Pyramid Breweries
Pacific Northwest craft brewing pioneer known for Apricot Ale.
Pyramid Breweries was a brewing company that operated two breweries and multiple brewpub restaurants across Washington, Oregon, and California, producing beer under the Pyramid name. The business started in 1984 as Hart Brewing, founded by Tom Baune and Beth Hartwell in Kalama, Washington. It was an early craft brewer in the Pacific Northwest, with its first signature beer being Pyramid Pale Ale, followed by Pyramid Wheaten Ale in 1985. In 1994, the company introduced Apricot Ale, a fruit beer that became its most well-known product. The company expanded its facilities and production, changed its name to Pyramid Breweries in 1996, and began experimenting with other beer styles, winning several brewing competitions in the U.S. and abroad. It eventually ranked among the five largest craft brewers in the country.
Pyramid stopped brewing in Kalama but kept its headquarters in Seattle. In 2004, it bought Portland Brewing Company, which produced the MacTarnahan's brand. In 2008, Pyramid was purchased by Independent Brewers United, the parent company of Magic Hat Brewing Company, which maintained the Seattle office and the Pyramid and MacTarnahan's facilities and products. Two years later, the combined company was bought by North American Breweries of Rochester, New York. In December 2012, that parent company was acquired by Cerveceria Costa Rica, a unit of the Costa Rican company Florida Ice & Farm Co.
Pyramid's beer lineup included ales, lagers, weizens, ciders, porters, and IPAs. It offered six year-round beers: Hefeweizen, Apricot Ale, Thunderhead IPA, Outburst Imperial IPA, and others. Seasonal offerings included Curve Ball Blonde Ale, Oktoberfest, and Snow Cap Winter Warmer, along with seasonal variety packs and limited releases.
The company operated three brewpub restaurants called Alehouses: one near the brewery, one in Seattle, and a small outlet in the Oakland International Airport. The Sacramento Alehouse closed in March 2013, the Berkeley location closed in 2015, and the Walnut Creek location closed in early 2016. In 2019, the Seattle Alehouse settled a class action lawsuit for $450,000 over unpaid hours and wage theft. Less than a year later, on May 1, 2020, the Seattle Alehouse permanently closed, citing a lack of high-volume sporting and entertainment events during the Covid-19 pandemic, which had previously offset slower restaurant business.
Quick Facts
- Former Name
- Hart Brewing
- Industry
- Alcoholic beverage · Restaurant
- Founded
- 1984
- Founder
- Beth Hartwell
- Hq Location City
- Seattle, Washington
- Hq Location Country
- United States
- Num Locations
- 5
- Products
- Beer
- Owner
- Florida Ice & Farm Co.
- Divisions
- Portland Brewing Company
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Hart Brewing was founded by Tom Baune and Beth Hartwell in 1984 in Kalama, Washington. Its signature beer was Pyramid Pale Ale, followed by Pyramid Wheaten Ale in 1985. In 1994, the company debuted Apricot Ale, a fruit beer that quickly became its most prominent brand. The company opened new facilities, greatly expanded production, and changed its name to Pyramid Breweries in 1996. It began experimenting with other styles and won a number of brewing competitions in the U.S. and abroad. Pyramid eventually stopped brewing in Kalama in favor of other locations but maintained its headquarters in Seattle. In 2004, it acquired Portland Brewing Company, makers of the MacTarnahan's brand. In 2008, the company was purchased by Independent Brewers United, the parent company of Magic Hat Brewing Company. Two years later, the joint company was acquired by North American Breweries of Rochester, New York. In December 2012, the parent company was purchased by Cerveceria Costa Rica, a unit of the Costa Rican company Florida Ice & Farm Co.
Reader's Guide
Pyramid Breweries played a notable role in the early craft beer movement of the Pacific Northwest, having been founded in 1984 when the region's brewing landscape was still dominated by large national brands. Its Apricot Ale became a widely recognized fruit beer and helped define the company's identity. The brewery's growth to become one of the five largest craft brewers in the country reflected the broader expansion of the craft beer industry during the 1990s and 2000s. Pyramid's acquisition of Portland Brewing Company and later absorption into larger corporate structures illustrated the consolidation trends within the craft beer sector. The company's alehouses in multiple states served as retail and hospitality outlets, though several closed between 2013 and 2020. The Seattle Alehouse settled a class action lawsuit in 2019 over unpaid hours and wage theft, and permanently closed on May 1, 2020, citing a lack of high-volume sporting and entertainment events during the Covid-19 pandemic. Portland Brewing Company ceased all operations on January 8, 2021. The Pyramid brand name continues to be owned by North American Breweries, a subsidiary of Florida Ice & Farm Co.
Did You Know?
- Pyramid Breweries was originally founded as Hart Brewing in 1984.
- The company's Apricot Ale, debuted in 1994, quickly became its most prominent brand.
- The Seattle Alehouse permanently closed on May 1, 2020, citing the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on sporting and entertainment events.
More in Beer Brands, Part 3 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced