Tuesday Tasting: Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale

Hailing from Longmount, CO, Oskar Blues has made waves in the craft brewing community by canning their beer.  Cans, long relegated to the second division of American beer, have seen a resurgence thanks in large part to great craft breweries like Oskar Blues.  Dale’s Pale Ale was the first of the brewery’s beers to be hand-canned and is now its hallmark label.

Appearance
Bright and clear; golden blond in color.  A finger and a half of white pillowy head leaves a nice layer of lacing on the glass.

Aroma
Very floral and sweet smelling.  Hop aromas of apricot and mandarin orange mingle with subtle notes of pine and hay.  Sugary malt and a breadiness are also present, but a ways off in the background.

Taste
Bright notes of citrus and tropical fruits.  Sweetness upfront is surprising due to the strong hop notes in the nose but refreshing nonetheless.  Flavors are well developed, clean, and crisp.  Hop bitterness pops up in the middle of a drink and finishes medium to light.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium bodied with the mouthfeel of mineral water.  Medium carbonation level results in a smooth and clean beer.

Drinkability
A great choice for a Labor Day BBQ.  Balance favors sweet malt which is complimented by floral and fruit notes from the hops.  Has the flavor profile of a session beer but the 6.5% ABV will definitely have you feeling silly.  Overall grade for Oskar Blue’s Dale’s Pale Ale: B