Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale

Brewed by Oskar Blues Grill & Brew
Style: American Pale Ale
Lyons, Colorado USA

Big, rushing cascade of foam in a tall pilsener glass, bad can, dark-tinged brown-gold beer. Big, butternut caramel fruity aroma. Prominent orange/grapefruit flavors, some sugary and woody tones. Goes a bit vacant in the middle before a dusty, citrus finish.

Err, I guess this is due for a rerate. I had this on tap at David Copperfields in NYC but I think the keg was quite old. There was little hop aroma to be found, and though it had a nicely malty body, it was quite weird without any kind of hop balance.

Amber color with a thin white head. light floral hop aroma. Sweet flavor with some very light bitterness.

Can: Deep orange pour, with some clarity and a creamy tan head. Nicely aromatic with sweet hops (amarillo, cascade) cookie malt, roasted caramel and a slight floral touch. Somewhat creamy with dense smooth carbonation. It’s funny to drink such a nicely hopped ale from a can. Nice floral/piney hops with a slightly sticky malt back. Finish is a solid long bitterness. A standard but enjoyable IPA.

On tap at Cole’s, Buffalo. Dark orange, medium bubbly creamy head. Decent hop nose, orange citrus. Nice initial orange citrus hop taste. Creamy mouthfeel. Some malt to balance out and add to the body. A little watery. Lingering orange taste. Completely drinkable, I could have finished this pint in about 5 minutes. A nice one.

[105-20061118] Tap @ Point Brugge (Pittsburgh, PA). Horsey, hoppy aroma with a little band-aid and a little charcoal. Clear, amber body with a medium-lasting creamy off-white head. Medium body with a nice feel. Seems like a good hoppy beverage.

Can: Courtesy of Duane via trade. I swear I’ve had this and rated it, but I guess not. Nice aroma of caramel with moderate citrus and light floral hops. Pours a bright transparent amber with a large off-white head with great retention and lacing. Taste starts off with moderate caramel and is quickly overtaken by a strong citrus finish, but not really citrus hoppy. Hops in the finish are light and seem to be more floral with only a touch of citrus hops. A nice APA, but some more hops would improve balance. Still very good.

Hmm. It’s interesting so many have had this on bottle. Appearance: Pours a clear, orangey-amber body with a taller, off-white head. Smell: Very punchy, hop-laden nose smelling richly of orange zest, grapefruit wedges, and pine sap. There’s a light backing of maltiness, but, for the most part, this is a hopcentric aroma. Taste: Brief, toasty maltiness with a crystal malt sweetness and hint of light brown sugar. Rich blend of citruses and pine with a medium-high hop bitterness. Finishes quite dry with a long, lingering bitterness and citric taste of grapefruit rinds. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Relatively smooth mouthfeel. Drinkability: Definitely not one of those wimpy, easy-going APAs you usually cross paths with. A very flavorsome, boldly hopped pale ale, but it still remains rather drinkable. Good work, Oskar Blues.