Dale's Pale Ale - Oskar Blues Brewing Company

Chadpaq

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Poured into one of my tapered pint glasses.

Appearance: Huge, three-finger head. Dark, honey-gold appearance. Head's taking its time receding, leaving spiderweb-sticky lacing as it goes. Frothy as the churned Atlantic on top, yet peaceful below. Recedes to about one-half of a finger's worth.

Smell: Struggling with a bit of a cold right now, but my stuffed nasal passages can't block the pungent floral hops. I am, in every sense of the word, a "hop-head," and I know that when I finally take a swig, it won't disappoint in this category. There's a hint, a TINY remnant of a smell that I can't put my finger on, but that is a bit displeasing. I almost feel bad even mentioning this generic sleight, but it must be said.

Taste: Oh yeah. Hopz 2 da maxXx, yet some malty notes as well. I figured this baby might register higher than a 6.5% abv given its rich taste. I don't know much about malts, being a hops man, but they are a nice compliment, providing the beer with a lot of balance.

Mouthfeel: Good, but I must say, nothing spectacular. I feel like this beer could benefit from more carbonation. Perhaps it's a testament to the amount of hops in it. Still, not bad. I think I may be drinking it at too cold of a temperature.

Drinkability: This is where this beer soars. I could session the hell out of this baby, if I could afford it. It really is very drinkable, despite the slightest bite from the hops.

Great beer. One I come back to on the reg. Splitting a sixer with my dad tonight. This first one, I'm drinking with some Stacy's pita chips and hummus. Nice balance. The second two will be at dinner: Baby green salad with cranberries, feta and walnuts. Fellas, don't knock it 'til ya try it. Chicken breasts off the grill and sweet potato fries for the main dish. A hearty meal with a hearty, complimentary beer. Dale's Pale Ale: Phenomenal!

Serving type: can

10-03-2010 23:18:46 | More by Chadpaq

rfbenavi80

Missouri

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-25-2013 09:31:55 | More by rfbenavi80

Bustersuess

New York

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

05-25-2013 00:22:03 | More by Bustersuess

Omnium

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Can > Mason Jar

A - Pours a rich gold color, big 2 finger fluffy head, good lacing.
S - Light pine, floral, some bready malt, and citrus zest.
T - Some fruit sweetness up front, nice fresh bread in the middle that ends with a big piney bitterness.
M - A little too potent and bitter for your average APA, borderline IPA.
O - A good solid classic APA that you cant go wrong with.

Serving type: can

05-24-2013 22:22:20 | More by Omnium

DRTBrewster

Arizona

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

05-24-2013 20:49:13 | More by DRTBrewster

creal92

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-24-2013 19:07:03 | More by creal92

Dirksen

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-24-2013 18:34:44 | More by Dirksen

bconsidine

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-24-2013 17:07:45 | More by bconsidine

ThomasAWilson2

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-24-2013 16:40:22 | More by ThomasAWilson2

steevbr

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-24-2013 15:34:48 | More by steevbr

KingSlayer

California

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-24-2013 05:20:40 | More by KingSlayer

Yosefus

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-23-2013 01:03:51 | More by Yosefus

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-22-2013 04:59:21 | More by Kmat10

backbaybrewer

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-22-2013 02:53:46 | More by backbaybrewer

fmccormi

New York

4.14/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straight pour from a 1pt 3.2oz (19.2oz, I guess) can to my DFH IPA glass; canning date of April 22, 2013 printed in black ink on the underside of the can, apparently at 2:44PM in the afternoon (“CANNED ON 04/22/13@14:44 WHAT’S IT LIKE?”), so just under a month and just over four weeks old. Very specific.

Appearance (3.5): A solid three fingers of buttermilk-colored, dense foam comes off the pour, dying slowly to a thick-ish cap of dissipating head on the surface, leaving some fat strings of lace. The body is a warm, toasty golden color with amber tones, nearly crystal-clear. There’s some very light lacing, but not much until the end.

Smell (4.25): A very nice mix of juicy hop aromas (some sappy pinecones, limeade, some grapefruit flesh, more of the resinous character) and some amber-ish malt (kinda-sorta caramel undertone, some toasted slices of rich bread like brioche. It’s a nice nose, pretty damn good for the style.

Taste (4.25): This is mostly hop-driven, with a nice crack of yellow grapefruit peel that hangs on through to the finish. Lemon peel and very subtle lemon curd, a good solid toasted note and some nutty malt character underneath. Very clean, classic, West Coast-style American yeast note. The toasted bread note folds into the grapefruit peel bitterness very nicely, and it comes off very well-balanced. Again, great for the style.

Mouthfeel (4.0): This has a very satisfying feel, starting with a very soft, easy foaming action that expands easily, with a tingle all around the edge. The body is somewhat lighter than medium-weight, and finishes nicely dry.

Overall (4.0): This is kind of a benchmark APA in a lot of ways, except that it’s more like IPA strength. But in terms of feel, appearance, smell, and taste, it’s good to very solid in every respect. This has been and will continue to be a classic craft APA for years.

Serving type: can

05-22-2013 02:23:47 | More by fmccormi

jakecattleco

California

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-21-2013 19:32:06 | More by jakecattleco

johntfox

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-21-2013 17:53:16 | More by johntfox

mdog90

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-21-2013 13:46:10 | More by mdog90

BBP

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-20-2013 20:27:42 | More by BBP

Chuck_25

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-20-2013 19:08:45 | More by Chuck_25

hopswap1

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-20-2013 04:00:40 | More by hopswap1

cozmo

New York

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-19-2013 19:54:52 | More by cozmo

MJSJr

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-19-2013 18:47:22 | More by MJSJr

TheConnMan

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-19-2013 06:04:52 | More by TheConnMan

keithmurray

Louisiana

3.81/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance - clear copper color with white head

Smell - pine, citrus, honey

Taste - pine, citrus, resin, grapefruit, hops

Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium carbonation, hop bitterness which lingers long afterwards

Overall - solid APA

Price Point - $3.19/ 19 oz. can

Serving type: can

05-19-2013 00:32:47 | More by keithmurray