commercial by comparison, but damn they make a good burger. For that I knocked it up from a 3 star to a 4 star rating. You're going to get the same food you'd get in a chain restaurant (think BJs, Yardhouse, etc). That's exactly what I wanted. Something that was enough calories for my whole day. Loaded with salt and fat. That's what I got.
(4)
Jackie T.

The food: my coworkers and I actually came here mostly for drinks, and the beer was definitely an interesting selection. One person got a sampler, which they plunked down on the menu explanations (convenient), some people got hef's and three of us girls got the sweet apricot ale- a great choice if you're not a beer person, or if you just have a sweet tooth. The mixed fries plate we got was alright- good bar food, nothing out of the ordinary. The bad: Pyramid looks a little like BJ's brewery, and wasn't as homey as I'd expected. The good: it's a high ceilinged, pleasantly loud and airy space which makes it perfect for happy hours with coworkers. Ambiance: loud and bustling family restaurant Overall: Pyramid wasn't as amazing as I'd expected, but still a great place to go to sample their seasonal beers and nurse a drink with a large group of friends.
(3)
Lorissa W.

I had a wonderful dinner here tonight. We got there about 4PM and got seated immediately. I had the blackened salmon with fingerling potatoes and seasonal veggies (broccoli and carrots) for 13 dollars. He got the Pyramid burger (1/3 pound of beef, two slices of tomatoes, three pickles, bacon, cheese, and lettuce). He substituted the fries with onion rings for an additional 2 dollars bringing his burger dish to 13 too. The burger and onion rings were huge. The condiments came before the food (three full size bottles of ketchup, etc.) The blackened salmon was perfectly cooked and the seasoning gave it a nice exterior crunch. The salty and spicy seasoning was superb; the salmon itself was moist and fresh. The veggies were fresh and simply cooked but went really well with the salmon. I would order this dish again and again. Hubby liked his burger too. I took a bite and it was very tasty. The onion rings reminded me of fried chicken. : ) The texture was meaty and substantial, extremely crunchy, and the flavor just right. We had some apricot beer and it was refreshingly fruity and went well with my salmon dish. Highly recommended. Unfortunately, it's not the most romantic place (televisions everywhere tuned to sports) but with food this good, I wouldn't mind coming here for a weekly date. ; )
(5)
Yuval G.

Awesome place ! Always cheerful and a great service too. Ideal for those who live in Albany and don't want to go far away to grab a beer. The 6 beer tastings is a great offer!
(4)
Sara W.

I've been here twice and have loved it every time. The food is decent, the beer and cider are great, and the service is wonderful and friendly. I usually get a veggie burger (I can substitute the veggie patty in any of the regular burgers); the fries are great. We have special-ordered brownies with vanilla ice cream and bacon on top, and it's simply amazing, melt-in-your-mouth awesomeness. The prices are decent too. There are always lots of people and I love how bustling it is.
(4)
jun k.

SERVICE REVIEW!**** Came here only for a random impromptu birthday dinner in which way more people than expected arrived. We were early (around 5ish) and the waitstaff crew was AWESOME. we were like.. the epitome of obnoxious, you know? none of us ordered drinks, we kept on adding tables... BUT our waitress was SO great about being cool, adding food, packing boxes (for those who had to leave early), finding who ordered what since we kept on switching up the seats, and in the end, allowed us to pay with as many credit cards as we wanted! They also just stuck us into a private room.. (just for kicks, b/c i mean, it was pretty early and we all left by 6:40pm.. so yeah..) The food was good too .. I mean i got a chicken cobb salad which was whatevers .. but honestly, who orders that a brewery? it's my own fault... and another con would be the tables were pretty sticky. but i mean yeah.. Anyway, they were so cool about everything .... I really appreciated that! I liked how because they had time, they devoted it to more service.. I mean our waitress literally said, "usually we have a limit for credit cards, but I have time, so if you want, you can give me as many credit cards as you want!" Great Service!
(5)
Sarah W.

Skip out on the nachos and pizzas during Happy Hour. They're OK. As a Berkeley student, use the berkeley good life card and get one item with a free appetizer. Good for groups. Good for eating then walking to both REI and Northface Outlet afterward.
(3)
Shira O.

How have I never heard of this place before. Okay, okay I have heard of Pyramid Beer, even drank it on many occasion, but a whole brewery in the bay and I didn't even know it was there...weird. Went last night for the first time. Tuesday night is trivia night. Pretty entertaining, but long and a bit drawn out. Apparently at the Walnut Creek location they give out free food as prizes, none doin' here. But the happy hours' (goes until 6:45) $3.75 pints and $10.75 pitchers is muy bueno, also 30% off apps. Huge place, bring all your friends. If you go for trivia night, bring folks for a team, I didn't see anyone making friends here, if you know what I mean. Extra points, the server forgot about us and apologized with two free pitches. Apology accepted my friend.
(3)
Tikisha O.

Salmon melts in your mouth. Im not really a beer drinker but they have some pretty good flavs
(4)
Andrew C.

This place has delicious beer and decent food, worth a trip! All of their food follows the theme of made-with-beer. For example beer-battered onion rings -- but they get much more creative! It's a great place, it's HUGE and has a ton of seating! Head over for happy hour or just whenever; the food is a bit pricier for the quality, but you really come here for the beer. The beer is delicious! It's really unique, and has it's own special taste than I can't describe unless you try it. The popular ones are the Apricot Ale, Amber Ale, Thunderhead and the Hefeweizen, but my personal favorite was the Curve Ball. There isn't a HUGE amount of variety, but there are a lot and the quality is great. Definitely recommended. I went for dinner and there was absolutely no wait time and a ton of seating. May be different and get more crowded for happy hour.
(4)
Brian S.

First off, I didn't have a beer this time because I was the designated driver. But nevertheless, onto my impression of Pyramid Brewery. Many years ago, I came here with my uncle when I was 14 or 15...so I couldn't have any beer. But my impression of the place that time was a positive one: the food was good, ambience was good, and the service was fast. Fast forward to today...not quite the same. We were able to get a table quickly, but the service was really slow....like snail-slow. Our waitress was very nice (and they were admittedly busy), but the time it took for our entire meal was like this: sat down, wait 5-7 minutes, ordered drinks, wait 5-7 minutes, order food, wait 15-20 minutes, ate food, ask for check, wait another 5-10 minutes...too much waiting time in my opinion... But the food was okay. I ordered the Brewer burger and the meat patty tasted good, but I was rather underwhelmed by the fries. For "seasoned fries"...they weren't seasoned at all. Also, about half of my fries were too well-done, taking on a dark brown appearance. I did get to taste my friends' beers: the apricot ale and the haywire hefeweizen. Both beers were very good and were very smooth. However, my impression could not be swayed much since I didn't drink a beer with my meal. I'm sure my rating will go up when I actually have a pint for myself. Till then, 3 stars it is.
(3)
S V.

Really chill spot. I was always a fan of their brew so it was nice stopping by for a quick drink. The place is big and is a great size for parties. Their service was also very friendly too. Our waitress did a lot of small talk with us and made our beer experience better. Their growler prices are also not bad. Next time I come back, I plan to buy one.
(4)
Stanley H.

The food and service here are nothing special. I ordered the meatloaf (which is actually more like a giant meatball) which tasted bland and under-seasoned. My waiter forgot the mac n cheese that I ordered as a side, and I had to ask for it after finishing my meatloaf because she was nowhere to be found. Not sure if I would come here again...
(3)
Uncle Fishbits Aeneas X.

5 star servers, though. Their beer is fine. They really have some awesome beers. Cavernous room. HUGE. The space is crazy. The Tortilla Soup was like dirty sock water, with zero flavor. It was horrid. If I had asked the server to take it off the bill, I am sure she would have. I did not. That was a mistake. The Buffalo Chicken Strips were fried way too long, and were just like the fries.... painful, flavorless rubber. The Cobb salad had all the ingredients, but they were devoid of any "taste" or hint of "food". It's sort of bizarre. The pizza's looked like cardboard. The sauerkraut on the sausage sampler was also devoid of... anything sauerkraut-y. It was pretty bizarre. This was like a terrible Marie Calendar's or Applebees or something. Plus one star for the intense wave of memories, in that it is across the street from 924 Gilman. That's wild.
(2)
Amanda L.

Pyramid is great. My boyfriend recently started working in Berkeley so I can meet him here for beers and food after work (to avoid rush hour traffic!). I only with their happy hour was extended until 7, I don't even know if I've ever made it to happy hour. I guess it's a tad pricey compared to other bars in Berkeley, but its also a brewery and most of their brews are delicious. But definately check in to get 30% off appetizers. We always sit at the bar so I don't know how the table service is.
(4)
Kimberly K.

Meh - there are way better breweries in the area. It just seems too commercialized and big for my taste. I'll probably be back because it's so close to home and to maybe take tourists but not for my own personal pleasure. Just wasn't a huge fan of the beer.
(3)
Geri W.

I came with a large group, and everyone really enjoyed their food! Of course the beer selection is pretty good too. The only thing is the server's voice tone was a bit flat. Maybe he was just overwhelmed, or maybe that's just the way he is. It's pretty loud in there, so it's hard to talk to people in a large group. There is outdoor seating as well, so that may be a nice option on a nice day.
(4)
Sara P.

I recently found that Pyramid had a brewery in Berkeley - WHAT!? Someone should have informed me of this before now. Pyramid's Apricot ale is one of my all-time favorite beers. We found a table at the bar on Sunday night, even with football games going. Best part: they have a parking lot!
(4)
Ralph L.

Normally, a pub that closes at 10pm is a recipe for disappointment, but I really like this place. It's extremely easy to get here via car, and even if it wasn't, I'd make the trek on the AC Transit 72. I have a soft spot for Pyramid because while I was a freshman at Cal, my suitemate--one of the few dudes over 21--would share his stash of Pyramid Apricot Ales. Gross, girly, I know. But he swore that the ladies loved it, and sure enough, he bagged some fine females. Fast forward to today, and Pyramid's Hefeweizen (awful branding aside) is the standard drinkable weissbier at any Orange County bar. When I make the (sadly increasingly rare) trip up to Norcal, I always make it a point to stop here, have some great bar food and enjoy the seasonals. Our most recent bartender even gave me an extra taster of crystalweizen on the house. It was pretty bad but it was free! I recommend the porter if you're going for a pint. PS they run some kind of shuttle during Cal football games that seems free and a way better deal than paying $20 to park near campus in a much-too-sober manner. It's my goal to check it out next time.
(4)
meshell c.

I like this place because it's easy, causal and its got a decent selection of beer and food. Nothing fancy and it has a few TV's with the sports channel fired up. Happy Hour was until 6:30 so that was nice. 30% off appetizers. So we ended up ordering the Sampler, Pork Tacos, and Shrimp Ceviche and let me break it down for you... Sampler is exactly what it is: the chicken wings was overly fried, but other than that, the potato, calamari, and onion rings were decent. Pork Tacos: way TOO greasy! lacked taste and just wasn't really appealing, but as an appetizer you get 3 huge tacos....it's enough as a dinner portion. Shrimp Ceviche: you know, ever since I had my friend's mother's ceviche, nothing really can top that, although this was tastier than other ones I've tried at restaurants. Verdict: It's a nice place to grab a beer. The food selection is decent. One minor thing though, my date didn't have his ID on him when we were there and the waitress refused to serve him any alcohol. I know she was doing her job, but really? I felt kinda bad while I gulped my beer down.
(3)
Dale E.

Pretty lousy food. And I'm not a fan of the Pyramid line of ales. Enough said.
(1)
John F.

I went into this hoping for more. I was disappointed. The menu had a few changes since the last time I was here, I decided to go with the pot roast, I was really looking forward to this meal. All the great things I love about pot roast: large portions, tender texture, moist, juicy, fatty love all in your mouth! This roast I ate last night was a small, dry, tough, no flavor having piece of what could of been. And it was warm, not hot, warm. It might as well been served cold. On top of that the veg (broccoli and carrots) were very raw to taste. Probably dropped in liquid for a few seconds to warm the veggies. I did not get to ask anyone else how there meal was, so I will only speak for myself. One more thing, our server started off really well, very visible in the beginning, but after we were served I had a hard time seeing her. I wish it was all so much better. I want to like this place.
(2)
Jen L.

During football season, we come a couple Sundays a month to catch the games and grab some food. This is the most convenient and comfortable sports place in the Berkeley area, so we come even though the food is very mediocre. There's always a good crowd of fans there to enjoy the games with but not too many that it's stuffy or crowded. There are plenty of tv's around the restaurant that show all of the games going on. The only thing is that I wish they had sound for the games somehow. We've tried the burgers, salads, pizza sticks, soups, appetizers, you name it. It's all just okay in my opinion - typical chain restaurant style food. This is a great place if you're just looking for a chill place to hang out and grab some drinks. Head somewhere else if you're looking for great food.
(3)
Holla F.

Basic bar food..if you check in, you get 25% off your entire appetizer order. Not bad. Ales were pretty good too. They could work on their hostess and waitress skills though. Great for watching sporting events.
(3)
Evin C.

First time coming here, actually took my dad for father's day. The beer was really good, I tried the new apricot ale (really light but a great taste) and my dad got the hefeweizen. As far as the food goes, what I got was delicious. I had the braised sausages (served with sauerkraut and garlic mashed potatoes) and I was completely surprised. That dish was DELICIOUS. I didn't pick the beer that paired with it (the Thunderhead IPA) since it was too bitter for my taste, but the apricot ale tasted great with it all the same. My dad on the other hand tried the fish and chips and he hated it. The fish was overcooked and they had too much beer in the batter giving it a bitter taste. All in all, it depends on what you get. I'd definitely recommend those braised sausages though, it pairs great with the beer. I'd definitely go back to the Pyramid brewery with friends. It's a chill environment and it's right in the heart of Berkeley.
(4)
Virginia C.

Catching up on this long over due review- 1) Great place for happy hours and catching up with friends. They have a huge selection of beer on tap too. 2) Prices good 3) Food= huge portions and the burgers are exactly what you want from a burger 4) Why the 2 stars? The service was ehhhh- the waitress was slow and forgot our appetizers by the time our main meal came out. There was also a fly in our first pitcher of beer. I mean the poor service has happened more than once since I've been here. All and all, they have parking and i will still go back to meet up with friends.
(2)
Chris C.

Burger and Beer. Life is good!
(3)
Lorrie M.

I think as the last person said ... this place is good if you know how to pick the right entrees. I have absolutely no issues with a majority of their beer selection because for the purpose of beer, I do believe that Pyramid is pretty good and easily attainable. However, I find most of their food to be more on the meh side, and is not really that good, I guess they have good fries? I went with a large party and they were able to quasi-accommodate us with no reservations which was a good point for them. The waiter was very nice and we ordered a pitcher of Snow Cap which was NOT what we expected at all, and was way bitterer than IMO advertised on their beer sheet so our waiter brought us a free pint of something we wanted which was cool. The food. meh. I got their philly steak sandwich, it was terrible ... I think some other people got pizza which was alright, and their chicken was okay as well. Overall I'm not that satisfied with their food offering (especially their spinach artichoke dip, who makes it with hard pieces of baguette bread instead of chips?) Definitely recommended for large parties with advanced reservations and for a night out drinking some good beer (not Snow Cap!)
(3)
Lindsay V.

A friend and I went here for the first time this past week and thoroughly enjoyed it. The beer and hamburger I had were excellent, and our service was good too. I do recommend the $2 upgrade to grass-fed beef. I will definitely return. As an aside, I will not be trying the pizza as it didn't look that outstanding.
(5)
EJ N.

Good beer. OK appetizers. Apple Bee's food. This is a place to go for beer and snack food. We ordered 3 meals and it was gross, edible but not something to go back for. So when you're ready to get your beer booze on hit it up then go to one of the other 20 better restaurants withing 2 blocks.
(2)
Ryan G.

Food and beer was top notch .
(5)
Eddie A.

It's a brewery !!! I love the beer selection, had the beer sampler and then just decided for a HEF, I'm not coming here for a great dinner but for a good beer, the food is just like any other bar, they have fried this and fried that.. with burgers... hmm.. I mean it is a brewery not a FANCY RESTAURANT..
(4)
Kristina F.

Lovely building and clean aesthetics with tons of seating, tv screens and fab service from staff. Had a few samples of beer before settling on my beer choice. Burgers are GOOOOOOD! Perfect place to take boyfriendy to catch sports on tv while I knock back a few and chomp on a burger. Very cool how the bar is set up in front of patrons and the open kitchen to watch chefs prepare your food while you take in the ambiance. Looking forward to visiting during happy hour sometime!
(4)
M M.

Took the boys for Father's Day. We've been here several times before. We had a very large group, eight arrived on time. We were refused sitting until at least nine in our party arrived (16 in party). They had our table set in the small room at the front of the restaurant. We sat crowded in front of the hostess. Our other half arrived over an hour late, they were at the graveyard and it took much longer than expected. We were seated at 3:30pm. They took our order and we waited. We passed on the appetizers and drinks, as by then we just wanted to go home. The food was just okay for the price, my sandwich was quite small. My complaint here is that had they seated us when we arrived, we would of ordered drinks and appetizers while we waited (eight is not a small group). We could of possibly ordered our food as well. No one was in the room we used the entire time we waited. We also had two small children waiting with us. It would of been no big deal to the second half if we did not wait for them. The restaurant was not crowded. I doubt we would go back after being refused seating. The beer drinkers thought Portland IPA was very good (the boys went to the bar for beer while we waited).
(2)
Amy J.

The food is actually decent here. Tuesday night trivia also is pretty well rounded so if you have a well rounded group of people, you should be able to get your answers correct. The sweet potato fries are probably the best things you can order here. It comes with a yummy curry sauce. I ordered a half chicken and I ended up taking most of it home. It's a brewery though so keep that in mind that food isn't going to be absolutely stellar. Trivia night here is pretty organized so grab some of your pals and go. If you're a beer person, I'm sure you'd like the variety they have on tap here.
(3)
Juan B.

Great place to come chill with friends and have a drink they have a large variety of drinks menu. Happy Hour Menu is awesome $15 for a pizza and a pitcher I believe on Thursday. The waiter could have checked with us a little more often didn't feel the hospitality at all. Great food having trouble finding something delicious try my favorite Cheddar JalapeÃ±o Burger is delicious a must try!
(3)
Katie H.

The food was just ok (I had a pizza... sort of "Italian" style with very thin crispy crust), the service was friendly, and parking was easy. The apricot ale (on tap) was ultimately what sold me on this place though. It is so, so, so, so amazing! Now off to Google to find out if they bottle it. Edit: They do! Heading to BevMo soon!
(4)
Amar T.

5 stars for Happy Hour! That's the only time I go and it is well worth it. Cheap pitchers and 30% off appetizers. Tours everyday at 4 PM with FREE beer after wards is absolutely amazing. Then just stroll on in for happy hour for more. My favorite place to drink!
(5)
Dan M.

What a huge disappointment. Went to this establishment with a party of four during the last day of beer week. We sat down and ordered beer and food. Waiter came back and told me my beer selection was no longer available. I ordered another beer from the large chalk board. Again he came back and said no dice. I asked him for a suggestion and ordered that. Food showed up and was consumed before waiter said sorry i will bring you a sample . Forty five minutes later and no beer. This place is another example of big box gone wrong. Its not that their beer is very good anyways. Service should be above and beyond to compensate for the lack luster ale.
(1)
Oleg H.

Apricot Hef!!! The apricot hef is great by any beer standard - but on a fruity beer scale of 1-10 its a solid 11. Got a chance to check out the facilities during a Yelp event, had a great time, certainly deserves four stars. Not only is it a restaurant with good food, beer, and service, they can put on an event like its no ones business :)
(4)
Kelly B.

I prefer this Pyramid to it's kid sister brew house in Walnut Creek. I'm not just saying that because I live in Berkeley and love all things food and drink related in Berkeley, but it really is a better experience. They do this Thirsty Thursday thing and it is pretty cool. You get a pitcher and pizza for $20, which I find to be very reasonable especially if you've had their pizza-- check it out-- brick oven baked pizza, with several choices for toppings. I am a fan of the apricot ale, and I highly recommend it. If you are into sampling, get their sampler. I hear good things (I stick to what I know here, cus it's just that good.) They also offer tours, that you have to check the website for hours and details for. Well worth the trip to West Berkeley!
(4)
Jeremy G.

I really thought that this place had gotten the Yelp shaft. Their menu looked solid, especially the pizza straws and the Pyramid burger. Big surprise, this was my order. Now the pizza straws were 5 star worthy. Garlic and doughy and cheesy with two sides of dipping delight: ranch and marinara. The burger was weak. Medium should be juicy. This was not. The bacon was 50% fat. The BBQ sauce was the party wallflower. The bun felt like came from the bottom shelf of a nearby Safeway. The mozzarella might as well have not been there. I won't get into the unaesthetic nature of my friend's Caesar salad. Overall, this place is average.
(3)
Michelle Z.

mm mm love this place. not only is it only 2 blocks away from me, but happy hour in the afternoon, AND from 9-10 pm right before closing. plus, they give a free daily tour of the brewery at 4 pm. They let you taste 4-6 different beers, which is a sweet deal. check this place out!
(4)
Eric S.

Here's the skinny: Good food Good beer Friendly (and sometimes quirky) staff Pleasant/warm atmosphere TVs usually play sports games Ask for beer samples, or recommendations!
(4)
Ivan L.

I'm not sure I understand what Pyramid is up to. It seems like they're not much into making beer, they're not much into making food, they're not much into it. I've been to Pyramid in Seattle and now in Berkley and I always leave scratching my head... "Couldn't this be so much better? Why build a giant place to put out such an unimpressive product?"
(2)
Christina G.

My first experience... The beer isn't my favorite but it was the only thing that made my visit enjoyable. There were about 6 servers behind the server station.. I had to ask to order an appetizer, then had to ask to order food. My server hardly looked at us in the eyes and all the other servers had sour looks on their faces. It was like going to a family thanksgiving dinner and no one was speaking to each other. I probably won't recommend this place or will I come back. P.s. the tortilla soup was spicy but blan.
(2)
Jeremy B.

Pyramid is a good place to go for decent food and good beer. They have burgers, salads, pizzas, wings, and sandwiches, as well as food specials that change periodically. They also offer a seasonal beer on tap. This is a good place for a group, since they have some larger tables available and can handle seating a group together.
(3)
Jonathan G.

The ONLY reason this is a 1-star review is because 1) I can't give a negative star and 2) a seater that wasn't our server went out of her way for us right before we stepped out the door at the end of the meal. Why? Loser of a manager for the day. This review is heavily weighted based on experience with the manager. This past Sunday afternoon, July 31 2011 (so Pyramid, if you're reading this, the manager that day is full of lose) we decided to go have some Pyramid Brewery food. We were seated promptly. I immediately made known to the server that we were using a Groupon discount, which he acknowledged. Twice we had friends we know also come into the restaurant. One was a group of three and there wasn't space to sit with us. The other was alone so we made room for him. As we talked about who wants what, he made known that he was going to use a 30% discount on appetizers for checking in.....here (Yelp). When we told the server he said that couldn't be done, and quickly deferred to having the manager deal with it. Server said he couldn't do it but would tell the manager so that person could decide. Soon over comes the manager immediately saying we couldn't use multiple discounts. We explained to him that we were not all in the same car, not related, and not on the same tab, that one of our group so happened to come in and see friends and join them. The manager would hear none of it, and also then refused to let us have separate tabs. "I can't do that" he says. We've been there before with groups of 15+ and had 3-4 separate tabs. Plus.....umm you are the manager. You can make a decision. And he did.....to not accomodate us. We weren't rude, we smiled, we tried kindness, he had none of it. From then on, the server came by often to refill lemonades and sodas. That's nice but nothing special. Fast forward to end of the meal. Our server hasn't been in sight for 15 minutes. We want our bill so we can leave. Neither him nor a replacement (in case he needed a break or was having a nervous breakdown somewhere) has said boo to us. TWICE my wife had to go up to the front counter and say "don't know where server dude went but we'd like our bill". This person was finally apologetic that no one had come over, she took control of the situation and got everything finalized. We left with full stomachs but not a great experience other than associating with each other (can do that anywhere though). Will we be back? Maybe, but it won't be of our initiative. There are tooooooo many other places within 7-8 minutes to choose from and have equal or better food, and better service.
(1)
Jamie R.

The beer is always good. Space is great since the bar has been redone. Food is good-try the ribs or the tacos. The nachos are huge. Fun place to go with a group.
(4)
Scott E.

Very disappointing. Seemed to be processed/frozen food where the kitchen did not read the instructions on the bag. Instead of hops Pyramid smells like bleach...like a bar the morning after a big night. Service was ok...they did replace my food when it came out cold. The bar looked nice and maybe with a few beers the food would taste better.
(2)
Alex R.

I feel like some of these reviews are pretty unjustified! I go to pyramid pretty frequently and while I agree their food isn't great, it is pretty good, and it is very reasonably priced! Take it for what it is people, sheesh! The beer is always good too - Pyramid Hefe will always be my favorite, but occasionally I find another I like there. One other thing to mention: check the daily specials/events. My favorite is web Wednesday - you can save a lot of $ by liking a post on Facebook...
(4)
Ralph C.

Solid pub and grub. Pyramid beer is starting to grow on me- I must be getting old. A little pricy but generally food is well prepared. One of my current favorites.
(4)
Gabe C.

I love their beer.....but I hate their food. Service at the bar is great. I have tried several things on the menu, and I have to say that I have been disappointed every time. I keep wanting to give the cooks a chance, but each time it comes out tasting like something from the public school lunch service.
(2)
Mary P.

I like food. I like food a lot. Just not a big fan of the grub at Pyramid. Its really not that hard to mess up pub grub but Pyramid seems to do it fairly well and fairly often. Oh, but let me tell you about the nice waitress. She was great! Tall, brunette with glasses- Thank you for the great service! Okay, back to the dreck I ate. I had the Bangers and Mash. How do sausages and garlic mashed potatoes come to one sans any discernible flavor? Sausage= ground meat of various types complete with fat (fat=flavor, right?), spices, casing... Yeah, no. Mashed potatoes were flavorless too. What gives, Pyramid!? I want my money back! Well, maybe not. At least I got a chance to watch the A's and Red Sox play and the husband got to quaff a few Hefs and we had a nice time without the kids (Yay! Spring Break is OVER!). Place was clean and not very crowded so I guess they can keep the money for bland ass food. Consider that cash money for all the extras- NOT for your gross food. Lord, I am glad this place is NOT in Oakland. We need all the help we can get.
(3)
Laura M.

Worst service I have had in years. I should have known it was going to be bad when we arrived for lunch and the hostess just handed us a pile of menus, gesturing to "where ever" we wanted to sit. We sat *ourselves* and it took about 8 minutes for us to be greeted by a server. I don't think we would have been given napkins and forks if my husband didn't get them for us. We even had to ask for a BEER MENU and this is a BREWERY. The drinks came slowly, while the food came fast. We were checked on once, never after that, never got water refills, and I had to finally- after waiting for a considerable amount of time- go to the hostesss stand to ask for the check. The server I encoutered actually asked me to "please wait" and I said, "NO- very bad service today we really want our check NOW." While my husband and kids enjoyed their food, my fish tacos were pretty bad. I will never go back there again. Hmph.
(1)
Eric B.

Gayle and I attended her darling granddaughter's 3rd Birthday party here in the front party room. My son, Gayle's younger toddler grandson, 2 infants and of course the parents were also in attendance. Pyramid is a great birthday party venue. The toddlers were playing in the corner in a small plastic swimming pool filled with balloons, the babies were in their chairs, and the adults were munching on tasty appetizers, drinking beer, and catching up (while watching their children of course). However, my 13 year-old son was a little bored (at least until the cake came out) and was a bit bummed that Pyramid no longer owns Thomas Kemper or carries their soft drinks. And these young adults will fondly remember this party in a few years when they start having their celebrations at less adult places like Chuck E Cheese (!), the Jungle, etc.
(4)
Cath M.

I've always passed by this place since I forever and finally decided to check it out w/one of the beer lovers in my family...my brother! We went here on a Friday and it was packed. We waited at the bar, ordered the Apricot Hefe (pitcher) and my bro got the Crystal Hefe. The wait wasn't long with alcohol in our hands! Once seated, our server took our orders and soon food started arriving. I had the ribs and it was good and just right. I forgot what the rest of my party had but they all liked, no complaints. I would say that this place is better than Gordon Birsch in the city. First of all, there's free parking! Tons of it everywhere! The prices are way cheaper and the pitcher of beer plus another glass, cost $18! That's a just a beer in GB! And the food is way better...so they made a believer out of me! I love SF but hey, living in the Bay ain't cheap and gotta make the best out of it!
(4)
Jess C.

Date/Time: Tuesday - 8:30pm Occasion: Dinner after shopping in downtown SF with the bf Party of: Two Location: Very large, lit, and open restaurant with seating upstairs and downstairs. Brewery; great place for HH or boys night out. Ordered: Chicken wings appetizer, Beer braised sausages with baked potato on the side, and Chicken sandwich Total incl gratuity: ~$47pp I happened to purchase a voucher from groupon for Pyramids so we decided to finally put it to good use. I really only wanted to come here to munch on the chicken wings but when I looked at the menu, my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach. Of course we started with the chicken wings. They are a must-order! One of the best chicken wings I have ever eaten. Sizeable and finger-licking good. They are fried to perfection and the meat is moist. The rest of our entrees were mediocre. I wasn't too impressed with the sausages or maybe I wasn't in the mood for them. The baked potato side was massive and the melted cheese sauce was pretty scrumptious. You'll definitely have to order an extra ramekin of cheese to finish off the potato given it's size. I'm not a fan of sandwiches so I had one bite and it wasn't memorable to me. Our server Alexis was great however towards nights end she disappeared until we were ready for the check. Our total, after our groupon, was about $21. Great value! Especially considering we ate so much food. If you're coming here, I can't emphasize enough to get the chicken wings.
(3)
Joe H.

GREAT beers, appetizers, and meals. Happy hour is also a treat! spicy chicken and the pizza twists, compliment the beer! They have regular beers and seasonal beers that taste great and will make you relaxed. I hear the tours are great, but I have yet to take one. Located near I-80 it is easy to find, so give it a shot and see if you like it. It is one of my favorite places to go. It claims to have Wi-Fi, but I always seem to have trouble connecting to it. It loses a star for a couple of servers that need to improve on their service and attention to detail.
(4)
Carlos A.

This has been my go-to place after soccer games for several years. This place is awesome for large rowdy groups. If your group is large enough you can get your own room upstairs or at the entrance. I really enjoy their burgers, particularly their turkey burger. They have a great selection of beers too. One cool thing about Pyramid is the summer movies they play out in the parking lot.
(4)
Tom B.

Nice setting, environs but the beer is so so. Seconds?
(2)
Sean B.

Okay, Pyramid. You're slowly climbing in the ranks. Back again for Tuesday Trivia night. Again, I liked the crowds that were there, the venue was chill, and parking was easy. Three-for-three on first impressions. Tonight's emcee was more composed than last week. Firstly, she was audible. An important trait for someone who's hired to, you know, speak into a microphone and broadcast her voice to a room full of people. A little more personality too. And while they still weren't greased lightning in figuring the scores, at least it was faster than last time. It's 10:30pm and I'm already home. 'Nuff said. This time I got dinner. Grabbed a turkey burger and sweet potato fries. Gotta say, a damned solid turkey burger. Well, not the burger itself, but whatever that sauce was they serve it with. Definitely a winner. The sweet potato fries were really nice too, though $2.95 to upgrade from regular fries is a chunk of money. The beer was nice... not the best I've had, not the worst. I like that it was $4.95 and you get to keep the glass. The waitress this time, also better... though still a bit slow. We waited 15 minutes to pay the bill when we were done. So... better... three stars for sure... definitely gonna give 'er another shot and hope that they hit four stars this time.
(3)
Daniel S.

It could be so good. If only the beer and food were good. So much potential, gone to waste. I like this style of restaurant, but not this particular one.
(1)
Tila T.

Pretty good food, but the service definitely could have been better. We asked for a booth and which the hostess said we'd have to wait for a busboy to clear one. We obliged, only then having to wait 20 minutes (when the place wasn't even busy). Seems she forgot about us, at which we asked if we could just as easily clear the couple empty pint glasses and dishes ourselves from the booth. This alone knocked them down at least 2 stars. Other than that, the snapper with mango salsa was BOMB. They ran out of that apricot beer, so i sub'ed for crystal wheatgrass. Still good though. Food alone prob would have gotten 4 stars.
(2)
Savier M.

Okay.... There isn't much to say about Pyramid. The venue is very large, clean. The waiters are nice, approachable. The crowd is lively. The food is a little meh and the service is slow. At least one of my two negatives is redeemable. The food may be bad but there are some stand out dishes... well maybe one. THE MACARONI AND CHEESE (WITH BACON) IS THE BOMB! Do not pass this dish up under any circumstances. I don't care if you are on a weight loss diet, have high cholesterol, or have a baby in you with special diet restrictions. The Mac at Pyramid is so good that I order a second serving to take home. When I get home I know that I am too full to eat more but I try. If you are thirsty, try washing your Mac down with Haywire Hefewizen. Be sure to squeeze the lemon and drop it in your beer, it will add a refreshing finish to an already perfect brew. Besides that, stay on your waiter or they may never comeback.
(4)
Ayreeness P.

Nice place to hang out! Free parking too!
(4)
Uncle T.

The food is great unless you want a change up of what's on the menu...some of the severs really suck....don't leave a tip if the server sucks!...
(5)
Stephanie L.

Every time I have come to Pyramid I have had a great time. I have eaten here at all times of the day (lunch, happy hour, dinner). Sure, their food is not classically-trained French cuisine but it is pretty good and the environment always leads to a good time. I have been on the free beer tour (starts at 4pm everyday). Loved learning about all their brews and the steps of beer-making. Loved the free beer samples at the end even more. I am a big fan of the hefeweizen and the apricot ale. I've also ordered the sit-down beer sampler and appreciate their seasonal beer selections. I have also enjoyed happy hour here. It has a wide selection at great prices. I have gotten a fried shrimp entree for dinner (not sure if it's still on the menu actually), and while it was nothing special, we had a terrific waiter and once again, I had a lot of fun. I've also had their spicy chicken wing appetizer, which was really delicious and not too spicy for me to handle. The blue cheese dressing the wings came with was absolutely delicious. And the nacho appetizer for $12 is HUGE! Also, appreciate the parking lot availability.
(4)
Jordan Z.

Super delicious food and Hefeweisen is the shit....better than the Walnut Creek location fa sho
(5)
Tom O.

A solid brew pub. I had the pyramid burger and a IPA, both were very good on a Saturday afternoon dog walk road trip. Remember this is brew pub food, so its on the brew pub scale, there are better beers and better foods in this world, but rare are the 2 at same place on the scale. Service is solid (for the most part), food is consistently good (not great) beer is cold and tasty.
(4)
Allen C.

I've been going to Pyramid for years for both casual large group dinners or to watch games in smaller groups. Pyramid is great for either occasion. The good thing about this place is that it doesn't get super packed since it's so large. The downstairs area has plenty of tables indoors, a few tables outdoors, and a bar area, and there's also more seating upstairs. Before games and even during games, it's not difficult to get a table. Obviously, since this is a brewery, there are plenty of options for beer here. You can't go wrong with their Hefeweizen but they also have lots of seasonal choices and beer that you can only get on tap here at their alehouse. As for their food, we tend to just go for lots of appetizers when we're here. Nachos are pretty great, as are their sampler platter items. I wouldn't go for the spicy wings appetizer by itself - they're pretty good but you really don't get that many. For entrees, I like going for the brewer's plates over the burgers or sandwiches. It's a really chill place to hang out with friends and enjoy some good beers and food while also enjoying whatever game you're here to watch.
(4)
Just R.

STAY AWAY. Their core clientele seems to be college students. We had a horrible experience. We didn't get what we ordered, and when we complained to the manager, she didn't do anything to fix it.
(1)
Vicky L.

This review is strictly for Pyramid Alehouse for a private party that I threw. Who knew that a brewery would be such a great place to host a small party during the daytime? If you are looking for something that can host around 20 - 30 people, during the daytime when people aren't full blown drinking, this is a great place to do that. The contact person was extremely responsive and easy to work with. A small deposit and meeting a food and drink minimum was all we needed in exchange for 4 + hours of space. They have a variety of food on their menu - from small appetizers to buffet style to entree style lunch. For drinks, you can obviously order beer or you can bring in your own for a small corkage fee. They let us also bring in cake/ice cream/cupcakes with only a small charge per person. They provided all the tables, linens, and you could pay extra to hook up your own music or slideshow. We had a jambox and spotify which took care of that for free. They helped us set up the drinks and the food and the tables, and then pretty much left us alone to do our thing. The whole event was really successful. I would definitely host another party here.
(5)
Sarah B.

I went to meet a friend for a late lunch and a beer at The Pyramid Alehouse in Berkeley. It was my second time visiting and enjoyed the atmosphere both times. Service both times has been equally good. I ordered the Outburst IPA and my friend had the Hefeweizen. Both were nice and cold when they were served. So, the diet went straight out the window upon entering this establishment. While they have some "healthier" options, it's pretty much bar good. We decided to get some appetizers and share instead of ordering entrees. I shouldn't have gone in STARVING. We ordered the naked spicy chicken wings, the friend vegetable basket and the calamari. One can order wings either breaded or naked. The sauce is served on the side and was perfectly spicy. The blue cheese dressing was not overwhelming like some can be. The veggie basket is served with wing sauce and ranch. I loved the veggies with the spicy sauce, so good. The calamari was also good.
(4)
Yue L.

I've been here twice now, once for a wine and art event and this time for a bridal shower. Who knew you can host a bridal shower here! The space was great, right near the entrance. Very spacious for 20 girls, could have had more. The food was ok but they are flexible in letting you bring in your own cake, so that's nice. Apricot Ale is always a big hit with me, love it!
(4)
Frank L.

Decent spot for brews and eats. Its just your basic American diner food. Some of the burgers have potential but the taste jus isnt quite there. Id go here mainly for the brew and to watch games. A flight is 10 bux and you get 5 6oz glasses (of any beer on the menu) makin it 30oz of beer total. Its def not the best brewery ive been to but itll do. They are plentiful on tvs so its a good sports bar atmosphere. Food- Salmon Burger ($14.50): The salmon patty tasted kinda funny. Kinda the strangest tasting salmon burger ive had. It wasnt unpleasant but its jus not my preference. Its a salmon patty probably stuffed with small amounts of veggies. I think i woulda preferred it to be a straight salmon piece. Anyways it wasnt dry or anything but I probably wouldnt get it again. Pork and Pancetta Burger: This burger seemed the most interesting to me, but I was slightly disappointed again. Thought the pork would be more tender. It barely made the cut. Pretty much like the salmon burger; it was just ok. Pizza Twists: Imagined a pretzel, calzone, and hot pocket all into one. The dimensions are like a hot pocket, but it tastes more like a calzone. However, its twisted up like a pretzel. I would get these again. Sides: Onion Rings- I subbed out my fries that I get with the burger for onion rings. Costs $2.5. Onion rings were decent but portions are mega small. I think you get like 8 onion rings max. Mac n Cheese- Not that great but still aite. Best bang for the buck tho cuz u get a huge serving of it. The sauce on it didnt really taste like cheese. Tasted a lil like alfredo to me and I think it had broccoli (which of course would have made it taste more like alfredo). Anyways, if ur lookin for recs on beer Id suggest the Apricot Ale for uniqueness and its also light. Overall, I probably wouldnt come here again as its mega far from SJ and not worth the drive for something thats jus decent, but if I was close by I would probably stop by for a brew and an appetizer or somethin.
(3)
Noelle H.

My friends and I were excited to come to Pyramid for the green beer on St. Patty's day! Unfortunately, when we arrived we were told that they were all out of the beer from the day before. So disappointing! We decided to still grab a pitcher of Apricot Ale since it was happy hour ($10.50) and ordered the appetizer sampler. The Apricot Ale was tasty! On the sweeter side, and not too hoppy, which was perfect for me! The appetizer sampler left much to be desired. The items were okay, but tasted good. For $20 I don't think it's worth it. However, check in on yelp and you get 30% off on appetizers! Service was slow and it took awhile to flag down our waitress whenever we needed something. I'd come back just for the apricot ale!
(3)
Victoria C.

Pyramid is a good place to catch up with friends and enjoy some good local beers. There is a parking lot, though not huge compared to how big the restaurant is. The restaurant has two floors. I recommend the Apricot Ale. It's one of Pyramid's year-round wheat beers. It starts with a fresh apricot taste with a wonderful wheat finish. It took a while to get my beer, though. The only time service was fast was when we requested our checks. The potato skins were a bit disappointing. They supposedly have a spicy cheese sauce, but I didn't taste any spiciness. On the other hand, the pepperoni pizza twists were on point. These are definitely great to share with the group.
(4)
Stephanie P.

Came here while on vacation in San Francisco. I love breweries and always try to hit up some whenever I travel so this was a fun stop which also happened to be a hosting an "East Bay" themed beer festival so I was in luck! My boyfriend and his friend, whom we were crashing with, bought tickets and went off in search of "all-you-can-guzzle" craft brews. The event itself was excellent and our tickets came with a complimentary dinner off of Pyramid's entree menu. My boy and his friend both ordered the spare ribs and I ordered a medium-rare cheese burger. His ribs were okay, not the best we'd ever has but the sauce was good. My cheese burger was decent but A.) not cooked medium-rare at all and B.) the meat was a tad under seasoned. In all I would totally return here to enjoy their brew selection, their awesome gift shop and there really nice, casual atmosphere, but I would probably have dinner somewhere else if given the opportunity.
(3)
Jason F.

I'm so glad that Pyramid Alehouse Brewery & Restaurant is not only surviving on the newly reborn Gilman Street District but it has actually has taken the opportunity to thrive in the midst of their surroundings. I really like the atmosphere that Pyramid Alehouse provides, you're never gonna get say a Chili's or BJ's while dining out in Berkeley. But this is the closest you're gonna get to a franchise restaurant in Berkeley. After driving around Berkeley with two friends late Saturday morning we couldn't decide where to eat. After telling them that I had never eaten at Pyramid despite living quite close to the place, we decided to give it a try. When we got to Pyramid, at around noontime, it was nearly empty. When we left an hour and half later, it was almost full with patrons, singles and families alike. When I checked in on my YELP app, and I found out we got a deal for 30% off any appetizers, so we decided to get the calamari. Later I found out that they have daily specials and on Saturdays it's show your Public Transportation card like a BART card and get 10% off your entire meal. You can't combine the deals so we opted for the YELP deal, although in hindsight the daily deal may have been better option money-wise. For our main dish, I decided on the Beer-Braised Sausages with a side of Fingerling Potatoes and Vegetables, served with Honey Mustard and Sauerkraut. I paired it with a Blackberry Pear Cider (Beer just isn't my thing personally). I found the dish the perfect comfort food for wintertime. My friends got the Cod and Chips and Asian Chicken Salad. I had a bite of the Cod and it wasn't greasy or overcooked at all! Everything paired perfectly with the brews of our choice. After sampling the goods at Pyramid Alehouse, I regret not trying them out sooner. They had a ton of food options that even the world greatest beer hater wouldn't feel out of place. Now I want to come back to Pyramid for their Happy Hour mainly because they have it in two shifts from 3:30-6pm and 9pm to close. That's rare, especially for a franchise. I mean you can't go wrong with two Happy Hours for five days a week!
(4)
Jason P.

Great visit today. Busy due to the Warriors playoff game. Came in with 3 kids and Marcus our server was awesome! Tried the Portland SMASH beer and the Coat of Arms....both fantastic! The pyramid burger and fries were great! The kids pizza, corn dogs and burger were all hits. All around an awesome visit. I come here any time I can while passing through Berkeley.
(5)
Ben M.

I've been coming here for years every time I've been a disappointed with the food. It's just so bad, and it seems like they try really hard. The food here makes me sad. The beer is great however, and the bar is a great spot to catch a game. They also have some good beer on tap from other breweries as well.
(2)
Michelle R.

Came for a paint event. Loved the location. Plenty of parking. It's a two story brewery. Lots of space. I had an apricot ale and an appetizer sampler. My friend ordered the nachos and they were delish!!!! My sampler was good, I just didn't like the potato skins. They have broccoli on them with a cheesy sauce on top. Yuck! Everything else was good and I would definitely come back for the nachos.
(4)
Tammy T.

Just wanted to post for the beers since all we ordered was a flight and some small bites. I love beer but it's overwhelming to have too much of one so I loved being able to order the flight of five different flavors. The server was extremely helpful in helping us make selections that seemed to fit our taste and it was beer week so there were a ton of options. I generally like lighter beers and there were plenty to choose from. Great place to stop by for a nice drink but too it's a little too loud to hold a conversation. Side note: The salad my girlfriend ordered came out as a cluster of lettuce and she had to cut it herself. Strangest serving of lettuce I have ever seen.
(3)
Mavy J.

My lady and I joined my cousin and her fiancÃ© at the brewery for a paint night...The venue itself is spacious and cleanly...the three stars is for serving my girlfriend and I a repugnant Asian chicken salad...it was probably my fault for ordering an Asian chicken salad at a brewery, however, if you are going to serve such a salad, at least make sure that it has: 1) chicken 2)delicious,gingery dressing 3) greens 4) crispy won ton strips/Asian crouton substitute. They got 1 and 3 covered . 2/4 on the salad ...the paint night and the venue itself was the saving grace.
(3)
Maria C.

We came here since race packet pickup was here. -Pyramid Sampler ($9): Hef, Apricot, Weiss Cream, Alehouse Amber, Magic Hat: Had the tasting and really like the Hef. You get a variety and you are able to select which brews you wanted to try. -Pint of the Crystal brew ($6) -Bowl of Clam Chowder ($6): The clam chowder was think and had bacon in it. Didn't care for it much. -Sausage, Mushroom, Pepperoni Pizza ($14): I really liked the pizza since it had all the toppings I usually take on a pizza. Thin crust pizza. I wanted more cheese on it! -Side of Mac & Cheese ($5): gooey and watery. I didn't care for it. Total about $50 for 2 people. Service was good, and I really like how big and spacious this restaurant is. There's an upstairs area where packet pick up was. Parking could be horrible as there is a small lot where you can only go one way and you circle around until you find a spot. Gilman Street is on a busy street, so it was hard for Uber to stop on the 2 way street without holding up traffic.
(3)
Emma R.

Wasn't thrilled with the food, great beer and good service but in a party of seven people nobody loved their meal. Burgers were small and over-cooked and the buffalo chicken pizza was not good at all. The soft pretzel and pesto pizza roll appetizers were decent. Ok experience but not likely to return.
(2)
Winnie T.

*HH 3:30-6:30PM *$3.50 Beer, $4-$6 Appetizers *4PM Brewery tour Reading the recent reviews, it made me wary to come here for lunch, so C and I opted for Picante nearby. We came back after a bit of shopping and for their happy hour. And luckily we did. I remember passing by this place and it's been on my bookmark list for a the longest time. It's a HUGE factory looking building, very neat! Parking: Plenty of spots available in their parking lot. Atmosphere: They have a gift store. Outdoor seating, bar seating, indoor seating. HUGE place! I loved the openness. TVs everywhere for you sports fan. Great for families, kids, big groups, friends, coworkers, dates, anyone! Offers slow wifi. HH pyramidbrew.com/alehouseâ€¦ : Got the pork sliders, fried zucchini, mini corn dogs and a beer each. I'm usually not a fan of corn dogs, but theirs were pretty tasty. Fried batter goodness! The other items were good too! Not filling enough for a dinner but a snack, yes. Beer: We really enjoy going to (micro)breweries and dining there. C got a Hefe, can't go wrong with a Hefe. I was deciding between a Apricot Ale and a some sort of Honey flavored beer. I asked for a taster which the waitress nicely complied. Ended up with an Apricot Ale which was really sweet and yummy. $3.50 for a pint that came in a long slender glass. They have a fairly decent menu. I wouldn't mind coming back again (for their HH). Oh they do offer growlers. I don't love their beers enough for that though. I would recommend this place to anyone that's in the neighbor that wanted to sit down and relax with a beer, it's pretty neat.
(4)
Carla F.

I am really going to miss this place, now that I don't live that close. I will have to make a day out of it to go visit and fill up my growler w/my favorite beer: India Pale Lager The food isn't that shabby either! Garlic Fries are my favorite! I love the events they have periodically! Anyone who likes beer drinking, eating and relaxing will love this place.
(5)
Carol C.

Date: 4/26/2015 Time: 1:15 PM 72Â° Sunny There was a very good reason why my husband and I were at Pyramid Alehouse Brewery and Restaurant. They were hosting an infused beer cupcake contest for the benefit of Ales for Autism. Cost for the three cupcakes and three 8 oz. glasses of ales was $15.00. One of the entries was the Sonny Gray 12 to 6 Curve Ball Cupcake - "a green cupcake base made with Pyramid Curve Ball Blonde Ale topped with a cream cheese lemon frosting, lime zest and gold sprinkles. Stomper would be proud." The other two entries were Mac Michelada Cupcake and Apricot Ale Cupcake. The description of the Sonny Gray one is mentioned, as this cupcake is the entry my daughter has submitted in this contest. (Gotta show her love and yelp love - she's a yelper, too.) Ambiance: Huge like a warehouse, ample parking in front of the business, flat screen TV's all over, outdoor patio area, plenty of cases of different ales stacked neatly on the left before one reaches the hostess desk, nice bar area, plenty of tables and chairs, several comfy booths and the brew vats are within view. Customer service: Our waiter, Marcus, was attentive, helpful and friendly. He was a pretty cool waiter with them tats on both his arms. Other employees were great, too. There was a minor error made on a second receipt and it was adjusted promptly. (Husband did not read the second receipt and signed it. Tsk, tsk at my husband. We almost paid double on our meal. I had to scratch out his signature and mark it void.) Eats and beverages: St. Louis Ribs served with mac 'n cheese (instead French fries) and fresh grilled corn on the cob. Blackened Seafood Pair (Grilled salmon and shrimp on skewers) served with seasonal vegetables medley and garlic fingerling potatoes. Arnie Palmer and a pint of Apricot Ale. Dessert: the three above-mentioned cupcakes and three accompanying ales (MacTarnahan's Amber Ale, Apricot Ale and Pyramid Curve Ball Blonde Ale). Total cost, including tax: approx. $65.00. Description per menu: "St. Louis pork ribs rubbed in BBQ spices and braised in Pyramid's Thunderhead IPA, then glazed with chipotle BBQ sauce...". The ribs were on spot - tender, falling off the bone, not overly spicy and just the right mildness of the BBQ sauce for me. The mac 'n cheese was rich and creamy (portion was more than enough for me), but needed more seasoning, as it was a tad bland. I'm not a corn on the cob fan and my husband does not really care for steamed vegetables...trade off. The veggies (sliced carrots, broccoli and cauliflower) were great and I couldn't complain about the garlic fingerling potatoes - yummy. I'm not a beer and/or ale drinker, but I had a little sip of the amber ale and apricot ale. The apricot ale was pretty good - a slight bitter taste, light and mild. Thus, we bought a case of each for an additional $55.00. The presentation of the cupcakes and ales was fine. The Mac Michelada cupcake was a lemon flavored cupcake infused with amber ale, lime and cayenne pepper. The icing was sweet and delicious. One could not taste the cayenne right away, but it hit me thereafter (bam, kick it up another notch, as Chef Emeril Legasse would say). I could not finish this cupcake due to food allergy to hot spices, sauces, etc. Next, I had the Apricot Ale Cupcake. This cupcake was a plain cake base infused with apricot ale, filled with apricot preserve in the center, topped with a goat cheese icing and a curled up piece of prosciutto for a savory and salty taste. The cupcake itself was dense, dry and flavorless. I'm not a goat cheese fan and the icing had a somewhat "gamey" taste. The final cupcake was the Sonny Gray 12 to 6 Curve Ball Cupcake. Again, this was my daughter's cupcake. Both my husband and I enjoyed her cupcake, and yes, we were being biased here. We were not only there to support her but also to dine at Pyramid Alehouse. A return trip is in the future. The pork ribs were great and I would like to try their sweet potato fries with some maple syrup. Also, they had a company store within the business, selling tee shirts, caps, ale glasses, beer steins, etc. I did not see my fellow yelper, Michael L., who checked in to Pyramid about 20 minutes or so before I did.
(4)
James D.

Go for the beer, not the food. Not that the food was bad, but it didn't really wow me either. Slightly overpriced for what I got, I'd probably go back again but just get a pint and an app...steer clear of the main courses. Some others at our table got other entrees that all looked good, but went mostly uneaten as well. Same complaint from them too: not bad, but not great. I will say however that the venue itself was very nice and our waitress was very attentive as well. If the food improves, I'd probably re-rate with more stars.
(3)
Parker S.

Well, what to say...3 stars...that's about it...Not bad. Not good. Just eh, alright, ya know? Not many vegan options...I think the french fries were good? Not really a place I'd recommend to go to if in the area unless you're looking for a place with beer, bar food & TVs...yep.
(3)
Raul A.

Our outrigger team (and other teams) decided to go there after our yearly race at Shorebird Park, around 3:30pm. Which was an opportune time since they appeared to be 1/3-1/2 capacity. We found parking right away!... Several teams sat in the Biergarten, at separate tables. Although our table was close to another group, there was clear separation. I paid for my group's first round, ordered our meals, which was very good. I had the pork and pancetta burger (recommend), while others had fish & chips and steak sandwiches. Although the food and beer was great, our server seemed irritated when initially asked about food and beer pairings. Service was disappointing - long waits for water, and even longer for any check in's. It got very cold and windy, and we had to look for someone to turn on the heaters. We were all making the best of it during this time, but the end was the most let down. Our server combined the check with the other table (team). I mentioned this was not correct because I wanted it to be fair for everyone, including her, since we didn't know what the other table had. She was a little defiant, and by that time, both groups were cold and ready to go home, so we worked it out with the other team, since we knew them. They took over the check so I'm hoping it was fair for everyone... Then as we were exiting, I noticed (and partially overheard) our server complaining about us to other staff. Which is unprofessional and disrespectful since we at no time did that to her. I'll chalk it up to an off night for our server (I'm sure she's normally on her game), but it was really disappointing to an otherwise great day. Not sure the management team will see this post, or much more, respond to it, which I'm ok with, I just wanted to note our experience.
(3)
Casey S.

Pyramid Alehouse is a cool venue. I went here for a reunion, so the entire second floor/beer garden was our little playground for the evening. The beer was plenty solid -- I kept going back to the (free) Hefeweizen, which was smooth as the day is long. Didn't really get me sloshed, but it's not like I was going for that anyway. Food was kind of disappointing though. The taco bar had dry meat and clumpy rice. I noticed they do burgers and pizza on their diverse menu, so they might be trying too much here.
(4)
David G.

I used to come here a lot after soccer, but now that I don't play and don't live close by I haven't been in a while. The first thing that I noticed was that the menu was greatly downsized. That happens a lot with brewery type places, they sometimes change to a few items and work at perfecting them. I was not impressed with the new menu but opted for a burger. While the burger was good it was nothing to be proud of and the price did not justify a slightly above average burger. The beer was good as well as it should be. The service was horrific and I was waiting for Rick or Daryl to come and take care of a few of the zombies that they called staff. No smiles, not hellos, ignore us when we say hello it is terrible. We got there when the joint opened so no excuse that they were tired from working a shift. I really want to remember this place like it used to be and like it, but it is really hard. Maybe if I come in again it will be better.
(3)
Kimmarie B.

Went here for the first time after coming from the Golden Gate Fields track. The brewery is one a couple blocks away, but not easily seen from the street and can easily be passed up. Of course, I did this. The parking lot is covered and a bit small, but we found parking no problem. The wasn't a wait, but it was pretty dull inside and we were seated immediately. The waiter let us know he was new and he had a trainer with him. I always appreciate when I get a heads up about anything to have a better and more fair understanding of the situation. The menu is your typical pub and grub style food and they have several beers on tap. I don't remember how many exactly, but a good variety. The food was awesome. I ordered a burger and fries and must say I didn't have any complaints. The fries were delicious and fresh tasting and the burger was so juicy and flavorful with a nice, soft, yet light bun. I ordered a Hef to compliment my meal. Nothing spectacular about it, but it went nice with the food. I will most likely be back there, I enjoyed my food and experience. Hats off to the new waiter, he did a great job for only having been there for a couple days.
(4)
Chris H.

Well, they're shut down in Berk. I am sure the rent at that place wasn't cheap but curious why they closed. They seemed to do a decent volume, but there are much better micro brews in the East Bay overall.
(2)
Patrick T.

Went to the Pyramid Alehouse in Berkeley several times for drinks, food, and a painting class. Every visit was marginal from top to bottom. The food was average at best. Beer selection is a positive though service was slow. The decor was nice and the location seems cleaned. On the plus side, unrelated to Pyramid, the art event was a blast.
(2)
Jessica B.

Good Happy Hour place !! One of the best places I've been too in a while for HH! It can get really crowded if there is a good game on though, but it is a good place to watch the games because the TVs are surrounding. Happy hour ends at 6:30 and starts again for late night at 9pm. Cheap food, cheap drinks... HEAVEN! Happy Hour menu includes: Pretzel Sticks with cheese dipping- recommend if you want a pretzel Brussel sprouts with cheese and bacon- Tastes just as good as it sound Corn Dog bites with ketchup dipping- good! Stuffed Mushrooms- REALLY SMALL, but good flavor... plate is mostly full of lettuce Street Corn- aka Mexican corn with mayo cheese and chili on it! Meatballs- pretty big, lot of sauce and cheese $3.50 pints any flavor! Large variety of beers to choose from.
(5)
R. B.

Came here Saturday for a little snack and to sample some beers :) We sat at the bar, bartender was friendly. We ordered some Buffalo Calamari, Yes, Buffalo. We often ask for this when going to different places, we get a lot of looks, but many people have opted to sample a bite! Lol ~ We sampled many brews, all quite good. This place is quite large and has an upstairs! It does get noisy, but we totally enjoyed our visit. We'll be back!
(4)
Aric W.

I thought it was good. Had the fish n chips. It was all close to perfection. Slaw was great. Service was good. Beer was good. Fries were perfect. Great tartar sauce.
(4)
Ashley J.

When we drove in, the parking lot was PACKED. I thought for sure we were going to have to wait to be seated for dinner. I was wrong. This place is gigantic! There is so much seating, a great bar-area with huge TVs for the big game(s), and even seating behind the bar with bigger tables for bigger parties. That's where we sat. The whole nuclear fam got together for dinner to surprise my mom with my sister's secret weekend trip home from college. We were all in on it but her, and she was so delighted when we all sat down and broke bread (read: beer and sausages) together. I was on a fast, so I stuck with sweet potato fries and a side of sauteed veggies (carrots, broccoli and brussels sprouts-- really well seasoned!). Dad of course got the sausages like always lol AND he ordered a side of ribs to take home, which got nommed on later that night I think. Mom got the the light beer promoted that night. Can't remember what it was... apricot something? It looked delish. The sissy's got burgers and fries. The service was great. The waiter didn't give us a hard time for waiting awhile for my sister to arrive from the airport, and once we did order, the food came out hot and quick. That's a huge thing for me. I don't want to wait long and I want a hot plate of food. This meal was all of that. Our fam has come here before for family dinners, and we'll definitely return.
(4)
Kathy W.

Good beer. Guest breweries. Big so always a table! I LOVE "American Food," even if it's pricey for basic. I've come here a bunch. It's always loud. Too loud. I don't want to go to a sports bar!! They won't turn down the TV even if no one is watching.
(3)
Lisa T.

Okay much better. The server was really nice and took my "no alcohol please" request seriously, somehow managing to find some whipped cream without booze in it. Thanks!
(4)
E H.

This place wants to keep getting better, however, it keeps getting worse. The last straw was today: menu prices have risen to the point of "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE". The menu tries way to hard to be something it's not, and for what you're paying, you sure don't get much. This is a brewery, not an upscale French restaurant. Service was ok, however we only saw our waiter 3 times...and we were wondering at some point if he went on break. This was a Friday at 3pm. To sum it up, I paid 72.00 for the following: 2 beers, 2 orders of wings (6 wings per order), 1 order of calamari (enough for .5 people), one kids small cheese pizza and an order of corn dogs...and threw in 10 bucks for a tip. Never again. And one other thing: the quality of the beer has gone way down hill as well. There are much better breweries in the area.
(2)
Danny W.

This place get a solid three stars for having the world's most average food and beer. If you want to go to a place that makes you feel like, "Hey, that was satisfying, yet forgettable," this is the place for you. In fact, when drumming through places in town to get a beer and a bite, I constant find myself remembering that I have forgotten about Pyramid: "Oh yea, remember Pyramid? It's that GIANT building on the west side of town that I hardly go to." The Good: the beer is functional, I like the chicken wings, good parking (also for bikes), and there are plenty of TVs mounted high on the walls so you can watch sports. The Bad: the outdoor courtyard could be used as a temporary holding facility for the Berkeley Police Department. Pro Tip: don't stay past 10 p.m. unless you want the Stink Eye from your waiter.
(3)
Ashley S.

First time there on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn't crowded at all. The waiter we had was nice and checked on us the whole time. I order the pesto burger with waffle fries which was delicious!!! I finished my whole plate. Would love to come back for happy hour!!!
(4)
Marfa P.

Good bar, bad kitchen. We just recently decided to keep this place bookmark as a bar-night spot since the food disappointed us a couple time. Sorry.
(1)
Ken P.

Fun atmosphere and great beer! Nay, fantastic beer! My fiancÃ© and I have been going here for many years and their Hefeweizen is world class. I also really like their blue cheese burger with avocado. We love this place so much we are going to have the wedding rehearsal here! Yummy food and endless beer. It's going to be a great night! :) In terms of quality, appearance, and deliciousness, Pyramid deserves five stars. However, I gave them four because they wouldn't give us a free sample before we signed the rehearsal dinner paperwork. Ugh! But the beer is so DELICIOUS, so we caved. :D
(4)
Lea M.

Happy hour is for happy people. I understand the low ball rating on the food. Our table of four ordered three different appetizers to please our hungry bellies but wasn't so satisfied with the quality of the food. I ordered a meat plate to share with the group but it seemed as though the meat was comparable to Applebee's. Can't deal with this cooked reheated food man... Nope! The beers were pretty good. Nice selection and their honey beer was pretty sweet. Can definitely taste the honey... honey was as strong as Jack Danial's Honey. The place is visually pleasing. Pretty unique from the parking lot to the dinning area and the bar. If you're looking for a beer, try this place out. Food wise, pass.
(3)
Barry Z.

This is my go-to place for good beer, watching sports, great menu with really nice food and great pub vibe. Any why not 5 stars? Well, I'm glad you asked. Some of the servers come with an attitude and I never like attitude as a side dish. It's not enough to prevent me from coming back, but I (sadly) think about it before walking through the doors (a reality check, not to expect the nicest or best service). But obviously, it works for me so I return.
(4)
Jessica S.

Never again! My boyfriend and I got sick off the food we ordered, our waitress rushed us into ordering by hovering over us and we never got checked up on while we were eating so our we never got refills or condiments...the only thing that actually had flavor and we enjoyed was my daughters kids pepperoni pizza!
(1)
Sumeena B.

We were craving deep-fried, ball park type of food and decided on Pyramid. Parking is easy, we were seated immediately in the bar section and got to watch the game which was exactly what we wanted to do. There are tons of TV's so you aren't straining to see anything no matter where you sit. Beer & Food: Apricot Ale -- light and tart. Magic Hat -- heavier than the Apricot. I liked it. Zig Zag -- this was a favorite out of the beers we had. Amber Ale -- pretty good. Cauliflower Wings -- these taste just like cauliflower tempura. Not worth it. Breaded and Spicy Wings -- these are good. Super deep fried crispy skin. White meat. Mac & Cheese - not very cheesy. Top Nachos with Guac, also got a habanero salsa on the side -- don't order these. Not very cheesy. Philly Cheese Steak -- Decent. Not much cheese. Cheeseburger with Waffle Fries (no extra cost to sub) -- Not much cheese. Cooked properly - I asked for medium doneness. Bun is tasty. Waffle Fries are your regular old waffle fries. Nothing special. Peanut Butter Brownie Dessert - Yummy, but who doesn't love dessert? Service: Our server was a extremely attentive and very sweet. The food came out really fast at first and then we placed another order for a couple more items, and we were waiting for AGES. Apparently a large party came in and the kitchen was swamped. So be prepared to wait for a very long time if they are busy. Also, they don't take same day reservations. Tip: Make sure you check-in on Yelp - 30% off coupon for appetizers.
(3)
Summer A.

Apricot Ale... Ddddddoooooooo it!! You're welcome! (Update) - Seems I had a little too much Apricot Ale with my one liner review! I stumbled upon Pyramid when I was on a work trip in Berkeley. The brewery was just a couple miles from my hotel, so I figured I was give it a shot as I can't pass up a brewery. The location is very large and can accommodate lots of people. Their beer selection was excellent. Upon reading many Yelp Reviews, I went with the Apricot Ale and couldn't bear to try anything else. it was probably the best Apricot Ale I've had to date. They had a Yelp deal, which I don't remember now, but involved a few bucks off an appetizer. I had the wings. They were great. For dinner, I had the blackened seafood duo. It was very good and I would definitely get it again. My server was incredibly attentive and when she was not helping other guests would come over and chat with me, as I was eating alone. She was incredibly personable! It was also nice to talk to another California transplant who came from a similar part of the mid-west. Next time I am in Berkeley, I'll be back.
(4)
Aaron E.

Came here after an event from St. Mary's High School and I have to say the service was really slow. The dining area was packed due to a Warriors game; however, the servers seemed to be unable to adequately do their part. They took ages to get our orders, not to mention charging us for our bill. On top of that, the chicken I ordered was still fresh and still had pink blood. Mind you, it was fried chicken. Their Mac-N-Cheese tasted bland and lacked flavor. I wouldn't recommend eating here again. It's not worth your money.
(2)
Andrew L.

Things have changed here, i used to like this place. Last time i came here I noticed their menu shrank exponentially in size from how they used to be. the service which used to be friendly has been replaced by incompetency and rudeness. Our sever never came to check up on us and i had to call out and raise my hand 4 times just to get my first and only refill on my drink, and we had to wait a full 15 minutes for our check even after we got to the point of just standing around out side our booth. the server forgot a water, and when we asked she looked annoyed and came back and almost threw the glass on the table making it slide a few inches and making impact noise as it hit the table. the vibe is not good here. only reason for 2 stars instead of 1 was that the sausage plate was pretty good.
(2)
Virginia D.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am vegan non-beer drinker, so definitely NOT their target audience :) Weak for vegans- veggie burger & fries & salad... feel like they used to have a better menu? I will say you can build your own salad with hella toppings, so you could make a decent meal out of that-- charge per topping might make it $$$$, but you'd get some protein & veggies. service is so-so... slow, forgotten items, but friendly staff. HOWEVER- Tuesday Trivia Night is funsies! :)
(2)
David S.

Wow, this place is Awful. We made reservations, but they forgot about it. Somebody (an employee) said there wasn't even a wait list to be added to. Then somebody else (another employee) said there was a wait list, but we weren't on it. 30 minutes later, we were seated outside b/c all the empty seats inside needed to remain empty. Then the food... OMG, it's really bad. Taste and presentation get 0 stars. They've got serious Q/A issues here. Seriously, Chipolte next door is a better and cheaper option. The beer may have been decent 10 years ago, when there wasn't any competition. But they can't compete anymore. Somebody please evict Pyramid so that decent food can be served in this decent commercial space.
(1)
Kristin U.

Good for groups, plenty of tv's airing the ball games, soccer. Flight was a good price at $10, typical beer-type food (burgers, fries, calamari, pizza, nachos, ... you get it). Not the best brews or eats, but not the worst either.
(3)
Teresa G.

Here I sit again love my Apricot Ale service is terrible. If your food was better service was better. I bet you your there would be standing room only.
(1)
Markus R.

The waitress was phenomenal! Very attentive and courteous!! Beer was excellent, food was surprisingly good!! Highly recommended! I had a great time!
(5)
Vivian D.

I've come here over the past years for different events. Their beer tour is really fun! And they have a little tasting afterwards with trivia for more opportunities to try their rarer beers. I also came for a private party once and the food was spectacular! In particular the steak was delicious. I recently came for their First Monday of the month Bingo night and it was a blast! The food I got however was not. The tortilla soup was the worst I've ever tasted in my life. It was literally a soup (chicken?) base, with pieces of corn and avocado thrown in, a few spices, and tortilla chips. The most lazily made tortilla soup I've ever seen. The spinach artichoke dip was also way too cheesy and creamy. The beers are always good here. Food is hit or miss. Sad I missed the happy hour (ends at 6:30).
(3)
Mike L.

The Pyramid Alehouse is right off the Gilman Exit on I-80. There's a good-sized parking lot there. The bar and restaurant area is huge, can accommodate large groups, and has plenty of tv's to watch sports. Their in-house brewery is great, I particular like the Hefeweizen and Apricot Ale. I went there on News Year's Eve with some relatives. We didn't even call ahead and they were able to put together a table of 11. They currently have a check-in offer for 30% off appetizers: their sampler, nachos, and calamari are on it. I ordered their reuben sandwich which was open-faced with corned beef, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing. It didn't look huge but it was filling in a good way. Their sandwiches came with fries. I recommend this place for beer drinkers.
(4)
Joy C.

Great place to hang out and watch the game or hang out and have a pitcher of ale. ........
(3)
Ryan T.

Ive only been here once, but it was a pretty good experience. We came here after work one night as a farewell to one of our employees. We started at the bar, which is staffed by some pretty knowledgeable, enthusiastic beer people. I was able to figure out what beer i wanted pretty quick... but they offered samples of a few different kinds prior. Pretty cool perk! We ended up being taken upstairs to eat. Its a pretty nice area, spacious for groups. Only problem is that response times, order times, drinks, and just being helped in general suffers. It took forever to get our orders and took forever to order additional drinks. That is definitely something they need to work on. The food, in general, is excellent! I had a burger, and it was pretty tasty. Unfortunately i asked for medium, and i got well done... but the taste was great. The price wasnt too bad, either. The appetizers, on the other hand, wow... extremely overpriced. It was something like $7 bucks for 5 tiny chicken wings... another $7 bucks for three half sausages... Talk about insane prices. The food was pretty good though... So... rethink how you staff and serve the upstairs guests... and reprice, or give more, in the appetizers. Then it will be a solid five star review.
(4)
Jarrett P.

A nice location for brews and typical American eats. A lot of potential for the food but the taste isn't quite there. The menu is pretty small which I personally enjoy. You can't go wrong with Pyramid beers and there's plenty of televisions for all my fellow sports fans. I would definitely stop by again for a beer and an appetizer sometime soon.
(3)
David W.

My soccer team used to go here on Wednesdays after practice because the beer prices are hard to beat. They do a half off pitchers for happy hour. That's where the good ends. The staff is painfully slow, and pulls all types of idiot moves like telling you it's last call, but then not coming over to take your order so you miss it. Or when you show up first before your team arrives, not serving you a pitcher because "it's illegal." I'm sitting right in front of the bartender. They take forever to give you food, and they're not very friendly at all. Bottom line: Some of the worst customer service you'll come across in the east bay. The beer is pretty good, but not so good in this day and age relative to other establishments like Triple Rock or Jupiter (and new Perdition). As for the food, it's of average quality, at best. We've taken our business to T-Rex. Rather pay more money for a nicer experience. I sent an email to the staff letting them know of our complaints, but they never responded. That's rare. Normally, I don't write bad reviews until I at least hear back from someone, but true to form, they're still ignoring the customers...
(2)
Noell C.

Server was less than desirable. We were with a large party and she just didn't seem like she was interested. Never got a beer menu. She seemed bothered by us. Ordered the salmon and grilled shrimp. It was pretty good. Loved the sauce. Would have loved more veggies with it versus the skimpy amount of each. Tried the apricot beer which was pretty good but would have loved to seen all of their offerings. I guess our server wasn't interested in sharing.
(3)
Ed H.

Started the new year with a hike. Figure it's time to get out there, enjoy nature, explore the bay area. So we chose a nice little hike to start off with, not too strenuous, and spent just about the entire hike talking about what to eat when we finished. The debate went Bacon. Pasta. Bacon & more meat. Pasta & meat. Eggs all day.. and bacon. We settle on Pyramid, because... beer wins. Pizza twists. Awesome. Espresso Stout. Delicious. Naked wing. Crunchy. Pork & Pancetta Burger, tasty and different. But needs a mayo/cheese layer to protect the bun from getting soggy. Burger. Same goes for the burger. Fish & Chips. Solid. Mac & cheese. meh. One thing that was odd, got food menus, but no beer menu. I was planning on fish and chips, so just asked for a stout. In any case, a worthy place to undo any healthy activity you're planning. Which is the only reason to do any healthy activity.
(3)
Stephanie N.

I had a blast at Pyramid!! Great beer, great food, great company! Absolutely perfect. Especially because of our server Jan! She was so welcoming and funny! Very friendly. I will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Nick S.

The real draw is (obviously) the rotating draughts on tap, but the food isn't half bad for what's essentially a clone of Rock Bottom. While ordering a salad at a place like this is a bit like ordering steak at a seafood restaurant, the southwest BBQ chicken salad was actually pretty darn good.
(3)
Sean R.

Came here for the champions league final and it turned out to be a great idea. Only reason I'm giving this a four instead of five stars is because Juventus should have won. Just kidding. I didn't want to go to a bar that was too crowded so this was perfect. This place is huge and there was ample seating. There were multiple tvs in our area so we didn't have to crane our necks to enjoy the game. We ordered the honey chicken and the pesto shrimp flatbread. For such a big game with so many customers all ordering at once, the food came out pretty quickly. The chicken was great although the portion size could have been bigger for a $15 dish. Flatbread was pretty scrumptious as well, even though the shrimp was a little too fishy tasting. The beer was good, not mind blowing for a brewery but good. You can get 20% off your pitchers and pints if you check in on yelp! There is a huge parking lot so parking is not a problem. This is definitely my new go to spot if I want to catch a game!
(4)
James F.

Went here as a recommended destination from a trusted food and ambiance lover like my self. Off top it's about what you might expect appearance wise from a restaurant and brewhouse. The host was friendly and got is to our seats quickly. After being seated we were approached by our server in reasonable time. I asked for a few opinions as far as their specialty beers and the server gave good genuine and personal taste observations as well as allowed me to taste a few for comparison. I settled on the "Doppleboch". Super robust and flavorful. I also had their signature Pyramid burger. A wagyu beef patty served with beer battered onion rings, peppered bacon, BBQ sauce and of course the basics. This was a decent burger though not as flavorful as I would have expected. Not bad though. I would have given this a 4 star rating but after the orders were taken it was pretty hard to find my server. I would have gotten another beer! Classic mistake of some places. They drop the ball at the end. Overall it was a nice place though and I would go back.
(3)
Ian C.

I had high hope for this place but turn out to be one of the biggest disappointment ever. First we told the host table for 4, then another 2 folks were waiting behind us. Note that it was only 6pm not crowded but of course 2 behind us got sitted before we did. We went in order some food items then decided to leave because BAD SERVICE, BAD FOOD is not tolerable. Never will go there again and for sure tell everyone about this bad experience!!!!
(1)
Kari L.

Definitely a brewery worth checking out - the beer is solid, the atmosphere is cool, and the food is pretty good. I went on the daily tour - nothing too exciting but still fun and I learned a few things. Plus, you get free beer on the tour! After reading the other reviews, I was a little worried about the food - but I got the burger and was pleasantly surprised! I thought it was quite good and paired very well with the IPA I was drinking. And if you're like me and can never decide which beer to choose, they let you pick your own flight of any 5 beers!
(4)
Michael S.

sanfrancisco.cbslocal.coâ€¦ . This place is closing or has closed.
(3)
J Zone T.

We've been going there for about a decade and unfortunately the food quality has consistently going down. This time, we had the top nachos & Asian chicken salad to go with our beers. Based on our past visits, things really sucked as the preparations were poorly done with hardly enough cheese on the nachos, the salad had less than half a chicken breast, and maybe a small drizzle of the dressing. We ended up eating nothing more than one bite before we became disgusted, paid, and left. The chefs are getting more lazy with the food quality and the manager isn't doing a great job managing them. We miss the good old days when the food was as good as the beer! This was the last time and now on to better places!
(1)
Jared G.

Good Beer. Very mediocre food. Sparse service. I ordered Wings for appetizer, and they were ok until I got to the middle of one of them and it was ice cold! The meat was cooked, but the interior was cold. My friend ordered ribs and they looked pretty old. It seems that the food here is mostly just reheated and not cooked to order. That being said, I got Fish & Chips, and the Fish was great ... the fries were soggy and just so-so. I wouldnt come back.
(2)
Ferdie L.

Definitely the go to place for Happy Hour in Berkeley. Hands down the best Hefeweisen is served here & great happy hour appetizer prices as well. They've shrunk the menu down but the food is still good. FYI the pizza is surprisingly good and never order the nachos not unless you have 2 or 3 friends with you to share it with or better yet just order their chicken wings it's one of the best. Another bonus is they always have all the Bay Area sports teams on all their TV sets and its really fun to watch a Warriors game there. And you can't go wrong when Yelp hooks you up with 30% off appetizer coupons for your check ins there.
(4)
Shai H.

Used to be our favorite place to go for dinner on weekends, we used to go 3 times a month. Something very bad happened, and our last visit was a disaster. The beer is still great, no doubt about that, but the food, oh Lord, what happened to the food?? The pizza we got was runny and lukewarm, the sandwich was meh, and the calamari was chewy. Very sad to see that. Hopefully the owners would take notice and stop the cruel experiment they seem to be running.
(2)
Crystal O.

We came on a Sunday and it was packed, not that it was a bad thing it was FUN. They had the 49ers game one and everyone was cheering and clapping. I shared the Margherita Pizza with all at the table.So good--Fresh tomatoes make it! For my meal I had the grilled cheese. It had bacon jam--I was in heaven!
(5)
Briana H.

ROBERTO! ROBERTO! ROBERTO! I stumbled across this place by just using my trust yelp app! I was around the corner having a sake tasting session when I thought I'd search for more restaurants/bars/wine clubs etc to taste test. (Mind you, this was my 25th birthday weekend and I wanted to explore, have fun, and drink) I'm thankful I found Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse which was less than a mile away! What an experience! I initially considered just ordering the beer flight which consisted of 6 beers (i think) for only $9. However, my boyfriend and I came right in time for the daily external brewery tour. What luck! I've always wanted to go to a brewery tour, but all of the brewery tours I've checked out in the past were only open to the public during the week. This was a pleasant surprise! ROBERTO! ROBERTO! ROBERTO! He was our tour guide and let me tell you.. He really knows his stuff! It was such an interesting and informative tour that I am suggesting all of my friends and cousins to go! I really enjoyed the end of the tour too where you can TASTE TEST the beers for FREE! It was awesome applying what you learn from the tour to the samples. Roberto is awesome and he will definitely make your trip to the Pyramid Brewery & Alehouse a memorable one! Quick tips: 4pm daily external tour and 30% off appetizer with yelp check in CHEERS!
(5)
Maziyar D.

It has been my favorite place for couple of years. Now even my gf likes it there. The bears, off course, are excellent and the food is decent. I like its ambient best.
(4)
Hilda F.

Went to a private party and it was a great venue for a party away from the actual bar and restaurant! Good food and friendly service!
(4)
N A.

I gave them 2 stars for the beer. We went knowing that this place got some bad ratings but with an open mind. Now we know why because their food sucked. We ordered the sample platter, ribs, and pizza. The baked potato skins was ok because the cheese tasted like they used cheap cheese. I was looking forward to the ribs but the flavor was disappointing. The pizza wasn't any better because the cheese was not good. Sadly I don't think we'll be back.
(2)
Marina S.

Free tour and good beer. But very sad they changed their Chicken Wing Recipe a few years ago. They tasted so much better fried and before the change. Service was never the best. I am not sure if there is new owners over the last several years but this place is not what it used to be. =( Before: Hefeweizen marinated wings, fried then tossed in our spicy wing sauce. Served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now: Choice of Breaded spicy wings or Naked wings. Served with celery sticks, our house made buffalo sauce, and blue cheese dressing YUCK!!! It was funny when I actually called the cook out on it. I told them that they changed the recipe and he was surprised I knew. Don't mess with a good thing! My husband is just as disappointed as I am. I think it was changed because it is Berkeley and people in that city aren't trying to eat fried food as much as other places. But they don't realize how bad they messed up. I haven't been there forever. My go to place now to eat is Gordos when I am in the area.
(3)
Chris H.

Going down hill fast. Curiously quiet too. Reading other reviews suggests that the staff were unhappy, the Brewers got fired, they tried to unionize and more people got fired. Just don't waste your time. We were so unimpressed we left without ordering. Mid day on Sunday and we left one other customer. Looks like we missed the news everyone else got. I have been going here for years, it has been one of my two reliable options for somewhere with decent food, beer and parking. I have always used the place as a restaurant, so one beer with starter and main course spread over an hour. The staff are good and there was a decent menu. No more. The beer menu has been slashed, maybe eight or ten fewer options. But the old favorites are still there. The food menu has been decimated. All the restaurant style meals, or almost all, are gone. The sides are gone. Most of the burgers are gone and what remains is expensive. Not just more than it was but more than other brew pubs. Significantly more, 10 to 30 percent. And the place was flat empty. One guy at the bar. Staff had customers outnumbered three or four to one. I guess we were slow to get the message. Up price and down choice is not a good way to change a business. Unless you like evenings alone.
(1)
Justin L.

Burgers and appetizers are great. Paired with a good, dark beer you really cant go wrong here. Its missing the 4th and 5th star because the service isn't as attentive as it should be for the price you pay. Recommendation: Pizza rolls. Like your favorite stretchy-cheese pepperoni pizza in a roll, and certainly not a frozen buy-from-costco bagel bite thing. Simply awesome.
(3)
Linda O.

The customer service isn't the best but the food and drinks make up for it. The last time I went my friend asked about the macaroni and cheese and the server assured it was good. When she tried it the pasta wasn't fully done and the flavor was bland. She asked politely if it could be sent back and she was still fully charged for it. I and another friend, on another hand, we're please with our food. They server wasn't very attentive of the tables because many people would ask for things that should've been brought, like refill of water.
(3)
George P.

Shocking change (not for the better) to what had been a great place. What can I say? Prices are WAY too high ($7 for 4 small wings?, burger for $12?), the food is mediocre now, and the service very weak. So they changed the menu (admittedly it was very long before), mainly it seems to hide the fact they jacked up prices something like 30-40%. As for the food, the fries were soggy, the pizza not fully cooked, the sliders small and sloppy. The beer was ok (no great), and the featured beer of the day was very watery. Our server seemed very indifferent, and after 30 minutes, brought a green salad instead of a caesar salad, regular fries instead of waffle fries, and generally didn't seem to care very much. Bottomline: while it's a great space, it's definitely no longer worth the money, the food is terrible, and the service mediocre or worse. We decided we need to find a new place. Sad because we've gone here for years. No more. DON'T GO, you'll only be disappointed and embarrassed you did.
(1)
Abi U.

I was in a wedding here this past weekend and it was soooooooooo much fun! I'm not a big fan of beer but I'll have to admit that after walking around the brewery and smelling the alcohol you know I had to down at least one glass. YAY for the apricot ale! I would definitely come here to watch a sports game and hang with a bunch of guys. For anything else.... ehhh not really my style. The food here is pretty good. They have a good tri tip and pasta. Stay away from the spinach dip..... that soooo did not settle well with my beer. Having the wedding here was a lot of fun. They were really flexible with all the ideas the bride had (photo booth, candy buffet, root beer floats, cupcake towers) and the staff was very accomodating. I don't know if Casey works for pyramid, I'm pretty sure she does, or if she's a wedding planner but she did a GREAT job. We were catered to in between set ups and break downs and the whole pyramid staff was very active in making sure we had a great experience. why only 3 stars? for regular sit down and eat places i wouldn't drive all the way to berk to have some beer here. worth a visit especially during football time but not a place i'd keep as one of my regular spots.
(3)
J M.

Terrible food and beer.
(1)
Kathy D.

My young nephew recently had a party here and his parents were able to reserve the front room for more privacy. This place is very KID FRIENDLY. There was tons of room for all the kids to run around and not bother anyone else in the restaurant. I didn't take a peek at the Kid's menu, but it must have all sounded yummy because my 4-yr old nephew ordered 3 items for himself! "Boo" to the server for actually ordering all 3 meals without okaying it with an adult! For appetizers, we had the crispy onion strips, quesadilla and artichoke dip. All three were great and the waiter kept bringing us more bread upon request since there was a lot of dip to go around. I had the Southwestern Salad and hubby had the Gourmet Burger. The salad had just the right amount of dressing and all of the toppings were very fresh. The burger was juicy but not anything spectacular. For dessert we ordered a few brownie sundaes and apple crisps. Those hit the spot =) Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the beer because I'm pregnant, but my hubby and his brothers seemed to be enjoying the Hef the most. Perhaps when I'm able to drink again, I'll be able to give this place the extra star since I've heard that their selection is awesome.
(3)
Katherine T.

Someday, I will go on that tour but for now, I just want the Apricot Ale. Perhaps their pizza's are better than the turkey sandwich? I just really like the apricot and the hefeweizen. I think the apricot is the only thing I will ever guzzle down like a beast.
(4)
Betsy P.

Tuesdays are Trivia Night!! So fun! A group of us gathered to play against other groups, while we drank away! We didn't win, and I don't even know what the prize is, but I had fun! Totally going back for Trivia Night! Beer: Good! The Apicot Ale is the favorite, though the Hef is really good too! They offer a beer sampler for $7.75 and it comes with five of their beers to try in mini pint sized glasses. So cool & a good price for the amount and variety given! Food: It's okay. Just like most other big chain food places, like CPK etc. The calamari is weird looking, and I don't think it tastes like calamari at all. I ordered the southwestern chicken salad, and though massive in size, it was warm! I couldn't eat it! The chicken didn't taste right and the avocado was soggy. When I sent it back, saying it was was warm and I didn't like it, the servers (both of them) gave me weird looks as though saying, "How dare you send back food, you whiny bitch!" I wasn't happy with the looks but I ignored them, I wasn't in the mood. I believe if a customer doesn't like their meal, they have the right to get something else without any judgments or comments. I was so turned off by their attitudes, I chose not to order anything else. F them! My friend ordered a turkey burger which was delicious (I had a bit)! So, food can be hit or miss here. Service: Well, you read about the salad incident, but overall it's again okay. They brought the food out pretty fast for it being so packed, and their were a lot of servers roaming around, but none of them looked like they were enjoying their job. Pity. Pretend to smile at least!
(3)
Stephanie L.

I love their apricot ale! At Pyramid it tastes so fresh and cold. I love coming here just for their fresh beer off the tap. The food they have is all American pub food which goes well with the pitchers of beer you'll be drinking. The quality of food is fine - you're really buying food to complement the beer you're having. I came here on a Saturday night around 9pm and it was still crowded but there was no wait for two people. The waiter is really nice and attentive. I like the open feel of the huge restaurant. It's a fun brewery to have a fun chill night =]
(4)
Alicia P.

Food has always been good when I come here. Cheerful environment, many happy hours happen here after work for nearby businesses. I hear the apricot beer is really good!
(5)
Jerry M.

Have been here twice. Cool place. Neat covered parking, right across from a club where a band called Green Day used to play (you may have heard of them, ha). To the food...it's pretty good. Had an appetizer selection of pizza twists (the crust is made with Pyramid's Hefeweizen), which have several different cheeses inside, then baked. Along with that we had their fried calamari with a remoulade sauce. Outstanding! I had a blue cheese burger on one visit, while my GF had the pot roast. I forget what I had the previous visit (age setting in on me), but she had a chicken dish she liked a lot and the only dish I haven't cared for was the tortilla soup (minus one point). Other than that, all thumbs up. It's a big place with a few TV's that are tuned to whatever game is on at the time. It's definitely got that kick-back vibe to it, and even though I'm not a beer drinker, I tried their apricot beer, which was very good. Ahnold says, ve vill be beck.
(4)
Clarissa C.

Oh dear. Let me describe this dish, and you tell me what it is called. A piece of chicken, shake-and-bake style. A biscuit. A pile of mashed potatoes. A simpering glaze of gravy, made from flour, a little bit of oil, some skim milk, and no salt. Gravy is poured over everything listed above, including the biscuit. A half plate of Bird's Eye frozen vegetable medley, heated up. Title? "Chick'n'Gravy Accident?" No. Chicken and Dumplings. They called this Chicken and freaking Dumplings. This is not Chicken and Dumplings. It didn't even taste good, so the waitress offered to replace it. (Damn, if the gravy was at least good, I would have kept it.) Now, the second try. Portobello Ravioli with Butternut Squash Sauce. Three things I love: portobellos, ravioli and butternut. What can go wrong? I tried to make my mind perform a Jedi mind trick here - like, I kept telling myself that what I was eating was indeed not what I was tasting, which was unmistakably pumpkin pie thinned out with some milk. It tasted like they put in half a jar of pumpkin pie spice as a joke. When I was finally unable to deal with it anymore, my wonderful friend passed along her unflavored macaroni and cheese to avoid my passing out from the two beers I had now consumed on an empty stomach. Of course, waitress didn't say anything about my untouched dinner, and I didn't want to be That Person and send two meals back. But, sadly, That Person has dined at Pyramid for the last time. Two stars for the beer, which is luckily (mostly) available at the grocery. Sorry kids. We'll stick with Triple Rock.
(2)
Cathy U.

Wow, I wish I read the reviews on here first. This is really about their "No Outside Food" policy even though there were no signs outside that said anything. They are super overlordish strict about this. Even when it's small, even when you add it to their dish and it looks like it could be part of the dish, even when it's one thing of sauce amongst a buffet table of food ordered for a party of 8. Next time, we're not eating there! Bye bye!
(1)
Mark B.

A safe place to take those few visitors from out of town who would enjoy Chili's more than Chez Panisse. There are so many good brew pubs around the West, and Berkeley has a great food scene, so it's a real shame that the two traditions do not meet here. I love the brew pubs at Bear Republic and Deschutes, but wouldn't consider Pyramid remotely in that category. In fact, I enjoy Jupiter and Triple Rock in Berkeley more than Pyramid, and these are attached to much smaller breweries. The biggest disappointment confronts you at the start- the menu is basically kid food, fried stuff, burgers and pizza. I think this is the essential problem with the whole place- because of the weak menu, few locals frequent it (or at least, no one who cares about food), the staff is awkward and a little surly, the vibe is stilted, and the thing just never gets off the ground. The plastic menu itself feels indestructible, perhaps constructed in a factory in the late 1990s. There is nothing that gives you any sense of Berkeley- nothing advertised as fresh, local, seasonal, regional, or really anything special or distinctive. There was no vegetarian main (I noticed) on the menu, beyond a frozen gardenburger, which is basically as non-Berkeley as you can be as a restaurant around here. After I ordered, I noticed the special of the day was a vegetarian pasta, which confirmed that the menu was made in another millennium and badly in need of an update. The service, as mentioned, leaves something to be desired. I'm not sure we got a smile the whole time. At the same time, no one was openly rude... I'd use the words expressionless and disinterested to describe the mood of the staff. It feels small corporate- not big enough to have all the details figured out, but not small enough to have the ownership ever stop by. Basically, no one cares, but no one wants to lose their job. We ordered the pizza twists and artichoke dip as appetizers. Both were acceptable- the artichoke dip was very cheesy, and the pizza twists reminded me of college. The entrees were burgers and a Southwest salad. Nothing special, no complaints with the burgers, the salad was pretty sub-par. Once you make me order off a boring menu, I've already decided I'm not coming back, so I made the best of it. What really tipped you off to the lack of locals was the muted reaction to the Golden State Warriors playoff game on the TV. This was probably the quietest bar in Berkeley this night. In Pyramid's defense, they have a lot of TVs, and they were properly tuned to the same channel. Unfortunately, they did not put the volume up on the game! Talk about not having the pulse of the community... Better options than Pyramid: Barney's, Triple Rock, Jupiter and probably 50 other places if you want options beyond a burger. Worse: Denny's
(2)
Molly F.

I enjoy this place because it is good go to when you're just looking to have a beer with friends. They have a good selection with different options depending on your preference. I became an even bigger fan on the most recent visit here because our waitress was great. We wanted to try a couple of different beers at our table, and she offered to bring us a whole variety of tastings that we wanted, but also some recommendations. I know they offer tastings normally, but I was just impressed by her knowledge and willingness to let us try so many at once. In the end several of us liked her suggestions more, too! Great to come here for a beer, and some bar food. The food isn't phenomenal, but it's typical bar grub. Worth going to if you're just looking for to have out with friends and enjoy a beer! They also have TVs for watching any games that might be on, which is a definite plus.
(4)
Eva R.

Though I'm not a big fan of their Hefe it's always hard to pass up an opportunity to stop by Pyramid's Alehouse. There's so much more to Pyramid than what makes it to Safeway and local bars! The staff here is very personable and knowledgeable, and they're generous with samples so you can decide what you'd like to drink. Sitting at the bar is probably nicest. The menu is pub-standard with a few unique choices. In contrary to the reviewer who thought things here were bland, I was surprised how much kick some of their sauces had, considering who they're marketing to. Pyramid isn't chart-topping, but by all means drop by to see what they're brewing BESIDES the Hefe -- you might be surprised. Yesterday we tried the Grifter and Outburst taps, both nicely hoppy. There's a belgian-style on tap as well which had nice color and great herby crispness. They do tours daily at 4pm, but I haven't been yet. If you happen to make it before April 22, they're having a growler promo. It's only $10 for a new one and $5 to fill vs $13/$8.
(4)
Lisa H.

I went here once with a friend of mine to kill time and grab some grub before we saw our friend's band perform at the venue across the street. This was my first time here and I'm definitely a big fan. They had one of the best veggie burgers I've ever tasted and when I wanted to have a beer and didn't know what I wanted, the server was able to make some excellent recommendations for me. I did not go on the tour of the brewery, but I would definitely like to sometime. It seems very intrigueing. The wait for our food and drink wasn't very long either. We went there about an hour before the show was supposed to start and made it back to the venue early. This was also on a Saturday night where everything is busy so we left very satisfied with the service. This place is a definite thumbs up from me and I hope to return soon.
(4)
Emily G.

Extremely disappointed in the service and the food. I was really craving fish and chips and this was the only place near where I stay in the bay area. I also wanted good beer... So I ended up here. I sat at the bar, usually a good place to sit if you want fairly food service and are eating alone. About that... I watched the bartender unload the glasses from the washer, then meander around the bar before eventually asking me if he could get me something. C'mon, I'm sitting at the bar at a brewery, offer me a beer damn it! Ended up with the porter, quite delicious, and ordered the cod and chips. Enjoyed my yummy beer and watched my food turn to crap under a heat lamp for about 5 minutes before the bartender decided he would get my food for me. Rather than ever checking in to see if my cod and chips were alright or to see if I needed another beer- which I did- he brought me a box for the food I was still eating. Thanks. So, I paid. I left. If not for the good beer, this place would have been a single, lonely, sad star. Oh well. Albany Alehouse next time!
(2)
Lauren L.

we had a party of 10 who came here to watch the nba finals. our server was accommodating in trying to change the TV that was RIGHT in FRONT of our table to the basketball game. she asked her manager Crystal and crystal said no. NO ONE was watching the baseball game that was on. in fact, when crystal came over to our table to follow up on our request, a person from the table next to us came over to also ask to have the TV changed to the the SA vs heat game. crystal still said no. we pointed out that no one was watching baseball. we even pointed to a TV in front of an empty table that she could switch the baseball game to. she just insisted that nothing could be done. she gave us an attitude and walked away. when she left people from other tables asked us what happened and why she wouldnt change the game for us... that's a good question. i would not come here again. she ruined the mood for the whole party. terrible customer service. there are many other more accommodating sports bars that i will be revisiting next time i want to watch a game.
(1)
erin c.

Beer= OK. Food= Don't bother. Service= Good. Four of us went a few weeks ago and used a Groupon. We shared two beer samplers of 10 different brews (Spine Tingler was the best) and each cared for only a few. Food was mediocre and a bit pricey: the fish tacos were soggy and flavorless, the pizza was dry and bland, and the mac'n'cheese was not the real deal nor fresh from the oven, but a wet ready-made blob that had been spooned into a bowl, topped with a few shaved cheese curls and set under a broiler for a minute. We reluctantly paid our $90 bill (after Groupon & excluding beer) and went for desert elsewhere. With a million better beer+food options in the East Bay, I WON'T be back!
(2)
Robert G.

I like this location, but the beer and food just aren't that good. Pyramid has purchased another brewery or two and I would recommend order beers that aren't labeled as Pyramid as they are much better. Still this is a great meetup spot or a place to get a beer and watch a game.
(3)
Taj A.

She invited me to hit the Pyramid Brewery with her, so I decided..why not? I am too familiar with Gordon Bierch's pub grub and needed to mix it up, you know, to " spice it up." As we sat at the bar, everyone was drinking their Hefeweisen but the Thunderhead IPA seemed a more appropriate choice for a hop head like myself. But then she pointed out the Snow Cap Ale, which sounded more refreshing, and most importantly, had the highest alcohol content. Then the bartender chimed in Super Snow Cap Ale being JUST released and having a 8.5 % ABV. ( This more than makes up for the fact that they serve NO liquor , just beer and wine.) " Let's rock." - Al Bundy We decided to stick around for some food...almost immediately I noticed the: Pyramid Burger ($11) Smoke Mozzerella peppered bacon habenero BBQ Sauce and giant onion rings ..served with Wedge fries. Ordered Medium and a solid burger for sure. 1/3 or 1/2 lb of beef. With the 4 huge onion rings it was served with, this a crazy delicious habit I can see becoming an addiction. She ordered the Sundried Tomato pizza, which to me looked unimpressive and more like Red Onion pizza with first appearace cameos by the other 3 ingredients. I think the Super Snow Cap buzz she had made this a non issue. Barely a wait for a table, and no more than 10-15 minutes for our food. I will return.
(4)
Rachel H.

Here is another I-have-a-baby-now review update! This place is very baby-friendly and satisfies all my baby-friendly requirements for babies 0-12 months. I went here on a rainy afternoon with Husband and Baby H. We picked Pyramid because there is a parking lot so we knew we wouldn't have to walk for miles in the rain to eat food in wet jeans. I also knew there would be high chairs, a must these days. I had a cheeseburger, as did my handsome spouse. Absolutely scrumptious! The cheeseburger was pretty good, too. I subbed sweet potato fries for the seasoned fries, and Baby H. chowed down on those. I could tell they were delicious, because he vastly preferred them to the steamed broccoli and cauliflower I had brought from home. The sweet potato fries came with an excellent dipping sauce that tasted like curry and mango chutney. Baby H. tried the sauce and made what we call, "new food face", and then grunted for more. He also thought that his string cheese paired well with the sauce. I tried it, and he was right, the sauce complimented the cheese. I have never been that impressed with the food here, but it's not horrible. I keep eating here with some regularity, so... obviously I don't hate it. We were seated across the aisle from a little dude about the same age as Baby H. who was eating nachos and watching the game with his Dad. Other Baby and Baby H. shared a nice conversation about Dada (ism), Uma (Thurman), and Lalalalala (the music scene). This place is loud, so it didn't matter when Baby H. did his signature joy screaming. I had a pint of their winter Snowcap beer. It was a very dark, comforting beer that succeeded in being substantial without being too in-your-face. It was smooth. It also helped filter the noise of the joy screams.
(4)
Kim R.

Have not been here in years popped in for Happy hour with a friend and they have alot of menu choices the chicken cobb salad wings,mini corndogs,garlic fries were cool beer food (pizza was a downer worse then microwave or equal) The beer was cold and good I would pop in for another happy hour
(3)
Geoff D.

Pyramid sets the benchmark for brewery dining and ambiance. I was in the area last weekend and grudgingly took the family here for lunch expecting mediocre pub food and that pungent stale beer smell. Imagine my surprise then, when the impressive modern dining room was not only spotless but also fresh smelling... even though we were seated by enormous glass windows from which we could see dozens of massive vats and pipes of the equally-spotless beer processing facility. The food was darn good too. I ordered a Chicken Caesar Flatbread, the bride said equally nice things about her Steak Flatbread and the kids enjoyed their "kids" meals" at $4.99 a pop. Oh, and my Christal Weissen (a light wheat beer) was crisp, refreshing and perhaps the only one I've had outside Germany.
(4)
Joseph T.

The spicy chicken wings are great! This place can be hit or miss with the service. The menu has changed for the better. This is a cool place to hang on Sundays on their patio. Although every once in awhile the college friends hang out on the patio and get loud.
(4)
Tierney H.

I come here every few months because I'm a huge fan of Pyramid's brews. The restaurant is super normal; the fare is good but not pee-your-pants great. I really come for the Pyramid beers on tap. I wasn't inspired to yelp about this place, unfortunately, until I had a negative experience with the hostess. My friends from out-of-town and I came 10 minutes late for the brewery tour-- totally our bad. We hoped that maybe we could still hop on with the group, but we were told no. Totally understandable. She asked us to come back another day, and then proceeded to walk away without saying another word. "Wait, come back!" my friend cried in disbelief. "We'd like a table..." I said, unsure of where she was going in the first place. She huffed and grabbed our menus, then showed us to a table without saying another word. Personally, I'm someone who really likes to hear an "enjoy your meal" or something along those lines. In fact, I consider it part of the job description of a host. Otherwise, I definitely recommend this place for out of town visitors, beer fans, and I'd definitely throw a party here. Rehearsal Dinner anyone?
(4)
D W.

Great atmosphere, beer and service, but there is room for improvement on the food. Overall, a really great experience last night (We went here for the first time). For $13.00 I got two tacos and a small salad. The size of the taco's were OK, and the ingredients were very tasty, but here are some suggestions on how to make an OK taco plate into a 5 star taco plate. #1 Bring in fresh /thicker tortillas. add sour cream and guac on the side, and you'll have a winner. Service, btw, was excellent. Our server Ceasar was super.
(3)
Cherry L.

I've been here a couple of times. If you're a Cal student, you have to have been here once or twice because if you present your student press pass, there is a discount or deal here! First and foremost, this is an actual brewery! So beer is their specialty! If you want to try a new beer, this is a good place to visit because they offer beer samplers! If you're not a beer fan, then try the food! The food here is great! There are options for vegans and meat lovers alike! The appetizers here are to die for! Go during happy hour and check in to yelp! There are discounts/deals!!! Although the happy hour deal itself isn't bad! The ambiance is more like a sports bar, a bit on the loud side. But if you don't mind it, its a great place to hang out with friends and chillax. The servers are nice and if you want to remember your visit, this place has a gift shop! Pyramid has their own private lot with plenty of parking, which is always a plus! This place is popular for parties and reunions, so I would call ahead first to verify!
(4)
David M.

Went there on a Saturday around 2 pm with my wife and son. We were seated in "the kids" area. It seemed liked all the families were seated in one area under the stairs. The service was slow ( It took 10 minutes to get drinks) and the food was not up to par. My burger was too well done and over spiced. Normally Pyramid Brewery is a great place to go but the service and the food was well below what I would expect.
(2)
Kathleen W.

God I'm embarrassed I even suggested we come here. Been here over a dozen times and service this past visit was atrocious at best. Table for 9 .... it was already 9:30 on a Friday night and they were NOT that busy. Because of a fire hazard, they refused to let us put 2 tables together (fine, I understand this). Instead of letting us sit in the back or upstairs (I know they had room) they wedge all 9 of us into a booth. Good thing we're all small and Asian. My friend got scolded for bringing in his own diet beverage. The conversation went like this: Marty: I'll have a diet coke Waitress: We carry diet pepsi here, but we're out. Marty: ummm okay. Do you have anything diet? Waitress: no *5 minutes later* Waitress: sir, you can't bring in your own beverage. It's restaurant policy Marty: I understand that, can I have a diet coke? Waitress: No, we're out. But you can't have your drink here. Marty: then bring me a diet soda. *10 minutes later* We find out they are out of a beer that my friend ordered. So he ordered the same as what I was having. It took them 10 minutes to bring the replacement because apparently it takes that long to pour a hefeweizen. 18% gratuity added to our check for being wedged in a booth, for being scolded when *you're* out of all diet beverages and pretty much crappy service all around. We had to flag people down to ask for ketchup and place settings.
(1)
jenn w.

Apricot Ale....you have been replaced....Curve Ball is so delicious
(4)
Joe B.

oktoberfest is where it is at
(4)
Billy S.

I'm surprised by the 4 star average for this place. It's not the fanciest or coolest brewery you've ever been to, but it's pretty solid. What they may lack in creativity or daring dishes, they make up for in consistency and pretty good beer. I once had sub par service but ever since I've sat at the bar. Let's be honest, the bartender is the gatekeeper to the booze, so that's the only way to roll, DAWG!!!
(4)
Toeknee T.

Went over to get Dinner with my sailing buddy from Cal Sailing. They were a little busy. We had the Flauta, Chili, and Salsa lime Chicken with 3 Beers. Flauta was great. Chicken was good and had really taste mash potatoes. Chili was okay. Pyramid beers are one of my favorites. Curve Ball is too bland even for my friend who drink practically anything. I actually wanted try some new brew but I forgot to ask what's available. Wish they had a Beer Sampler. Some way to try 4 beers for like $10. Total tab came out to be $27 w/o the beers. Service was friendly and speed of food delivery can be faster. Not sure I'll be back since there plenty of places around here with better food. And since I already got a pair of Pyramid complimentary glasses which came with the beer of the day.
(3)
J a.

Stopped in after celebrator party at trumer Service...excellent...timely....accurate...no booboos Food...my rueben was underpar...flimsy dark rye...average pastrami...gooey cheese...no sauer kraut....not worth the price...fries were great..10$ Apps....calamari was great on. One plate average on the next...onion rings were huge, crispy and good....pizza twists ok, better thatn delivery pizza type...nachos were ok, could have been served warmer as cheese was hard on serving...dips were creative but not really good...after trying them all catsup was preferred Nobody finished their entrees....that says a lot cuz we were hella buzzed after celebrator party...soooooo Good beer...good service...average to below average food....expected a little more from pyramid...prolly never come back except for events
(3)
Deborah L.

My husband got a Groupon coupon for Pyramid that gave us $25 worth for $7. We've lived in the East Bay for almost 8 years and it took this coupon to get us to this brewery. There are lots of pluses about this place: plenty of parking, fresh brews, comfy dining room, reasonable volume for conversation and friendly service. We both got the Hef, which was very tasty. We're not big ale fans so that's why we didn't get the sampler but that seemed to be a popular way to try the different brews. We got the spicy wings, which I thought were just okay. They seemed like they were fried in old oil and for just a bit too long. The hot sauce they came with was tasty. For entrees we had the Margherita pizza and the Reuben sandwich. I liked that the Reuben came on marbled pumpernickel bread (the menu says rye but it wasn't) but I think it would have been better toasted and on thicker slices to be more sturdy for all that meat. The sauerkraut was tasty. I liked the pizza. I thought it was flavorful and light and went well with the beer. The crust was perfect and the ingredients were fresh. I felt comfortable in the dining room: the lighting is pleasant, the space between tables and booths is nice and it's not too loud. I also noticed a lot of diversity in age ranging from families with kids to college and graduate students to older retirees. I would go back to try more varieties of beer and other items on the menu. In my opinion, the prices are too high to make it a regular destination unless you just go for happy hour and split a pitcher and some appetizers.
(4)
Nick H.

This place is great, I can't believe that more people haven't rated this a 4 or 5 star restaurant. First the beer; it's top notch! I've tried the Hefeweizen, Curve Ball, Crystal Wheat, Apricot Ale, Snow Cap, Broken Rake and Summerfest and they are all fantastic in their own right. The only one I don't like is the IPA but that only because I don't like bitter beers. The food is perfectly matched for what's on tap. I highly recommend the nachos and the hot wings. Their pizzas are cooked in a brick-oven and gives them a nice smokey flavor. I've also tried the pulled pork sandwich and the blackened salmon; I would totally order them again. There is ample parking and I've never had to wait longer than 15 minutes for a table. Can't recommend it enough to beer lovers.
(5)
Lea T.

The ONLY reason I come here is to watch football. And wings. The end.
(2)
Kimberly S.

Apricot Ale! The best beer they have! haha. If they even call it beer, since it's so light and girly. I've been to the Walnut Creek location a long time ago when my boyfriend and I first got together. We wanted to go back to that place recently, but my boyfriend found this location on his phone which is quite close to our home. So we decided to come here instead. Parking is easier here (shocking! since it's berkeley) than the Walnut Creek area (which is located downtown). We got a spot on the street right in front of the restaurant. The food itself was good. We had the artichoke dip for an appetizer and I had the chicken with cilantro salsa, veggies and mashed potatoes. My boyfriend had "comfort" food since his feet were injured, I think it was a burger stacked with onion rings. He doesn't like those so they were going on my plate! Haha Service was good. Our waiter was really sweet. A bit slow at times, since it took quite a bit for my utensils to come out (after my dish!) but I wasn't mad at that. I figured they were super busy on a Friday night. I had enough food to bring to work the next day. And I'm going to mention it again, I love the Apricot Ale. That is coming from someone who doesn't fancy beer much.
(4)
Phan H.

Fast service, great beer and food. Nice place for an afternoon lunch especially during a sports game.
(4)
Judy K.

I've had a thing for Sweet Potato Fries lately...and I think the ones at Pyramid are the best ones so far. The fries are lightly battered and the curry dip is a nice touch! Also had the Fried Calamari here- I love Fried Calamari but I tend to love the tentacle parts more...theirs is cut up pieces of Calamari. Still very good and served with yummy Cajun Aioli. I usually don't like beer but if you were to twist my arm, I would go for the Apricot beer that they make here. My brother the Beer Guy says the Apricot is the best fruity beer he's had...so there!
(4)
Ann C.

Not worth the hype. Pyramid beer is always going to be delicious but their food...no thanks. Go to Jupiter's instead where you can get pyramid heff AND holy jesus amazing pizza.
(3)
Emily Von P.

Meh is right! Big beer selection, but the beer menu is not very well explained. Seemed to me there were about 5 beers in the medium pale ale category, a hefeweizen, a couple fruit beers, and a couple porter/stouts. The food was unremarkable, except for the wings, which were good, but kind of a mystery. They're so crispy but completely not greasy - must be deep fried, no? I'm still pondering it weeks later. We tried a turkey burger and a regular one and both were a solid "OK". Nothing special. Also, the service was pretty lacking. We sat at our table with our dirty plates for a good 20 mins after we'd finished before our server came by to check on us, and it wasn't busy at all when we visited. I guess if you want to go for a beer and some pretty tasty wings, I wouldn't advise you against it. Anything beyond that, well, you've been warned; your money would be better spent elsewhere - Elevation 66 maybe? (A wee bit pricier, but better food AND beer!)
(2)
Kevin V.

Awesome beer! Great parking for a Berkeley restaurant. I don't recommend the tortilla soup, as I had to salt it up quite a bit. Chicken Quesadilla was loaded with chicken and cheese. Pulled Pork Sandwich was messy as expected but delicious! Now the important part: The beers! My personal favorites are the MacTarnahan's Amber, the Apricot Ale (I know, its girly but is so refreshing), and my new favorite: Winter Humbug'r! This beer is a smooth porter, much like a 1554 but smoother finish. I will definitely be looking around for this beer.
(4)
Peter F.

A friend and I are progressively visiting breweries with food and finding the beer is good and the food is not. Pyramid Brewery makes very good beer, the Imperial Stout, IPA and a seasonal stout were all of high quality and fairly priced. The Kobe beef burger patties were cooked on an open grill. You would think that they would bring a good burger since the ingredients and grill are there. What we received was very disappointing. The burgers were ordered medium rare and came well done and were served on a Wonder Bread bun. A hockey game was playing and I couldn't help comparing the burger to a hockey puck.
(2)
Jenny N.

The beer was absolutely refreshing and delishhhhhh! the food was so-so. and the location is very... in the cuts area. haha If i drove by it, it wouldve never had known that is was a restaurant, Only a brewery. lol xD cause it looks like a factory. but yeah, this is a chill place to come and watch the Giants game while sipping on beer ;D
(4)
Kay A.

Drink first, then eat. The food is so-so but the beer is one-of-a-kind. And the beer makes the food taste wonderful. If you have time and you go early enough, take the tour. The information is sort of compelling, but the free samples afterwards are well worth the beer lecture.
(4)
Lindsay R.

5 stars for the beer, 1 star for the food. The beer is awesome for the most part. I had a sampler of 5: - Crystal Wheat Ale: My least favorite, too watered down for my taste, still had a decent wheat flavor though. - Hefeweizen: Basically a less watered down version of Crystal Wheat. Which made it miles better. I'd had this beer before in a bottle, and it's much better on tap. - Apricot Ale: Probably my favorite that I sampled. Not overly fruity but the apricot flavor is definitely there. As a fan of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, I do love beers that have that hint of fruit in them. - MacTarnahan's Amber Ale: Another great one. Disappointed that stores around here don't sell MacTarnahan's brand. - Hum Bug'r: This one's only available seasonally (Sept-Dec). Pretty good porter and the darkest beer I tried. However, the pizzas we ordered left much to be desired. In particular, the Sausage Mushroom & Pepperoni. I had two slices, one was all mushrooms with one or two small pieces of sausage underneath. The second was all meat and almost no mushrooms. And overall the pizza just wasn't anything special, I've had better at Domino's, let alone at other restaurants. If it wasn't for the beer and good company I wouldn't have really enjoyed my time here. Maybe it's just the pizza though, haven't tried their burgers yet so maybe they're better? Well I'll probably be back to get another beer sampler at least so I'll give their food another try.
(3)
Hue L.

Came here for a second time last Thursday for a roommate's birthday. The pitcher and beer deal for $15 was great! I've always loved their beers. The margherita pizza was yummy in my tummy, especially with the big chunks of whole garlic cloves that were thrown on top. We also got the pizza twist which was delicious; the gooey soft dough with melted cheese was perfect. We also got the sampler platter. It was good but way too much fried food for this girl. My favorite from the sampler was the calamari. Food here is nothing to rave about but do come here for the beers.
(3)
Anthony L.

Pyramid Brewery is a staple of Berkeley, and if you haven't gone before, I'd recommend stopping in at least once (even if you don't like beer). They have a full service restaurant and bar, as well as a retail area if you want to purchase the brews. For my review, I'm going to break it down into two aspects, the food and the drink! First, the drinks! Let's be honest, they are a brewery that makes great beer, so you won't go bad ordering anything from their menu. They have many options, from light to dark for your drinking pleasure. Their menu explains each brew, so you can feel confident on whichever brew you pick. Personally, I recommend the Apricot Ale. They also have a full bar, so if you are mood for a mixed drink or spirits, they've got you covered! For drinks, A! Now for the food! Unfortunately, the quality of the food is not quite up to the level of the drinks, but there are a few gems to be found. Much of the fare is "America-bistro" in style (chicken wings, cheeseburgers, sandwiches, etc), and it is prepared simply. The first thing that you should know, no matter what you might think of some of the menu items, nothing is really "healthy" on the menu. Many of the salads, while tasty are very over-dressed and the soups are a bit oily and rich. Of course, if you are going to a brewery, it's unlikely you are looking for health food, so this is a minimal complaint. Generally, the food is prepared well but slightly bland. Many things are a bit overcooked, so if you want something mid-rare or medium, make sure to clearly state so. Personally, my recommendations are: Appetizer - Pizza twists (wow not healthy, but one of the few super-tasty items), Salad - Cranberry Spinach (lots of flavors that work well together), EntrÃ©e - Cod and Chips or the Pyramid Burger (both dishes smartly feature their ales in the prep). Overall food; C+ The service at Pyramid has been generally positive, but know that if go during happy hour, the servers will be really busy and won't has as much time to spend with you as they normally would answer questions and chatting. Pyramid also has a LOT of seating areas, so if you are looking for a place to have a party, you've found it! They have both indoor and outdoor seating and inside they have two seating levels.
(4)
Alvin D.

3/5 it's for the beer, not the food. the food is whatever. mediocre. i had really bad fries the other night, it was like they were sitting on a counter then stuck in a microwave. i mean cmon, they serve beer, i would hope that the simplest of bar food accompaniments would come out right. anyways, always ask for the seasonals. also, if you're lucky, they may just kill the keg on your, or you may get the first tap--never know! even on a saturday night we were seated in 10 minutes, so it's always worth a visit if you're in the area and wanna get yo' drink (and munch) on.
(3)
Jean K.

Pyramid makes some pretty decent beers (3 stars) but you don't have to come here to drink them. The food here is typical bar/pub food. Burgers, chicken wings, various salads and pasta. Nothing special. They do have a free brewery tour. You don't have to make reservations. Just call ahead to find out what time. The tour is usually led by a bartender, not a brewer. They're pretty knowledgeable (I think they've memorized and learned a lot while doing all the tours) but it's difficult to tell if they really care. It definitely wasn't as good as the Anchor Steam tour. It was over in 25 minutes. At the end of the tour you get a free tasting. 1/2 pints of 3 of their beers (their pick) out of a total of 8 beers. I understand it's free but it's kind of a lame tasting. If you want to taste the rest then you have to buy the tasting off the menu (which also doesn't cover all the beers).
(2)
Anna G.

These 2 stars im giving this place is for the second time around I went there. Which was not that great. The first time I came here was with my husband, sister and brother in-law. This was a few years ago. I remember ordering a plate that had Steak and Shrimp. My steak was cooked to my liking medium rare and the shrimp was very tasty. Now I have gone back on the dinner menu and I no longer see it on there. My sister and her husband both ordered burgers WELL DONE but when they got their food their hamburger patty's we're also medium rare and they both hate that. So they sent it back and the waiter brought them back their WELL DONE hamburger patty's. Over all the dinner that night was good. The second time we went we went with about 6 other people. We got seated in just a few min. The waitress takes our drink orders. Take a long while to come back to just give us our drinks. We order the sampler platter and we asked if we can substitute the crab cakes for pizza twist and she said ya that we could which was nice of her not many places let you. The appetizer platter was pretty good. For my dinner plate I ordered the Honey Cilantro Chicken with the garlic mashed potatoes. My plate was just ok it wasnt all that great. I think the best thing were the garlic mashers and the appetizers lol. Im yet to try out their pizzas so I cannot comment on that part of the menu. So I dont think I will be returning to this place at all. Twice was just ok for me.
(3)
Thomas J.

I went to the pyramid brewery hoping to get a tour of the factory and just check out the place. I arrived a few minutes after 4pm (4:03) and was told by the woman working at the front that there are normally tours at 4 but because nobody showed up exactly at 4, there would be no tour. Three minutes late, no tour? I was also a little surprised by the overall atmosphere of the place which definitely seems more like a sleazy restaurant at an amusement park that an actual brewery. However, I didn't stay and try the beer or food so I can't comment.
(1)
Adriana G.

Our 8 person group sat out on the patio. The patio is spacious and easily accessible to the main building. I am a huge fan of their beer. I thoroughly enjoyed my Pyramid Burger! However, the service was extremely slow! The drinks took a long time as did the food and the request to turn on the heat lamps. Our server was nice but was disappointed by the lag time. I appreciate that they have a private lot.
(2)
Heather J.

This is a review for using Pyramid as a Rehearsal Dinner location. We used this Pyramid's upstairs private room for our rehearsal dinner of about 32 people. The room was the perfect size for people to eat and also walk around. Our guests enjoyed their beers and the food was really awesome too. We opted to just order beer by the pitcher, and the staff were very attentive to making sure we had all the beer we wanted. We also brought in our own wine for corkage (but most people were more interested in the beers). I also wanted to just mention that this Pyramid location is *WAY* nicer than the one in Walnut Creek. We checked out that location because our rehearsal was closer to Walnut Creek, but when we went, the rooms were either too large or too small. One of the rooms also had a big glass wall, so everyone in the restaurant could see what you were doing. I think they chose the glass wall because the restaurant itself is small. But the big problem was that the bathrooms were grooss. So ultimately, we decided our guests would be happier at this location and though we had to drive much further. And we were right! Our guests loved the food, beer, service, everything! And I'll also mention that this place is *super* affordable compared to other rehearsal dinner locations in the bay area. Definitely give this Pyramid location a look if you're planning a private dinner party!
(5)
Nick G.

I came here expecting a decent brew with some decent food, but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of everything served here. I've always been a big Pyramid Heff fan, and this is what brought me here in the first place, and I was definitely not disappointed with the tasty Haywire Heff served here, but what struck me most was the exceptional quality of their food. I myself ordered the Pyramid Burger, which is basically a western bacon cheeseburger with their own homemade BBQ sauce and onion rings, and it was delicious. I added avocado to the sandwich and let me tell you, it was heaven in my mouth. The onion rings here are also worth mentioning, I'm not exaggerating when I say that these onion rings were the best I've ever had! Just the right texture, not too crunchy and not too soft, and the batter to onion ratio was just right as well. YUM. My meal was perfect for the occasion, but other more health oriented people around me ordered things like a grilled salmon and some fish tacos, and not only did they all looked delicious, but I definitely didn't hear any complaints. Bravo
(5)
A V.

Come for the brew and stay for the food poisoning! We recently celebrated a friend's birthday there and after being moved outside because the noise inside is like being behind a 747......we had pub and grub. I must say the apricot ale was delicious. I also had a med. rare hamburger, which is very rare because I don't eat much red meat. All was well until midnight when I began to make frequent urgent trips to "pray" in the bathroom. There's nothing quite like the meditation of stabbing abdominal pain in the middle of the night to help make up one's mind about a return visit to a restaurant. I think since this was the only thing I ate that day that the evidence is pretty conclusive........it wasn't the ale.
(1)
Jenny Z.

I always want to try and like Pyramid, but I just can't. Came for a late dinner with 3 friends. The waiter was unusual -- he literally threw two coasters at my friend and I who were seated the furthest from where he was standing. We ordered the fish tacos, the pineapple burger, cod & chips and the buffalo chicken pizza. I think the fish tacos and burger were probably the best of the four dishes, but that's not saying much. Fries were terrible -- over fried, cold, bland. The cod in the cod & chips was also over fried and dripping in oil. I know, I know, you shouldn't order fried food and expect something healthy. I don't. I expected something deliciously unhealthy, but there was nothing delicious about it. The side of cole slaw it came with was laughable, coming in a tiny sauce container. Was a single spoonful of cole slaw. PIzza was just weird. A few bits of buffalo chicken scattered about on an ugly pizza. Celery was also an interesting topping choice. Maybe it's because we came for dinner late (8:30pm) on a Sunday night, but if I come again, definitely sticking with the salads.
(1)
Celeste B.

Good pub food and beer. Very low key. Great buffalo wings. Not much else to say.
(3)
Grace H.

We always come for the chicken wings and beer. Our last visit here, everything was just too salty. Somethings different.. but still good anyhow. Minus a star because we came and put our names down with the hostess and received a buzzer. We were told it would be a 20min wait and then told the girl we'd be at the bar till then. A good 35 minutes passed that we had to return to the hostess to find they've seated 7 tables ahead of us. We were never buzzed =( We got seated within 10 minutes. The wait being a grand total of 45 minutes.
(3)
Kat M.

Came here for a friend's birthday dinner, and was not impressed. I mean, I didn't expect a lot because after all it's a brewery. I kinda thought it would be like a BJs or Gordon Biersch, and it was. Very typical food like pizzas and burgers. I'm not a huge beer drinker but my hubby is and he said the beer was forgettable. The menu didn't look very good to me so I opted to share a bunch of dishes with my friends. We got the appetizer sampler, which consisted of onion rings, fried calamari strips, crab cakes, and chicken wings. The calamari strips and chicken wings were decent. The crab cakes tasted more like potato croquettes. I could not detect any crab flavor whatsoever. We then shared a pizza with salami and arugula toppings. It was OK, nothing special. I couldn't even remember what it tasted like. The best thing about Pyramid was their dessert. We ordered the apple crisp and the brownie. Both came with vanilla ice cream on top. They were delicious. We could not stop eating them. It was seriously the best part of our meal! If you go there, skip the entree and go straight to dessert.
(2)
David L.

Taste: 4 Value: 3 Service: 3 I came here with a party of about 20 roughly two years ago for a lab celebration. We ordered several pitchers of beer and a couple different kinds of food. Sadly, the food was lackluster enough that I don't remember any of it, but there were a few beer varieties that were quite nice, one of which was the apricot beer. Service was also a bit lacking, but it was okay since we all had a good time.
(4)
Emily M.

Bleh. My boyfriend kept saying how great this place used to be. He's usually more easygoing about food expectations than I am. But he was very annoyed at how bad the food was, especially compared to what he remembered from a few years prior. The beer was the only decent thing here. Skip it.
(2)
Christopher R.

Happy hour is 330-630 then again later at night. Daily specials and seasonal brews. Tours are at 4 I think. Staff members vary.
(3)
Drew G.

My fiancÃ©e and I decided to come here for dinner after not coming here for around 2 years. They revamped their menu with some new items, so we figured it was worth another shot. In hindsight, this was a bad idea. We were seated immediately as the place wasn't very busy at all. This should have been a warning sign. Our server quickly appeared literally 10 seconds after we sat down and presented us with a beer menu. After enthusiastically answering a few questions about the beer and providing knowledgeable answers, we ordered a few beers and were then asked if we'd also like to order an appetizer to get started. We looked at each other and then said we hadn't even had a chance to look at the menu. This was the first in a string of many blatant upselling attempts. When we ordered the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich and Smoked Tri-Tip sandwich we were each asked if wanted a side salad or soup with that. We both declined as the sandwiches already come with fries. While we were waiting for our dishes to come out, our server stopped by and asked us how we liked the beers, we both said they were good and I guess I was a little too enthusiastic about mine (more on that in a bit.) When our food arrived and the plates were set down, the server made a point to reference the dessert menu and turned it toward us as if to suggest we order something from it. I politely declined and stated that I'd just be saving room for my beer. We didn't see our server for a while after this, and were waiting for them to come back and refill our waters. She eventually came back, not to ask us how everything was, but to mention that there was only three more bottles of the beer that I was drinking in the gift shop, and if I wanted to have them pulled and set aside. This caught me off guard because I really wasn't sure why I was being told this, I can only guess that it was because I accurately described the flavor of the beer earlier when asked and said it was good. I just sort of shook my head "no" and said I was fine. A little bit later around 3/4 of the way through our dinner, our server came back and asked if we'd like to order a dessert. Annoyed at this point, we stated we're still eating and motioned to our plates. Growing tired of the blatant upsell attempts we finished up, paid, and left. On top of all that, the food isn't anything special, and the beer is very pedestrian. Skip this place!
(2)
J E.

Had a Groupon here so decided to check it out while a friend was in town. He had been to another one of their locations and enjoyed it. Got here around 5 on a Sunday and was seated immediately. Not overly busy, but definitely some tables filled. Your basic modern alehouse, although nice tall ceilings and you can see the giant cisterns which is cool. Also noticed they had nice outdoor seating. Had the games on over the bar. Not too loud. SO we waited about 20 minutes for anyone to even recognize we were there...we asked a server and he said he just gotten off his shift but would see who was supposed to help us...and then nobody came. We finally asked the hostess and she took our order about 10 minutes later. They said there was a little miscommunication. Honestly, we could have just walked out and nobody would have noticed. That was a pretty miserable way to start the meal. The food came quickly after that incident. Ordered a pitcher and the waitress broke the glasses she brought, which wasn't totally her fault, they were stuck together and she came back quickly to bring us others. The food was very decent. At the table we had the cheese and chicken quesadillas, 1 veg burger, 1 reg burger and the sausage. Don't expect too much, this is your average American food straight up, but it was good. Sundays you get 20% off merch if you dine. We asked for their seasonal summer brew, but they were out of it in bottles-boo! We got a case of Heff. And they did mostly redeem their service by putting the pitcher on the house-a nice touch which we appreciated. I would go back and try trivia on a Tuesday.
(3)
Kim E.

The second time I came here, I was quite disappointed. The tour guide spoke quietly and the samples were much smaller. We stuck around and ordered more beer. Most of the beer was good, however the one the waitress recommended as similar to the Juggernaut Red Ale (which they were out of) was disappointing- not bad, just boring. The vibe was lively though as Cal football was doing well!
(2)
Natalie N.

I had a great experience at Pyramid Brewery! We came here on a Sunday around 3pm and sat at the bar. I loved the Apricot Ale. It was very refreshing and tasty even though I am normally a Hefeweizen girl. We ordered an app, the sweet potato fries, which were the hugest serving ever, but hot and delicious. I thought the curry dipping sauce was really odd, so I opted for the plain ol ketchup. The best thing was the brewery tour! We went at 4pm and were out by about 5:15. We had a great group who asked a ton of questions and then it ended with a nice sized tasting in this private room. They even did a trivia of things we learned on the tour for extra tastes of season brews. It was really fun and a great way to spend an afternoon. The tour guide was amazing and so funny.
(4)
Bill K.

I love Pyramid beer, so this place was pretty cool. The food was decent, but not great, hence the reason for a 3 star and not 4 star.
(3)
Sean B.

I have to say I was disappointed on my latest visit (April 2011). Beer was okay but the meals were not good. Of the four dinners, only one was decent (the fish tacos believe it or not). This place needs to stick to burgers and dogs if they're not going to serve up a quality meal.
(2)
W L.

Go for the atmosphere, easy seating, family friendliness, parking, non-stop sports, and -from what I've experienced-friendly hosts and waitstaff...but know what (not) to order. I can't speak to the beer selection but there's plenty of that in the Yelp reviews. What to stay away from: Tortilla chips with salsa or Nachos-chips were stale, salsa bland Any salad (other than the Wedge)-ingredients or salad itself were precut and refrigerated so tasted and looked like leftovers. Spinach Artichoke Dip-small portions, crap bread, and parmesan cheese topping looked and tasted like sawdust Sausage, Mushroom, Pepperoni Pizza: Mushrooms might have been bad - they were tough, had whole large stems cut crosswise instead of lengthwise and had a sour almost marinated flavor. Made me want to wretch. Tortilla Soup-as with several other items that are hard to screw up, they managed to, in my opinion Spicy Sole-smelled fishy arriving at the table, was tough and covered in a spicy mayonnaise What to order: Garlic Bleu Chips - homemade potato chips with bleu cheese (it's not on the regular menu; you just have to know to ask for it) Wedge Salad Halibut - this was actually fantastic, and - as you would expect from whatever culinary sage is responsible for this kitchen - I just found out they removed it from the menu Kids' Menu Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce Kids' Menu meals with fries can substitute green apple slices Roll the dice: Happy Hour Menu items - I'd give them a shot; e.g. the Bleu Chips mentioned earlier are on this menu Burgers - have to imagine these are good Wings (people seemed to be enjoying these) Brats & Kraut (know one person who thought this was only mediocre, but at least not bad) Onion Rings with Curry Ketchup (looked better than tasted to me, but some people like them) If you want fresher, superior, happy hour cheap bar fare in the general vicinity, go to Skates on the Bay's bar.
(3)
Kat C.

Wow, talk about karma. My first bad experience at Pyramids... not only was service sluggish, the lady spilled water on me while trying to trapeze 3 glasses on her wobbly arm. I didn't realize till I stood up that the water had gotten under my seat so I had a soggy ass after dinner. She merely apologized and got me those small, dinky coaster napkins to wipe the puddle on and under me. Touche, karma...touche.... Best time to go is Sunday for lunch....the restaurant.com coupon works, the place is near empty, and the service is better....
(2)
Laura B.

One side of a phone conversation with the folks at Pyramid on Saturday afternoon: "Hey, do you guys have any tours or anything today? ..... Oh, ok, but we can still come over and drink beer though, right?" The answer must have been in the affirmative, so we sallied forth and infiltrated this place of purveyance to negotiate the vending of some tasty brewed hops. Indeed. We sat outside to enjoy the last of the afternoon and everyone ordered up individualized samplers. And the artichoke dip. Because who can drink beer outside on a beautiful day without some salty greasy victuals? NOT ME. Our samplers were carried out in beer hangers, which I immediately coveted. Our server placed the tiny glasses on our beer maps so we could keep them all straight. I really enjoyed the Apricot ale (perfect for summer), the famous Hefe, and the Alehouse Amber. To be sure, all the beers were excellent and I wouldn't kick any of them out of bed. The artichoke dip was also fantab and the rest of the food looked very tasty and value-priced! Pyramid, I'll be back to drink your beer and eat your food, if you'll have me.
(4)
Magz V.

The ale is delicious. Great atmosphere... always a good choice for a Friday night. I had the ale sampler and i had to give away a couple of the beers to my boys 'cause i simply didn't have the rough palate for them. The Apricot Heifenweizen is my fave!
(4)
Cathie I.

I really want to like Pyramid however I always walk away disappointed. Recently, I order a turkey burger. There was way too much mayo. I remember the use to be better. In the last year a half they changed the menu. Unfortunately they removed a few of the items I like. Go for the beer but don't expect much of the food.
(2)
YUP K.

The food is all lame foodservice shit and you can tell that by looking at the menu. The beer isn't anything super special, but if you know anything about beer you already know that. Who cares? The service was good. It's a comfortable place to sit with nice natural light. I enjoyed hanging out for a couple hours, drinking a beer sampler, and eating some fries. Anyone who expects more than this is setting themselves up for disappointment.
(3)
Layla L.

I've been here a few times, but tonight was the epitome of my experiences here. I went for trivia night with a group of friends and was expecting a great time, with tons of people and high energy- you know, like at Albatross on a Sunday night... but no, there were only a few other groups, everyone was older, and very quiet... the girl reading the trivia questions seemed so bored and annoyed that she had to do this, she mumbled into the mike, went too fast with the questions and was too slow when it came to grading. The server also seemed annoyed that she had to work. The vibe was off and somehow they made a typically fun game completely lame... fail. (ps the food isnt good either)
(2)
Lea G.

We had a rugby social there over the weekend....ya we were the loud, drunk group in the corner. Good place for a pint and a game on the tele. Wait staff is adequate. I typically sit at the bar because I don't like to wait and the bartenders are great but because we were with a very large group they made us sit in the back. And it took so long for orders (I understand we only had one dedicated waitress) that some people got up and went straight to the bar.... BTW - I think this is the best Pyramid location in the bay.
(3)
Casey S.

I love Pyramid beer. And that's pretty amazing considering I'm usually more of a hard liquor girl. Unfortunately, I don't so much love the food here -- it's relatively uninspired and nothing to write Yelp about. Not bad, but not a decent complement to the wonderful beverage selection on offer. 3 stars because the service is fine and they have decent off-street parking.
(3)
Rye N.

Ok Why all of a sudden Pyramid made a noise dive to being crappy? It was a nice lovely Sunday afternoon and the family wanted something different than your traditional Chinese dim-sum. -Luckily my brother in-law noticed before I took a sip but my glass of water DIRTY! The glass had a huge slither of cheese of some sort. So I ordered an Arnold Palmer not once did this lady ask If I wanted a refill!!! -Portions are getting smaller and smaller! -Calamari, ok I remember when they used to give a grip load of calamari. I counted 10 sticks of calamari. I know times are tough these days but why are you skimming me out on my crunchy goodness -Service. Now it wasn't even that busy. Though it was noon I would say this place was still dead. Our waitress had to buss maybe 2-3 other small tables. On Top of that I had to wait 20 minutes to get my change back!! Lunch totally ruined my Sunday afternoon!
(2)
Jeff F.

I'm definitely a fan of the beer, the service and the appetizers. However, the main dishes are less than desirable. I got a cheeseburger and while the patty tasted great, the "cheese" on my cheeseburger looked like it came a cheeze-whiz spray bottle or something. Come for happy hour between 3:30-6:30 during the week if you're in the area. The Juggernaut makes for an awesome red ale and their hefeweizen is one of the first beers I ever drank outside of your lower quality beers (ie Bud Light, PBR, Coors, etc). So there's a bit of a sentimental relationship between me and Pyramid on that front. Oh yea, and there's a free tour everyday at 4PM. I'm looking to check that sometime. In short: - pretty good beer - cheap appetizers - don't come for a meal - great atmosphere - free tour
(4)
Con C.

Actually, in the times I've been back, the bartenders have been cool, the service efficient, and the food good. I'd like to think that perhaps this particular bartender mentioned in the first review was having an "off" night.
(3)
Vincent T.

I hesitantly give Pyramid four starts. The reason they get that extra star is merely because the East Bay has perhaps the worst selection of sports bars in the world. If I was a rich entrepreneur I would certainly invest in a 'ballin-ass' sports bar around here. That all being said, pyramid has some great reasonably priced beer. They also have a good number of TVs to watch sports. I'd probably go there more often if prices were slightly lower, but I will return. P.S. anyone who says they come here for the apricot ale is not a true beer person. That beer is good, but too sweet to have any more than one.
(4)
Christian H.

Cool spot to go to right off of the Gilman exit in Berkeley. It is easy to get to from most places in the bay area. The Pyramid Heff is decent, but I have certainly had better unfiltered wheats in other breweries. The burger was good...but they like to serve it with only fries and/or rings. Cheaper prices than most pubs, though. I'd go back again.
(4)
Christopher W.

Although I've been to Pyramid Brewery in both Walnut Creek and Berkeley several times, I have never sat down for a full meal. Tonight was the first. We ordered a sampler platter for $14.95. Someone in my group got a burger and another person got a tri-tip sandwich. I got the salmon BLT. The food in my opinion was mediocre. The price for the sampler platter was expensive in my opinion when you only get 3 chicken wings, 3-4 calamari strips, 3 potato skins and a bunch of onion strings. The Audacious Apricot beer was unique and pretty tasty. I think I'll just stick to beer and appetizers here.
(3)
Lea R.

I hate this place. No attention to customers, no food for over an hour, everyone around us ordered, ate, paid, left... but how can we fix? Amendment - they did comp our meal, and apologized... but I'm still highly disappointed that something like this. I've been to this place twice, and have less than mediocre experiences. I will not be back.
(1)
Nehal N.

OOoooo BREWERIES & BEER! This is a place that you've got to check out if you've lived in Berkeley. Just for the fact that you can have fresh draught beer....frankly you should go to any decent brewery if its close to you! Tho I was sad to hear that they had ran out of the fall seasonal amber ale and IPA, when I got there. The staff is knowledgeable about the beer and will let you try a sample of any beers they have. I ended up having the Mac's amber ale, which was a very mild amber, with sweetness of vanilla though definitely not a dessert beer (thank god). Maybe it tasted so mild because I had just had a sample of the dark IPA, which was EPIC flavor in my mouth with chocolate and HOPSSsss. Anyway, the 3 stars is for the food, because its well....a-ok....nothing more though. The Brewer's plates are served with mash and veggies, which are generic and tasteless. I ordered the meatloaf and the catfish (don't ask why). The meatloaf was ok, but the fiery BBQ sauce made it quite a bit better. BUT take a sip of the Mac's with the meatloaf and it adds a whole new level (so it becomes a little better than 'a-ok'). The catfish was actually decent, and the delicate flavours of the sweet curry sauce was surprising! I've gotta come back here for a brewery tour and tasting!
(3)
Kat S.

Looking for a tasty bite in a casual atmosphere? This is a great place. Good ambiance - high ceilings, clean and open. Yummy food. My husband just had a chicken Caesar salad and I opted for a club sandwich. Both were surprisingly good. The prices were average. Our waitress was rock star. She had good recommendations and her service was efficient and very friendly.
(4)
M T.

The buffalo wings are helllllla good! Def. try that. Pizza sticks are pretty good too. Everything else is not bad, but not great either.
(3)
Michael B.

Pyrmaid is a great place to get a big group together to have food and beer without the hassle of worrying about reservations or seat availibility. Service is fast and generally pretty good. Their outdoor seating is fantastic, if it's open, which doesn't seem often enough. I do like their beer, although none of their brews knock my socks off. The Amber unfiltered is pretty good, as are their IPA's. The food tends to be heavy though, you're going to roll out. The quality is fair. My biggest problem with their burgers is that your hands will smell of focaccia and oil even after washing 'em twice. In short though, there are better places for tastier food, but the ease and speed for groups is hard to beat in berkeley.
(3)
Apple C.

I love hefeweizen so much, I got a keg of it for my college graduation party that my parents were hosting. My gf took me here when we first started dating because she knew I'm such a beer fan. We still go pretty often. The food is really good, though it seems like they're trying too hard sometimes. It's standard food with gourmet twists. It's as if they want the older college student to expand their taste, though stick to old favorites. Still, I'm never disappointed whenever I go. I love getting the beer sampler when I'm feeling indecisive, and it comes out in a nifty carrier! Or, if I want a drink but I need to stay alert later, I get the Hefenade. It's not on the menu anymore, but it's pretty much half hefeweizen and half lemonade. So yummy! The lemonade makes it ok that the beer is watered down, or a good way to introduce beer to a newbie. I like trying out the seasonal beers which change, yes, every season. I heard there's a tour, which I'm anxious to go on next time!
(4)
Julie L.

I guess that it's a pretty fun place to go with a bunch of friends - they have a wide selection of drinks (of course), but, for those nonalchohol drinkers, they also have a wide selection of sodas! You can have like... 5 or 6 types of sodas in little glasses! T.V.'s all around for some good sports watching.. As for the food - meh. A bit overpriced for me, and some things were definitely too salty/not seasoned for my liking.
(2)
Jasmine A.

My coworker and I decided to try out the Pyramid Brewery tonight (Sunday) and as we were parking I found it a little funny that there are signs all over the parking lot that say "Do Not Leave Valuables in Plain Sight" (or something like that). It also didn't help that we passed by a group of stereotypical trouble makers. This is another place where I did not go to while going to Cal. I know shame on me. But I don't think I missed much. I ordered the Apricot Ale and I must say that it was one of the better Apricot Ales that I've had. There was ample lighting in the ale house which I did not expect. It made the place seem so vast and empty. The food was like any other alehouse food. I had the Philly and Mushrooms and they gave me this french dip. It was rather salty, but I had to dip my sandwich or else it'd be too dry without it. The fries definitely hit the spot after the beer. The service was good. No long waiting, the waiter check on us and made sure everything was going okay. Everything was delivered timely. Overall, the experience was not bad which makes it good. Right? A solid 3 stars it is.
(3)
Juan L.

I have tried everything in their menu and you cant go wrong with the Pyramid burger and of course the hefeweizen. Everything else is not really that good. Customer service has been good everytime
(3)
Barbara K.

Not pleased with customer service ! Beer is ok. We were interested in the brewery tour so called a day ahead to get details for Sat. tour. Told no reservation needed but they suggested arriving early for happy hour to assure a spot. We took their advice & arrived for happy hour only to find out that there is no happy hr on Sat. (even though the happy hour menu was on the table!) They also failed to mention that you had to be wearing closed shoes for the tour, which I was not. Also no mention that the 45 min tour was only 5 min. on the weekend because NOTHING is happening! So i had to sit out the tour while my son went by himself for his 21st BDay :( We were MOST disappointed. No apologies when I complained either!
(1)
Naomi C.

This place should do two things well: beer and burgers. They accomplish neither. First, beers. We decided to get the 5 beer sampler: Crystal Wheat, Apricot Ale, Juggernaut, and two different ambers. They all have the same flavor that could be, if I'm to be forgiving, attributable to the brewmaster's love of hops, but also seems to be rooted in tap lines that have not been properly/regularly cleaned. And regardless of whether the lines are actually dirty - hard to believe, when you're at the source - each beer has the same distinct funk quality. Second, burgers. With the array of options in the greater bay area, I really expect a special burger when I fork over ~$10 per. But these would fail even if half that amount stayed my pocket. The plain burger, which comes in at around $9, is an unseasoned patty on an unremarkable bun. And though the one topped with bacon, cheese, and a stack of onion rings is definitely worth the extra couple bucks, it's still not a heck of a lot better than the Bacon Western Cheeseburger at Carl's Jr. In the end, however, the meager offerings at Pyramid are not the end of the world. If you find yourself in Berkeley and want an authentic brewpub experience that delivers on delicious beers and tasty burgers go to Triple Rock instead. Why Pyramid can be found in any supermarket in the country and Triple Rock is available only in boxes sold in house is beyond me. Plus, at Triple Rock you'd have the chance of seeing Jason Lee last Tuesday, throwing down beers solo at the bar for more than 3 straight hours--if you don't know who Jason Lee is, don't worry, I wasn't talking to you anyway.
(2)
Jessica R.

My husband and I came here to drink some local beer, watch a basketball game, and eat some good food. We had a great server who was super helpful in picking a beer....the beer was great, but the food...eehhh...not so much. My husband good the fish/chips and they were lukewarm, oily, and bland. I got the chili and it was just ok. We loved everything about this place except the food. If you're looking for good beer and a place to chill this is it. If you're wanting a good meal, go else where. This isn't your place.
(3)
Stephen N.

Please note that these four stars are just for picking up kegs and throwing a rager! Get the hefeweizen, and I promise you that the # of friends that you have at Berkeley will increase.
(4)
Ben T.

I didn't get a chance to make it for the free tour. However, I did sample about 6 pitchers of beer between the 8 of us, so it was good. My favorite was the Apricot Ale, and their IPA. What really sweetened the deal is that by checking in at foursquare, I got 30% off appetizers. This might be rising fast on my list as a runner-up to BJs.
(4)
Kathy D.

I would typically give a joint like this 3 stars but I must admit I'm partial since my old studio was just a few blocks away. There's nothing like an impromptu growler to get the creative juices flowing!! I'm typically a Thunderhead gal but the Haywire or Apricot were always tasty when I needed to lighten things up. Juggernaut isn't bad & I remember disliking the Curve Ball. As far as food goes, well this is 3-star pub fare but at least it's consistent. I enjoyed the wedge salad & their version of tortilla soup. It has enough kick to keep you drinking the beer! Appetizers & salads are the way to go so you have more room for beer. ; ) On warmer days, it's nice to grab a late lunch on the patio. & I always appreciated never feeling rushed by the staff since I often took work or reading with me. Although I didn't spend many nights there, it looks to be your typical sport bar clientele. A loud, albeit amicable crowd from El Cerrito & surrounding northern Bay Area towns.
(4)
Dana R.

I thought going to the Pyramid Brewery and taking the tour would be a blast... and it would get me away from the marina where I was proceeding to get roasted in the sun. I went to the brewery and took the tour on a Saturday. NOTE: THEY DON'T BREW BEER ON SATURDAY. If you really want to see all the jazz about brewing beer, go during the week when the brewery is operational. And the Saturday tour guide... kind of a space cadet. He was very hipster in his giant sunglasses (indoors) and skinny jeans and vintage "looking" sneakers. I think he also said, "Like," about 50 times during the tour. The beer is okay but they were making their seasonally hoppy and hoppiest of hoppy beers when we went. I'm really more of an amber ale girl.
(2)
Maninderpal M.

I come here every other month or so for happy hour with my co-workers, they have a pretty decent happy hour menu, i love the nachos, the mac & cheese ain't bad and they also got a veggie burger deal with fries for $5, the prices are good, the food is ok, not great but definitely not bad, my friends get the sampler drinks which they say are great, if you're looking for a local place for happy hour and want to watch the game (if there is one on) then come here, i've never seen it crazy packed and the service has always been good.
(3)
Lupe P.

Ah Pyramid. I neglect you far too often and take you for granted. For this, I apologize. I used to go here all the time but haven't been in a while. I came here a couple weeks ago and realized how much I've missed the food and atmosphere. It's just a cool place to eat: the waitresses are attentive (and cute - big plus), there are big screen televisions and everyone around you is just having fun. Most importantly, the food is good. I've had the burgers, pizza and my favorite, the Philly steak and mushroom sandwich. And of course, because it is a brewery you have a great selection of beer. Pyramid is my favorite brewpub of all time.
(4)
Andrew M.

Hmm. How is it that I missed reviewing this place when I came here a bunch of times before. Mmmm. I like the beer Pyramid puts out. I remember when I was first getting into my beer schnobbyness, I tried their Thunderhead IPA and amazed. True, my taste buds were nuked by all the hoppiness, but I liked it. None of my roommates liked its strength so I had it all to myself. Everyone seems to like the apricot or the hef, but I have a special place for the thunderhead in my heart. I actually didn't know that Pyramid's brewery was located in Berkeley (I came to Berkeley as a student, cut me some slack). I was pretty excited when I first went, as I've never been to a brewery before, let alone one with a restaurant. I was pretty amazed by all the selection they offered that I didn't see in the supermarket. All my experiences are really blending together in my mind, so I'll give some overall feelings I have about this place. If you have a chance to go on the tour, do so! Its absolutely fascinating and you get to sample some of their brews at the end, of which trying out their limited edition and out-of-production stock is the coolest. They also offer things called growlers, which are glass jugs you purchase from them to fill up with their beer at a discounted (I think) price. If you like their beer and drink it often, its a DEAL. The food here is alright, but nothing amazing. They got burgers, nachos, and even fish. Something for everybody.
(4)
Johnson N.

Last visit: Sat, 11/14/09 Time: Noon Food: Classic Wedge + Spicy Chicken Wings Beverage: Water + Apricot Beer Results: OMGOMGOMG. I keep telling people about their buffalo wings. I don't think I've found a true competitor yet. It's a perfect blend of spice and BURSTING juiciness upon first bite. Wowza, that's what I'm talkin' about! The Wedge salad is the most reasonably priced item on their menu. It doesn't break the bank but gives you PLENTY of salad with oodles of stuff on top. Together with the wings, you're lookin' at maybe a smidge over $20 after tax and tip (if you didn't try their beer)... which reminds me.....! For those who have not quite "acquired" the taste of beer yet... I think their Apricot Beer is something to start you in the right path. It's a very slight hint of Apricot as an aftertaste... very tasty goodness in every gulp! As someone said in a previous review... the parking is quite large for a place in Berkeley. Even if they run out of spots (which is often the case), the neighboring streets are somewhat accommodating for that cause. 4 Stars! Not quite on par with some of the best dining experiences I've had, but definitely up there.
(4)
rhonda s.

Great place for groups...just make sure there's nothing else going on, like a Cal game watching party or other event. Although you might have to wait for seating, it's a pretty well-oiled machine and you won't be delayed once you sit. Highly recommend checking out the beer samplers...good written descriptions and the bartenders are knowledgeable as well. Food is average--burgers are the best quality and value bet. If you're local, get on their email list--they do some cool tastings, events, etc.
(4)
David D.

I've been to Pyramid three times now. It's been hit-and-miss every time. Took the brewery tour once. It was fun and informative. I almost wanted to like bitter beer afterward, even though I still don't. This is a great tour to experience with some friends. The free samples at the end are a nice touch. Food is fine--good quality and large portion sizes--but not remarkable in any way. Fries are good, veggie burgers are decent, spicy spinach and artichoke dip isn't spicy, pizza twists are a little lacking, etc. I like the Apricot Ale and can drink the Hefeweizen in a pinch, but the other beers are too bitter for my liking. Service is mediocre. Happy Hour was not well organized; prices are not listed anywhere and the servers don't seem to know what they are. Some of the staff have a language barrier, which makes ordering more challenging that it should be. Service speed is acceptable, but they do have to be reminded to bring things with larger groups. Interior acoustics are terrible. It's hard to hear people when they talk. Pub quiz on Tuesday nights is ridiculously long--three hours! I like to go to the occasional pub quiz, but Pyramid needs serious help with time management. I came with a large group and our patience was thin by the end; about half the people I came with left before it was over! Overall, Pyramid is a nice spot to visit now and then. I technically live walking distance from here, but I don't feel the urge to go very often.
(3)
Juliana C.

Hope you're not planning on coming here for the food...
(2)
Bill K.

We weren't that hungry, so we just ordered appetizers and drinks. The sweet potato fries came with a curry sauce, while the calamari came with an aioli sauce. Both were good, but the dipping sauces made it -very- good. Normally I do not like fruit flavored beers, but I found the Apricot to be acceptable.
(4)
Amanda R.

This is my 2nd fave place to get brews in the Bay Area. 2nd to Magnolias in the city. But Pyramid has a more casual atmosphere. Their foood is really good too. I was not disappointed. If you are visiting from out of town I would try the Hefeweizen. Countless natives are addicted to it. Personally I like the fact that they make these special drinks that mix different beers and some even have fruit juices, etc. Sort of like a Beer cocktail. I want to point out that I LOVE their Calamari. Instead of cutting the steaks horizontally into rings. They cut them vertically into little squid french fries. So much better for the eatin'. Garlic mashed potatoes are ridiculous and I don't even want to know the calorie count. Halibut & Salmon are delish. I would say the only downside was the additional time I spent waiting on my waitress to bring drinks and our bill. Note: if it's someones birthday they charge you for the dessert :(
(4)
RJ A.

So this was the first time I went here and it's pretty chill. It is a very big area and where we were seated we could actually see the machinery brewing the beer which was pretty cool. So yeah it was a pretty cool environment with televisions playing different sports channels and a bar pretty much located in the middle of the restaurant. So the seating is pretty spacey so there's a lot of leg and elbow room. At the time it was pretty busy but the service was still pretty good. Our server tended to us quickly and efficiently such as refills on waters and any other condiments we requested. So it was a brewery so of course we ordered beer. I forgot the two that I had but they were both dark beers and I chose them because they were the seasonal one's. I recall one being "hum' buger" not too sure but the other one was definitely better haha. The food was pretty good I had a taste of what other people ordered at my table. Pizza was good sweet potato fires were good. I myself ordered ad tri-tip sandwich was really good especially with onion rings. It really didn't cost too much and the sandwich is loaded with piles of meat so that is what I would recommend for a filling meal at a good price.
(5)
Maureen M.

The food is not that delectable, meaning after your meal you don't say "Damn that was a good ass burger/sandwich." BUT you DO SAY, "Damn that was good ass PINT." I did like my grilled salmon BLT and of course Apricot Ale. Good place to watch the World Cup or major sporting event, because there are a ton of flat screen TV's all over the place. Ladies, don't expect to satisfy your sweet tooth here either. The brownie sundae was a large slab of cake like brownie with a table spoon size of ice cream.
(3)
Kim-van T.

This year my office decided to have the company holiday party at Pyramid. Organizing the party and reserving the space was a snap because there is a separate staff person that coordinates private events. We decided to go buffet style for our party and although there's not much to choose from the price isn't too bad. Setup the day of was really easy. The server in charge of handling our party quickly made table rearrangements as we needed them and was helpful in putting our wine (corkage fee) in the fridge. Food wise the best appetizer we ordered were the Thai style chicken wings - yummy! The fried artichoke hearts turned out to not be at all what we were expecting (maybe some menu descriptions would have helped). We also ordered this item called the Mushroom and Blue Cheese Duchess which turned out to be this gross tasting oddly textured mound of brown. Never again. The portabello mushroom ravioli was the best entree item that we ordered. Can't go wrong with salad, the tri tip, or the mashed potatoes though. All in all I'd say the company party went well but if I had my choice I wouldn't have it at Pyramid again...
(2)
Allie P.

DELICIOUS beer! The food is .... meh. But the beer makes it worth it. Pro tip: If you "check-in" using Facebook you get a coupon for 20% off dine-in appetizers. I am not sure how long this promo will last but it was there when I went. The happy hour specials are definitely worth it, with most of them being only $2 at happy hour, however they are small.. really meant for 1-2 people, and the pitcher prices are good at happy hour. To be honest I wasn't wowed by any of the appetizers. Mozzarella sticks and mini corn dogs were the best of the worst. Pro tip: don't order the pretzels, it is just a cup of stale pretzels, you can buy better at the grocery store. Yuck. -Amber Ale (the less hoppy of the two) was ok, not their best. -Heffenweiser: better than most Heffs I've tried, definitely way better than Buffalo Bill's which is super weak. - Apricot Ale: YUM YUM YUM this was by FAR my favorite of theirs, I am still lamenting that I didn't buy a case of it on my way out. If everything else you get there sucks, this beer would be worth it. Pro tip: buy as much Apricot Ale as you can fit into your car and go home and eat better food. I had the shepherd's pie for dinner, which was actually more of a shepherds stew with a bite of mashed potatoes in the middle. The lamb was delicious in it, although it was way too peppery. I didn't hear anyone complain about their food though, they all seemed to like their fish n chips, burgers, and pizza bread. The atmosphere was fine. There was a lot of seating which was good, but the music was really loud. TONS of parking though, woohoo!
(3)
Jacky T.

Pyramid has always had some great beer that I love ever since I started drinking. Their Amber, Apricot, and of course the hefe are all favs of mine. When I knew I was coming here, I was excited and giddy like a lil girl. :p And o man, they didn't disappoint... with the beer. But! Their food could have been portioned bigger. We had their nachos for app, and that was delicious, but when i got their shepherd's pie, it was small for the portion. One of my friends got the pot roast and that was just the same as well. But they taste reasonably good I guess. Service was reasonable for a large group of 20 some odd people, but they were running out of glassware and pitcher! What kind of restaurant is that?! Also, I can't believe they don't have cable connected to their TV in the banquet rooms?! What? and you call yourself a brewhouse?! I can't watch the giants game?! I can't watch the Cal game?! Thats something I didn't expect from a brewhouse, I have to walk out to the bar area to watch the game! minus points for that for sure. At the end, nothing was bad, but nothing was that great either. But for the atmosphere during a game, and the beer, mos def will be coming back often!
(4)
Numrin T.

This is definitely a place to come for good beer + pretty decent food if you want to sit down and just have a good time without fighting over a spot or yelling across the table like at a regular bar. Beers were definitely good...I will let the Pyramids name speak for itself. Food was ok. Nothing out of ordinary: burgers, sandwiches, salad, soup, meatloaf, and flatbread, just to name a couple. But if you have room to spare, make sure to order chicken wings. They were really fresh, crunchy, and just plain good. The portions were generous, I always left with a box full of leftovers.
(4)
Amanda M.

I knew I was grabbing dinner at a brewery so I had to be very selective. I'm not 21 yet, so no beer. I had to order something cooked in beer because if I didn't, well, it'd be like going to a steakhouse and ordering vegetarian lasagna (which I did once in Canada, really dumb) I ordered the Honey Cilantro Chicken. It was very bland and burnt. Dry and scant slices of chicken breasts sloppily smeared with the cilantro sauce, slapped on a messy bed of boring mashed potatoes with a side of pathetic-looking steamed snow peas. I was desperate for some sort of sauce to drench my food in but all I had was salt and pepper or ketchup and mustard (yuck). I looked across the table at my friend's bacon cheeseburger which was also burnt and he said it tasted awful. How can you get a basic burger wrong?! To my right, my other friend ordered the beer sausages which were also burnt. My sister ordered pizza twists which ended up looking and tasting like hard and dry crazy bread from Pizza Hut. The food generally looked microwaved and of the same artificial quality of TGIFridays/Applebees but tasted far worse. There was a big group of us, 15+, and one waitress to handle us all. Thank goodness I had good company because everything else was just awful. The food, the wait, and the manager that came to shut us up and didn't let us finish our epic Happy Birthday Sing-off Battle amongst the other large parties dining upstairs. And that sing-off was actually the highlight of the night. PS, Their french fries didn't even taste good. Burger King ftw!
(2)
Lynsey T.

I love this place! Catching a game here would be so much fun. The food is good and the beer is better. The service is quick and dependable. The prices are pretty good to for what you get. Sometimes there is a wait for seating but, if there is room at the bar, you can hang out there while they set your table up.
(5)
Stella N.

I had alehouse amber which was good, but like a lot of other beers.Then I tried their seasonal Snow bear, it was outstanding. Of course we all know they make a great Heff. I can't vouch for food because my only meal was sweet potato fries. I wouldn't mind another trip here with a meal to go along with the beer.
(4)
Keith A.

Food isn't that great, but I love Pyramid. The place is perfect for a get together and what can I say about the ales but fantastic. The calamari is probably the best appetizer. Service is good and the beer sampler is always a good start. This place rocks at night. I took a friend there one time after work (heard an ear full later on from the misses), but he loved it and is now a favorite of his. I want to take the tour, but can never find the time.
(3)
Matt S.

Nothing extraordinary here, but good bar food, and the beer is always good. I had the Pulled Pork sandwich with habanero BBQ sauce. It was just alright. I've become spoiled by my own slow roasted pulled pork with homeade BBQ sauce and kalamata cole slaw sandwich that nothing else seems to stack up. My wife had the tri-tip sandwich which was very good. Service was great and the interior of this place is really cool. Great place for watching a game.
(3)
Tiffany N.

Although I didn't take the beer tour (which I'm pretty interested in now), I did sit down to have a meal. I came with a large group and many of the guys decided to order "The Pyramid Sampler" of beer that is offered. They were cute little cups of 5 of the popular beers which ranged from light to dark. It was a nice way to taste the difference between them all, but for me, I just preferred the Haywire. I ordered the Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwich. It just seemed alright to me. The bread was a little too stale for my liking and the pork was a tad too tough. It wasn't anything special or very memorable. Then again, it's known for its a brewery, not necessarily for its restaurant. I'll be dropping by again pretty soon for a friend's going away dinner. Maybe I'll try a new dish and change my mind. EDIT: I just came back from another night there. And basically, many of us were pretty disappointed. We made a reservation for 15 at 8pm and came a little early. The table wasn't ready, which was fine since we were earlier than expected. However, it took them 15 minutes AFTER our reservation to get the table prepared. The table we sat at had horrible lighting. I looked up and noticed that two of the main light bulbs were out, so we were in the dark all night. I decided to try to Meatloaf instead of playing it safe with a chicken salad. The meatloaf turned out to be extremely moist - not characteristic of a good meatloaf. My friend had the reuben sandwich and didn't care for it either. the only thing that I really liked was the chicken wings from the Sampler appetizer. The appetizers ended up being free because they made us wait so long, so that was nice. But that's about it. If I end up going again (for some reason), I think I'll just stick with a salad.
(2)
Mike N.

Im a big Pyramid fan. Let me re-phrase that... I love their Hef! It's second only to Gordon Beirsch's! The appetizers go perfect with their beers. Wings all the way baby! I usually don't order a dinner, but have tried the pizza. It was okay.
(4)
Kevan M.

Their beers are alright. Some I like, some I don't. My friends and I ordered the Blond Ale. It tasted like baseball stadium beer. Our second beer, the Pale Ale, was much better. The food quality is squarely mediocre. It's typical brewery food - pizza, fried stuff, meat, sandwiches.. you get the picture. Nothing has ever blown me away. Our service was very slow. Yea... it'll probably be another couple years before I return.
(3)
Belle V.

Went on a Thursday for the $15 pitcher and beer special. LOVE the beer they make. Apricot ale is awesome! We also tried a few other dark ales that were very tasty but forgot the names. The pizza on the other hand wasn't the greatest. And neither were the other appetizers we ordered. Our waiter was very nice but they were very busy and he was manning lots of tables. But brought us a different glass for each different beer we ordered!
(3)
Ryan M.

Maybe it was the weather...but it was one hell of a trip just to find this place. De and myself wanted to grab a bite to eat, and catch up for old times sake. Since arriving in NorCal all I did was hit up bars and converse with old friends to pass the time. The decision was unanimous and we decided to go Pyramids. After several U-Turns on the freeway, and with my trust PDA we we're finally able to find this place within some time. It was 9:30pm and we're going to cut it short in terms of the bar and dining since last call was at 10pm and 10:30pm respectively. The hostess seated us promptly after exchanging a confusing look or two to see if there were any tables left (which to our notice, many tables were empty). Another 15 minutes before the kitchen were to be closed the waitress asked for our order as follows: 1 Sampler Set 1 order of Nachos 1 order of Fried Calamari w/ Aioli As soon as it reached 10:00pm we received our food and drinks, however because I did not have my I.D., the waitress was skeptical about my age. Now...if the college attire and 5 o' clock shadow wasn't enough to justify my legal age of drinking, she sure made me feel like jailbait for a good moment. The Calamari was good, the nachos weren't anything spectacular. The Sampler well from what I can remember... Hefeweizen: Decent Apricot Flavored Draft: Was not that bad Snow-Cap: Reminded me so much of Guinness and pretty hoppy. Amber- Another light beer, it was ok, not too hoppy. 5th unknown drink: Eh, don't quite remember bah.... Overall a decent night, despite the fact that it was going to close within a half hour after we got there. Maybe if I came here on Wednesdays (it's Happy Hour and much more Vibrant according to De), then a bump up of a star/star and a half would have made the difference. Otherwise Belmont, provided a much more fulfilling experience since my Yelp buddies we're in tow.
(3)
Peter B.

Quite niiiiiice. The closest thing to Stone Brewing in the Bay Area. There, I compared the sacred stonebrew.com with Pyramid, and of course, nothing comes close to that hallowed ground in North San Diego, but I liked how big, industrial, and "retro-reclaimed-industrial" Pyramid was. Our waitress was beautiful and talkative, and I enjoyed looking at the giant tanks of beer. Lolts of brews to choose from, and a selection of "guest" beers to pick from too. I'd go back, with a big party, next time. (maybe after USC kicks Cal's A$$)
(4)
Adriana O.

The staff is friendly good place to hang out watch a game and have fun with the crowd and drink beer. The food is good maybe because i order everything with the chipotle ketchup! overall good atmosphere.
(4)
Connie C.

Tasty beer, pretty big cool place. A variety of different kinds of hoppy, malty, light, dark beers to choose from. There's a gift shop and they provide tours of the brewery. To me, the food seemed generic, overpriced, and too fried. I had the Fish and Chips, which was ~$13. Perhaps will consider coming back for happy hour for the beer and maybe a tour.
(3)
Gail N.

$13.99 for Fish N' Chips. $4.75 for a pint of hef. Total cost for one mediocre entree + 1 drink = about $20. Meh. :::FOOD::: Fish N' Chips ----This is the 2nd time I've been here, and I decided to give the Fish N' Chips (or 'Cod N' Chips' as they deem it) another chance. The first time I came here with Nga B., we were vastly disappointed in the portion size for that price...and hearing that management has changed, I figured -- try again! (Cravings allow for 2nd chances). *shakes head* sadly..it disappointed again: 3 meager pieces of fish (about the size of 2 chicken nuggets smooshed together each) with a flimsy fried batter that doesn't seem to hold when you bite into it. It all falls apart =(. Flavor-wise, bland. You HAVE to add malt vinegar + tartar sauce to truly enjoy it. Fries that comes with it -- also average. Small cut, and not crispy as I typically enjoy them. Decent portion though (cuz..you know..they gotta make up for the lack of fish). :::DRINK::: Of the 8 choices, I went my usual -- hef and needless to say -- Jupiter's House-Made Hefweinzen still trumps all. :::SERVICE::: A lil attitude-y and not very knowledgeable. My co-worker wanted to substitute some stuff in his appetizer dish, and despite his pickiness, our waitress just said "I don't know". And as he continued to express that he couldn't eat a particular item, she finally said "well...I don't know...but I'll check with the chef. If it's ok with him, then ok. But no guarantees." Talk about "accommodating!" Sheesh. :::PRICE::: Over-priced entrees!!! $13.99 for meager fish n' chips = boooo. :::AMBIANCE::: Lively and upbeat. The decor is so modern and inviting -- it's probably the best thing about this place. Cool pyramids hanging off the ceiling, lots of television screens for sport fans, variety of seating options (booths, center tables, outdoor, etc.). Large venue for hosting large groups. All in all, the only time I'd see myself coming back here is if a friend were to host a shin-dig here or if co-workers wanted to buy rounds..other-wise, I'll save my money for Jupiters.
(2)
Joanne C.

Tried going today, but gets very crowded on weekends (even though usually I can get a table pretty quick), but today even with 2 people we had to wait for 35 minutes. But other times the food has been alright (appetizers - esp calamari are slightly on the smaller size) but would def recommend apricot ale.
(3)
Shy C.

Sports media TV mania.... Great place to have a company get together. Stop in and have a bite and some yummy dummy beer.. Lots of parking.
(4)
Euge L.

beer = good food = bad
(3)
Katie F.

Beers are great! the food is pretty dismal. stick with the pub food, and you'll get a greasy version of a standard pub staple. the 'fancier' food (like fish with mango salsa) is usually disappointing. trivia night is pretty fun. stick with the beer (try the sampler!). trust me.
(2)
Phuc B.

smaller menu but better tasting food than bj's, other than that, pretty similar. 30% off appetizers with a yelp checkin so order a bunch of them.
(3)
Amy O.

Shit...what's the point of writing a review when there's already 125+? Pear Deliciousness, that's what. Since I am giving more stars than the average, maybe my little review will make an even smaller difference. Came here for a corporate gig. The ladies at the coat check were super nice and the guys serving the beer were even nicer. Can't help it, they were handing me yummy frothy beers in big tall glasses. Their hef is one of the better ones I've had. After two large glasses of hef, I thought I should mellow it down, and I tried the Pear Cider. Damn! Thank gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawd that I drank that third and not first. Otherwise, first would have been fourth which would have turned into ninth, because that tastey beverage doesn't taste like it'd kick you on your ass...but, expect some ass kicking as you taste the pear, but you don't taste the buzz. You feel the buzz when you walk down the hall to the potty. The food served was probably one of the best buffet spreads I've had at corporate catered events. Everything tasted delicious. By the way, totally funny that the people that have marked if there's outdoor seating show it's a tie of 6 votes yes, 6 votes no. Didn't know that outdoor seating could be such a mystery. The vibe at this place is cool, homey, modern. Not "Homie", but "Home-y". Have some pear numminess and stop at #1 and one half. Pears and beer.
(4)
Rob M.

I came in to have a few pints and buy a pony keg for a party I was going to throw. The beer was awesome as always but the reason I'm writing this review is because of the awesome staff and management. I bought a keg and they went out of their way to go above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. Turns out I couldnt use the keg I bought so I thought I was going to be out $70 because there policy is no return on beverages. anyways I talked to the hostess and the manager and again they where so cool about my situation he even gave me a refund on my unused keg, which I was not expecting to receive. These are great people and they are running their buisness very well. Again I cant tell you how greatful I am for all their help! Cheers!
(5)
holly B.

Wow - I haven't been here for quite some time and I don't know if I've changed or the place has changed or what but I can't recall having such tasteless food before. I had a "special" salad that sounded great with beets, goat cheese, spinach and apricot puree - didn't taste like anything, absolutely nothing - no dressing, no seasoning and it was sloppily plated too. YUCK Pulled pork sandwich was marginally and I mean marginally better. Slaw was inedible, fries were decent...had to ASK for ketchup. Server was great on working the upsell tho - gotta give her credit for that, fortunately we weren't buying it. what seemed like an easy and convenient choice turned into one of those moments that I feel like I lost an opportunity to have a good dining experience and just was fed.....so sad.
(2)
P C.

BEER Experience only: Tasting selection was well presented, with options, and fun to try the 5 or 6 selections. The waiter was great at explaining the seasonal beers. Free tours daily at 4 pm will definitely lure us back to walk the brewery, and do some more tasting! EASY Parking is a great plus, especially in Berkeley!
(4)
Emily L.

Sarah was our server for tonight's dinner. She was good at the beginning. We ordered some chicken wings & pizza twists for appetizers. A different server (server #2) brought the appetizers to us. So, I thought they changed shift, since a different person served us. Then Sarah came & asked if we wanted anything to drink, my boyfriend ordered an Outburst. A different server (server #3) brought the beer over. I was like "what the heck? 3 different people? We come here often enough & every time there is only one person serving us from the beginning until the end." So, I ordered a main dish w server #3, he said he'd let Sarah know. My main dish was served by Sarah: reached over the counter on one side of my table & put on my table. She didn't come to the open side of the table, as every server normally does, but reached over from the counter & placed my dish down. What kind of service is that?
(1)
Ken F.

Do you remember that episode of The Simpsons where Moe turns his bar into a family restaurant? The one where all his food is flash-deep-fried in a huge vat retrofitted from a Navy vessel or some ridiculousness? Eating at Pyramid is a lot like that. You show up because it's a respectable mircro-brewery, or maybe because of the trivia Tuesdays. But in the end you can't help but feel like you're being scammed by some slimy weasel in the back room. This is especially the case when the overpriced, generic, American food will cause you to vomit a few glasses worth of oil. Sneak some booze into Denny's and you'll instantly thank yourself for having created a superior experience. Of course, this is reviewing the restaurant side of the business. I have no qualms with their brew.
(2)
Tien P.

Went here last night for a birthday dinner with some friends. First of all, the waitress was a nightmare! She was slow on taking orders, slow on delivering orders, and rude! Maybe she was new because she didn't know the difference between the beers in the pyramid sampler, but regardless she was soooo rude! Even worst, she got my order wrong and gave me a tri-tip sandwich instead of a pulled pork one, but I was too hungry at that point (didn't get our food til 2 hours after arrival) to care enough to complain. Service aside, the food was pretty good above average American food, but nothing spectacular. Me & a friend shared a appetizer sampler and I got a Mac&Cheese side and a tri-tip sandwich with seasoned fries. The appetizer was decent, the tri-tip was "meh", but the mac & cheese really hit the spot. The only thing that saves Pyramids from getting a 3 is the beer. Most of us got the sampler just for the novelty of it (they're really cute) and to try out different pyramid beers. I've always liked Pyramid's Hef so we got a few pitchers of that as well. Service = Terrible, Food = Average, Beer = Yum!
(4)
Ashley A.

I went here for the first time Edyth a good friend of mine. I've driven past this place for years and never visited. It's American type of food. They have a great variety. Their starters are really good. We had Spinach & Artichoke dip and their potato munchers. For dinner my friend had their Jalapeno Cheddar burger and I had the Chicken soft tacos. Everything overall was pretty good. I was really surprised how many people were in there being that the restaurant was on Gilman. I will definitely come back. Our servers were really friendly too. The dessert is always my highlight of eating out. Me & my friend had the Brownie which came with vanilla bean ice cream. It was so bomb! The brownie was soft and warm. The ice cream was creamy. It was perfect. I would go back just for that! Lol that's how good it was. $5 great price
(4)
Shelly C.

Me and the hubby stopped by because he scored a $25.00 Certificate so thought we'd give it a shot. I had the ceasar salad, trip tip, and apple crumble desert. Honestly I don't remember what my husband had because mine was so darn good! It was ALL Good! He liked his too, whatever it was. Mine rocked my world. I loved the trip and I had the onion rings instead of fries. Friggin Delicious! I LOOOVVVED the onion rings with the chipotle sauce, yummy, yummy!
(4)
Eve K.

I'm not a beer girl and that's the big draw to this place, so the hub will be having more input than usual in this review. So-so food, fun atmosphere, good beer. Tonight it was the scene of our last meal with the hub's sporty girlfriend before she flies off to live in New Zealand for a few years. Cost to worth it ratio: 3 Highlights: - Beers: good selection, some beers you can't get easily in stores like crystal (Hefeweissen light). Sizes come in pint or 22 ounce more fun tall beer glasses. - Menu: traditional brewery fare like quesadillas, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas,and fish and chips, with some fancier nuancy twists like chipotle ketchup. - Sweet potato fries: thicker than your average fry with a nice crispy exterior and a touch of sweetness. - Use of beer in dishes: wherever they could, they infused beer into the food, whether it was a gravy, batter, or pizza crust. - Pizza: nice springy warm dough with solid toppings. The hub got pepperoni and sausage and was satisfied. - Non beer drinker friendly: they had some beer cocktails (beer with lemonade) as well as soju cocktails like a lemon drop (sweet and tart served in a martini glass). - Onion strings: huge pile, good batter flavoring, and super skinny long rings. Bit greasy, but hey, you ordered onion rings. - Atmosphere: open room with high ceilings, tall and long wood booths along the side, and exposed beer containers around. Lowlights: - Meatloaf sandwich: when I think meatloaf, I think of a big juicy hunk of tasty . This was not that. Instead I got super thin overcooked slices of meat. Bread roll was grilled and buttery, spiced ketchup was nice, and grilled onions were a nice touch however. Chill spot to hang out with friends, grab a few beers, and gobble down some eats. I'm sure the hub would like to be back--especially for a tour.
(3)
Jimmy S.

3.50 for a pint and only 6 bucks for my Pizza Sticks is a win in my book!! Little undercooked but still the brewery is a great place for a meal and beer.
(4)
Angelica D.

The food at the restaurant's so-so, but you really go to Pyramid to drink the beer. The restaurant is huuuuge, and the upstairs is great for having a private party. Their buffet-style food at a banquet I attended was amazing (steak, salmon, pasta, salad, mashed potatoes, veggies), which was likely why the tickets for the banquet were so pricey. I went on another occasion with my friends and while our server was really lame, we had a fun time, especially sharing the artichoke dip (which as an appetizer came free, if you flash a Daily Cal press pass!) and a pitcher of the apricot ale. We also took the free daily tour at 4 p.m., which would probably be more fun had there been people working in the brewery itself, but was topped off by some samples of their beers. Not to sound like a nerd, but I thought the tour was really interesting and informative!
(4)
tiffany o.

poor service and mediocre (at best) food.
(3)
JK C.

Beer sampler is amazing...
(4)
Jayne N.

It's ok for a brewery. not a fan of the beer or the food. just meeh.
(2)
Courtney R.

Minus one star for the subpar food but 4 stars for the beer. I was going to the Northface Outlet and accidentally found this place and I'm glad I did! If you like the Pyramid line then you have to come by here. If you never had Pyramid beer get the sampler so you can find your perfect beer.
(4)
Emily J.

Not surprising, the beer and food here are consistent with other Pyramid locations. They have a nice, large, free parking lot which the Walnut Creek location lacks. On our way out of this location, we decided to pick up a case of their seasonal beer, Rollick. The woman who was standing at the host station (not a hostess) asked if we needed help with anything. I told her we would like a case of Rollick. She said that they weren't selling the cases of Rollick yet. This was surprising to us seeing that they had two giant displays of Rollick cases with signs that had the price. I must have been expressing this surprise on my face because she said she would double check with someone else. A hostess came over and the non-hostess asked if they had any cases. The hostess said she would check in the back. The non-hostess then asked us if they didn't have the Rollick if we wanted something else. I said no. The hostess returned with a case of Rollick and rang us up. The other woman just shrugged and walked away. Overall it was a weird, lengthly beer buying experience. The Rollick is delicious though. Give it a try! Contrary to non-hostess belief, they are selling it!
(4)
Sophia D.

Went here for the juggernut launch and was more than pleased with my experience. The beer was tasty and cheap, $3 a pint! It was a Thursday so we also got the 2 for 1 app deal. Settled with potato skins and calamari and the wedge salad. The potato skins were standard, fried potato, cheese, bacon, green onion. The calamari was better, although I am a tentacle girl myself and their calamari is large strips. The meat was super tender and the batter was delicious so I am still a fan. The wedge salad was a very good value at $6.25. A half head of iceberg and plenty of blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes, cucumbers and chopped egg. I opted for balsamic and honey mustard dressing on the side, bc I like a subtle blue cheese taste. So the food was cheap and decent. Oh ya and they have a nice selection of hot sauces: Tabasco, Cholula lime, and Cholula chiptole. They could use one more spicier one, but 3 is pretty damn good. Will definitely be returning for Trivia night and this time around go for a burger and sweet potato fries.
(4)
Jose C.

Pyramid Brewery is a fun place with good beer. The pub grub is decent to good and the beer selection is nice. They also carry seasonal brews. They do several things well, but they don't do any one thing particularly great. They have plenty of parking and seating inside.When the weather is nice, they have seating outside. Their pricing is above the average. If you have more than just an entree and a beer, it's easy to overspend here. Having said that, because of the atmosphere and the good service, I would rather come to Pyramid than many other "chain" type breweries. I have been here several times with friends and coworkers. I can honestly say, it works very well for large parties. After a softball game, a celebration at work, or for the holidays, you can please everyone in your group when you come here. The staff is attentive, but not intrusive. The atmosphere is nice and you can also catch a game near the bar. I think they are worthy of 3.5 stars.
(3)
Keith L.

Lots of quality comfort food, and good beer. On my last visit (a Yelp Elite beer tasting) I really liked the Snow Cap seasonal ale. Their IPA, unfortunately, was so hoppy and bitter aftertasty, I couldn't finish my pint. (And I'm not timid at all about hoppy suds.) Hands down, my wife's and my fave item here are the buffalo chicken wings. They don't toss in wing sauce like so many places, and serve hot sauce on the side instead. This is key as it means the wings arrive still crisp (not soft or soggy) with a salty-crunchy batter. The wings and drumettes are also generously sized, not the little drums that you clean off in 2 bites. Also served with the usual blue cheese dressing, carrot sticks and celery but the hot sauce is the highlight. [Tip: I discovered recently that La PiÃ±ata's wings are quite similar (though my wife disagrees) if you like the Pyramid wings. They are a bit bigger in size, believe it or not, so check them out.] Family friendly and a good spot for watching any Cal-related sporting events due to the close proximity to campus.
(4)
Charissa I.

I gotta apologize in advance-- boring review for a boring restaurant. I came here after a great holiday party in hopes of getting good grub in my stomach, sobering up a bit, and to grab a brewski to chill on. Yes, I know I just contradicted myself, but that was the plan! Unfortunately neither the quality of brew and the great happy hour prices could compensate for the yock food. Eh.. I just wasn't very impressed at all. I guess they assume everyone here comes to just drink-- that way they get away with everything. Overall, not bad, not great. The artichoke dip tasted more like a jalapeno cream cheese spread-- and that's what we did, spread it over the pieces of bread. No chunks of artichoke, just cream cheese. The calamari was just okay, the sweet potato fries and the sweet curry dipping sauce was good, the beer marinated mussles were good too. If you choose to come here, come for the beer and make sure to eat first! But, if you decide to order food-- make sure you are very, very drunk! Everything tastes better when drunk!
(2)
Anon Y.

The server was trying but overwhelmed. Asked another server for a straw and she said OK but never brought it to me and did not approach my server to let her know. Food was OK but not great. The beer is good though so if that is what you are looking for stop in and have a pint.
(2)
Ed L.

Happy hour is awesome here. The bar food is great - got the nachos, wings, fries - to go with the in-house brews. I usually just go with the Hef with lemon but you can get the beer sampler to try 6 of their quality beers.
(4)
Chris D.

I didn't really come here to eat, but i had a chance to taste their food since I was there for business matters. Seems like a nice place to hang out with a group of people and enjoy some of their different beers... I had a chance to taste the hef, mashed potatoes, pasta, and meatloaf. I'm not a big fan of their meatloaf so i wont comment on that.. however, the others were ok. I was mainly in the 2nd floor since it was a private party and they had the guest room reserved for us as well. The staff was really friendly and kept checking up on me even though i was not really eating, but hey, thats good service. Like i said earlier, it just seems like a pretty cool place to kickback with a group of friends. Maybe i can try more of their food and give a review based more on that.
(3)
Stephanie J.

I really liked this place when I went here a few years back. I got the half chicken with herbs and butter. It was accompanied with garlic smashed potatoes and grilled veggies. YUM-O :) I love the way the place looks inside, the waiters are scattered and it's hard to get their attention because you can't find them... :\ I have yet to try their beers.
(4)
Cynthia S.

I was here on Sunday. Just having moved to the area it is tough to figure out a place to go as a single and feel like it is okay. This place fit the bill for sure. The entire place did not stop and everyone turned when i walked in..... Great! I sat at the bar and the bartender, Roberto, took the time to help me select a beer i might like.....i like the heavy dark beers. He gave me samples of three or four til i settled on one. The other customers, singles and couples, were happy to chat. The beer was good (i took home a growler) and the food was good...typical brewhouse grub.... It was all good! I could spend half my life in this place if only they had buzztime trivia!(and i know many others would as well).... The nearest place to play, though not comparable is the WhiteHorse.... Wish you guys had Buzztime! But i will be back anyway...thanks for a nice afternoon....
(4)
Beth A.

I'm a big fan of their beers and the fact that they have multiple sports packages. I've been coming here to watch NFL games since I moved to Berkeley from the east coast last year. There are usually fans from 10-12 teams and everyone gets along. The bartender and servers remember your teams and help direct you to the TV where your game is on. My one complaint, parents who bring kids on Sunday expecting to have a quiet after church lunch and then look at you when you clap and cheer for a touchdown. Um, you brought your kids to an ALEHOUSE during an NFL game, what did you expect?? The service at the tables can be slow and sometimes bad. However, every time I've sat at the bar I have had great service. This includes both the bartender that knows my name, favorite beer, and who I root for AND the bartenders I've never seen before. Not sure what the problem is, but I try to sit at the bar unless I'm there with a big group. I've only had the appetizers, mac & cheese, and the salmon, but have liked all of those. I tend to order what I know I like and stick to it.
(4)
tammy c.

What's so great about Pyramid?? Why their great pyramid of beer choices of course silly!!! JK JK I love Pyramid for two main reasons: 1. Their vast beer selection--- I love ALL of their beers. They also have a sampler where you can taste iotas of all that's being offered. Their Hef is one of my favorites and also their Apricot Ale. YUMM 2. Their fried chicken wings--- Honestly I only come for their wings. It is perfectly battered and fried and crispy. It comes with ranch as dressing along with celery sticks. I can literally sit there with a beer in hand and much on their succulent wings all day and night (well until they kick me out). I always leave completely buzzed with the biggest grin on my face and the greatest satisfaction in my tummy. So THANK YOU Pyramid, you did me proud.
(4)
Mace M.

I'm a fan of Pyramid. Why am I a fan? Because Pyramid makes the only hef that tastes good. I'm not a big light beer person, and definitely not a hef drinker, but I'll drink hef from Pyramid any day. Aside from the hef, the Snowcap is awesome, as well as the Blueberry Oatmeal Stout, and of course the Apricot Ale. The beer is alright, and the prices are great, but the food isn't all that. The only thing I've eaten, and will continue to eat here is the wedge salad and the chicken wings- which are AMAZING. Service is always great, and you can always have a good time. Check out the outdoor movie nights!
(4)
Allison H.

I am a frequent visitor to the Pyramid Brewery, and I have yet to be disappointed. Their beers are varied and delicious, though I mostly go for the food. I have had several items on the menu, but I usually go for the Brewer Burger. It's well cooked and the fries to go with it are great. If you want one step up from that, order the Pyramid Burger, with a stack of onion rings on top of the burger itself. Yum! Another great dish are the pizza twists, served with ranch and marinara sauces. And let's not forget the several tv screens playing all the different games going on for the sports nuts. Not a bad view in the house. The place is also run very well. I had my last birthday here and was able to reserve a private room 2 weeks in advance for a very reasonable price. We were over the supposed maximum occupancy limit of the room but they accommodated us nicely and even let us order off the full menu, something I was unsure we'd be able to do. Overall a good place to visit.
(4)
Mel Z.

I love their tri-tip sandwich and their apricot ale. good for big groups and banquets.
(3)
Breanna M.

Went on a date here with my bestie (their special dinners they have once a month). Was totally amazing. Food was great. Service was great. Tour was great. & the beer ... was splendiferous! Will definitely be back soon :)
(5)
Christy L.

The Good: Beer, beer, beer The Bad: The food The Ugly: SERVICE! Went with a large crowd - waitress was slow, forgetful and obviously doing bong hits between tables... But, the beer was good!
(2)
Alina C.

New to the area, I was looking forward to Berkeley's Pyramid Brewery. But alas, expectations were not met. The hostess said it would take 15-20min to get seated, but it took 45 min! 7pm on a Monday night... And we were waiting... standing... shuffling in a drafty hallway... When we finally get to sit, the waitress informs us that they were out of practically half of their menu items - cod and chips, sweet potatoes, all salmon dishes, onion rings, etc. We found smth to order but I was not impressed at all. The only thing worth mentioning is the brownie desert (fluffy warm brownie topped with vanilla ice cream) Two things rubbed me the wrong way: 1. tricking us into staying by grossly underestimating the wait time for a table (why? so you don't lose two customers?... really? you're that desperate? well fine, you got your two customers, but they're not happy customers) and 2. no damage control - they were not apologetic about the long wait or the list of foods not available. I think offering us a free drink or a desert would have been nice. Which tells me they indeed did not care about us. And now we don't care about them either.
(2)
Tara B.

Everyone needs to try their Pyramid Burger!!
(4)
Michael P.

Hmm...can't believe I haven't been back here since I turned 21! Maybe it's because I don't have a car and getting to this place from campus is inconvenient without one =( This review is strictly for the food. Onion Strings - They do meant it when they say "strings." They're long thin deep-fried onion strands with a greasy crumbly texture. zomg are they greasy and oily, but still tasty. Portion is huge so don't order it for yourself as an appetizer. I shared this with 4 other people. Beef Braised Sausages - ooooo!! I normally don't just order sausages as a main course because I think it's not a fulfilling meal, but these yummy sausages are an exception. Mouthwatering, succulent. Right portion size, good for a growing or grown boy. Salad - I don't remember what type of salad I had ordered before. They're pretty forgettable and overpriced. (Well in general, I think salads are just overpriced whereever you eat out at) The prices I think are pretty cheap for this type of place, but it's not dirt cheap like places near campus that are catered for college students. Expect to spend around $15 here. If you want to go out for a nice but not fancy dinner with a need for good brews, hit this place up.
(3)
Rinne R.

3.5 stars. Fiance picked this place and coordinated my birthday. His credit card was held captive in order to reserve one of their private rooms--he'd get it released if we surpassed their minimum charge for 23 peeps. Let's just say we made total use of their drinks menu and got charged almost double the min of $500. Fiance picked the Tap Room to host my bash, which can seat up to 60 people. It's right beside the main entrance so although we were enclosed in glass walls, I still felt a little "crowded" because of the amt of people peeking in. He chose to seat my beloved guests into 2 separate seating areas instead of the "U"-shaped style. The food from Dinner Menu #2 came in way of two appetizers and two main entrees. The appetizers chosen were the Mixed Greens (fresh cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and croutons lightly swimming in the house vinaigrette) and the Spinach and Artichoke Dip (yummy spinach and artichokes mixed with jalapeno peppers and cheese over toasted crostinis). The main entrees were Coriander Dusted Tuna and Grilled Honey-Cilantro Chicken. They were served with some rice. Personally, I liked the appetizers and the rice more than the entrees. Fiance did a good job in picking the safe entrees that everyone can eat (one of my guests was Muslim so the bacon-wrapped meatloaf was a no-no). But I think people were a little scared of the "raw" Tuna. I, myself, am an avid sushi-eater, but their tuna was just mediocre and did not taste fresh. The chicken was a little bland, but the flavorful rice was phenomenal. I tasted 3 beers--the Pear flavored one was my favorite. Lightly infused with the fruit, it went down smoothly and easily. The Apricot Weizen had a bit of a kick, it tasted like regular beer at first, then knocked you with a sweetened aftertaste. The light beer was also good. Overall, I had a great time. The service was wonderful, and the bright lights and spacious room provided a fun ambience. The Tap Room also had shelf--we used it to store my gifts and as a table to cut my (outside) store-bought cake!! I was even impressed with their huge parking lot! It was raining that night, but we found a close spot.
(3)
Eddie O.

When you think of a brewery, you're going to think beer and the fried food associated with it....here, you'll get that for sure. I've been here many times, and every time I leave, I'm not THAT satisfied....where to begin.... I really only like one beer here...the Hefeweizen which is great, smooth, and crisp tasting....a tall frosty glass and you're set....I've tried the Apricot one and for me, it's too sweet, and a little off tasting, but by no means am I connoisseur of beers.... On to the food....everything here is either fried, or greasy, or a little bit of both...my friends RAVE about the chicken wings....for me, less is more, and I don't get excited about them....they are tasty, and a good amount of spice, but for $10+ per order, they're not worth it for me.... I usually get a burger or salad of some sort here, which all the burgers and pretty much the basic meal of greasy buns, overcooked meat, slabs of bacon, and whatever "themed sauce" comes with the burger....they are alright, but not great....the pastas and fish dishes are bland, lacking basic salt ...never made it to dessert the 5+ times I've been here so no real comment on them... The atmosphere is lively here, and don't be surprised if you come with a group of 6+ people that you get shoved into a corner where the waiter will not pay attention to you...this happens regularly.... I'd say if you haven't done pyramid, then do it, but I would never consider it a regular place to go....food is meh, Hefeweizen is good, ambience good, service is meh....a 2 out of 5
(2)
Caitlin P.

UPDATE: Not only did they discontinue the hydrogenated beer, but they stopped the happy hour discount on appetizers. There's no reason to go anymore!
(2)
Lauren S.

I'm so lucky that this is right around the corner from my house! The head chef = a masterful expert. Get a burger - you won't regret it. It's a big place, not ideal for an intimate get-together or romantic-ish date. Pumpkin ale? Friggin brilliant.
(4)
Hungry-Bear A.

How to put it nicely, this place has gone down the tubes in the recent months. The beer is great and of course I will continue to buy, but the food quality has gone down. I've been coming to their restaurant since 2005 and the problems are: food portions have shrunk, the food is dry (don't get the meat loaf with mashed potatoes), too much sodium in the fries, and the customer service stinks. I don't know what happened, but the last 3 times I've dined, it's time for me not to come back. I know it's bar food and not a 5 star joint, but being a long time customer I've noticed it's going down the drain. On a slow night, the bathroom should be clean but found it dirty, looking like a nightclub restroom. The menu has been the same, I have tried everything and at least add some specials. But maybe I'm asking too much. Word to management, come on guys! what happened?
(1)
Kristine R.

After a long, hard day of moving Dana into her new place, it was necessary for some grub and some good beer. We suddenly found ourselves at Pyramid. I had been to the one in Walnut Creek and driven by this one a bijillion times, but this was my first dining experience. We had a great time actually. We ordered two appetizers and two sides. We each had a Hef (with lemon, of course) and shared it all. The mussels were really good - steamed in beer I think and served with yummy seasoned fries. We almost ordered the sweet potato fries...but decided to give our arteries a rest, LOL. We also had the calamari. It was really so-so. Nothing to rave about. It's safe to assume that pretty much anything fried and served with aioli will taste good...Next we split the grilled asparagus (yay for funny smelling pee!) and the mac 'n cheese. Both amazing. The evening was quick and easy and an overall success. Oh, and it never hurts to have really cute boys sitting at the bar... I'll be back sometime soon.
(3)
Wes K.

I usually frequent this place after my soccer games at Gilman South, its like a mile away. CHECK IN WITH YELP AND GET DISCOUNT ON APPETIZERS. The service is subpar. My buddy and I could've easily ordered more but the service was lack luster and decided to bounce. Our favorite beer is the Crystal Wheat. Nachos and wings are pretty good too.
(3)
Robert S.

I stop by this place more than any other place in the Berkeley area. It just always lures me back. I'm a big fan of Pyramid beer, so that's probably the most important thing to cover. You can get lots of Pyramid brew here, and for cheap. So...no complaints here at all. Food is pretty boring here. Nothing you wouldn't see at any other brewery. The garlic fries are above average, but to counter that, the pricing is a little high for what is offered. It's a good place to catch a Cal game, because of the proximity to the university and the size of the place. As an ASU fan, I remember I was in town the weekend ASU played Cal that year, and there were two ASU fans in the house (me being one). We hooted and hollered, and in return, got hooted and hollered at, and this just repeated as everyone got drunker. It was a great time, especially since ASU ended up winning that game ;) Also, they have league nights on Monday (and other days too I think). So if you're playing some team sport, come in with your gear and get happy hour pricing! Especially nice for Ultimate Frisbee players ;)
(3)
rosanna c.

Pyramid's no longer on restaurant.com , so scratch that. But, they still have trivia night on Tuesdays. The crowd tends to skew toward grad students or old people, like people with kids or gray hairs. Tuesday is also pint night, so you can take your glass home. Pyramid also has other promotions. Thursday is college night, so 2-for-1 aps and $4 pints.
(3)
Tonya N.

This review was from a recent Tuesday trivia night, so probably doesn't apply to the average sit-down table service type diner. Food was fine. I got a side of french fries and ate some chicken wings too. Beers also fine. we got pitchers to share, 1 of their Apricot beer, another of a different, more hoppy beer that I wasn't a fan of. If I had been ordering independently I definitely would have just gone with the Hefeweizen, which is my hands down favorite. Service was pretty mediocre. Trivia night is, I'm sure, difficult for a server because they only have a few tables who stay the whole night and may or may not order very much food. That said, it took about 15 minutes for the pitchers to arrive, and numerous excuses were made for the food's slow arrival. We still had a really nice night, but it seems like they've got to tighten things up a bit.
(3)
andrew y.

I love Pyramid. Great food, good beer, and a ton of seating.
(4)
Joyce B.

4 stars for their beer. love it! i'd recommend getting the sampler. you get 5 tastings of 6 oz. each. really sweet deal. now if you're a beer fan, i don't think food is worth it for you. it's reg bar food you could get anywhere else.
(4)
David G.

I never met a Mac and Cheese I didn't like ... that is, until my roommate brought me back an order from Pyramid. Now, since all I had was the Mac and Cheese I am hesitant to rate Pyramid at one star. Though, if I could rate the Mac and Cheese by itself at zero stars, I would. It was bland. Very bland. It had very little cheese for a dish that has the word "cheese" in its name. I would have much preferred a plate of old-school Kraft Mac and Cheese with powdered cheese to this catastrophe.
(2)
Fred D.

Best chicken wings. Beers are awesome. Atmosphere is fun and casual.
(5)
Eugene M.

After a long day of helping my friend move, we went here for dinner... and it was OK! We were tired and hungry and the atmosphere was just right, the food, however, was deserving of 3 stars. We had: Spicy Artichoke Dip - OK Braised Sausage Dinner - Very good Smoked Tri-tip - Below Average Reuben - Average Chocolate Brownie - Average Berry Cobbler - Pretty good I also had the beer sampler; best of sampler: Peach Ale. Also, when ordering sides, skip the sweet potato fries, they aren't good - instead go with the default Spiced Fries or onion rings.
(3)
Kevin W.

Love the light beers, the food menu hardly changes. Worked in Berkeley for three years, we would go here for lunch or afterwork for drinks, but the menu never change. Beers are good, but food could be better and how about adding a little pasta to the menu
(3)
Kiri L.

We stopped for dinner, a friends choice of last places to dine before departing back home. I had never been here before. The Cal / Texas Holiday Bowl was on and there was a short wait before being seated - which was fine because it gave us just enough time to examine their little gift shop. The place, which appears to also be a brewery, is brightly lit, open spaced, and cheery without being cold as the furnishing are a warm wood tone. Service is quick and friendly. I had hoped they might have a gluten-free beer but they didn't. However my companions sampled the Apricot ale and the Winter (...I can't recall). They thought they were excellent and I thought they smelled wonderful. I did have their rootbeer and can attest that it was really good. *those of you who know my thoughts on rootbeer will understand that recommendation!* The rootbeer was served in an very large and extremely cold mug. I would like to take a moment and commend our server Mahmoud. He was very on top my request for ensuring my meal was gluten free and suggested a substitution for the fries that would have accompanied my meal. He even made sure the croutons (which I sadly forgot to mention when ordering) were not made with my salad. He mentioned it when serving. My choice for dinner was the Prime Rib Philly without of course the bread and fries. It was very tasty. My friends had the fish and chips and the others had pot roast. I have to say the fish and chips smelled amazing and I'm told it tasted just as good. The Pot roast was also good from all reports. It certainly looked good! We did not have a dessert as we were all full but perhaps one day I'll return and try their dessert menu. I just looked up the game results and it looks like Cal lost. =( Well at least one of my dinner companions, who is from AustIn, will be pleased! =)
(4)
Lucius M.

Turning into a drinking place. The pizza was very doughy and lacking in taste and the turkey sandwich my dining partner had was nothing special at all. The beer is still great, but I'll stay away from the food from now on given all the good dining possibilities nearby.
(2)
Tiff C.

Surprisingly when we pulled up into the parking lot last night.. I did not have a skeptical feeling about Pyramid. A very good thing. The exterior of the whole brewery/restaurant had a good look. I loved it. Me and a friend came here last night after going around CAL. The food here is good, not expensive at all.. and the beer is fantastic. I am definitely someone who can enjoy a beer, especially with a good meal. There wasn't a wait.. I suppose because it was a Tuesday. The service was just fine.. good thing, or else it could of gotten ugly. Haha Overall my experience was great, and I definitely would come back for some more of their beer! I've got to try the apricot brew.
(4)
Demitri S.

Pyramid Hefeweizen and Apricot Ale are amazing. I'd describe the food as scaled up bar food. Simple and delicious. The bread sticks are the Bomb! Seriously! What I love the most is that they stream all the live sports throughout the place. Any game you want to see is guaranteed to be on one of their 50 inch or larger flatscreens. It's the sports bar vibe and second-to-none beer that make me love this spot. Plus, I can bring my kids.
(5)
Chanti B.

I think this is one of those places where you either have a great experience and tell all your friends, or you wallow in it's mediocrity and cry about a wasted evening. I am of the former party. My friend and I went to the Pyramid Brewery for the free tour & tasting (everyday 4pm). It was a small tour (only one other guy), but the tour guide was knowledgeable, the brewery was exciting, and the beer samples were awesome. Something happens when you see how and where things are made. You desire and appreciate them more - you think of the care and work that went in, and appreciate the power and subtlety that comes out. I was never a huge fan of Pyramid's signature brew, the Haywire Hefeweizen, but our tour guide gave us a sample without the lemon added, and it was great! It's a soft, crisp, refreshing, beer, that would go great with spicy food. The ThunderHead IPA is bold. Too bold for me, chief. Too many hopssss. The winner of the night was definitely the Seasonal Snow Cap, and moreover, the Super Snow Cap. The Super Snow Cap is exclusive to the alehouse, so definitely grab one while you're there. This one is dark and smooth, very much like Guinness, but with a longer linger. The food isn't great. It's bar food. Who cares? Drink a few pints, and you won't taste it anyway.
(4)
Mark A.

This is only a review of the restaurant, and not the brewery, which I did not get a chance to go to. I think I'll be forever spoiled by my experience at the Taproom at the Sierra Nevada Brewery. But this is still a great brewery restaurant. Naturally, there's a great selection of Pyramid stuff, much of which you can't find in a lot of other places, and the food is very well-done to create interesting pairings. I also like the nice, big, spacious interior with all the brewing stuff in the background.
(4)
Sonny S.

The food here isn't spectacular; it's typical bar food. I will say this though, I do love the beer.The service and ambiance of the place is really good as well. Yet, despite, good beer, great service and nice ambiance, can't justify anything above a three with substandard food. For you beginners out there, the Pyramid Hefeweizen is the way to go. It's actually a really good wheat beer, not too bitter for those venturing off from bud light. And if you are truly a beginner, then throw a lemon in there and all the beautiful flavors go away. Still better than a Corona, but come on, if you're going to put a lemon, why not order a Hard Mike or lemon drop? If you're a little feminine, you can go with the Apricot Ale, but something about fruity beers just bugs me. My favorite is the IPA, but not for the faint of bitter accepting taste buds.
(3)
Loli L.

It's all about the Beer Sampler and the beer that you order with THAT to wash it all down. Apparently I've eaten food here as well, but why would you go here and NOT have beer? The quesadillas I remember being tasty and nice to share. In fact, it's all really decent food for sharing. If you're hungry for actual food and not into sports or other people, you really should try to find somewhere else to go. If you're into hanging out, watching sports with strangers and drinking some pretty fresh beer, then buddy, you've found a nice spot. Yeah, that's right. I said, "buddy."
(4)
Jennifer B.

Frown point #1: The patio was closed. It was 80 degrees out that day and by 7 (ish?) had just settled into patio-perfect 73. And you closed the patio. Worst of all, the "last diners" were finishing up out there, reveling in the perfect weather and peace and quiet. We should have left right then, because I wanted a patio experience. The warehouse inside was loud and dim despite it's massive portion of verticle space. Frown point #2: I ran into second graders from the school I teach at. Second graders who I am supposed to have some kind of authority over on Monday. And they saw me in a sweaty, scantilly clad, post-bike, helmet-hair state. And come to think of it this is just the place where that ought to happen. Frown Point #3: IPA seriously lacking in punch. When I am seriously hungry and have biked all around the bay area and want to have some beer and maybe something fried and Pyramid for some reason sounds like a good idea, I don't want to frown about it. I just want to have my cheap brew-pub experience and get out. Without frowning. The pizza and fish and chips were PG. I like the sweetness of the Heffewiezen (TM) crust. The "sling shot" EPA was smooth drinking. Nothing really to complain about. It's a fun place to analyze in its gigantic noisy contrived chain-inspired atmosphere, but I'm hoping people coming here aren't really expecting it to be something else? 2.5 stars.
(2)
Kevo M.

Cue music: division.ctuhq.us/clocktâ€¦ The following takes place between 7:19 PM and 9:40 PM 7:19 PM - Catherine B and Kevo sit at table 7:21 PM - Ryan K. takes drink order 7:24 PM - Seong P. arrives 7:30 PM - Ryan returns with food menu. 7:33 PM - Catherine asks another server about our drink order. Server goes to find Ryan. 7:39 PM - Ryan takes food order. We inquire about our drinks. Ryan says he has the soda and is waiting for the beer. 7:45 PM - Catherine asks another server about our drink order. Server goes to find Ryan K. 7:56 PM - Catherine goes to look for Ryan and our drinks. 7:57 PM - Catherine returns with our drinks. 8:10 PM - Kevo finishes beer. 8:12 PM - Kevo heads directly to the bar. for 8:17 PM - Kevo returns with another beer and a pitcher for the trivia team. Fast forward through dinner. Everyone has finished eating. Kevo likes to masticate his food well. See time-lapse photos for more infos. yelp.com/biz_photos/iKjnâ€¦ 9:10 PM - Kevo finishes the last baby back rib. Puts it down on the plate. (note: there is coleslaw that wasn't finished) 9:11 PM - Ryan comes to pick up plate. Kevo wonders in astonishment why anyone would want to remove a plate that still had food on it, when the main dish was barely finished. Catherine orders another soda. 9:14 PM - Ryan returns with soda. (the lime wedge was the same one from the first soda.) 9:18 PM - Ryan comes with the check. (note: we're in round 5 of 7 for trivia) 9:40 PM - Quizmaster asks for applause for servers because they have to hump the food from downstairs. yay for them! The ribs were soft, tender, and falling off the bone. The bbq sauce was just the right amount of spicy. The service at the bar was friendly and attentive. If not for the lovely Seong P and her affinity for pub trivia, we would have left. Apparently being served a beer and a soda in a reasonable amount of time is a trivial pursuit... division.ctuhq.us/clocktâ€¦
(2)
Jay L.

Pro: Good beer Con: Sometimes beer is on the warm side, food is so-so, service is a notch below that. Given that their number one concern here is the beer, don't expect too much from service. They'll get you your food, sometimes deliver it when it hasn't been sitting under a warming lamp for 10 minutes, and give the obligatory "How is everything?" Beyond that, they're not to be seen. Not the friendliest bunch either. The crowd can get a bit noisy given the bar, but thats expected. I've been a few times just because I enjoy their Hefe. The last time I went, however, the beer was barely below 'fridge temp and only got warmer as the night went on. I guess expecting a chilled glass was aiming a tad high. Food is edible, erring on bland and 'typical bar food.' The onion rings aren't too bad, however. Overall, go for the beer. Stay because its illegal to drive home with your BAC.
(2)
Jen R.

First thing to order was an Apricot Ale and a Hef. Apricot Ale is my favorite by far and I recommend it over the Hef for people trying this place out for the first time. ( I like Widmer better) We got pizza twists that were pretty good but heavy and by the end I felt sick from too much cheese and garlic. So, very yummy in moderation. We also ordered their mushroom pizza which was tasty with good cheese, tomatoes and mushrooms on top. The place was pretty full on a Friday night and we got the last booth in the area seated next to two children one of which was running around the whole restaurant but luckily they werent loud and annoying. The restaurant as a whole is a pretty loud place. Our waitstaff was average. Not super friendly and just seemed busy and overwhelmed, just wanted to take care of everything we needed quickly and move on. We had a waitstaff change in the middle of our meal. They had many other comfort style foods on their menu that looked good so I wlll probably come back here again, not just for the beer. It a good place to go with groups or to catch a game on one of their many TVs. The brewing facility itself was large and it would be fun to also go back and take a tour.
(3)
Mike C.

Went here with a friend on the way home from bicycle ride in the East Bay hills. Usually, after a long ride, anything tastes good. I wasn't a big fan of Pyramid beer in the first place, but I hadn't tasted it in a while, so... Due to my skepticism, I ordered McTarnahan's Inkblot Baltic Porter. Only later did I realize, this was also a Pyramid brew, under a different name. First off, the pouring was terribly done, presented in a pint glass with zero head. This isn't a keg party, people! I asked the waitress to pour it into a proper glass. To her credit, she did so efficiently. Still a bad pour, with close to no head. Despite that, the beer had a nice aroma, with some nice caramel and plum notes. Taste was somewhat acidic, though easy to drink. Spiciness on finish, but would expect more with a Baltic porter. Pretty easy to drink, and I should have had another, because the rest of Pyramid's offerings are close to drain pours. I had the iceberg wedge, which was fine, but really hard to screw up. Next time, I'll go to Trumer Brauerei. Duh.
(2)
trey c.

I mean, it's fine. Just not something to get excited about. The beer is good. They have plenty of big TVs, so it's a decent place to watch sports (although I haven't come during football season, when everyone goes and wants to watch something other than what's on - could get messy). They even consistently hire eye candy for the hostess spot. (Don't get mad, ladies. I see you checking out the waiter.) So far so good. But the food? It's just so boring, and the portions are small. This is the first sports bar/brewery I've been to where the bread was too big for the piece of chicken in my grilled chicken sandwich. You could literally fold the bread over the sides of the chicken and pretend it wasn't there. And this isn't because the buns are too big. Then they charge $10 for this mini chicken? Inject some growth hormones in it if you're charging double figures! I have a buddy who likes this place, so I'll go back. I won't even complain. I just won't like it that much.
(3)
Addison V.

Good beer and pub food. We had the the nachos and burger special - greasy, cheesy, guilty goodness. I went for the first time on a friday night and would go again just for the people watching. My favorite: a dread lock mullet. That must have been years in the making. Big biker-esque crowd. Patches and t-shirts say everything from Jesus to profanity. The crowd was nice and friendly, even when the t-shirt suggested otherwise.
(3)
Bella A.

My friend took me here as we were just around the corner shopping at the North Face outlet. 2 waiting staff came to our table explaining why we were left alone for so long - in fact, it wasn't long, at least my friend and I didn't feel that way. We were told we are kind of being seated at the border of their sections of responsibility so they realize we were perhaps being neglected unintentionally. Anyway, we were fine with that. Our drinks and food was promptly served after this so there is no complain in regards to customer service. It's a 5 star for sure. I ordered a dark beer, didn't know what it's called and it tastes good when it's chilled but I drank slow so it didn't taste the same once it's getting warm. Would be nice if someone invented a glass that control temperature of the liquid inside. We ordered a sampler that involves potato skins, calamari, fried onions, and buffalo wings. I quite like the calamari although I mistaken the onion rings as calamari at first! HAHA~~ but how would you expect calamari to be cut in stripes?! Maybe they are cuttlefish after all, I have no clue. It tastes alright. Then we ordered a sausage platter on mash potato and sauerkraut. For some reason I found the dish very rich and heavy although it tastes good. Then we have this pizza with sausage and something that is quite salty. One of my friends says the food was a bit off that evening. It is my first time there and I wasn't impressed. Maybe other people have better experience.
(3)
Roland C.

Breweries suffer from the fact that their beers are usually awesome, but the food suffers. Maybe the food at a brewery is actually pretty good, but with all the beer you inevitably ingest, you don't taste it as much. Someone let me know if this is the case. The beer selection is top notch here, they have a great variety plus they provide a handy chart for the beer newbies. Food selection looked okay, usual brewery fare (a lot of things, all of them pretty average). My salmon BLT burger was so-so. I think what saved the night was the Apricot Ale (love it!) and the fact the server gave us a free pitcher when we mentioned it was someone's birthday (and with no ID check! Now that's trust). Nonetheless, I think a better experience can be had in Berkeley in the fun southside area instead of having to hike all the way out to Pyramid.
(3)
Stephanie A.

I know nothing about the restaurant/bar. I hope it does well. My experience has been with Shasta Roope, one of their reps. Every time I've needed something for an event or party, he has delivered. He's smart, knows his beer and does an amazing job. I've never been stoked to work with beer/alcohol distribution people. NEVER. They're rude, sloppy, lazy and don't give a shit about the one-off events I organize. (Looking @ you PBR.) Shasta does, he gives a shit and makes sure that everything works, runs properly and gives amazing customer service. I don't drink beer, but I'll recommend Pyramid to everyone I know that does, solely based on my stellar experiences with Shasta.
(5)
Molly B.

Pyramid has a wide variety of beer, so you can probably find something you don't mind drinking, even if you dont necessarily love it all. We went to a birthday party there last night, and it was a great set-up for large group. They had a long table with plenty of space around it for standing around and talking with folks. The apps were pretty good, especially the bruchetta and artichoke dip. We also had a few pizzas for everyone to share which worked out very well. The pizza was ok, but next time I'd order it "well done". The margharita and the other veggie pizza ended up tasting pretty much identical. The staff were paitent, never far away and always willing to get us more of whatever. I've also been to Pyramid just to hang out in the bar, and the set-up is a little weird but it works. Bottom line, the food is nothing special, but its a very good option for a large gathering.
(4)
Lulu S.

We loved coming to this place during our Berkeley days. Hubby and my fav was the Pyramid burger, it's all about the neat presentation with the 3 onion rings stacked on top of the burger :p Lots of yummy beers, makes the indecisive me always have a hard time choosing.
(4)
Rob L.

So, I've only been here for lunch and I must say that this place has been great for that! Service has always been descent to good, has yet to be great, however never bad. Food is definitely edible, tasty and flavorful with good portions. Again, been here for lunch only so have yet to go thru all of their beers I just know that I am not a fan of Hef & if I do drink it it needs to have a wedge of orange not lemon. Anyways, for lunch time spot this is a good spot!!!!
(4)
ben n.

...and the cold appetizers served after the main dishes weren't even correct, decent on site brewery but I probably won't chance ordering food here again. The tortilla soup was too spicy to taste much of anything, the crab cakes had no crab in them, not even fake...they were literally just bread crumbs and each "crab" cake was a different color inside... our waitress even laughed on that one. Oh well, like I said good beer but that's it... :-)
(2)
Jim O.

Well, on 9/30/11 the wi-fi wasn't working. AGAIN. The staff knows how to re-boot the router, when the problem is the router's connection to the Internet, nobody knows what to do and nobody seems to care. I travel past here weekly, and like to stop in for a Haywire Hefeweisen and get a little work done, but over the past year the wi-fi has been down as often as it's been working. It's frustrating that they seem not to care.
(2)
David F.

When I lived in North Berkeley, we went to Pyramid about once a month or so because it was a good place to watch a game, eat some food, and grab a drink. The food's not spectacular, but it's not bad. I'd avoid their mac and cheese, which was sort of gross, but other than that, everything on the menu will get the job done. Their beers are pretty good without being great. The one exception is their winter beer, the Snow Cap. I wait around all year for the Snow Cap. It is my favorite winter beer by far. If you're looking for an amazing dining experience, Pyramid's not gonna be where you want to go. if you're looking for a place where you can watch a ball game on a big screen with a room full of somewhat rowdy sports fans while you eat a burger and drink a beer, Pyramid's your place.
(3)
Sameer N.

On the way to eat at this place (I ate here because my friend was playing a show at Gilman St. across the street.) I found an article about Yelp "extorting" money from businesses or basically threatening them that if they didn't pay a specified amount of money per month they would bump their negative reviews to the top of the page. I think that's awful and though I heard this was a rumor and was dismissed in the past after finding out this was relatively true I was bummed out. Obviously my experience was brought down by the fact that I was going into it feeling bad about what I read on the way there and rushed to get to my friends show. Bottom line: If you're a brewery and you have specialty "microbrews" they better actually be good. In fact, you should have people who know everything about beer. Right now it's super "hip" to know all about beer and brewing. A bunch of bike riding (fixed gear) douchebags try to up their knowledge of fancy beers that are expensive but they only make like 8 bucks an hour being a bike messenger. This place has mediocre beers. The service was spectacular but the food was your regular pub fare. The burger was made well and tasted decent but it wasn't mind blowing. I think the IPA could have actually tasted good if they really cared. For a brewery, this place was legit mediocre. As far as the food goes, it's edible but nothing to write home about. (Why do people say "write home about" anyways? It's not like you stopped to write a letter to your mom and said "I just ate a burger, it was good") The service was legit though. They got the food there ASAP cause they knew we was rushin and they hooked the brews up real fast doggg.
(2)
Frank Y.

Have a hankering for decent pub food in a cavernous, loud, sports bar-esque warehouse-sized brewery whose beer has never really lived up to my expectations of what a good beer should be? Don't get me wrong, the food here is solidly good pub food, and the Slingshot IPA was decent, but hey almost any beer is good when you are really thirsty for one. The place just doesn't seem like a pub (maybe because it's NOT). If you are the type that thinks Pyramid Apricot Ale is the best thing since sliced toasted bagels and a day spent at Six Flags is your idea of the perfect summer day, then you will probably feel right at home here, no offense meant - but it's not my cup of hops. I could not help thinking of all the amusement parks I had so much fun in while I was a kid - this place has that kind of vibe. It's probably a great place for parents to go out and have a couple beers and feel comfortable taking their kids along - there were indeed lot's of em scampering around playing hide and seek and whatnot. If you are out enjoying the weather and having a little casual bike ride on the bay trail from Berkeley out to Marina Bay in Richmond and back then there's a good chance that you are going to be thirsty on your way back to Berkeley - this was indeed the case with my friend and I. Where else can you get a beer and some food while wearing a bike helmet with sweat rings creeping out from your armpits while emanating a strong man-scent? (I'm speaking for myself... not my riding partner). Well Pyramid does indeed serve a functional and utilitarian need for that, but I think I'd rather put in a little more effort and ride up to Beckett's on Shattuck the next time I find myself in a similar situation. I've been to enough breweries in my time to feel justified in my conclusions. I believe that I might have a more favorable view of this place if we were able to sit out on their outside patio - which looked perfectly inviting, but no. It was "closed" when we got there. I'm not sure why. There seem no logical explanation - there was still daylight left.
(3)
Kimmy H.

I don't know why I've visited this place 3 times. The food is pricey-ish and tastes bad. The service I had the last time I went was one of my worst experiences. The girl didn't even check on us and could care less about the service she was giving us. Not only did she not check on us, her communication skills are horrible. Talk about not pleasant. She's someone I would expect to work at a DMV or social security office. The only thing I like here is the Apricot beer on tap. Don't think I'll be returning here ever again...
(1)
Shannon H.

Pyramid Brewery is a little like going to Disney World, in that it requires standing in some long lines and sweating a little to get where you want on a Friday night. I hopped in a car with other interns to enjoy some Apricot and Crystal Weizen and discovered a sad fact of life. It was tasty. However, unfiltered beer seems to be so light that you can drink a whole glass the way you might down a Gatorade after a run. And then, there's not really a buzz per se--you just have to go to the bathroom at least twice before the food arrives.
(3)
Tsubasa O.

I like Pyramid's Ale, I dislike Pyramid's food, I like Pyramid's tvs and I like Pyramid's outdoor movies. Ale: I don't drink much, but I'll drink Pyramid's Hefe, Apricot and IPA. Food: Don't like much about their food. Ribs are okay (tad expensive), Mac & Cheese is no bueno (no memorable taste), Sirloin Steak sandwich (steak, avocado, aioli sauce, ciabatta roll) is okay. TVs: Lots of televisions, so if you're able to grab a seat, you're gonna see a tv. Outdoor Theatre: love the leisurely feel of summer time movies outside with food and drinks. Great place for a relaxing time, but I wish they could put a little more quality into their food.
(3)
Lisa K.

Food = bleh. Apricot Ale = yummity goodness. =)
(4)
Serena L.

we mostly come here for the beer of course, which is pretty good. I think the foods pretty good too despite the not so great reviews, I really like the fried chicken =X ummm the services isnt that great unless you're seated at the bar which sucks since the restaurants big and I like to bring big parties here. overall good place, sucky service.
(3)
Brad F.

Pyramid isn't any mind-blowing experience that will change your life, but they do have some damn good beer (excellent Hefeweisen) and entirely serviceable food. We've been to the one in Walnut Creek a few times and it's a bit nicer, but they're all relatively the same. The burgers are solid and the other American dishes range from "OK" to "good". Their spicy mustard (comes with bangers & mash) is exceptionally good and they make it in-house, evidently. Really if you're going here it's for the great beer and the dependable food. Nothing fancy.
(4)
kristi l.

There is no reason why a pizza from the children's menu needs to be that big. Seriously. Even an adult would have some trouble finishing that sucker off. It's probably about 9" + In diameter. My 'niece' - ie, brothers, girlfriends, daughter - ate 1.5 pieces with no crust and was full...and she's 8. It's definitely worth the price, about $5, but it's kinda sickening how large the children portions are! Whenever I go to the Pyramid, which used to be a lot more often than now, I always got the grilled chicken sandwich. It was amazing until they raised the prices...It went from $7.75 to $9 or so over the years; and the quality didn't reflect the increase in price. Also, wtf: $9 for Nachos?? With no meat?? Seriously?? The wait on a Friday night is horrendous and the noise level on a Saturday is deafening. Don't even make the attempt to have a family outing here while the Bears are playing. You'll be cupping your ears to hear the person across from you and the kids will probably be scared by the unpredictable "YEAHHHHHs" and "OOOOOOOOOo's". The best time to go to the Pyramid is right after they open on a Weekday. Not crowded and there's no excuse for the service to be less than great. There's also daily tours of the brewery which is kinda cool. Overall, 3 stars. Now that the prices have gone up and the quality of the food hasn't, I'll be here a lot less.
(3)
Kathleen M.

I want to like this place, but really the food (like the chicken) is only just okay. When people talk about this place, it's not about the food. It's all about the beer and the factory tour and the summer movie nights in their parking lot. They also serve an impressive selection of Thomas Kemper soda. Alas! I wish they had their trivia nights when I still lived in the East Bay.
(3)
Clara L.

The beer is good. I live in DC now, and still get excited when a place out here offers their Hefe on tap. Or I see 6packs in the grocery stores. Perhaps it's nostalgic of the bay area? Or perhaps it's also a pretty good beer. Whatever the case, I like Pyramid Brews. However, I'm not as big of a fan of their restaurant, located in Berkeley. I've always dealt with slow service and mediocre food. So only 3 stars, since I'm rating the actual restaurant and not the beers...
(3)
Katy N.

X'mas staff luncheon and this was what I ordered: Sampler appetizers - potato skin, calamari, etcc.. - not bad with 4 different dipping sauces Sheperd's pie - SMALL portion and I gobbled that within 5mins...BURP! 3-4 pieces of small chunks of lamb, some mashed potatoes, gravy and a 2 x 4 square pastry dough on the top. NOT your typical sheperd's pie....sure missed the HUGE Chicken Pot Pie @ The Yardhouse in OC :*( Chocolate Brownie for dessert - brownie was NOT moist and nothing great....ate more of the ice cream than I did with the brownie!
(2)
Andrea C.

I was here for a wedding last weekend and I had a pretty fun time here. It was definitely not your typical wedding, but it was still tons of fun. "Open bar" was all beer, but I can't complain since I've developed a liking of beer =D The bartenders were so much fun, too. By the end of the night all the guests who were still there and all the bartenders were taking shots after shots after shots all together. Fun fun! The food was good too, not THE BEST, but still better than some of the other wedding food I've had in the past. The only reason I thought it kind of sucked as far as the wedding goes was that the attention wasn't always on the bride&groom the whole time. I felt bad for all the things I missed because I was somewhere else in the brewery (probably taking pictures in the photobooth!). But it was still fun!
(3)
Forest S.

The location is great and easy to get to, just off the freeway. Had a horrible experience with waitress Gabby H because of the long delay to take our order, especially drinks on a hot day. There's nothing special with the food. It's your average brewery menu. But I do have a few favorites. It took way too long to get our bill and it took even longer to get our change. The waitress almost kept all my change. That would have been almost a $20 tip (nice try). It's not a bad restaurant. I only say that because I had an excellent experience at the Downtown Sacramento location.
(2)
Katie H.

I don't know this place just doesn't rub me the right way. I am a big beer fan but the only one I really like here is the hef, I can't even get the sampler because too ma any of them I won't drink. Yea I know I am the minority on this one but hey it's my review. I will say this though, it has been a while since I came here last and am more than willing to give it another try. I will update you when I do Food, eh not bad nothing memorable. We had a big group but we were nice and polite and service was horrible, I know we were in the front private room but never once were we checked on for drink refills or if we needed anything! PYRAMID! I want to like you, I really do but you just have't cut it for me
(2)
Aurianas M.

This place is strictly for beer drinkers but of course I came here with my BD while i was preggo. Food was ok. I've had better.
(3)
Julie M.

Went for happy hour... there's nothing like a fresh hefe on a warm day! I must say that the beer was the best tasting pyramid hefe I've had. The appetizers were good (not spectacular, but good). I felt like our group was waited on and then left alone... we probably could have had a few more drinks had we been better attended.
(3)
jessica m.

If you've just chosen meatloaf as your first solid food attempt after a 48 hour battle with maybe food poisoning/ maybe the flu but who cares because now you're pale and frail feeling..... Don't bother with theirs. It puts the LOAF in meatloaf, was more bread than meat, and had an eerie homogeneity to it. If you're wondering how I would have come to be consuming meatloaf at a brewery, it was one of my more negative finds through the Yelp search function. Too bad. The star is for buffalo wings and beer, which are good here, duh. Key words: meat, loaf, no
(2)
Sally L.

Quite possibly the worst place I've ever eaten in my entire life. And I've been to a lot of McDonalds. 1. Terrible service, at least a 20 minute wait for any service after we were seated. No refills offered, friends had to go to the bar to get their beer refilled. 2. Terrible food, our food was served cold. My meal in particular--the meatloaf--was awful, served with mashed potatoes & some sort of thick cold tomato paste with cinnamon in it (also cold). Oh, and a side of cold vegetables! 3. Feces and urine all over the bathrooms. Male members of our party confirmed that there was indeed fecal matter on the floor/walls of the men's restroom, whereas the women's restroom was only overflowing with menstrual-related grossness, brown toilets piled full of toilet paper, and urine on the floor. Needless to say, after the restroom trip I didn't touch any more of my horrible food. I would never consider even thinking about going here again. FOUL.
(1)
Cliff D.

Love the beer but the food menu is continually hit and miss. Stopped in the other night with a friend and ordered the Turkey meat loaf. A few months ago is was a great side to the beer - but they changed the menu and removed the gravy from the Meat and Mash Potato dish with steamed veggies. The waitress was actually embarrassed when I asked about the gravy. The entire dish was dry and tasted bad....kind of ruined the evening. I've had iffy meals at this location before. Kind of sad.
(2)
Capra C.

First time visit. Very friendly and attentive staff. We sat upstairs for as it appeared to be a little quitter. No waiting, seated right away. We had a burger, and the cod and fries. The burger was good, and will do it again. The cod and chips were good, although the batter was not a crisp batter, possibly a little greasy. The beers were good! The Restrooms very clean and I will plan to visit again when we are in the neighborhood.
(3)
John H.

It's big, it's clean, and has a jumbotron. Not exactly the quintessential Berkeley establishment, but a good spot to down some brews and watch a game. The key to remember here is that it's a brewery. The food in general is mediocre, and I'd recommend sticking to Burgers and the Chicken Sandwich. Even the Buffalo Chicken here was goofy.
(3)
Angela B.

Instant 5... the service AMAZING! Thanks MIKE ( The Best Bartender ) BF & I went to get jugs of our FAVE BEER!!! We ended up finding out that Snow Cap is back for the season and they are discontinuing our AMBER ALE! =( So sad... but we've agreed to be back in time to stock up on Snow Cap!!! But I recommend any beer... the food we didn't get to try, but maybe next time!!! Thanks MIKE!!!
(5)
Devon S.

I am an awesome big sister. (I took my 17 year old kid brother here for dinner and drinks.) I am a lush. (I ordered the beer sampler, which was actually rather tasty. I HATE pyramid out of the bottle, but from the tap it's really good.) I am a glutton. (My brother and I wolfed down the onion strings on our own, with grease dripping off our chins. I then followed that up with a somewhat mediocre flat-bread tri tip salad that kinda sucked but I still scarfed it down because our momma taught us to be clean plate kids.) I am a fake sports fan. (I pretended to care that the Red Sox won. They beat some other baseball team or something, whoop de doo. I DID see the sign outside that advertises free shuttles to and from Cal games. THAT would be sweet, if I ever went to one.) Ok ok, I'm not THAT cool of a big sister. (The brother was not allowed a single sip of beer, not even under the table. He even refused my offer to buy him a Shirley Temple, instead opting for water. He's almost 18, and in three years I promise to buy him FIVE samplers. REDEMPTION!)
(3)
John O.

I'm really surprised there are so many luke warm reviews of this place. I always liked going to this joint, and the beer was SO good, SO fresh. MUCH better than the beer you'd buy at Andronico's or Safeway or wherever..... Nothing like a cold pitcher of Apricot Ale (yeah, i know, I'm a chick) or Hefeweizen, and some good friends. Great beer (and I rarely drink beer). Cool little shop to buy Pyramid schwag. Gets very popular, so possibly expect a wait.
(4)
Karla H.

I've been to this brewery several times years ago. I'd say that it's best to come here for a big get together or birthdays. It's a very big place... This was one of my first Brewery experience right before I turned 21... The food was absolutely tasty. The short ribs are to die for as they are very tender. I give this place 3 stars because I'm not a big beer fan, so I don't care much for breweries, but the food is really good. I'd say they need to hire better waitresses because I'd agree that some of them get pissy when hosting for a big party. If they can't handle big parties like this place accomodates, then go waitress at Chilli's or something... lol
(3)
Jay H.

WTF!!! They shrunk their wings?!?!? Lame...minus two stars. That's the only reason I go! Wings are my favorite!!!! Three stars for the staff and beertenders!
(3)
Miriam W.

Pub grub and apricot ale (girly beer, yes, but oh so tasty)! Beyond that, there isn't much to sing about.
(3)
Charlie K.

First time at the Pyramid. Awesome. Foods a lil pricey, but pretty darn delicious. Just stay away from the Apricot Ale. No bueno.
(4)
Jen D.

Food selection was decent; Hefeweizen was best. Unpleasantly surprised when the busser came and took our unfinished appetizer plate away without the thought of asking if we were done. And, how many time does it take for your waiter to bring you water? 3 damn times. Not great especially that serves alcohol! But i loved that they offered sweet potato fries as an alternative. Would I return for the food? You sure bet. Would I return for the ambiance or for service? Nah.
(3)
James L.

If you're a beer fan or one of the many people who somehow associate meat-eating with masculinity and jingoistic patriotism, then this place is worth a look, but if not, this place is a waste of time. The only reason I had a good time was because I was there with a hot guy; my enjoyment of the evening had nothing to do with the food or drink and I would not go back of my own accord. (For the record I am not a strict vegetarian and I do like certain types of beers; I just don't think Pyramid's food is that good, nor is it worth the price for what you get, and the same goes for their beers.)
(2)
Maria H.

This review has different ratings for everything. Please read carefully! Food (3 stars) The burgers are great, the pizza okay, and everything is over priced. The portions are generous, which is a plus. Deserts (2 stars) I have had to send 2 different deserts back because of unidentified nuts found within. Not a good sign since lots of people are allergic (I just really dislike peanuts) and they weren't listed on the menu. Location (4 stars) There is always room and plenty of space for large parties. It gets loud during game time. Service (3 stars) It is really hit or miss. You might get an excellent, knowledgeable waiter or someone who just needs tips. Beer (5 stars) The bottled beer is decent (better than most micro brews) but the tap beer is AMAZING! I love pubs. My Hubby and I did a pub tour of London (I did one of Cardiff and Edinburgh on my own) and I can honestly say their brew is excellent for being brewed on site. This is one of my favorite alehouses and the best in the East Bay, perhaps even the bay area.
(4)
Laurin A.

THIS IS A REVIEW BASED ON A TOUR!!!!!!! I didn't actually eat here. I came for their "beer tour". The person giving the tour seemed like they wanted to be anywhere but there. Luckily, we got to see some actual beer while it was being brewed. That was the highlight of this little adventure.
(2)
nottellinya a.

The beer here is pretty good. The food, not so much. A bit pricey for the quality. Actually, being opposite the Gilman is the only reason I come here.
(3)
Scotty D.

overall they give great service to the customers if they seem busy it's because many customers really slow the servers down, the hosts are seating them a little too much or their being shopped and they need to nail those or it's their jobs!! oh yeah don't sign up to be a shopper! the ipa and snow cap are the highest in alcohol. the dpa tastes flat because it has no carbonation it's nitrongenated. they only have beer and wine and a few mocktails that are made with wine. sure it's fun to sample beers but if you order a brewers rack make it quick and easy and don't order em all night. you can never go wrong with the calamari and other starters. other times the entrees can be hit or miss. the pizzas abd burgers are worth a shot because most of the time they are on point. honestly i think the banquet food is so much more creative and so much better so i suggest you plan an event there sometime. it gets loud at times so speak clearly! when the weather is nice try the back patio it's soo nice at nights with the music. if you get sat at a table stay there no need for a booth! it's just a booth people! pyramid is a great place to people watch and remember were watching you! love the nights cause all the pretty ladies come out! oh and guys don't pop your collars you look silly!
(3)
Michael D.

If you order two beer samplers you'll be able to try all their beers. For the ones you don't like just hand those off to your friends. But you can never go wrong with hefeweizen. I've been venturing into the thunderbird IPA and that goes down easy. I'm always hesitant when it comes to brewery / restaurants. The beers are good but the food is always a let down. You can't venture past the burgers usually. I mean who can mess up a burger? The calamari and wings were good appetizers but not grrrreat. I go here because of the company I'm with. The place allows for my friends and I to have a good time. We were there last year when the Warriors beat the Mavericks in the playoffs, they pulled down the screen for us to view it. I've been there a few times for lunch with my company and minus figuring out how to split the check we have fun. The best is Trivia night. Granted I suck at Trivia, so I was the one who wrote all the answers that my teammates guessed. It was just fun being with friends. You huddle around when the question is read, you're eating dinner and talking shit about other teams. Your goal is basically to not be the team in last place. Which we weren't! We won the bronze for 3rd worst team, hey least we didn't win the gold super loser award! Then after, we just hung out up stairs long after everyone left just talking, drinking, laughing. Go to Pyramid for the BEER, atmosphere and the 'no way you can mess it up' burgers.
(4)
Grant M.

Sit at the bar. As it seems we a lot of other reviews, I have had issues with the waitresses over the years at the Pyramid Brewery. They are usually college students who are inexperienced, pushy when suggesting extra items and difficult to find when you need them. The last four times I've sat on the bar and it is so much better. Besides quick beer service, which is great, you can see what new beers on tap, have easy viewing of the TV. Bartenders take your orders when you're ready, bring it to you when it's ready and takes away your plate when you're done. Quick, clean and efficient. Go by yourself or with one other person and have a great time.
(4)
Brad F.

I'm not sure why everyone else here had alot to complain about, I had a very nice experience here tonight. My lady and I came here with a craving for beer and burgers, and craving satisfied. We were seated quickly and service was genuinely good. The two of us split the gourmet burger with smoked mozzarella, french onion soup and hefeweizen. The hefe was great! I could really taste how fresh the beer was here; when you get Pyramid hefe at the store, all the good stuff settles out and it's too sour. Here it was smooth and sweet. The burger was fantastic. It was cooked exactly to order and had an awesome garlic sauce that really tied the whole thing together. All around great experience!
(4)
Corissa S.

We had our rehearsal dinner here, and I am so glad we picked it! We really wanted the RD at a brewery, with a casual relaxed feel. We were skeptical about Pyramid, just because their dinners are on the high end normally. However, the buffet selection was reasonably priced, and really delicious. I don't think any food was leftover from the party. We had around fifty guests, and were in the Board Room upstairs. There was a birthday party on the landing, and I was glad we were in our own closed off room. The servers were fast, efficient and understanding. The poor things couldn't keep up with our beer consumption, no matter how many pitchers they brought up at one time. I would recommend the Brewery for a fun-filled beer induced night.
(4)
Kris I.

Better than expected (since I'm not a beer person). Recommended ale and food pairing did enhance the flavor of the ale.
(3)
Ashley W.

I really like the layout of this place. They have upstairs and downstairs. A nice big bar with TV's. Not to mention the beer is excellent. The food was ok, nothing spectacular. The service was pretty good. There was one bartender who was very helpful and described some of the beers for us. Good prices.
(4)
Rob S.

The only thing this place has going for it is that it's right across the street from 924 Gilman. I was there on a Saturday night around 10:30 and had an extremely mediocre meal. Ordered the calamari strips as an appetizer and the talapia with mango salsa as the main dish. My friend ordered the halibut and chips. Everything was as bland as possible. Even the "seasoned" fries that came as part of the halibut and chips had pretty much zero taste. Add to that the fact that my mashed potatoes should have been called lumped potatoes and the meal was certainly the very definition of lackluster. This would be moderately acceptable if the prices in any way matched the food quality, but for what you get, the price is far too high. Also, for some reason there only seemed to be one waitress with a couple of servers who brought out the food. For a place this size, with as many patrons as they had, they really should have had more waitstaff. The lack of staff meant that our appetizer didn't show until after the main course, and then only when I was finally able to flag down the waitress and let her know. They were nice enough to take it off the bill, but it would have been much better if the service had been better.
(2)
Megan M.

4 stars for the Pyramid nitrous stout. This is 100% liquid sexy in a glass....smooth, dark, chocolatey and delicious. It really gives Jupiter's house porter a run for its money. It's not on the menu (which adds to it's sexiness) so be sure to ask your server if it's in stock. If you're feeling indecisive, I also had a pleasant experience with the beer sampler (5 mini glasses of various Pyramid specialties). As for the food, it was nice to see a bar menu that had a balance of fried and non-fried items. In my opinion, there's nothing better than a big platter of onion rings after a round of drinks, but it's good to know that you have options.
(4)
Kenneth R.

The architecture is a knock-out. The atmosphere is quite cheery. Table service is prompt and pleasant. Parking is easy. The beers are OK, but far from great; I usually order the IPA and then start wishing that I had a Lagunitas IPA in front of me instead. I've settled on the fish tacos as the menu item that does the least damage to my soul. The tacos come with a good salad, which I "enhance" by drenching it with the spicy sauce from the tacos. We come here because it's an easy dinner out when we're on our way somewhere or have had a busy day. I sure can't give this place 5 stars! When it opened, my thought was that they'd do better if they could upgrade their cooking to the level of the Gordon Biersch on Harrison Street in the City. I just read the Yelp reviews of that place, which sure are disheartening ("Simply awful. I'm a beer fan and I've tried them all and all are abysmal. Decor is Blade Runner meets penitentiary. Throw in a sports bar/East Bay crowd and voila - hell by the bay"). I don't know what to recommend to the management except to try a bit harder with their menu. I sure wish that this place were better.
(3)
Dreamer K.

I love love love their turkey burger and sweet potato fries. I can't decide if it is THAT good or if I always end up having such good hard beer/cider that all my memories of meals there are warm and fuzzy....either way, I always crave Pyramid.. :D
(3)
Grateful J.

Bought two growlers, under the impression (that the bartender gave us) that we could come in any time to eat & drink from our growlers at the brewery. As the manager explained to us last night - this would violate open container laws! Well, that's nice, but we already were duped into buying the growlers ($14 each). We were so outraged that we just walked out without ordering dinner. I give 2 stars instead of 1 because I do like the beers there.
(2)
Mama B.

this joint is REALLY hit or miss. had the best beef sandwich thingy one time, then had the WORST soup another time. had a great dinner once, and then a horrid lunch another day. so now i've given up. its fun, drinks are good, beer is great, but i'm just tired of taking a chance and wondering what mood the food will be in this time!
(3)
Trevor N.

I wish we had more bar & grills in the East Bay. We have so few compared to every where else I've ever lived. This place fills the roll. Good American fare with respectable beer. It never gets me excited to go, but it does the trick. One thing this place is great for, is a big group of friends, there is plenty of space. That said, food always takes forever to arrive, no matter the size of crowd.
(3)
Lindsey A.

We definitely hit this brewery up every once in a while when we travel north from San Jose, but I must say this brewery is not what it once was. The beer is about the same as it always was, and it's about the same as you can get in the bottle. However, the food is a little too fancy-shmancy for me... and the prices are too! We used to hit this place up for the Happy Hour specials when it was CHEAP, even on my $8 an hour wages. Nowadays, it's not even worth making the trek up here to get-- what?-- like 25 cents off my $12 buffalo wings? No thanks. I can get WAY better food for cheaper elsewhere in this town. The short end of it: Only go here to hang out for a beer.... that's it.
(3)
Beth O.

The year I gained 10 pounds was the year I lived within walking distance of the Pyramid Brewery. A good, cheap way to enjoy their beers is to buy a growler at the store near the entrance, and fill it up at the bar for $7. Take it home, and enjoy. I rarely ate at the Pyramid, but the food I had was ok. I do remember the ceaser salad with chicken, the mushroom swiss burger, and the french fries. The fries are good. The ceaser is ok. The burger was ok, too. The root beer is excellent! But why would you go to a brewery to drink root beer... really? More than once they ran out of the brew I wanted to drink... Most often the Apricot is out! But I believe it is better than what's bottled. Could be in my head, but it seems better. Overall this place is fun to visit, but I wouldn't recommend it for anything other than a good bar with lots of beer.
(3)
Hunter G.

This marks the second in a series of reviews called, "Places My Sister Worked." Ah Pyramid, aka the Titanic. For years I thought Pyramid Hefeweizen was the only hefe in the world. Other restaurants all over the place had it on tap. Although I have discovered other hefe's I still think Pyramid's is good. Many of their beers are good like the seasonal Snow Cap but the Curve Ball lands outside my strike zone. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh I kill myself. Anyway, the sinking ship part. Every year I would go on a motorcycle ride from Sears Point to Pyramid. There was a movie playing in the parking lot, a BBQ going, and beer! It was an awesome scene. Soon thereafter Pyramid starting going corporate. That was right around the time my sister jumped ship. The servers started trying to upsell with their script of, "Can I interest you in any sides, or fries, or more beer, or dessert, or....?" SHUTUP! I want beer and I'll order whatever food I want. Why does this place seem like TGIF's now? I just don't have the same urge to go there anymore. My sister doesn't work there anymore so there isn't that perk (if you now what I mean.) I'll still buy Pyramid Hefe in the store and I'm not saying that you shouldn't go there just to check it out. You just won't find me there.
(3)
Rocco B.

They have good beer and EXCELLENT chicken wings here (they're not buffalo style though). They also have the coolest parking lot I've ever seen. Their other food isn't bad, but it doesn't really have character. Just standard chain-restauranty type stuff. The bar area is terribly designed. There's a bar, a walkway, and a smaller bar on the other side of the walkway for people to rest their beers. This is also the same route that the waiters use to bring out food, so they're constantly asking people to get the fuck out of the way. With a smile :-). I'd go on a murderous rampage if I had to deal with that shit all day.
(3)
Miss H.

Oooh yeah buffalo wings!! These are the best I have ever had. The sauce is on the side, so they stay nice and crisp when they get to the table and they have just the right amount of spiciness. BONUS - come M-F from 3-6:30 and wings are half off!!
(4)
Darya G.

I only come here for happy hour and always have a great time! Happy hour is really when you get the bang for your buck with a couple tasty appetizers! Hef and apricot ale are the best! I recommend for all for happy hour.
(5)
john w.

The food was just ok , and my pint of beer was cold smooth with out bitter taste so its a 4 star . I service was lame toooo foorrrr evvver to get served and it was not busy
(3)
Chris W.

I'm torn on the two vs three stars here. Good beer that is relatively cheap, ample parking, interesting modern-ish interior, and meh food. I really can't pin down the demographic here--saw some college kids, some older folks, families. The atmosphere is actually kind of nice, and the service was friendly. I got the ribs, which were tender but the bbq sauce was somewhat bland. The wife got the pulled pork sandwich which was in desperate need of more sauce and flavor. Both of us agreed that the fries were very meh, under-salted and had that "frozen and baked" taste that cheap french fries get. I went because of a Groupon, which helped cut down on the cost. It was worth what we paid after coupon, but I wouldn't go again if I had to pay full price. Honestly, and I know this sounds mean, but I think the food at Chili's is better.
(2)
Jorge H.

It's very simple... the beer is great (Try Apricot Ale and Summer Ale), the food is delish (try the sausage platter) and the atmosphere is FUN (try taking friends and laughing a lot). The service here is phenomenal and the store has very reasonable prices. I really like this place and would recommend it to anyone! Great to have a good brewery near by.
(4)
Leah K.

Came here for happy hour and it was just a-OK. We had two of the pitchers - can't remember the other, but one of them was Hefeweizen. The beers themselves were good, but also nothing amazing. I'd give this place maybe around 4 stars, but I think their food was kind of dismal. The waitress recommended the beer battered mushrooms and I think they were kind of lacking. Overall, I'd give this place 3, maybe 3.5 stars for good beer, but mediocre food and okay service.
(3)
Eric H.

My friend brought me here after the Cal-Arizona Game this past weekend. We got there probably a hour after the game. The wait wasn't as bad as one would expect. The bar had seating right away but there was a good wait building up for dinner. The service seemed almost self serve cause it took a while to get a waiter to help us order some drinks. Not too bad tho. I tried the "HEFandADE" i get ittt!!!. It was really good. My friend also told me the beer sampler is well worth is. She appears to have good taste but I'm not sure cause I just met her...so take it with a grain of salt =). Yes I know you are reading this. The chicken wings arn't bad but a bit spicy. I lOVE SPICY! The place is huge. They give tours everyday cept sundays. Overall, great place to check out after the game. Ill update this later when I go back for dinner. I would normally give this place a 4 but my friend told me to give it a 3 cause she thinks critics should be critics...sorry. Go here tho!
(3)
Mike X.

The beer was good. The Harvest Hef is the most popular if I remember correctly. Our server kept forgot to bring the ketchup and tabasco we asked for, so we had to get up and get it ourselves.
(3)
Anh P.

I have been here several times. The food was average, the beer was fine. However, the reason that I give this place a 2-star is that the service is bad. The staffs are impolite and rude. Today I came in to by a pack of beer but forgot my ID in the car. When I came back with the ID, the young girl at the cashier treated me as if I was giving her a fake ID. It was some kind of policing. Geez....I was almost about to request to talk with the manager..I was in hurry and let it go anyway.
(2)
Adrianna C.

All I have to say is this place was fun and the food was great, especially this one appitizer that was a pizza bread and the burgers were fab too!
(4)
Larisa S.

Hunger and the cold got the better of me the other night so I stopped in to the Pyramid Brewery in between sets at Gilman to EAT, instead of just using the bathroom. Man, what a bad idea! I ordered the corn chowder. When the waiter plopped down the cup in front of me I immediately said, "What the fuck is this?" It's was a cup of some yellow stuff with orange GREASE floating on the top and when I put my spoon in it, it clunked straight down to the bottom. This was not chowder, NAY it wasn't even thick enough to be considered SOUP. It was a bowl of some piss yellow WATER with orange grease on it. I looked at the server and repeated, "What is this?" It was late and he was jaded, "It's the corn chowder you ordered." I said, "This is NOT any sort of chowder, this is yellow water. There isn't even CORN in it!" He replied with, "I don't know what chowder is supposed to look like." ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!? In my whole life I have sent ONE thing back to the kitchen and it was that cup of "chowder." Seriously, two days later and I'm still wondering what the fuck they were trying to feed me.
(1)
Norm P.

The food isn't all that great, but its not bad either. Typical pub style food, but my review isn't about it. It's all about the beer. My favorite is the apricot ale. (Resposible for the extra star) The IPA and Hef is good too, as well as their seasonals. Not really into their dark beers though. Very guiness-like. Also the Kemper sodas are really good. The best cream sodas I've ever had. One additional plus I might add is about the bathrooms. Trust me, sometimes you don't wanna use the bathroom across the street at 924 Gilman and this place comes in handy.
(4)
Matt V.

Food was pretty good. I sat on the front patio and enjoyed my time here...
(4)
Angela Z.

I really enjoyed this place! The food was good (typical pub food), the atmosphere was fun, and the beer wasn't half bad. Being the girly sort, I had the apricot ale and enjoyed it almost as much as the blueberry beer from The Thirsty Dog back home in Baltimore. I also sampled the sampler (by this I mean I mooched off my friend who ordered it) and he kindly gave me a 2-minute beer lesson (yeah, I'm a beer novice...I'll admit it). We went on a Sunday night and the place was busy. To get a table for 6 meant a 35 minute wait, but it was worth it. The service was great and our waitress was really friendly. Maybe the best thing about my experience here was the company that I went with. The six of us just had a good time talking, joking, and getting acquainted (I only knew 2 of the people there beforehand). I feel like I got a good survey of the menu just by trading bites among the 6 different dishes we ordered and shared. To top off the experience there, JB and I threw up a stand-on-shoulders in the parking lot (a gymnastics move where one person stands on the others shoulders). We probably looked far more drunk than we were - though that may have brought the place more business!
(4)
Jesse R.

I came out here with some friends for the brewery tour and it turned into a nice little afternoon. The tour guide (Robert?) was a very enthusiastic staff member. We found out during the tasting he has worked for Pyramid for about eight years in all aspects of the business; he seriously knows a lot about the company and beer in general. We were able to sample six different beers, which is not bad considering that the tour+tasting are all complimentary. If you live around Berkley, or are looking to take a short side trip while staying in San Francisco, think about checking out this great regional brewery.
(4)
eric a.

Great place to grab a beer, watch a game, and eat good food. The chicken wings were fantastic. It's really a 4 star place, but the fact that it only has a 3 star average, I felt compelled to help it out and grade it as a 5 star.
(4)
Will S.

Some mighty fine beer indeed. Today we thoroughly enjoyed a few pitchers of the Mactarnahans Amber Ale... we have even gotten kegs here in the past for parties... food is above average for sure for a brewery... classic burgers and greasy grub, especially like the cheese sticks, and the winds are a little on the the more dignified side, but still good. All in all a good go to place when your hungry or thirsty... preferably both :)
(4)
Amanda B.

This review is for the beer tour and fries only. In short: Beer tour is free You get a fair amount of free samples at the end You may not get to drink from the tanks directly if your group is too big Come at an off time for tours, for example the 4pm on a Sun. ask for Chris The fries are amazing and they come in a cone! A CONE! It's really fascinating when you're drunk. Beer Tour: Sunday afternoon my friend from out of town and I are hanging out at Sharffen Berger Chocolate eating free samples and taking the whole free chocolate tour. It ends just in time for us to rush over to Pyramid for their last tour of the day, the 4pm beer tour. I actually could care less how beer is made, but my friend's a boy so we go. We show up on a free chocolate high and announce to the hostess that we have arrived for the "free" tour just in case it's not. She tells us to wait by the bar where we are the only two people. I can tell that the bartender is not excited about giving a tour, especially to only two people, however we start anyway. He's disgruntle, he's British, the tour begins. I now know that components of beer are: barley, yeast, water, and uh wait I drifted off. All I want to know is when do we drink? I'm pumped full of day-quil (because I have a cold) and am excited to mix it with some booze. So we tour a bit more, he relaxes around us and realizes that we are really just there for the chance at free beer. I'd say 15min. into the tour we're drinking straight from the bright tanks. Mmm fresh hefeweizen! We sit around and drink for a bit more with one of the beer makers and our tour guide and I start to realize that this is the best tour I've ever been on. After the tour we go back to the bar for... more free beer! Samples galore! We had so much beer that I needed some fries to get in their and start absorbing or we were never gonna make it out alive.
(3)
Ash P.

The food here is ok, nothing too special. This place is really all about the beer. I highly recommend trying the sampler.
(3)
Wilson C.

This place is quite cool I think because they make Hef here and Hef is the most awesome beer! I like this place cause it's simple and you can go get meat and beer. They also have "beertails" which are cocktails infused with their own flavors of Hef which I thought was different. It also tasted pretty good. In the front is the restaurant and the back are all the big tanks that brew the beer. We ordered the three sausages meal, three out of four of us ordered it and we all liked it. They also have an artichoke dip appetizer that comes with these little crispy bread that's really good. I've only been there once but would definitely go back. It's a little far to go to if I'm not in the area.
(4)
Cyrus A.

Pyramid Brewery is in a word: Boring. The beers are pretty good, although the selection is limited. The food SUCKS. Pay too much for bland pub fare. The atmosphere is nothing to write home about either. The beer sampler rack is cool, but almost everything here is boring as hell. Plus, you need to ask yourself: Why go to Pyramid when T-Rex, one of the best spots in the bay, is only a few blocks away? ANSWER! You can't, because there is no answer. Keep on driving a few blocks down and hit up T-Rex instead.
(3)
Erik P.

The food quality has really gone down in this place in the last 18 months. I use to really enjoy the food here but after last night's experience i have decided to never eat here again. If I do come back here it will only be for beer. I use to always get a reuben sandwich and loved it with the fresh pastrami and good bread. Then we went here in January so I ordered the reuben and what came to the table was unrecognizable. The bread was bland, the meat was replaced with that thin processed pressed and overly salty crap from the grocery store. When we went last night i knew not to order that again and wasn't surprised to find it no longer on their shrinking menu. Instead i ordered what ended up to be a lackluster luke warm chicken pesto panini. For the cheese on a grilled sandwich to not even be melted is unforgivable . There was nothing good about it and i couldn't taste pesto even though i saw some green sauce-like substance on the bread. So sad that it went from a place i looked forward to going to somewhere i will avoid.
(1)
Jason M.

A group of us from work went to the Pyramid Alehouse on Election night to see the results come in. Way to Go Obama! The location of the restaurant was easy to get to and parking was easy. If it would have been crowded when we got there, I'm sure there would be ample parking in the neighborhood. The place has an open floor plan, two stories, and TVs EVERYWHERE! This was great because everyone could catch CNN from every angle. Big PLUS+++ Happy hour was nice, $3.50 Pints (16oz). The hostess was able to accommodate our group of 12 pretty quickly. The waitress was friendly and the food service didn't take long at all. The menu is great classic american bar food. (It is available online.) What I tried was good; the Quesadillas, the Gourmet Burger, and the onion rings were killer. The prices weren't too bad either.
(4)
Rachel C.

Come here for the ale, the wings and the garlic/blue cheese chips. ...oh yeah, and you gotta sit at the bar!!! This is a fun place to hang out with friends for some drinks and appetizers for a couple hours. We usually like to hang out here after an A's game. This place gets an extra star for the free rides to and from Cal football games.
(4)
Ahu S.

Review for trivia night: I give this place a generous 4 stars, because it's always fun here on Tuesday nights. Besides the fact that I am completely useless at trivia games, there is always a nice crowd, friendly competition, and hilarious team names. I've only ever tried the Apricot Hefewiezen, but it's delish! Drawbacks: -in the cuts -mediocre bar food edited on 4/25/07: i had the nachos there last night, and they weren't too bad. the guacamole was actually quite tasty. i feel good about the 4 stars now, mostly because they have such an awesome staff here 0 great service!
(4)
stacy k.

This place is gigantic! I've never seen such a humongous brewery before in my life. It has such stage presence the minute you pass the big ole sign that says, " brewery." We walked in on a Friday night and was surprised to see that it wasn't jam packed. We were able to immediately find a seat at the bar and ordered our drinks and a couple of appetizers. I ordered the apricot ale, which by the way, has become one of my favorite beers. It was really good! Great summer beer if you ask me. Every sip I took had a taste of apricot. Loved it! As far as appetizer's go. We ordered the quesidillas and coconut shrimp skewers. I didn't really care for either of them. I wished that they offered a sample platter. One would think since it is a bar. In all honesty, none of their appetizers sounded appealing. I guess, I was looking for your typical bar items such as nachos, fries,.... something.. but they weren't on there. I'd return here again. Its a cool place to hang out at. Lots of room. But the bathrooms suck. They are so dirty. Then again, it is a bar and it is expected, right?
(3)
Sierra S.

Been here numerous times, for dates, group and graduation dinners. It's a fun brewery for large groups. They're generally accommodating, although on one occasion they had to split our group up so that the majority sat along one long table and four "outcasts" were at a booth by themselves. If you like beer, their's is delightful. Two words: Apricot Weizen. Yes it sounds like a chick beer, but we affectionately refer to it as the nectar of the gods. Their food, on the other hand, is neither great nor horrible, typical brewery food that's somewhat uninspired. It's always a good choice if you're in the Berkeley area looking for a sit down place with decent food and great beer that isn't an eclectic, hole in the wall, unique, anti-chain restaurant (I know, I know, I speak blasphemy).
(3)
Tom S.

Tuesday Night GAME NIGHT I love cool places that set up events for the people. Come on tuesday nights for free trivia night. You also get to keep your beer glass. power to the people. When ordering beer from here, i am a fan of the sampler tray, of like 6 different beers. Great stuff, great stuff
(4)
Peter G.

The food is average, but the beer is pretty good. I like the Alehouse Amber Ale. It's fun if there's a Cal game on, and an enthusiastic crowd on hand. This hasn't been a good year for Cal football, though, so I imagine it also hasn't been a good year for the Alehouse. I don't know if it's the lighting, the interior design, or the industrial-shed-like feeling of the place, but it's not a particularly pleasant place to have a meal if there isn't a football game going on. Go Bears!
(3)
Bob D.

eating here is like having sex with your cousin... it's ok... but you feel guilty about it afterwards and you can't tell anyone. The beer is great, the root beer (thomas kemper on tap) is awesome. The waitstaff have to recite a sad and annoying sales pitch to "upsell you" on fried calimari or the sampler brewers rack ugh. (calimari is the floor sweepings of the seafood world) the ambiance is sort of frat date rape bar meets suburban industrial. They play sporting events on the tvs including the giant pull down screen in the dining room. not my thing, but surely useful to someone. we go here for work about once a month because it's one of those places where almost everybody can find something on the menu they will actually eat without bitching to everone else... plus there's beer just in case. The fries used to be better... the grilled chicken sandwiches, the mediterranean sandwich, the pizzas and salads are all slightly better than what you would get at any of the "Flingers" type restaurants (Chilis, TGIFridays, Bennigans etc...) the steak sandwich should be avoided at all costs. they do have a big parking lot, and there is outdoor seating when it's warm, so that's nice... oh, and they show movies on the side of the building in the summertime.
(3)
Kymberli C.

Our waiter sucked. We had to wait forever for him to come to our table because he was always busy chopping it up with some girl. He couldn't carry more than 3 drinks on his tray and he almost dropped the drinks too. My drink wasn't even cold. It was lukewarm. Gross. The food wasn't that great either. My favorite was the cheese fries. Who can mess those up? We were stuck there forever because the waiter wouldn't give us the check for almost 20 minutes after our table was all cleared.
(1)
Katelyn M.

Beers are good. I like their hefs. Other than that the location itself was okay. I dint really have much to say about this place... service is okay... food is less than okay... beers are good. if i am in need of hanging out somewhere in Berkeley and want to make sure i don't have to look for parking, this is the place i would hang out at.
(3)
Leily P.

This place is huge, has an outdoor seating area, and offers lots of fried foods to accompany the beer drinking.
(3)
sammy z.

What happened to this place? The beer is always consistently good,but the food and service totally went downhill. They took out the fancier foods like BBQ ribs and lamb shanks. We ordered mainly burgers and sandwiches and meatloaf. The meat was dry. The food came out lukewarm. The waitress there was quite moody. We saw pizza taken out of the oven and just sat there for 10 minute before it was brought over to a table. They did have pretty good sweet potato fries and spicy chicken wings but their entree was disappointing. Just stick with the beer and appetizer.
(2)
Pablo H.

The beer is alright, the food is alright. It just seems a little weird. They recently bought out Magic Hat Brewing from VT, so hopefully they start carrying some of those fine brews out here in this brewpub. Their onion strings are pretty good and they heap it onto the table in a wheelbarrow, so thats cool. I remember coming here to watch monday night football one time and they have a huge projector but weren't allowed to put the sound on because of possible copyright infringement. Somehow I doubt that dive bars across the country are paying royalties to the NFL for blasting live games on full volume. The happy hour offers some good deals on booze and pizza together. The pizza is not incredible, however.
(3)
Steff L.

Blah. I wish I was finally 21 already. Then I can actually enjoy going to Pryamid. Food is decent. Not much of a selection. Love their Caesar salad. Onion strings very salty, but at least the waiter keeps refilling your glass, so it all works out. Still, more of a place to go once in while for the food, maybe more for the drinks, but I wouldn't know. I do like the t.v.'s and the giant projector screen. Very casual place to hang with friends for some cheap drinks. Sit and watch a game while your at it. Still, it makes me cry a little inside knowing the every time I walk in here, I can't have a taste of their beer. Sigh. I mean, not that I like drinking, it's just awkward when you're the only one not drinking in a brewery.
(3)
Jerry C.

I came here one evening for some entertainment and to sample some beer fresh from the source. The place is definitely a cool conversation piece and a apt hangout for watching sports. We missed the tour that runs in the afternoon, so we have an excuse to come back again another time. My friend and I didn't grab any food, but spying at my neighbors, the food didn't look shabby at all. Think diner food, but greasier. The reason for the lower rating was the bored and tired staff. We came in during the last 2 hours, so I imagine they already had a tough day. The bartender did minimal tending to us even though we were polite and tipped him well. We had to initiate all the requests for everything. It almost felt like they didn't want our money. We started off with a pint for each of us, but then saw someone order a sampler. It's a great way to try out 5 different beers. I found out my favorite was their classic hefeweizen. It tastes like liquid bread! The taste is amazingly smooth and almost bubbly. The next time I go, I'll be sure to read all their posters for the specials they have. We could've saved some money if we had flashed our student IDs, but again, no one seemed to take an interest that we were even there. It might've been just an isolated incident, but we definitely weren't feeling the love from the staff that night.
(3)
Michelle G.

I'm a fan. Cool place. They play every game you could imagine but be ware they will change the tv to another game in the middle of a play and you will have to move tables. Kind of a pain when everyone else is watching the same and we all have to move to a smaller tv.
(4)
Logan P.

All the appetizers here are all very good.. especially if you eat them with your beer. Its a nice a big place but the only problem is the spot doesnt have much parking.. Its crowded too and it would suck if you really have a super big car.. but other than that love the appetizers and beer...
(4)
Mousputin S.

Pyramid is always fun because I always come in big groups of people that I like! :) The apricot ale is so good that my guy friends always get pitchers of it and no longer feel embarrassed about it. Food is typical pub fare, and while I like that I can put blue cheese on my burger, nothing really stands out to me. We've had issues in the past with finding suitable seating for watching games and such, which is why I'm not a huge fan, but typically there are no problems and there's plenty of space + an upstairs area as well. I know we'll be back.
(3)
Tushar K.

The food is WAY c-level but the Beer is AWESOME! It's definitely a cool spot but kind of a ways away from a location that would be more accessible to a larger population. I also think that the cost of beer should be 25% cheaper than it is. Overall great place to go for beer but don't come here if you're hungry. You'll be disappointed. Most of the food is pretty tasteless.
(3)
Mark W.

Went here for Happy Hour and we were pretty happy with the prices. We split a pitcher for 2 of us and the prices were right and we were happy giggly after we finished it. It's always great to be Happy, Giggly after a Pitcher of Fresh Beer. Also felt the atmosphere here was a little better than some of the other breweries that I've been to. It's kinda cool that you are able to see the actual brewery through some of the side windows of the restaurant and their little gift shop in the front makes it feel like a destination spot. Probably gonna try to catch the brewery tour soon.... Gives me an excuse to go back... LOL... HAPPY HOUR DEETS: Unfiltered Happy Hour Enjoy our refreshingly unfiltered wheat beers with unfiltered conversation. All pints only $3.50 and $9.50 pitchers Add any pizza for just $8.95 with any pitcher purchase. You gotta go on their website to see when they offer this. I thought it was a Monday - Friday thing cause I went on a Friday once and they did have it but I don't see it as a M-Fr thing on their website anymore so before you go, maybe give them a call to confirm they are offering it on the day YOU go......
(4)
Eryka V.

I came here in the midst of a "I need a cold strong beer quickly or I am going to kill my girlfriend". Well thanks to the Snow Tap and Apricot Ale we are still alive and in love. She ordered the pulled pork bbq sandwich and even though I didn't taste it lets just say she ate it like she just got off a 10 day coke binge. I ordered the Cesar Salad and I must have good luck, because I did hear the food sucks but my salad was excellent. It reminded me of the Outkast song SO FRESH, SO CLEAN. Our little waitress was alright, nothing special, nothing horrible just in the middle. What do you really expect it's a commercialized joint, with a bunch of fluff. Fuck at least I got a little buzz, right?
(3)
Janiene L.

*See update at the bottom Pyramid has been our go-to place when we run out of ideas of where to eat because (a) we order the same items and they are consistent, (b) I really love the atmosphere, and (c) the beer is amazing. (a) During their Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6:30, Monday through Friday, the pints and pitchers are reasonable and the appetizers are cheap. If you are a fan of blue (bleu) cheese, I recommend their homemade chips drizzled with blue cheese, but they are only available during Happy Hour. If you are a meat eater, the beer braised sausages are fantastic and filling. I usually get the mixed organic mesclun, a delicious salad that is filling and only $4.25. If you have a bigger appetite, the Big Bowl Deluxe is also quite wonderful. My partner usually gets the Prosciutto & Pesto Pizza, which is the perfect mix of flavors and not a bad deal for $10.95. (b) The atmosphere is great, but can get really loud if a big game is on (they have a large screen they pull down for such events), but at a brewery, you should expect a little noise. Also, while Pyramid is kid-friendly, you don't get a lot of the little ones running around, something I really appreciate as I don't think screaming children and beer mix well. (c) The beer is wonderful. It just doesn't taste the same in the bottle, that's for sure - much better at the source. We usually start with a lighter beer such as the Apricot Ale or the Hefeweizen and then move to something darker. If you don't know what to drink, try their sampler rack of beer where you can try 5 of their beers - it's a really great deal during Happy Hour. There are some definite downfalls of Pyramid, however. I actually stiffed a waitress one night because the service was so bad - I had never done that before. However, the last time we went the service was amazing, so it's real hit-or-miss and they seem to be hiring every couple of months, so the turn-over is high. Also, this is a pricy evening out. For two of us we usually spend around $60, but that includes an appetizer, two entrees, 2 pitchers of beer, and tip. Update: I'm not sure what happened to Pyramid, but the service and the food declined rapidly. Pyramid quickly went from being one of our favorite places in Berkeley into a place we warned people not to go to. A real shame, but hopefully they'll get back on track someday. I dropped the rating to two stars and really could have gone to one, but nostalgia for the good-old-days got the better of me.
(2)
Autumn S.

I went here for my recently celebrated 25th birthday. While the food was great, we had an odd server. He kept telling us incorrect things about wine opening, ingredients, etc. He did a good job serving, he just wasn't very educated on the restaurant. The food was really great. I fell in love with the Spinach Artichoke dip and the pizza they offered. We had a really large selection of things at the table and everyone loved their food. Their corkage fee was low too! :) All in all, we had a good experience for a bigger group.
(4)
Brody S.

I only come here for the beer. No, really. Their Apricot ale on tap is SO FREAKING DELICIOUS. The rest of the food is pretty generic, I end up ordering the buffalo chicken sandwich every time I come here because everything else is kinda "meh". The fried onion strings are delicious for the first bite, but if you're not at a table with 10 other people, you quickly realize the 3,000 calorie pile of greasy soggy friedthings in front of you is overwhelming and pointless. (I wish they did half-orders...) It can get crowded and feel like you're back in the suburbs waiting with 10 of your bestest friends at the Olive Garden on a Friday night (complete with those little buzzer-things that tell you when your table is ready). Noise is overpowering, there's huge TVs everywhere tuned to sports of various stripes.... but hey, the beer is good.
(3)
Gary B.

Beers I tried were excellent and the rest of those in my large group enjoyed theirs as well. I didn't eat, so can't comment on the food. What I saw of the menu didn't look very exciting. I was there during the first day of this year's NCAA tournament - seemed to be plenty of TVs to see the games, though my table was slightly cut off from a good view. I found the waiter we had to be very attentive to our table, but the rest of the group was unhappy with the hostess. Apparently, they detected an unpleasant attitude from her as they asked for a larger table to sit our group.
(3)
Jorge H.

I'd give this place a 3 if it weren't for the beer. The beer here is the best. Nothing like having a pitcher of the Hefe all to myself and enjoying some over priced Tilapia fillets. Also the beer is good.
(4)
Allen Y.

I really like their bbq chicken wings appetizer. They got good atmostphere, great beer, and the service was fantastic. I don't understand why a half pint was only a $1.75 and a full pint was $4.75. Maybe the waiter messed up...but if thats the way it is then I'll just have to order two half pints everytime!!!
(4)
Mary C.

I like this spot and don't really understand why people only gave it like 3 stars. Was just there last night. Order the nachos! They aren't on the menu. They are huge. Nothing unique, just real cheese and jalapenos, side of salsa, guac and sour cream. I like the little cubes of chicken they put on it. Do order the Apricot Ale. Yes, you can get this beer anywhere, but why not hit up the spot where it's actually brewed?! Get a pitcher while yer at it. The meatloaf is tasty. And the pizza ain't bad. The atmosphere is fun, huge flat screens border the bar. It's a fun spot and you can buy a t-shirt on yer way out...
(5)
Dee J.

Aside from the pushy waitress, this place was average at best. The prices are reasonable for this type of place, the food seemed pretty good (didn't eat), and the portions looked alright. I have to minus a star for their lack of "healthy" options on the menu. I suppose going to this type of place, one might not be planning on eating more healthful food, but c'mon...this place is located in Berkeley! So yeah, our waitress was pushy. Not in a no-nonsense sorta way, but in a "you are taking up my time" sorta way. Relax lady, when you have a group of 15 people, you have to exercise a little patience. Maybe it was becuase she knew the tip was already included that she acted a little vag-tasticly. I might go back... Gilman bitches! Yay ya!
(3)
Danielle K.

Kind of a Yuppie atmosphere...but who am I to judge, I was only really there for a beer...I ended up at a table, ordered the Steak and Mushroom sandwich which I have to say was pretty tasty...a little spin on the traditional French dip. I had a bite of Josh's burger...and it was cooked perfect yummy & moist delicious! It would have been better if I ordered it...it definitely needed some fresh Onions. As an after thought, we ordered these amazing Blue Cheese Chips. They were homemade potato chips tossed in a garlic and blue cheese crumble served with blue cheese dressing...Naturally we couldn't possibly eat all of this food and drink the beer too...so we drank the beer and took the remainder of the food to go. On our way out we stopped at the little "Beer Shop" where you can stop for a six-pack to go, order a keg, pick up a t-shirt, Beer tap and a few other fun gift ideas...we picked up an empty beer jug, proceeded directly the bar where we had the nice Bartender wash out the dust and fill that bitch up. Needless to say, refills are a cheap...too bad we have to fight traffic to get there from Alameda!
(4)
Andrew C.

There are very few places I can say this about but I don't believe I have ever had a good meal at this place. Why do I go back? No, its not even for the beer which is the only reason I've given it a second star. But events get planned here so. . . . I've tried the one in Walnut Creek and its no different. Food is bland, cold, pasta is mushy, garlic bread also no good. Cold, overly hard. Just avoid it for anything other than beer.
(2)
Andrea S.

Went here after a hike at Mt. Diablo because we were in dire need of food and drink. The Pros are that this place is freaking cool looking, there is outdoor dining that didn't seem obnoxious, and the beers are awesome. Cons are the hostess was sort of annoying, the food is not really that good (had the chicken wings - pretty good, and the bruschetta, hmmm.)
(3)
Craig E.

Pyramid is pub food, nothing more, nothing less. Nothing on the menu is really amazing and nothing is terrible. The reason that people come here is for the beers. Everything you get here to drink is most likely extremely fresh, the beers are all pretty good and the service is always great! Definitely go during 'Beer:30' (4:30 to 6:30 every weekday) when you can get 5 6 oz. glasses of beer for $5. Definitely a great deal! Pyramid is also solely responsible for my IPA affection. It was the first place that I really started liking IPAs. My liver and my heart thank you, Pyramid.
(4)
Bella B.

Dropping it down to 3 stars - went there last nite for dinner 1) we asked 3 times to hv them put the SF Giants game on the TV closest to us (no other diners were watching the TV) and they said OK everytime, but they never did it. 2) had the Spinach Dip -- tasted like melted cream cheese with parsley in it -- yuck 3) after the entrees were brought, our server never checked on us again to see if we needed another beer or ice tea -- the next time we saw her was when she brought the check :( *** My favorites: 1) Onion String appetizer is light and not greasy. Eat 'em while they're hot. 2) Gourmet Burger add sharp cheddar, and guacamole/avocado -- get it with a side of their Sweet Potato Fries instead of the regular fries. 3) Side order of the Giant Onion Rings -- very different than the Onion String Appetizer. 4) Their Apricot Ale -- so delicious! Good service. They're attentive, but never make you feel rushed. Enjoy watching all kinds of sports from the many TVs positioned around the restaurant. Spring and Summer are the perfect time for dining in their enclosed patio area. If you go for a biz lunch, let your server know if you're on a schedule, they'll make suggestions about the food and will help make sure that you're out of there in time.
(3)
Ryan M.

an ale house is an ale house is an ale house. this is no different. they serve their booze and similar food found in other bar/restaurants. everything is big and borderline bland. but not bad. just a place to have a beer and a bite. again, similar to like a BJ's brewery. i can take it or leave it.
(3)
Chris C.

I think if you go in expecting fine dining, you will be let down. However, if you are expecting good beer and a some good food options, to go along with the beer, you won't be so let down. I've been here a bunch of times. Last time was with a large group. Service was fast. Dinner was the catfish over mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables (carrots and peas) was alright. The veggies a little mushy, but the catfish was good. A spicy cajun sauce. Had the apricot ale, which I liked. Their other beers are good. A little loud, but outside, especially in the summer, is great. They have heat lamps and you can pick up tables and move them together for big groups. They include the tip for large groups.
(4)
Alia D.

SO here's the deal: Beer: 4 stars Apricot Ale ( I have no idea how I missed out on that for so long): 138 Stars Food: 1.5 stars Fries in a friggin cone: 10 stars Tues Pint night and Trivia nights: Billions and Billions of stars. This place is pretty good with large parties all the way down to dates. I haven't made it to a beer tour yet but I wear their tee's proudly. I think Thurs is college night too. Yay for Pyramid.
(4)
Inga R.

The pyramid beer you buy at the corner liquor is good, this is better. Offering a wide variety of beers, ciders, and crafted pop, Pyramid dials in their menu to complement the beverages. I highly recommend the Cobb salad, loaded with blue cheese, bacon, olives , tomatoes.... mmmm. The burgers are big and beefy and even the tapas consisting of sausage and egg isn't bad. The service is quite good but it does fill up on Friday nights. Warning: I had my stereo stolen out of my car in their parking lot in the middle of the day. I had to go back in and drink my troubles away.
(4)
Moises M.

What i love this place, decent food and good beer. What more can i ask for? Only problem is that i ended getting buzzed and i usually have to drive. I love the beer, they are great.
(4)
sara p.

Favorite place for comfort food!!
(5)
Bono B.

I've been going there off-and-on ever since it first opened in 1997. The food seems to have gone down hill progressively over the years to the point where it's more or less stabilized (atrophied?) into passable mediocrity. Jeez, I never thought I'd be saying this, but I'd rather eat the food at Gordon Biersch than at Pyramid. Hell, at least GB has them garlic fries. This is a damn shame, since I like Pyramid's beers, especially their Hefeweizen and Apricot Ale. If you're not expecting too much out of your culinary experience at Pyramid, here are some suggestions (cautions) from the menu: The pizzas tend to be fine. The Margherita pizza is simple and good. The roasted garlic is a nice touch. Just don't expect Pizzeria Delfina. The BBQ chicken nachos are a good deal. It'll easily feed 4 people as an appetizer. There's a generous portion of BBQ chicken along with corn, black beans, jalapenos and cheese heaped on top of multi-colored tortilla chips. It's served with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on the side. It's not on their regular menu, but it's on their Happy Hour menu found printed on the label of bottles that decorate the tables in the restaurant. You can order the Happy Hour menu items when it's not Happy Hour, but you'll pay a higher price for them. You'll find the dessert menu on the same bottle as well. The Beer Braised Sausages are okay, as long as you can deal with the uber high salt content of the bratwurst, polish, and chicken apple sausage trio served on the platter. The sauerkraut and caramelized onions add a good counterbalance to the saltiness of the sausages. The mashed potatoes that serve as the bed for the sausages, krauts and onions are lumpy, lukewarm and forgettable. The Three Bean Chicken Chili is decent, with a nice mixture of meatiness derived from the chicken along with the tender beans in a tomatoey chili sauce. The Big-Bowl Deluxe salad is fine. You get a generous portion of greens, mozzarela, cucumbers, raisins, etc. You may want to have the vinaigrette dressing on the side since it tends to be a bit sweet. The BBQ St. Louis Ribs is kind of blah. They're charbroiled, not smoked. If you want better ribs, go across the street over to T-Rex. One drawback to Pyramid is when the place gets mobbed after Cal sporting events. Families with kids pack the place as well. However, those crowds tend to dissipate after 9PM. If you have a small group (let's say less than 4 people), and all the main dining room tables are packed, you can get food served at the bar counter area on a first-come-first-served basis. As mentioned in another review here, you'll tend to get better, more attentive service from the bartender(s), especially on busy nights when the servers appear to become easily distracted and extremely inefficient.
(3)
Dave D.

this is a good place to hang with friends and drink beer. Food is decent and I have no complaints, wide variety so you can't have the same thing all the time. Me I am here for the beer!
(4)
Alan S.

Been to Pyramid for food and drinks a few times always left a bit disappointed. Just did the tour and have resolved not to go back. I am a beer lover and there are just too many other beer bars and brewpubs in the bay area to explore to go back to one that has apathetic staff, average brew, below-average nosh and a rather cold atmosphere. Service is lackluster. Staff do not seem at all excited about their beer. Most have obviously been trained to know their styles, but they just don't have enthusiasm or love for beer. And it shows in the way that they (don't) talk about it. Ask a bartender or waitress about brews on tap and they will hand you a laminated beer chart, most further inquiries will get you an irritated sigh and short descriptions. These are people that are obviously tired of working in the food industry. I feel sorry for them, but if we are rating the place on its quality as a microbrewery/brewpub then this is the yardstick I must judge by. Go to Triple Rock or Jupiter and witness the excitement of the staff for their beers and you'll see what I mean. As for the beers themselves, they are just ok. They are a bit dull and don't really shine for their particular styles. Most of their beers are produced to content as wide an audience as possible. You are not going to find much nuance or innovation. Sure, it's miles away from Budweiser, but these days there are hundreds of microbrews available for just about every palate that all go way beyond what macrobrewers are producing. It seems that Pyramid has even lost something in its recent facelift and marketing campaign. Seems like all of that money that the marketing people allotted to improve the brand's appeal to a younger crowd has been to the detriment of the beer itself. Of course those millions of dollars mean cheaper hops, grain, etc. Pyramid's beer pales in comparison to what it was 10 years ago when it was at the forefront of the microbrew movement. Meanwhile, other veteran breweries like Anchor Steam and Sierra Nevada have only improved their offerings. Yes, I know this is a long-winded review, but I feel like all of this needs to beer said - all for the glorious cause of beer. As for the tour - was treated to the tour yesterday (2/15/10), part of an extended round of birthday activities, mostly centered around beer. Tour guide seemed indifferent, talked quickly, didn't clarify much of the brewing process, didn't even relate many of the fascinating brewing anecdotes that usually accompany brewery tours. He had a rudimentary knowledge of the beer making process, he had obviously done the whole thing a dozen times, but he did make a few glaring errors as well. Told us that the brewery makes ales because ales ferment faster and they like to "get their beer out there faster." Hmmm. On that I am sure he was talking out of his ass, that decision has nothing to do with the speed of getting the beer to the consumer, if it did, all of the large commercial breweries would be making ales. Instead, we get Bud, Miller and Coors all making lagers, a very mild beer which is palatable to the general public. We went through the whole tour in about 10 minutes. And it was at this point that I really became frustrated with Pyramid: After the tour, we were given three little thimbles of beer samples, which were poured from large pitchers. There were about 9 people on the tour and the guide said that he didn't want to bring proper glassware for such a large group. These tiny samples were not nearly enough to gauge the qualities (aroma, maltiness, etc.) that the guide was describing. In fact, I could barely discern any of what the guide described as a strong and floral aroma of the IPA out of that little plastic cup. The guide began to wind down the tour and there were three half-full pitchers left on the table. I commented, with slightly ulterior motives, that we shouldn't let the pitchers go to waste. The guide curtly dismissed my comment and told us that we could buy all the beer we wanted at the bar and that they would even give us some free samples up at the bar. Really? First of, what was this guy doing with all of the leftover beer? Secondly, the tried and true way of winning a loyal customer for life would have been just to indulge a little bit- get us a little tipsy and excited about your beer. I would have spent hundreds of dollars at this place if they had been just a little generous. Not cool. So after this extremely long screed about the mediocrity of this establishment, what remains? The food? Definitely hit or miss. The Meatloaf sandwich I had later in the evening was soggy, flavorless, tasted like it had been microwaved. Thanks for being a colossal waste of space, Pyramid.
(2)
Lolailo Y.

We were thirsty and thought that a cold beer would do us good. Then we decided to stay for dinner. We had the onion strings, which are the foulest thing I have eaten in a while. You get this mass of battered onions that are pure grease. After two bites I felt like i had swallowed two rocks. The Satay chicken skewers were nothing but boring chicken breast with some peanut butter sauce. The pizza was supposed to have prosciutto, but maybe there was some confusion and the kitchen understood "Canadian Bacon" instead. The food was dismal. The beers were OK, but honestly, not good enough to bring us back.
(1)
catherine g.

I don't know what happened to this place. Granted it's pub food, but still...everything we ordered was inedible. Spaghetti out of a can, caesar salad with soggy wilted lettuce. Disgusting. So many other better options in Berkeley.
(1)
Christian F.

During my time as a Cal student this was one of the best places to take friends, and it continues to be. I've been numerous times and the food has always been wonderful. The beer is stellar across the board. I love the wheat beers and even the beers that didn't meet my style tasted of quality. The service has always been excellent, busy or slow, and that has always been a greet comfort. The brewery is right there and while I have never taken the tour, it can only add to the experience. The immediate area is kind of sketch but it is right next to the famous Gilman. I've brought numerous friends here and all of them have loved it. If you like good beer and the kind of food that goes with beer, and live in the Berkeley area, try out Pyramids.
(5)
Monika M.

I don't love the food here...there aren't many healthy options. But the beer and atmosphere are great. Good for large groups or a casual afternoon lunch outside.
(3)
Seong P.

the only times i had been to pyramid during my time at cal was to watch movies in the parking lot in the summertime. warm evenings, sprawled out on lawn chairs and blankets with good friends watching 80's movies. those were good times so i went to pyramid recently with a positive impression. i was with a group of about 20 on a sunday night and we had excellent service. the lone waitress for our tables kept the drinks coming and got most of our orders out at the same time, even though people had been trickling in throughout the evening. i had the chicken cobb, without raisins or cheese, and it was really good. the chicken was tender and moist and the dressing was nice and light. i also really liked the wings because they weren't greasy and i could control how much sauce i put on them. however, i heard the pot roast was overdone and the bite of nachos i tried didn't make me want anymore. beer, appetizers and an entree for less than $20 a person seemed like a good deal to me. overall, they were very accomodating and the food i tried was decent so it's a good option if you're near berkeley.
(4)
Sean M.

Pyramid has one good beer, Haywire. The other beers aren't palatable. If you go to the brewery to eat, prepare to eat standard bar food. Very sub par finger food. You could make better dishes by spending a couple of bucks at Safeway.
(3)
K W.

They had good food an rather good service. A group of my fellow co-workers went there for a good little shake down of the summer, so they do large groups well. What they do not do well is Apricot Ale, this is my opinion of course for I believe this is an abomination of beer. As for the establishment, its a great one and it isn't that hard to make off with a table full of their glasses as I saw some people do. on a side note: why ask if it is good for kids? IT IS A FREAKING BREWERY!!!
(4)
Dylan O.

Average Average Average I like the smell of breweries, but there's nothing special here.
(3)
Fanny C.

I went in for a free tour of the brewery and dinner on a weekday. The free tour was interesting. You get to go in the back to see the bottling and such. But I couldn't really hear what the guide was saying because it was way too loud with all the machines running. But we did get to sample several beers at the end for free, so that was pretty awesome. As for the dinner, the food was your average. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't pleasing either. The day we went in their pizza oven wasn't working too well, so no pizzas or flatbreads were able to be served. But as far as the beer goes, very very fresh. I would definitely go back just for happy hour for the beers ($3.50) and sample the appetizers ($3.30 - $6). On tuesdays, if you order a pint of beer, you get to keep the glass!
(3)
Varun G.

This place brings back my love for micro brewery, sports bar, American bar food (trust me its good) all at the same location. As my love affair with beer has evolved over the years, my fondness for breweries that serve you samplers has grown as well. And if the sampler comes hanging on a iron caddy that lets the server place the 6 glasses in a nice queue in front of you at one go, make me thirsty.......the food compliments the beer, they can easily accommodate large groups and the waitresses are kinda really sexy :P ! And while there, you can also spend some time in Pyramid souvenir shop or pick up cases of their different brews. My only discontent is that they close at 10 :( , why would a good pub-ish place like this close at 10?
(4)
Gwen K.

I love the beer here, the atmosphere and the food. Huge fan and no complaints here. Best time to hit up Pyramid Brewery is after some serious shopping at the North Face Outlet a few blocks down.
(4)
Charles B.

I come here a few times each year for a school or work related dinner. Service and food is always great during these functions. I like the Hefeweizen and Thunderhead. I also like the tour, so try to get off work early to attend.
(4)
Adam D.

Only three stars because the only thing on the menu that I'm crazy about is the meatloaf. I like the beer but I'm not a big drinker of hef which is supposed to be their specialty. I do enjoy their stout and holiday beers though.
(3)
chris a.

Eating here is like eating at a ginormous Sizzler, but with good beer. Also they could double the number of TVs they have and it still wouldn't be enough.
(2)
Barbara C.

this is such a keeper to have near by. if you wanna have a great beer while watching a game in a non sports bar atmosphere or if you want to have a casual family dinner this is a winner. my most recent great meal was their fish tacos and their seasonal curve ball. service is quick and has always been very friendly, i love most all pyramid beers so that helps.
(4)
Shannon K.

Ah, old faithful. After walking out of T-Rex up the street (see my review) we made our way to Pyramid, thankful for something with consistency & an identity. Maybe I've been lucky, but between the Berkeley & Walnut Creek locations I've never had the sucky service other Yelpers have mentioned. The food is pub food, but it's fairly good pub food. It's not soaked with grease. The BBQ Chicken pizza is better than CPK's and the chicken cesar on flat bread is yum for lunch & dinner since it's too big for most to finish in one meal. The turkey burger is also good and I've had their chicken sandwich happily. I don't think I've been disappointed with the food. I'm not a beer drinker, so I can't comment on their beer, but I am happy they have ciders (usually pear or apple) so I can sip too while hubby drinks the beer.
(4)
Todd C.

Was looking for a cool pub to grab a few beers on a nice sunny day, and this place didn't disappoint. Excellent beer, friendly and informative bartender, huge airy, open, clean facility, and tons of free parking. Didn't try the food, but folks eating around us looked happy and seemed to be enjoying their meals. Can't see why anyone would rate this place poorly....
(5)
Sharon M.

Pyramid used to be my favorite comfort food, and when I lived in El Cerrito I usually ate there once a week or so. We decided to revisit it last night, pre-REI trip, despite my S.O.'s snobbery about their brews ("flavorless" is the adjective he generally uses to describe them). Whatever; this is the place I learned to love IPA, though I now know about fifty different IPAs that knock Pyramid's socks off. Pub food usually sucks (see: Moylan's), so part of Pyramid's appeal has always been their crave-worthy burgers, huge salads, flatbread sandwiches. They've seriously pared down their menu since last year -- just one type of burger (that you can top with whatever you like), and only a couple of salads. You can still get a solid meal, though, and the big booths are comfy and homey. Service has always been stellar; out of maybe 50 trips to Pyramid, I can only remember one server who wasn't totally attentive, ready to refill your beer when you sip half of your pint.
(4)
Darius A.

Haven't been to their actual location yet but this is for their beer. Absolutely my favorite beer ever. Although you can get a bad batch every so often, it is typically a great beer.
(5)
John G.

This is an industrially styled brewpubs / brewery complex. Pyramid has a large industrial strength brewhouse here for commercial sales and a good brewpubs on the other side of the glass wall. Food is well prepared of the brewpub variety. Complemented by a great staff that knows beer. Worth a visit.
(4)
Matthew H.

For dinner this was a great place to go with a group of people. There was plenty of seating and a very short wait for 7 people on a Saturday night. One of the big incentives of going here is, of course, the beer. They have a range of their beers there and if you don't know what you like, they have a sampler that you can try that is very affordable. The food is pretty standard brew pub food. Nothing spectacular, but it's not bad either. They have traditional dishes and nothing from the menu really stood out to me, but I was happy with the grilled chicken sandwich that I ordered. The service on the other hand, at least this particular night, was horrible. Our table was convinced that our waiter was at least drunk. He was not attentive at all and forgot to bring almost everything that we had asked for. Not to mention that he could barely keep his eyes open, swayed as he took our order, and almost walked into a poll at least twice. Overall, it was a fine experience and I will probably go back for beer and a meal, but it's not the number one restaurant on my list in Berkeley by any means.
(3)
Marcolm A.

Big fan of the Apricot Ale. Granted the best beer I've ever had, but it was pretty darn good. Pair that with a great ambiance and tour with a VERY knowledgeable bar tender and it was an all around great time.
(4)
Coming from Bavaria I made a tour visting Breweries on the West Coast (Portland, Seattle, San Francisco) and had a nice evening at the Pyramid in Berkeley. It is a typical large brewery but unlike as in Germany you can order beer samplers to try all sorts of beer. Nice. The food was ok and the people were very kind - guests and service. Lot of families as we've been there a sunday late afternoon.
(4)
Don B.

Figured I'd chime in on this place. The first time I went here I thought it was great. Food was tasty and the beer was good. But every time afterward there was always something unsettling about the place. Service can be super slow on a busy day. I was unpleased when the food came out cold and kind of bland. I did enjoy their appetizers though but I don't think I'll be eating any of their main dishes anytime soon. Their beer is nice though. The place itself has a nice feel to it. It's a great place to go with some buddies and get a drink and watch a game.
(3)
Mike S.

They were having a private party so we could not sit outside. Had an order of calamari and spinach dip. Both were alright not great, just good. Severs were not very helpful. I have had better food. Beer was good.
(3)
Natalie M.

Yummy beer (The Hef is our fav!!!) but the food is hit or miss. To be fair, this is my first return trip in about 4 years and this meal was just OK. I had the fish and chips... it could have been better but it was good for "pub food". Jason had a sandwich of sorts and said "It was pretty good, it just wasn't filling enough". We had great service and an over all good experience. I just recommend going for the beer first and the food second. I can say from past experiences that the pizzas are yummy!
(3)
Doug C.

I took a date here and found that the beer is good (as it should be straight from the factory), but the food sucks. The pizza was one of the worst I've had in years, really gross cheese. I think it was some type of weird processed or low-fat cheese. Also not the best place to watch TV/football even though they have a bunch of screens. If not for the fact that my date was very cute, I'd say forget this place and just buy six-packs at Safeway.
(2)
Kristy H.

I always order the PYRAMID BURGER. It is very filling and delicious. It's a half pound burger that comes with smoked mozzarella, peppered bacon, habanero BBQ sauce and giant onion ring. (It reminds me of what the Burger King Rodeo cheeseburger aspires to be.) I enjoy it with the Crystal Wheat ale, it's crisp and refreshing. The servers here are consistently weird! Sometimes they are slow, not because they are busy, because they are just slow. Another waitress, carded my friend & I twice, because she claims she forgot to look at our age the first time (weird). She seemed a little bit out of it, and that weirded us out a little. Perhaps in her cloudy state she sensed that we were annoyed and so she gave us drinks on the house for her mistake (score). Sometimes this place can be loud, it is a brewery/sports bar/lots of UCB sports fans, so I wouldn't come here for an intimate dinner (duh), but I would come here with a group of friends to share an awesome burger and a pitcher of beer.
(4)
Anne N.

The beer was good, the food was pretty good, but the service was bad enough that I wouldn't go back. My husband and I came for lunch with a Groupon a couple months ago, making sure to mention the Groupon to our waitress at the beginning... She rolled her eyes, said "of COURSE" in a sarcastic tone and walked away. Huh?? Our only guess was that she assumed we would tip only on the discounted price (is that typical? who does that??), but it was hard to interact with her after that. Everyone else seemed nice enough, but just not worth a second trip with all of the other good restaurants nearby with consistently friendly waitstaff!
(2)
Caroline L.

The beer was good. The food, I'm not too keen on. I figure since this was my first time there, I should have tried more of the entrees, but instead I found myself not wanting to order any of them. I guess this just depends on your tastes, but it seemed like everything they had had mustard in it (not a fan). They also have a big selection of pizzas. But my friends, I wasn't in a pizza mood that night so I felt as though my selection was cut to a minimum. Also a good selection of salads. I stuck to the appetizers and I have to say the best was the spicy chicken wings. Always a favorite. Pair it with some Hefe Weizen. Great atmosphere, and I loved that I could watch some ESPN while eating some chicken. My waiter, though very nice, kept on getting our order mixed up, including my chicken wings. We got a free chicken satay because of it, so it was worth looking over for the time being. But I would most definitely go back again, just to try more stuff out. (sidenote: I also enjoyed seeing some punks 1980s style by the bar downstairs as I tried to make my way into the bathroom. I kind of walked into the middle of their crowd and felt a little scared, but mostly empowered. Muwahaha.)
(3)
Eric G.

At it's best, the food is total crap. Anything you've ever eaten on an airplane is better than this, even if you found it between the crack of the seats. The beer is good. But hey! If you go to Triple Rock or Jupiter, you can have BOTH good beer AND good food so why suffer here? Good for large groups. Soda on draft is tasty. Drive-In movies in the summer are fun. Servers are pre-programmed like robots. Be prepared for serious stink on the days they dump the spent yeast. Peeeeee-wwwwww!!
(2)
J F.

After posting my angry Yelp! review, I was contacted by the GM for Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse. He apologized for the incident and is making efforts to better the situation. I apologized for losing my temper and writing a harsh review rather than contacting him. I think this follow-up on his part is commendable. My friend and I are going to return to Pyramid and give it another chance, and I hope to continue to add stars to my review.
(2)
Cris L.

Pyramid beers are just so-so, except their wheat beer is very drinkable. And the food part of this place is not worth the trouble.
(2)
Holly F.

Update: 1/20/08 I'm breaking down and raising them from 3 stars to 4. Why? BECAUSE WE'RE ALWAYS HERE. IT IS OUR DATE NIGHT FALLBACK. Yes....there are too many families for my taste. But the food & beer is always good, there's always parking, it's not that expensive.... We just keep showing up at Pyramid. So, 4 stars. ---------------- I am very gassy today, thanks to Pyramid's pot roast. Just so you know. The beer's pretty good...the Hefeweisen in particular. I both love and hate the ambience. I love that it's warehousy & big & sorta industrial looking. But it also has a generic vibe and too many kids. Beh.
(4)
Irja T.

Gourmet Burger with chedder & onion rings (I'm hooked), all washed down with a Honey Beer (or four), fun regulars to hang with, and friendly bartenders -- makes for an awesome night.
(5)
Kyle W.

As far as hefewiezens go, Pyramid might have to go in as my #1. Widmer Bros from Portland, OR is pretty good but Pyramid was so much closer to my place in Berkeley. And there is nothing like fresh beer. I loved the variety available at all my local liquor stores and going directly to the brewery for even fresher beer is wonderful. The regular Hefeweizen is mighty tasty. The Apricot Weizen is a nice change of pace. And yes, I am a supporter of sometimes putting fruit into beer. I can't say that I am a huge fan of the Amber Weizen but it is not a bad beer by any means. The Thunderhead IPA adds a little spice to their lineup and has a great logo on the bottle. Not that I am easily won over or anything. My fav drink while going to A's games was the Curve Ball Kolsch. Light and summery, it hits the spot when the sun is beating down on your brow. The Snow Cap isn't too bad either. Now, if you go to the brewery itself you can find beers not available on the market. Like the Crystal Weizen. It's a filtered hefeweizen. That is a complete contradiction in terms but oh so tasty. There are other exclusives like the DPA (Draught Pale Ale), Mac's Blackwatch Cream Porter and Mac's Ale. Get a Brewers Sampler and try them all out. Or even better, go on a tour and taste them for free! As for the food I enjoyed it. They use to have a bucket of fresh potato chips and blue cheese that was great but I don't see it on the menu any more. Pizza and burgers were also enjoyable and solid choices. The Grilled Salmon BLT was REALLY good. There are plenty of TVs to watch whatever sporting game is on too. Plus a banquet room if you want to have a party. I didn't much like sitting in the upstairs part though. I felt disconnected from the crowd. But if you are looking for a more intimate dining experience I suppose it's a good choice.
(4)
Josh M.

A standard chain brewery/restaurant. Don't expect too much, come with your friends and you will be happy.
(3)
El.Walt O.

Hmmmm... a lot of the reviews for this place aren't so flattering... I wonder if I'm missing something or if it's gone to hell since I've last been. But between the years 2003 and 2006 when I did frequent this place, the food was great, the beer was great, and shockingly, so was the service! (I seem to usually have bad luck in that area). Being a frequent patron of places in Berkeley, it's SO nice to have lots of parking available and easy access from the freeway. The Gilman is right across the street, so if you're into punk thrash hard core music, then extra bonus points! (of course if you are, you can probably only order the food and then have to wait for your mom to pick you up after a show). As a super nice change of pace, the restrooms are very large and very clean. The men's room even gets a lot of natural light! I know that's probably more detail than you want to hear, but considering that most men's rooms are dark, dank and located in former cisterns that were made around the time of the French revolution, I take note of something unique and good when I see it.
(4)
Jennifer S.

their happy hour is pretty nice although the discount is more for food than for drinks. don't listen to the recommendations of the waiters because sometimes it can be for a drink that you don't like. the ales are delicious! the food is kinda overpriced and not that great.
(4)
Shelley T.

I work near here, so Pyramid was often the after work choice for parties and celebrations for staff. 5 years ago, the food was awesome. We'd come here just to get the garlic fries and hot wings, and we'd order plate after plate. Recently, the food has gone down hill and I wonder if they are under new management. The beer is always great, and it really is a great place to bring a crowd, which can be hard to find. If management is reading this: PLEASE fix the food. We'd love to reclaim Pyramid as our spot again.
(4)
Mimi Z.

ive been here a few times, the atmosphere is fun, food is good and the beer is great, service is ok last night i went on a tour of the brewery, its fun and quick, you get to see the workings of the brewery and get to sample the beer - all for free tuesdays are pint night and you get to keep the glass! and there is also trivia, very fun thursday nights are college night with cheap pints and apps are bogo i would recommend this place
(4)
Melissa T.

This is a good place to meet a large group... I am not a fan of beer so I can't speak for the quality of that, but the food was alright. The sandwiches faired better than the rest of the menu but I don't think you go to a brewery for the food, alone. Parking is good and it's pretty easy to find.
(3)
Chris A.

The beer sampler is not bad, good size portions for the price. They were accommodating for our large group. Family style was the way to go. They serviced us promptly and efficiently for a group of 12. I had some artichoke dip, garlic pizza, tuna melt, hamburger, and anything anyone offered. I don't usually go here except for large groups. It's a good in-between place to eat. Price is okay, service is good, lighting could be a little brighter in the main dining area, overall, a decent place.
(3)
Angie C.

They have the NFL ticket and sound now! Paired with a small breakfast menu on Sunday AM's -what a great place to start my morning with a Hefe-mosa or Bloody Mary. Since the last time I was here, they upgraded the TV's and now have a bunch of flat screens with different games on each one. The interior space is huge so this works well. We had a work party here last year, in the front room, and everything was spot on. Appetizers were put out as people mingled, then they announced we'd take a brewery tour. By the time we came back the beer was poured and food was coming out. Casey, the banquet coordinator was awesome! They had a bunch of menu choices to pick from depending on the number of people - we went with a family style meal. Everyone could pick from a few meats and sides. She gave us the price before we came so we weren't surprised at the end. I know they have a bunch of other rooms for banquets too, so it could be cool place for a work/lunch meeting.
(4)
Jason H.

The big ugly corporate whore brewery taking over the block across from 924 Gilman . Well thats what I used to say but thats back before I could appreciate good beer and became a general beer and liquor snob. Yeah its funny how things change as you get older and anything in a bottle no more suffices you palate and stomach. Anyways Pyramid good stuff and very tasty if you like a full bodied ale. Went over with a pal of mine and we got a sampler of different stuff they offered and was impressed. We just kept the sampler bitch combo plate a going and got nice and sauced. The people there are pretty lax minus the customers that arrive in there over priced cars and give you the stare. Whatever though had a good time and want to check out the tour they offer.
(5)
Kirsten M.

We went here for my birthday in November. We had a large group so we ended up renting a banquet room. It was actually very reasonably priced. The waitress was nice and very attentive to all of our requests. I would totally rent another room for another event. This time I want to include the brewery tour along with it!
(5)
s m.

I keep coming back whenever I'm craving bar food with good beer...and the menu NEVER disappoints me. We've tried many of the appetizers(love those potato skin thingies and onions), all the burgers and many of the entrees( partial towards most of their fish preparations) and dessert (cobbler,brownies) and loved it all. And the beer is *Awesome*. I usually just want to try all the brews and go right for the 5-beer sampler which lets you choose any 5 of the available brews. Am old friends with the Hef and Apricot ale but always enjoy the seasonal specials as well. And they are open late, till 11 pm, which is a big bonus.
(4)
josh r.

I live a few blocks away so it is nice to have something like a pub nearby. However, it is kind of disappointing. The food is very standard fare but everytime I look at the menu there is really nothing I want to eat. I am not crazy about the beer. The atmosphere is cool and the staff is friendly. I definitely recommend going for the brewery tour because you can get tipsy for free. I would recommend TRex over this place. Trex has better food for not much more and a better selection of booze. I was there last night and there was a fire around the kitchen and everyone had to be evacuated. Three or four fire trucks showed up. The staff didn't seem too concerned about rushing people out of the place even though you could see flames jumping up to the ceiling, the place was smoky and it smelled like it was more than a grease fire. I did get a beer for free, though (since you couldn't go back in to pay the bill). And they did promise free food if I came back and mentioned that I got kicked out because of the fire. All in all, a good inoffensive meeting place but doesn't stand out at all.
(3)
Shawna R.

The food was fine, the beer was good, it's a good place to go with lots of people but it's hard to get there without somebody driving.
(3)
C H.

This review is for the tour. I give the Hef beers, and apricot beers a 5 star review. I have been on the tour more than once. The tour is informative but you always seem to get the token person who goes on the tour and just wants to brag about their home brewing, and the guide can never seem to get them to shut up!!! At the end of the tour they always give you the worst beers for their tasters. I will go back and try the food and update my review!
(3)
Roberto S.

12 years after opening the food isn't what it was but it's still good honest pub grub. The homemade chips make a great starter and I've always like the wings. The wood fired pizzas are what you'd want from a wood fired pizza and the burgers pass the test. Of course the reason to go is the beer. Mmmmm the beer. I suggest you start with a DPA, still my favorite nitro-poured pale ale (and I've had 'em around the globe).
(4)
Rod C.

I come here for lunch from time to time and it's not bad.
(3)
James M.

I went here the other night for my partner's holiday work party. I'll admit that I went in at a disadvantage, because they had all gone bowling and drinking as a group bonding experience before we joined them for dinner. I got there, and they had gotten two pitchers of beer on the house. Nice. I ordered myself an Apricot Ale, and it was delicious and refreshing. The food? Eh. Even Pyramid's website practically admits that food is a secondary concern, as they are an alehouse. I ordered the meatloaf because I had seen a few decent reviews of it. Those must have been good nights. Dry, and the texture was kind of mealy... maybe I was spoiled by my mother's meatloaf, but I expect something flavorful and I like the beef slightly crumbly. I could have thrown this meatloaf against the wall and it would have stayed intact and kind of slowly slid down and wobbled onto the floor. The mashed potatoes were okay... the gravy helped, but there wasn't enough of it. So, perhaps I should have ordered a burger or an appetizer. If I come here again, I'll save my money for the beer. Oh, the other problem - someone in the group ordered a veggie burger, and it came with bacon. They took it back to "fix" it, and returned 30 seconds later with the same burger, and he could see where the bacon had been. Not cool. The head waiter apologized and got him a new veggie burger, but it could have been handled better from the start.
(3)
Tiffany H.

Well, I drive by it so often that I had to try it at least once. Good beer. That's it. We had a sampler of their food and everything was bad. The philly cheese steak sandwich--it's much better at the mall places (which is not that great either). The fried calamari, bleh (and they messed up the order and brought this instead of the buffalo wings), the mac and cheese was mediocre, and the mussels were just edible. Sometimes it's good to be curious, this time, not so much.
(1)
Marck N.

Beer was our objective this happy hour and this place was a good choice for beer. Happy hour starts at 3:30pm to 6:30 pm. All beers are available during the happy hour in either a pint or pitcher. A pitcher is under $10. We ordered a pitcher of the Amber Weizen & Apricot Weizen with plate of the chicken wings and had ourselves a good time.
(3)
J J.

Better places to go with large groups. It's great to be in the brewery, but the food is awful. It's also Frat House CENTRAL. I'm not a big fan of many pyramid beers except the hef. Their food is bland and salty, but it's a pub, so go for company and a warm place to sit. If you want a good group vibe, jupiter's, Raleigh's or Triple Rock is a better bet.
(2)
dave tastic fantasmo x.

ok. gotta admit. last time i was here was on me birthday. but before that, we watched a movie there. yeah, booooooy! good beer. better with company you dig. hang with people you dig at the booth inside. problem? location. gilman's aaaiiiight. but 80 on that stretch is a pain in the tookish. if you live in berkeley, no problemo. if you're commuting from the citaaaay, big pain in the arse. sorry, dood. if you were closer to sf, maybe in emeryville, perhaps three plus stars. but you know what they say, location, location, location. rating: 3 yeast-infested pressure guages.
(2)
Csndra L.

Food portions are small -,-...at least I think its small of what we ordered. Service is good, pretty good because we had like party of 7, waiter remembered all our orders and they came in at a good time.
(3)
LM M.

Pretty standard brewery food here: wings and strips, sandwiches and burgers, fries, brick oven pizzas, schnitzels, bratwursts, etc. Nice staff too. Would've gotten an average 3 stars from me if it weren't for their ales. My first taste of their Apricot Ale was like (nerdy movie reference alert) the Matrix when Neo saw Morpheus leap buildings for the first time.
(4)
sharon m.

Went here a lot for opto events. Breweries always have a good variety of american comfort food so it's never hard to find something to eat here.
(3)
John P.

We have visited the Ale house twice recently. The first was to order a 1/3 keg for a party. The manager, Jeffery, was very helpful and accommodating in assisting us in selecting and ordering the beer. The ordering process took very little time and returning the keg was a snap. The other time was for dinner with my in-laws who are from Germany. They enjoyed the beer greatly and compared it favorably to German beer. The food was also good though I noticed that the menu has changed. We also found the outdoor patio more inviting that is used to be (3 or so years ago) I guess because of the heat lamps that you could sit under. Overall it was a good experience.
(5)
Chalk A.

Let's start by saying that I didn't go to Pyramid with atmosphere in mind. At the risk of sounding like a supreme snot, this place has a decidedly frat boy feel. Not really my bag, but I wanted to go have a beer and a burger and was curious to check on the brewing: will the beer be fresh? How does it compare to other microbrews, many of which I think are gastronomically perverted? The beer was good, even to the impossible standards of my German-beer-loving companion. I had the crystal hefeweizen, and it was actually smooth and crystal clear like it's German counterpart. I got my burger fix and was not one bit disappointed. I stuffed my face endlessly on the satisfyingly HUGE pile of onion strips (those are good, but really too much for two people, and I don't eat like a bird, more like a beluga whale). This is standard brew pub fare, and it doesn't disappoint. Did I expect my Caesar salad to be pungent and rich? Hell no. Instead I knew I'd be getting romaine, some kind of lightly creamy dressing and some thick shreds of parm from a bag. And that's what I got. It's all about managing expectations. Okay, here comes the rant: the bitches at the front desk! Ah! Beware of the girls just barely out of the diapers out front. They have no manners, no professionalism . . . at least the not-so-sparkling duo I came across. Why the harshness? Because when I arrived I asked for a table for two. I was told that it would be about 10 minutes. I looked at the almost empty patio dining area over my shoulder and made it clear that I would be happy to sit outside. The girl looked at me caustically, flicking her long hair out of the way of her heavily made up eyes and huffed, "It's still gonna be 10 minutes," and she handed me one of those icky sticky reservation alarm things that instantly make you feel like a moron. Okay, I thought, maybe they're going to go clean the tables or something. So I step away from the hostess desk and stand around awkwardly for about two minutes when that nasty little vibrator starts throbbing in my hands. I turn around and collect the menus proffered to me and make my way to the patio dining area where nothing has been altered. In fact, there was a little bit of food on the table where we were seated. I'm sure that in their defense they'd claim allegiance to some inane form of protocol, but if you ask me, those hostess chicks were just enjoying a little pathetic power tripping. Not appreciated! In closing I'd say go for beer, because it is good. Don't go on college night, which I discovered is Thursday night, unless that's your thing. To each an ice cream cone, but sitting adjacent to a sea of barely 21 year old guys noisily downing beers and sputtering dude every few seconds is not my preferred atmosphere. Then again, what did I expect?
(3)
Jones D.

Novel place to have a few beers. Our waitress and waiter were lovely and attentive despite the big crowd. The beer sampler was very tasty and cold as was the 16 ounce hefeweisen. I didn't have the food, I know better. Just by walking into the place you can tell you are not going to get a culinary experience. It is sort of like a souped-up chain restaurant but you get to look at the guys making beer. Also, on the pricey side if you are planning on drinking a lot. But overall a good place to bring out-of-towners for some homebrew...and kick some know-it-all Cal booty at trivia on Tuesday nights.
(3)
Cheryl V.

We USED to love this place. Too bad we saved a special occasion to go back. We decided to go for our anniversary with our toddler son. BAD IDEA. The waitress LAYNE didn't even acknowledge our son!? I had to remind her that he was having the kid's cheese pizza. She didn't even offer him a drink. I saw her bring a kid's drink (in a cute kids cup) to the next table. My son had to SHARE my water. When I had asked for some napkins (you know how kids get), she brought [like] TWO!! Then, when I asked for extra cilantro, she brought back PARSLEY!!! Horrible, HORRIBLE experience. And, bad food, too. Rumor is- they have new management. YOU GUYS ARE DOING A TERRIBLE JOB!!!
(1)
Thadd L.

Pyramid? How can you call this place pyramid? THERE ARE NO MUMMIES HERE!!
(1)
audrey b.

The food's decent and the beer is good. Our waitress was awesome. I'm giving two stars because of our experience at Trivia night recently. First off, the ambiance sucked. Nobody was having any fun but our table and it was pretty damn quiet for a trivia night at a brewery - and I've been to many. Secondly, the woman who played 'quizmaster' was just plain mean. Mean, mean, mean! I could go on for pages about her behavior, but I won't. Just take it as it is, or go experience for yourself - but trust me, you won't like it. There were 6 of us there and none of us will ever go back to play again.
(2)
GS M.

free brewery tour, friendly people, samples after the tour... i don't really drink beer, so i'm no hops connoisseur, but for some reason, i like coming here. i don't even like watching sports, but there's something straightforward about this place. it's just a regular place for regular joes with good food.
(4)
Angie C.

It's like BJs, but less annoying.
(3)
SC ..

They're brews are all pretty mediocre, save for their award winning Heffweizen, which I concur is tasty. Their food isn't anything to write home about (Mom, are you reading this??) but if you want some greasy grilled comfort food and don't mind dropping some dimes for it, stop on by. Last time I was there they served me a beer that tasted really off, and the waitress confessed that they were having problems with that brew... it really baffled me that they were still serving it to their customers even though it was a bad batch...
(1)
bre l.

Great! I had the fish and chips and the beer sampler - Perfect. Our waitress, I forgot her name - dang it, anyways tall brunette with glasses and actually liked beer and I really appreciated her opinion. Definitely going back!
(5)
Lauren V.

I don't like beer much at all, but I had this really delicious Beer/lemonade thing last night here that was really tasty and refreshing. Later on I had a bitter beer that made me want to wretch . Nice staff. too much of a jocky sports bar atmosphere. decent food
(3)
Andrew Y.

Pyramid is your typical brewhouse offering food. There is a tour available, but I have not been on it. I have been on a brewery tour before and really, there are two parts to it. One part short stroll through some large metal cans and then it ends with a free endless supply of samples. I'm not sure if the Pyramid one is like that, but if it is, I would recommend it if you like beer. The food is pretty good. The meals are all a reasonable size. Last time I went, I got a steak and mushroom sandwich. It was just enough food. If you would like to get garlic fries, don't buy it (for ~$5.25). You should substitute your 'seasoned' fries for garlic fries for a small fee. The quantity is basically the same and you don't feel as ripped off. The real hit of this place is the Hefeweizen beer. Get one tall pint. Then get another and another and another. It is one of the better that I've had. The taste is not overpowering and you won't feel terrible afterwards. Also, if you have a 'large' group, don't go for the banquet. You never get what you want. Just call in smaller groups and try to get seated together.
(4)
Ken H.

I want to like it, I really, really want to like it, but it's just too damn sterile, and with all the families there, it feels like near-beer Disneyland. Plenty of other chill spots to get your buzz on. Sorry dudes--just not a grungy enough vibe.
(2)
Tera T.

This place is pretty good overall. The food was excellent and the apricot beer was too! THe service was decent from the server. Although I do have a bone to pick with the hostess. They wlaked us over to this tiny corner table that jsut seemed out of the way and like we may get ignored (You know what I mean if you've seen it) I politely asked to sit in the adjacent area in a booth. The hostess gave me a perplexed look and then said - "Um , uh ok..." Like it was such a huge inconvience- then instead of grabbing a busser right away to wipe the table or offering us a similar booth she asked us to go wait up front again! Lady- I jsut waited 20 min already. 5 min later we finally got the seat we asked for ( don't understand what took so long it was not even dinner rush time- we were early birds that night) Anyway - this is a good place to watch a game, chill with friends and they have a wide selection of food and drinks at decent prices. Although I wouldn't reccomend it for a romantic date the place is ok In my book- Try the Calamari stick things- TO DIE FOR :) that gets it the fourth star on its own merrit they were the best calamari I have ever had!
(4)
Lorena Raquel B.

love the atmosphere. if u are student, go thursdays and get discount. try the apricote ale.
(3)
Tracy D.

Good for lunch and happy hour (3-5), too crowded for my tastes at dinner. Their beer sampler is good if you can't make up your mind. In winter I like snocap (their seasonal brew) and the hefeweizen is always a solid pick. Pizzas are made in a wood-fired oven, but nothing really stands out. I'm disappointed they got rid of my favorite flatbread-- like a huge pizza but with a super thin layer of brie melted on it. Oh well.
(3)
joseph k.

I like their drinks. i don't remember anything else. =D
(4)
Elke B.

This place was great. Good food--totally reasonably priced, hopping, and tons of screens to watch whatever game you're into. I'm a fan!
(4)
Kat C.

The beer is decent, there usually is parking and it's a great place to take a big group!
(4)
Spooky E.

great place for beer and watching the sports but food is just ok to me...i tried the ribs and it was so salty! great service, spacious inside and outside... they've got samplers so i'm sold:)
(3)
Larry C.

The last several times we've been here, it's the been the same story. Okay food, but terrible service. They seem to be understaffed and the staff they do have is scattered and forgetful. We'll order drinks and then be left alone for 20 minutes with nothing brought to us and no check-in from the waitstaff. Entrees seem to come out right on top of very late appetizers. At the end of the meal, we spend way too long staring at empty plates and glasses and ultimately turn down dessert in favor of a check because it may be the last time we'll see a server for 30 minutes. It's disappointing, because this would otherwise be a solid casual eatery.
(2)
Christina L.

i'm a beer dummy but a food snob the chunky stuff they call MAC N CHEESE is absolutely flavorless. the ONION RINGS are wayyyyyy too salty. the ARTICHOKE DIP tastes like mayonnaise. the BRUSCHETTA was not memorable. the CALAMARI had this plasticky consistency. and to top it off, alll the desserts sucked. the best stuff to eat here are the FRIES. however, i really like the APRICOT ALE and the HEFEWEIZEN.... yes i'm a girl who likes girly drinks. happy hour isn't bad.. i believe its 30% off appetizers, cheap pints, and ends at 7pm. they also have coupons for free appetizers. the venue isnt bad either. its a big restaurant with plenty of seating. they also have plenty of tv's to watch 'the game.' service is good. CONCLUSION: overpriced and crappy food. but still, a fun place for groups.
(2)
Meredith S.

I love the Apricot Ale, as cliched and girly as that is, but it's so great here at the pub, rather than in the bottles you get at Albertsons. It's almost like food when you drink it on tap. Speaking of food, theirs is a bit uneven. But, the meatloaf and meatloaf sandwich are great (ask for a side of extra BBQ sauce), as is their half chicken. Beware any of the flatbreads, though. They are so gross. Still makes me cringe. And they have gotten really stingy with the salad dressing when you order a house salad. But, all things are made better when the meal ends with a brownie sundae, don't you think? They do a good one, with the brownie almost molten.
(3)
Lex S.

This place is loud and poorly designed, the parking lot is a recipe for disaster, and they don't have a lot of good vegetarian options. I don't freaking care. I came for The Sampler and I'm not leaving while I'm even remotely coherent.
(5)
Suzie C.

mmmm beer :) food is good, beer is better. always left with a growler to take home. nothing out of the ordinary on the menu, but the beer, cannot make enough :) there's always the sampler to try out seasonal beers too
(4)
Cathleya G.

The food is not so great but the Apricot Weizen is tasty. Has NFL package, but you can only see 2 TV's at a time which is kind of boring. What is the deal with Berkeley and sports bars? Its like the black hole of Sports Bars. This is the closest it gets in town, it seems. Oh, and they have a FREE SHUTTLE to Cal Games! How sweet is that? Especially because the Cal Stadium is so hard to get to, and frankly, I'm too lazy to walk from the Bart station.
(3)
N B.

Went here last night, we ordered the artichoke and spinach dip-- there was NO artichoke, so heavy on spinach, if they didn't have artichokes they should have just told us so we could order something else. I ordered the fish tacos- it came with a side salad that had no dressing, when I asked for it, the server said she'd get me some. 10 mins later I had to hunt her down and ask for my dressing and the napkins we asked for also. Fish tacos were okay, nothing special. My husband ordered the wings, he always does, and always loves it. My son had the grilled cheese and apple slices. We ate and were ready for our bill, asked for it, she brought it, we put in our debit card. 5 minutes pass, 10 minutes pass..what is she doing? Well my friends, she is sitting there trying to figure out how to change the channels and fidgeting with the TV. I was ready to go so I approached her and said "our bill??" and she looked like "oh sh*t, that's right." Then she tried to come with a lame excuse, saying "oh how shiny objects can be distracting." Um no, your prioritization skills suck. Okay food but..... Horrible service!!!
(2)
Oaklandish a.

I'm frankly surprised at the comments about food - I've always been very happy with what I've ordered with one exception: I hate the smoked mozarella on the pizzas! To me this is a consistently good place to grab good food and good beer at a decent price. I tend to order meatloaf, burgers, quesadillas, etc. This is all a step up from typical bar food! Much better than that - not so greasy, more homemade. It's menu is diverse enough for everyone to find something. It is a bit of a throwback akin to eating at chain restaurant - and maybe that is what makes berkeleyites give bad reviews. In berkeley, you have a world of hole in the wall shops with decadent food. This is more of a Chili's or TGIF's, but better. It's about expectations. For a brewpub, 4 stars. For a restaurant in general, maybe 3.
(4)
Amanda T.

I like the building this brewery is in. Modern, very airy and huge. It is nice and cool in there in the summer. I have not tried the food, mostly just bellied up to the bar after work on Gilman and drank the lovely beer.
(4)
Joseph T.

Fell back on Pyramid when Triple Rock was to busy for my friends and I on Friday night. I was remind of why I don't really like this place. Let's start with what was at least good. Parking. I was on my motorcycle, so parking 10ft from the door gets 5 out of 5 stars. Rock star parking on the bike!!! Beer. Pyramid actually makes beer on site, unlike their location in Washington. It's not bad, not great. Their IPA was a nice surprise, but still not great. 3 out of 5. Food. Sucks. Starchy, bland, boring, middle America. THIS IS CALI PEOPLE!!!! Not only that, but it's the Yea Area!!!! We eat good food here. Triple makes much better food and has FAR superior beer. Sadly, I wasn't that patient on Friday. (SIdenote-The lack patience paid off in that we avoided the DUI check point they were setting up on University!!!) Service. Our waitress was doing her best with what little she had to work with. She knew the food sucked, and yet she served it witha smile. 4 out of 5. Dude in the bathroom trying to talk to me while I'm using the urinal. Seriously? This is a public restroom, man. I don't know you. Telling that someone is being Hyphy while I'm peeing? And I don't know you're talking to me? Then telling me you don't like when people ignore you? Were you trying to start a fight? 0 out of 5. Poor form. Note for the future: Have a bit more patience for Triple Rock. OR hit up Barclay's (see prior review) Use stalls instead of urinals. Learn how to vomit on command so when stranger begins getting agressive you can puke on him.
(2)
Jenny H.

After what seemed like a looong day of autox at GG Fields, the lechon dudes and I totally worked up an appetite and we decided to get some grub here. Several ordered beer which was good, I guess...that's what the boys said. I wouldn't be able to attest since I ain't a beer drinker but the food was not all that great. I had beer battered fried halibut and fries (or generically, fish and chips) with a side cole slaw. Halibut...good. Fries...sucked. Cole slaw...dry. Rootbeer...flat. WTH?!? I guess it's all about the beer here.
(3)
Ralph R.

Pyramid is a great place to gather with friends or medium sized groups to have a drink and some food. They have tv screens all over the place so you can watch the game. The service is a little slow here, and the food is alright... i think you just need to know what items to order. Overall it's not too bad!
(3)
Friedrich G.

mediocre beer. mediocre food. mediocre service. mediocre review.
(2)
Ria D.

Food is okay. Beer is pretty decent. But Trivia Nite! That's what sells me to this spot. Otherwise, it's just a spot that is close to the soccer field. Nothing too special.
(2)
Marisa A.

We go here all the time, great place to drink some beer and eat salty food WITH the kids. It's loud, the service is prompt and the food is reliable. They have multiple tv screens for sports lovers, though we are not. But it gives us something to stare at until the beer comes. The beer is the best and they even have a tasters rack that let's you try a variety. Our fav is Hefeweizen, but in the Winter, I prefer Snow Cap. My bf and I used to drink 2 pitchers until we learned about unfiltered beer. No wonder we were so wasted, luckily we live close enough to walk. Now we have a pint each and that's more than enough because the food is actually really good. EVERYONE we know loves the chicken wings. Try them for sure.
(4)
Edward D.

Crap, garbage, grease, gross.. ok that is a bit harsh..i did eat most of what they gave me.. but i coulda sworn i was in some midwestern dennys based on the food.. and that is being kinda generous.. what really motivated me to write this review is how darned expensive it was on top of the food disappointment.. Really guys.. $5.75 for a house brew?? give me a break..(yes they have happy hour before 6pm) The food was a good 20-30% above what it was worth.. Did i mention the grease and poor service.. not once did our own server present us with a dish.. always another staff member helping out.. just a sloppy lame experience. dirty tables too. i hope they leave berkeley or shape up.. such a great building ..ok that is some thing postive..
(1)
Kristen R.

Beer is yummy. I enjoy some of the pasta and fish dishes I've had here.
(3)
Chad H.

I love this place but last night we had the worst waitress. Evelyn was her name, just rude. A fine place like this should fire her.
(4)
.elin f.

A decent place for a first date. Plentiful parking which eliminates the "I'm going to be late. What a terrible first impression" stresses. Usually not a long wait which reduces the "Hmmm... what idle chit-chat can we make while we sit here and wait for our coaster to buzz" awkwardness. Casual environment which alleviates any, "Whoa, this place is swanky. Will he/she expect me to put out?" worries. Lots of TVs to banish the "Oh God, he/she is sooo boring. Someone please shoot me now" internal pleading. And, oh yeah, the food selection is decent and they have lots of different types of beers so you can get drunk and promptly screw all those first date jitters. Or screw all those first dates. Whichever you prefer.
(3)
Stephen H.

About average night hangout with decent food and lively atmosphere. Not a place for a quick eat and run by yourself, but acceptable with parties of 10 or more.
(3)
Peggy W.

food was whack. service was whack. overpriced. two stars purely for their hefeweizen with lemon. but i can do this at home. so deduct one more star. one star for sucky food and service.
(1)
Jenny M.

this will be my debut review, i've been reading yelp for years and use it to gage new places... this is not a new place just new to me. the service was so bad and rude and snotty and condescending and slow that i just had to write. I even think i might call to speak to the manager as well. our order was screwed up, taken away briskly with barely an apology, then informed they were out of the item ordered in the first place! Oh and heaven forbid you should ask for a seperate check! Overall this place was lame and I will never go back!
(2)
Shalee S.

I had my wedding rehearsal dinner here and we had a great time. Everyone raved about the salmon, some saying it was the best they have had. The service was great. We also had the bacon covered meatloaf which was pretty yummy. We used the room that is down stairs and is all windows so not the typical restaurant feel. It was a little cramped for thirty five people but we still had a good time. I don't drink beer but the root beer was great and everyone else seemed to like the beer, there was none left.
(4)
Jackie D.

It's a brewery/restaurant. Hardly worthy of the time it takes to write a review EXCEPT: their pizza twists are phenomenal. SO good. And so is the mac and cheese. Enough said.
(3)
Kammy M.

i love the apricot beer :) i'm not a beer drinker at all....usually takes over an hour to finish half the glass, but the apricot beer was actually really good! it may be considered a "girlier" beer cause it's on the sweeter side, but whatevs.....i finished it for once! definitely worth a try if you're not typically into beers.
(3)
Tracy A.

Parking is usually fairly easy. The beer is decent and the food is OK. It is not a bad choice in the neighborhood if you have a hankering for some beer and snacks in an attractive atmosphere.
(4)
Rachel K.

We went there Sunday night for a beer and appetizer. I was very happy with my beer-a wheat beer. The pizza twists appetizer was really good. We returned on Monday with the kids (little ones) for lunch. Very kid friendly, great children's menu which was reasonably priced. It was very big, and the kids were somewhat entertained looking at the brewery. Our lunch was very tasty as well. Service was good.
(4)
James C.

I used to give this place some leeway because I liked that they had some decent beer and nachos. No more. The service is getting to be horrendous... and I'm the type of person who is usually satisfied as long as you bring me alcohol. The food here is not good enough to make me feel like I need to wait extra long for my dinner.
(2)
Retired B.

It's like a chain restaurant... except they have more beer. Food isn't impressive, but it's spacious and clean. I can only imagine all the dads who have to drag their kids around on game day- bring them here.
(3)
Becky H.

Great place for rowdy groups and convenient location in Berkeley. It also doesn't hurt that there is always plenty of parking. But the food, the food is pretty good. I've had most of the burgers, the fish-n-chips, spicy salmon sandwhich, ribs, chili, alll the salads... basically most of the menu and never had a bad dish. The food always comes out quickly and is never cold/room temperature, which is often a problem I experience at equally crowded restaurants. But the reason I come to Pyramind is not the food, its the wonderful beer. Try the unfiltered amber...
(4)
Nick H.

I agree with other posters that the chicken wings are pretty good, but the rest of the food is just sort of... standard. If I want standard I generally whip something together real quick at home, so next time when I think about eating and pyramid beer at the same time, I'll just buy a 12 pack of pyramid and make some pasta!
(3)
S Y.

I attended Pyramid Alehouse on Election night to catch the results. The pizza was average, however the hamburger was well done and very tasteful to the pallet. The price of the beer for glass was on an average $4.00 - $6.50 or a pitcher was around $14.00 and you get five good solid glasses out of it. The atmosphere was loud and friendly. The wait staff was fine, with the exception of one waiter that just was all over the place and got easily flustered when we took our check to the hostess, because we could not find him anywhere! Overall, I would go back to kick back and watch a sporting event!
(4)
Darrell L.

think of chili's. good, now, add lots of beer, shiny beer that has silly names. excellent. pretend all this is in your rich uncle's house in LA, where he brags constantly about his huge bank account. yeah, i know, its unpleasant, but bare with me. factor in a bit of hooters minus the boobs, and a tidbit of bubba gumps, minus the movie, and a dash of that carpentry class you had in junior high, minus Sherry Thomas, who had one hell of an ass before her time. there, now you got the Pyramid Brewery & Alehouse, minus all the good stuff from any of the above. its a stupid chain from some folks that make a pretty nice beer, but should have left it at that.
(2)
Jessica J.

I used to go to this place when I was an undergrad at Cal. My husband and I recently went there over the holidays and it wasn't what I remembered. Maybe they were just having an off day, but our food came cold and lacked flavor. The waitress seemed uninterested in how our meal was going. (She wasn't rude, but she was one of the most unhappy waitresses I've ever had.) Even the beer, which I always enjoyed, pales in comparison to beer I've had at breweries since my college days. We much prefer Karl Strauss (in the San Diego area).
(2)
brewgirl b.

The beer and fries are great. Otherwise, the menu reads like a TGIFridays and tastes about the same. There's an outside seating area, which is very pleasant in nice weather. Service isnt bad. Not a bad place to throw back a few.
(3)
Alberto H.

Pyramid burger: $13.00, a few pints of beer $15.00, a good friend paying for everything $PRICELESS.
(4)
M Y.

OK beer, decent food for the most part, slow service. OK overall, nothing great. Outdoors seating.
(3)
Lux P.

Too much salty batter on the wings with the hotsauce on the side?!!! WIngs need to be coated with the sauce and then dipped in bleu cheese damnit! I shoulda got the chili cheese fries. Well, at least the beer is good. They have happy hour M-F from 4:30-6:30, $3.50 pints and $9.50 pitchers. I also saw some people ordering Soju cocktails and they even have agave wine?
(3)
Matthew C.

The dinner seems like it is a typical brewery restaurant concoction, but check out the happy hour chili cheese fries! The beers are always great-tasting, fresh and crisp, too. So an experience here never goes awry, unless, you are just crazy and get drunk. Those that appreciate beer should come here to appreciate one of the best beers in the world. -Matt
(4)
nadines d.

If you want to watch a good sports game and don't want to worry about finding seating, this is the place. They have really good beer. It's a little large and it gets rather drafty so even when it's warm outside be sure to bring a light jacket. It's fine enough... a little clean and shiny for me, but great.
(3)
Stephen W.

I've tried and tried but I just can't get behind the beers at this place. The food is pretty mediocre on the whole, but if you really plumb the depths of the menu, you can find a gem or two. Just don't expect it to be on the menu in six months, anything more interesting than their bland burgers and pizza is subject to replacement.
(2)
astro t.

3 stars from it being around the corner from where I work and staggering, though it'd be rough one, distance home. They have decent calimari, good for pub food, and the beers are pretty good also. Good flavors of beer if your into that at a decent price. It's architecture and atmosphere is pretty interesting, but it can seem like a family dinner place some times or a rowdy crowd at others. It's a good after work place or a pub place is what it is.
(3)
Nikki c.

This is a great place for beer drinkers, especially those who are willing to try new beers. There's a great selection of classic pub food, and pub food with a twist to help soak up the alcohol. The booths provide a comfy place to spend a few hours chatting with friends.
(4)
Joshua S.

Trivia on tuesday nights from some service provided canned questions. Pretty gross appetizers some of which are vegan vegetarian friendly. Very overpriced regardless of what you get. The atmosphere is meh. Can't comment on the beer.
(2)
Dave K.

I could do without all the fruity ales (eg apricot) but their hefeweizen is certainly worth having. The food is decent and it's a nice place to go out with the gang. There is ample seating and they have their own parking lot actually sort of closed and protected, which is nice. Maiko is right that since the brew is available all over, if you're not close to Berkeley int he first place, it's probably nothing special to come here.
(3)
Alan K.

I've only been the Pyramid's a few times, but I liked what I've experienced. It's clean and fairly spaceous. Did I mention that they have great beer? If you like sports, the ambiance is likeable.
(4)
Niko V.

i really quite like the pyramid brewery. tucked away just off the gilman street exit of the i-80, pyramid serves all of their own beers at very cheap and reasonable prices. i like the ambience of the restaurant too, with views of the big brewing vats inside the brewery itself. they serve typical (but tasty) greasy bar food, like nachos, quesadillas and chicken wings. if you don't know which of the brews you like the best, might i recommend the brewer's sampler, where you get (i think from memory) 8 little shnifters of different beers, including whatever seasonal beer they have going on at the time. i'm a big fan of the ipa and the hefeweisen, but steer clear of the apricot hef, unless you really really like apricot - it's a little overpowering and way too fruity. as a final little bonus, you can get kegs from here for very reasonable prices, making a refreshing change from the usual pissy american so-called "beers" that you so often find at parties with kegs at them. a keg stand of ipa is a lot more enjoyable than a keg stand of bud, trust me. though it gets you fucked up a hell of a lot quicker.
(4)
erick m.

2 stars for pyramid brewery in berkeley! BOOO. luckily i like beer. so where do i begin? we went here for dinner last night for a jolly old time and to indulge in good food. fat chance tho. i think the cooks were drunk cause we ordered a three of the same plates and none of them tasted the same. for example, we had 3 orders of buffalo wings. 1 tasted way too salty, the other was just right, and the other tasted like nothing. as a matter of fact, none of the food we had was good. well if you like bland, come on out. youre like, what the hell right? the service was wack too.. had to throw out a couple of 'heys', 'wheres', and 'didnt i's '. lets keep it short, cause i dont like negative reviews. if you like hefeweizen, its the place to be. cause thats probably the only thing there worth coming for. if you want better food and service, go to the one in walnut creek. tasted better over there and the service was on point. SHAME ON YOU BERKELEY PYRAMID. you guys gotta sharpen that up... but the beer makes up for it. so its ok.
(2)
Wendy H.

okay, okay, so who doesn't want to catch a glimpse of an A's hottie? And this is coming from a girl who hangs with famous musicians all the time. As an avid sports fan, I definitely become more star struck with athletes. When my girlfriends and I found out that some Oakland A's baseball players hang out at this pub, we jumped in the car and flew to Pyramid. The food was great, and we all decided that our favorite ale was Apricot (mmm, mmm, mmm). Of course, we never got to see our crushes, but the good food & beer sure made up for it.
(4)
Sally Trung N.

I don't come for the beer...it's all about the half-priced appetizers during happy hours (Mon-Fri from 3:30-6 pm). I live in SF and would drive any day through the traffic to eat their delicious buffalo wings. They have the BEST buffalo wings! But for you health freaks out there, it is battered so you probably won't enjoy it. Too bad though because you're missing out! As for the rest of their menu, it's a bit greasy and unhealthy. The first couple bites are always good but it'll make you feel bloated the rest of the night. Their salmon sandwich on foccacia bread is pretty good though I've had better.
(3)
Ster S.

I love the beer! Try their lemonade-beer combination. It's Fabulous!! The burgers are pretty good as well.
(4)
Tim G.

Beer has no real taste, food is average
(2)
Will M.

Good beer! Great for lazy weekday afternoons when you just dont feel like going to class...
(4)
Jill k.

i really don't care for beer, but their apricot ale is actually quite good. their desserts aren't half bad either!
(4)
Bahoo P.

Was there on saturday night 10/21/06. The Hostess was incredibly rude! First she didn't ask us how many of us are dinning. She just assumed that it was 2 of us. Then when the 4 of us (plus one baby) followed her to the sitting area, she said oh.. I didn't know there was so many of you. She gave us that bit**y look.. Was it our fault that she didn't ask?! Then, she took us to a bigger table and brought the booster seat for the baby. We requested a high chair because the booster seat wasn't safe on their chair. She was clearly NOT happy about that. When she returned with the high chair, she threw it down on the ground. BAM!! What the heck?! To give the restaurant credit, the food was ok and we liked the beer and soda samplers but that attitude.............!!
(1)
jedimaster j.

i wanna hate this place. i really do...but i can't. its actually decent. the food is pretty good. everything i've had is pretty darn yummy (meatloaf, chicken wings, calamari, spring rolls, cobb salad). if your into sports, its a popular place to watch the game, or games since they have several tvs tuned into various ones. definitely a must go place if you're a cal bear fan. GO BEARS!
(3)
Andrew W.

This is a good place for beers. The beer selection is good and the food isn't horrible. When you feel like getting out of the house with your friends but don't feel like going out this isn't a bad idea.
(4)
Nils T.

Perhaps it was a fluke, but the service was simply unacceptable. My girlfriend and I came in on a quiet Saturday afternoon (it was not very busy). We were seated promptly, and then never attended to. We waited over 10 minutes, making eye contact with several waiters and employees, but still nobody came. Between this terrible service and the uninspiring menu, we decided to leave. The hostess smiled at us and thanked us, completely unaware of the terrible experience we had.
(1)
Stella O.

Their apricot beer is great--although best appreciated as the 'non-beer drinker's beer'. Their pizza is pretty decent, but don't expect anything gourmet.
(3)
Tracy P.

Good place to chill.
(3)
stacy c.

this place is a really great place to come out with your friends. i went here for my sister's birthday party; she ordered the beer sampler, and the apricot was really good. i love their bbq chicken pizza; most bbq chicken is overwhelmingly bbq, the sauce is dripping off the sides. but pyramid's got it right; they substitute the tomato sauce with bbq sauce, and it's just the right amount. the food is decently priced, and it's really a fun place in general.
(4)
d l.

pyramid is a great place to get a frsoty brew . i used to cut school with my buds and stop at pyramid back in my high school days with the fake ids . now its cool to have a bite and get a pitcher . food not bad the beer could be better but its way better than bud or miller
(4)
Aaron A.

Mediocre beer and food. And why must every brew pub have giant TVs in your face regardless of where you sit. I have no problem with people who need to watch sports but I would like the choice.
(3)
J P.

I love their buffalo wings!!! I recommend their meatloaf, ahi tuna, and this beef w/ egg noodle dish. I don't really like their beers though.
(4)
Cory W.

Good stuff. Smelled a little funny. Good kids menu. You know. For kids. Outdoor seating is awesome on a pleasant Berkeley day.
(3)
maiko h.

Pyramid is a giant brewery and restaurant on Gilman Street, mere blocks from I-80. I've only had the beers here between bands at Gilman, but they do serve bar food like chicken wings and quesadillas, served on cheerful Fiestaware plates. I think my palate isn't too fond of Pyramid brews--everything tastes a little funky and floral to me, though others seem to enjoy the beers. I've been sticking to the ciders. They did have hard iced tea for a while to compete with the local Bison Brewery who was really pushing their iced tea brew, and it was tasty, but they no longer make it. They have a few standard beers that are always available, and rotate one or two seasnoal items every few months. You can also order a sampler of a few ounces of each beer. In the summer they have outdoor movie nights and project movies on the side of the building. Pyramid beers are available everywhere, so I'd suggest trying those before you make a trip out to this brewery.
(3)
James J.

although i've only been here a couple of times, i've got nothing but good things to say about this place. it's directly across the street from the legendary punk venue - 924 gilman. since gilman is a booze free establishment, pyramid brewery seems like the perfect option to get your beer buzz going before the punk show. last time i went, i got the fish and chips here and it was pretty decent. they have several pyramid beers on tap. i guess that's the only knock on this place is that you can't get other brands of beer. it's worth going to if you're going to see a show at the gilman.
(3)
Joe K.

Very nice beers, the food is at best passable (OK for munchies while drinking, not much else).
(3)
Laura C.

the service was good- our waiter was very accomidating and not annoyed when we brought in 10 people (which is nice). the food was ok- the spinach dip was very spicy (which is odd) and when i asked if they had "wheat buns" he gave me this look and then says, "we don't have any wheat bread in this entire place". a simple "no" would have been an ok answer too. i dont live in the area, so needless-to-say, i probably won't be making my way out there. when you go in there, just expect "brewery" and nothing more, because that's what you are going to get.
(3)

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Address : 901 Gilman St
Berkeley, CA, 94710
Phone (510) 528-9880
Website https://www.pyramidbrew.com/alehouses/berkeley
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Pyramid Alehouse Brewery & Restaurant

901 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA, 94710

Pyramid Alehouse Brewery & Restaurant Menu

Snacks From the Bar

Beer Bites

Fry Baskets

Soup, Chowder and Chili

Rock Pots

Tossed Salads

T-Rock Nachos

Sandwiches

T-Rock Burgers

Healthy Meal suggestions for Pyramid Alehouse Brewery & Restaurant

Snacks From the Bar

Beer Bites

Fry Baskets

Soup, Chowder and Chili

Rock Pots

Tossed Salads

T-Rock Nachos

Sandwiches

T-Rock Burgers

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