Written by Dale’s Pale Ale is another one of those beers you wish you tried sooner! For awhile, (and perhaps still?) brother Jim of the Beer & Whiskey Bros always has some of the red, white and blue cans of beery goodness in the fridge – ready to go. (Something about nostalgia and being able to swim in a lake with beer.)
Jim’s not the only one who likes this beer. Dale’s Pale Ale from Oskar Blues Brewing gets thumbs up from all corners, and now that I’m in the process of finishing my second can, I think I know why!
To backtrack a bit, you have to understand that I’m only just getting into the American Pale Ale style. I’ve been avoiding hopppier beers for some time, and so I’m making a conscious effort to try some more of them.
After having the Stone Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale, and now Dale’s Pale Ale from Oskar Blues, I’m thinking it was a really good decision because they are all great beers! American Pale Ales are like ‘IPA lite’ to me, just the right amount of hops but not over the top like some American IPAs tend to be. Baby steps perhaps.
Dale’s Pale Ale is a clear amber beer that makes a nice foamy white head. The one thing I noticed most about this beer is the lacing. Lots of it left on the glass which is usually a good sign. I’m still not used to pouring beer from cans, so I’m always surprised when I crack open a can of Dale’s and it doesn’t make all the sounds of gasses escaping like when you open a can of soda. For a second, you’re like “Huh? – Ohhhhh. Beer, right. Not soda.” I’ll get used to it someday!
The beer didn’t smell special in any way really considering the style, but that’s not bad. As might be expected, it had a sweet citrusy hop aroma that is common with these beers. What I can say is that the aroma is very inviting and promised a refreshing flavor to come. So far, so good! (No can smell either if you were wondering.)
I’d say that the taste and mouthfeel is what made me a fan of this beer. It’s smooth – very smooth going down and it had a decent body to it so it wasn’t like water. Again, we can expect citrusy hop flavors to come to the front with a beer like this and Dale’s doesn’t disappoint. The great thing about it, as I mentioned above, is that the hops are not overly done providing just the right amount of hop bite, and linbgering bitterness.
The can says that the 6.5% ABV Dale’s Pale Ale is “…America’s first hand-canned craft beer…a voluminously hopped mutha that delivers a hoppy nose, assertive-but-balanced flavors of pale malts and hops...“
I couldn’t have said it better, so I won’t!
Wrapping up, I have to say that I liked the Dale’s Pale Ale very much and would definitely have it again. Like Jim, I might start packing this in the fridge, especially during the summer months. Its a refreshing beer that is well balanced, and big on flavor and character. Nice job Oskar Blues, and thanks Jim for also giving it a big thumbs up – its why I bought it!
Rating: 
What do you think of Dale’s Pale Ale? If it isn’t your favorite American Pale Ale, what is?
Dale’s is such an iconic beer. I had it on tap for the first time recently and although it was still really really good, it just wasn’t the same as the canned version. The can is part of the experience and what makes this beer stand out. It’s definitely one of my favorite pale ales, but it’d be tough to say it’s better than Sierra Nevada’s. Great review Scott. We should all follow Jim’s lead and stock up on this.
.-= Billy Broas´s last blog ..Interview with the Founder of BeerNews.org =-.
I’m glad you liked Dale’s, Scott. It’s an easy beer to recommend and I still keep it stocked in the fridge.
Actually, it’s the beer that’s responsible for me stocking up on all sorts of other beers, too. When I’m running low on Dale’s, I’ll pop into the beer store to grab 12 more, telling myself I’ll only get the Dale’s and maybe just see what else is new. 15 minutes later I’m leaving with 12 Dales and 12 bombers (you get a discount on 12) wondering how this happened. Again.
I agree – I think I liked the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale better, but there is a certain X-factor that the can brings to the table. I think its a good trend. Thanks for the comment Billy!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Beer Glass Styles =-.
@Jim – you poor soul. Hey, you have to get that discount somehow, right? Really though, I got this one specifically based on your video review, and I think it makes a great beer for Summer. Also happened to be on an APA kick so it all came together nicely. I think perhaps its a little overpriced though. Too bad Don won’t be able to have any anymore in Idaho.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale =-.
Scott, nice review! I love Dale’s Pale Ale, it’s a go to for summer camping/boating/beach/etc… Also the rest of the line-up from Oskar Blues is delicious. Their Ten FIDY Imperial Stout is awesome and I dig their Mamas Little Yella’ Pils. Gordon is good too if you’re looking for something super hoppy. GUBNA is an interesting single hop dIPA that’s proven to be pretty love-it-or-hate-it. Old Chub is also a favorite Scotch Ale of mine.
Anyway, I wanted to chime in real quick regarding your comment, “No can smell either if you were wondering.”
Modern cans can’t actually give any can taste or aroma. They all have an inert water based polymer lining the can so that the beer literally never touches the aluminum. I spoke to one brewer who cans and he brought up the fact that, in today’s cans, the aluminum is actually so thin that if the liner were to have any imperfection that caused the beer to touch the aluminum, the beer would eat through the can before you could get it home from the store. So you know it never touches the aluminum.
Old style cans were much thicker and had no liner, hence the metallic off-flavors they contributed.
@Jeff – Thanks for that info! I’ll be honest, I’m still getting used to the beer-in-cans concept, but it seems they’ve come a long way over the years. That’s very interesting info about the lining! Really, there is no better protection for beer from the sunlight than a can!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Westmalle Double and Triple Belgian Ales =-.
Hey Scott, I guess Great minds think alike, As I have a review of Dales today as well. It wasn’t as much of a review as it was a commentary on Pale Ales in my East Meets West Throwdown. Check it out. http://beerandwhiskeybros.com/2010/06/14/throwdown-pale-ales-east-meets-west/
Glad you liked it, I did too. Too bad I won’t be getting it for a while!
.-= Don´s last blog ..Weyerbacher Tiny: Can a Beer Stop Time? =-.
@Don – very cool, going to check it out now!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Samuel Smiths Organic Lager =-.
I’ve really got to try this beer. I think the Old Chub is a great take on a Scotch Ale and I have heard good things about the Ten Fidy but need to try that too.
I’m surprised that Sierra Nevada is your go-to comparison for pale ales. Is that just because it’s so popular that it’s a good benchmark, or is it because it’s one of your favorite expressions of the style? Or both? Have you ever had the Firestone Walker Pale?
Finally, big ups to Oksar Blues for their cans. Cans are way better for the environment and basically just as good for most beers, taste-wise. I strongly support a greater use of cans instead of bottles for beer.
.-= Royce´s last blog ..Music Tuesdays – In for the Kill and Bulletproof by La Roux =-.
@Royce – I’m really just getting into trying more American Pale Ales, I think the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was the best, but not by a huge margin. I’d happily drink any of those that I’ve mentioned without hesitation. +100 on the beer in cans. I think its a good thing too, plus they crush much more easily on the forehead than bottles do!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Okells Manx Brewery – Two More Brews! =-.
One of the few canned beers I like. Been having an issue with some flavors in canned beer lately. This is a great go to beer, although I do find it to be a bit expensive, but that doesn’t stop me from buying it once an awhile.
.-= Peter at Simply Beer´s last blog ..Time to Vent – Beer Trading =-.
Peter, going have to read up on your canned beer issues! I’ve only had a few from cans and its been so far-so good. Plus, cans can be launched from the beer cannon!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sam Adams Summer Ale – Beer Review =-.
Scott I think you and I are on a similar beer path. I too was convinced the over hopped IPAs were not all their hyped to be, but slowly I am coming around, and one of the beers that convinced me of that was Oskar Blues Gubna.
I haven’t had the Dales yet, but I think I may have found a beer for next weeks show.
@Wolfman-K, Gubna is on my list if I can find some. I think you’ll enjoy the Dale’s – let us know what you think when you try it!
I love Dale’s Pale Ale not only as a beer, but as a beer in a can. The can just makes it so much more portable for sporting events or sitting outside by the pool. I have been trying to get my hands on some Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, but no lucky yet – I hear it is also pretty good.
.-= Dan-MyWeeklyBeer´s last blog ..Beer and Food: Part 1 of Many =-.
@Dan – I can definitely appreciate the portability of good beer in a can! I’ve been told that there’s been a sighting of other Oskar Blues brews @ my local Whole Foods! Guess where I’m going tonight?
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Samuel Smiths Organic Lager =-.
I’ve had Oskar Blues Old Chubb and Gubna. I won’t give anything away – see what you like. The Gubna is expensive at whole foods.. 15.99 for a 4 pack.
.-= Dan-MyWeeklyBeer´s last blog ..Beer and Food: Part 1 of Many =-.
Not had Dale’s yet, but I did get to try some Gubna. Hoo boy! I really enjoyed it. The hops were “bright” and in the forefront of the beer, but it has enough of a malt backbone to support it nicely.
As far as canned beer goes, I see this as a benefit to the craft beer world. Not only does it completely keep light out from your beer during storage, it provides portability to places where bottles are verboten, such as the beach or floating down a lazy river on a warm summer day.
.-= Big Tex´s last blog ..Texas Beer Trippin’ =-.
@Dan – Whaaaaaa? OK $16 for a 4-pack? What do you think, is it worth it???
@Big Tex – the only people floating down rivers in NJ are the inanimate ones! I’ll pass, but it sounds like fun!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Beer Glass Styles =-.
Wow there is a lot of love going around for canned beer on the blog right now. So far the “Pros” list for canned beer looks like:
- much more recyclable and environmentally friendly
- completely keeps out light for storage
- portable any place that glass is forbidden
- works better in a beer cannon
- superior for crushing against one’s forehead
Sounds like the canned craft beer movement is due for some growth!
.-= Royce´s last blog ..Beer Wednesday: Damnation by Russian River =-.
Royce – I’m giving extra weight in the rating for the beer cannon usage and the forehead thing!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..A Sammy Smiths Pub Crawl =-.
I love Dale’s Pale Ale – because it’s a great tasting beer and because it is named after me (only kidding!) . I guested on Episode 46 of the Hop Cast when it was reviewed. The Oskar Blues Gordon is a great beer too!
.-= Dale Miskimins´s last blog ..Beer for Me and my Horses too! =-.
Thanks for stopping by Dale! Great beer!
I’ll have to see if I can find that episode and check it out.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..The ‘Official’ London Beer Taster =-.
I bought ONE can with a mix of ten beers (only two in cans). I have been told canned beer is good and have not wanted to dispute it, but bought a can of Dale’s – holy cow was it great. I’m not the biggest fan of Sierra Nevada PA but really like Stone Pale Ale and sometimes Stone IPA even though it’s bitter for me. Dale’s made me believe canned beer could be – good beer.
@Archie – Good points. I think canned beer can be the best actually (provided what’s inside is good to begin with). Cans are lighter and more portable than bottles, and I think easier to manufacture perhaps. From a beer perspective, cans keep out the light, which is the enemy of beer, better than any glass bottle could.
You mentioned Sierra Nevada, and I do believe we will be seeing their stuff in cans soon as well. Canned craft beer is a trend that I think we’ll be seeing more of.
Thanks for the comment!