Stewart Brewing Hollyrood Pale Ale
I have been trying quite a few lagers lately, so it seems like a good time for something different. A pale ale should do the job nicely.
Details
- Pale ale, 5% ABV
- 500ml bottle
From the website:
Hollyrood is a vibrant and exceptionally drinkable Pale Ale, bursting with tangy grapefruit aroma and flavour from a generous helping of American hops. Balanced beautifully by Scottish malts, it delivers a crisp, refreshing finish that keeps you coming back for more.
The name “Hollyrood” is a playful fusion of Holyrood, the historic heart of Edinburgh, and Hollywood, a nod to the bold American hops that give this beer its signature citrusy punch.
Expectations
All the citrus talk is concerning me a bit, but the mention of malt is more comforting. I'm hoping that it comes down heavier on the malty side.
Experience
It looks quite appealing. The colour is a slightly cloudy pale yellow, with a fairly stable foamy head about 6mm thick. There are a lot of small bubbles rising rapidly through the beer.
The smell is slightly citrusy, and it is more like grapefruit than any other type of fruit I can think of. I think my nose agrees with the blurb for a change.
The taste is bitter and sweet, though it isn't a strong taste at all. The aftertaste is very mild too, and that's where it gets more malty.
The hoppy and malty tastes both built up as I worked my way through the beer. I don't mean that in a bad way though, I think this amount of citrus is just about right for me.
I'd be quite happy to drink this one again.
Verdict
4/5 : A very drinkable beer with enough flavour to keep it interesting.
