When it comes to classic American pale ales, Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale is a standout that helped pave the way for craft beer in cans. It’s been around for a while, but it still holds its own in the ever-growing world of craft beer.
First Impressions
Pouring Dale’s into a glass reveals a clear, deep amber color with a thick, frothy white head that sticks around for a good while, leaving some lacing behind. It’s an inviting look that makes you want to dive right in.
Aroma
On the nose, Dale’s Pale Ale brings a bright, hoppy aroma with hints of pine, citrus (mostly grapefruit), and some floral notes. There’s also a bit of a malt backbone peeking through with a caramel-like sweetness that balances things out nicely. It’s not overpowering—just enough to keep things interesting.
Tasting Notes
Taking a sip, the first thing that hits you is that hoppy bitterness…but not in a way that smacks you in the face. It’s more of a smooth, piney bitterness, with a lot of citrus zest rounding it out. Grapefruit is definitely the star here, but you might also pick up some orange peel.
As you get into the body of the beer, that malt character comes in to mellow things out. It’s got this toasty, biscuit-like flavor with a slight caramel sweetness, which balances the hops nicely. There’s a clean, crisp finish with just enough bitterness lingering to keep you wanting more.
Mouthfeel
Dale’s Pale Ale is medium-bodied, and the carbonation is just right…not too fizzy, but enough to give it a refreshing quality. It’s smooth going down and easy to drink, despite the bold flavors. At 6.5% ABV, it’s got a bit of a kick, but it doesn’t feel heavy or boozy.
The Pros
- Balanced flavor: The interplay between hops and malt is spot on. The bitterness is there, but it’s not overwhelming, making this a pale ale that even non-hopheads might enjoy.
- Drinkability: It’s incredibly easy to drink, even with its higher ABV. It’s the kind of beer you can have more than one of without feeling like it’s too much.
- Availability: Oskar Blues has done a great job of making this widely available, and it’s often a go-to for people who want a reliable, flavorful pale ale.
The Cons
- Hop-forward for some: While the balance is solid, if you’re not a fan of grapefruit-forward, bitter beers, this might not be your favorite. The pine and citrus dominate, so if you’re looking for something more malt-heavy, this could feel a little off.
- Slight metallic aftertaste: Every now and then, especially when drinking straight from the can, you might notice a slight metallic note on the finish. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s there. Having said that, whenever possible, you should be drinking your beer out of a glass.
Overall Rating
- Appearance: 8/10
- Aroma: 8/10
- Taste: 9/10
- Mouthfeel: 8.5/10
- Drinkability: 9/10
Final Thoughts
Dale’s Pale Ale is a solid, go-to beer for fans of American pale ales. It’s approachable for newcomers but still interesting enough for seasoned craft beer drinkers. The balance between hops and malt keeps things from becoming a bitter bomb, and its drinkability makes it a versatile choice for almost any occasion.
Sure, it leans hop-forward, and there’s that occasional metallic finish, but overall, it’s hard to find too many faults with this classic. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s definitely worth cracking open a can…or three.
If you’ve tried Dale’s Pale Ale, please let us know what you thought about it in the comments below.
Leave a Reply