Review - Paper City Brewing Company's Holyoke Dam Ale
"Holyoke Dam Ale is brewed in an English style, using open fermenters and a top fermenting American yeast. We use the finest Canadian English malts. Our Ale is mildly hopped and is intentionally brewed to leave some residual sugars. This combination gives it a refreshingly smooth and malty taste." -- Paper City
Lots of activity as we crack open the bottle, pouring a dark amber color, clear, with a small, fizzy, off-white to light brown head that doesn't hang around for too long. The nose picks up notes of sweet malts, a hint of light bread, and perhaps a touch of molasses or dark brown sugar. Initial taste is a non-descript bittersweet, leading to a more defined bitter chocolate finish, such as bakers chocolate. It gives a wallop of bitter sweet up front, and as the strength of the bittersweet diminishes, it reveals the actual flavor characteristics, which unfortunately aren't what we'd hope for from a pale ale, as there is very little hop presence. With a moderately thick body, we're left with with a chalky mouthfeel and a creamy texture.
Reviewed on August 16th, 2007.
