MicroBrew Review and Why Dale's Pale Ale is So Important

This week I received an email from David James who runs the Microbrew Review. David posts a new review about once a week. His reviews are insightful and in depth. He reminded me that I had never posted a review about Dale's Pale Ale (shame on me) and so now that I have posted my review, here is his to compliment. Also check out David's blogs listed at the bottom of the review!

Just recently, I went out and took a wild stab at trying Dale's Pale Ale which is proudly produced by Oskar Blues Brewery out of Lyons, Colorado.

Being a huge fan of pale ales and India Pale Ales in particular, I was more than a little skeptical of this hop offering. Afterall, it's packaged in an aluminum can. Nothing good can come of that, right? That's what I've always thought since I branched off of the macro-brew trail long ago and moved on to bigger, better things...all things microbrew that is. More after the jump!

Well, I was dead wrong. A good, solid microbrew does not have to ALWAYS come in a brown bottle. In fact, despite my predispositions, the whole "can" thing was what got me curious in the first place. No matter how bad I wanted to resist the marketing of this brewery and using the whole "microbrew in a can" gimmick, I gave in and purchased a mixed case (12 Dale's Pale Ale and 12 Old Chub Scottish Ales). Let me tell you what I found.

This pale ale didn't disappoint. Looking at the can design itself was not all that impressive. The silver, red, white and blue colors actually gave me a little bit of a reminder of the Pabst Blue Ribbon cans only with reverse proportionality of red to the Pabst blue. Kinda tacky design, but it's what's inside that counts here.

This ale poured an orange-auburn into a pint mug. If you like a bid head on your beer, you aren't going to get it here...about 1/4 inch lasting about 3 minutes before dissipating to nothing.
But the taste...aaaahhhh that's where it's at here. Close your eyes while sipping Dale's Pale Ale and you'd swear it was from a bottle. Being a hops nut, the bitterness/piney feel of this brew really hit the spot although the level of carbonation was just a bit less zingy than I like personally. It came across just a little flat. But don't let that deter you though. In fact, I think the whole "can gimmick" thing made me keep thinking it was less of a beer than it actually was. I think I'd mentally programmed my tastebuds to automatically deduct a point or two just because of the fact it was a microbrew out of an aluminum can. But upon second review, if I just closed my eyes and took a sip, I was able to realize this was far and away better than many microbrews I've tried from the bottle.

I can just picture myself throwing a case of dale's pale ale in back of my Ford Escape to take on a camping trip with some pals. When you put it all in perspective, if you like the taste of a fine microbrew over the boring lack of flavor in many of today's macro-brews, Dale's Pale Ale will give a fine reproduction of many of the finer micro pale ales in a fully portable and durable aluminum can. If Bud, Coors or Miller just isn't your thing and you need something more substantial in your beer, Dale's Pale Ale makes a fine option when you're heading outdoors for a camping trip, hunting lodge or tailgating at your favorite team's next game.

I found my case at a local brewery in Western Pennsylvania. Dale's Pale Ale is not something I've seen around much in this part of the country though, so if you're looking to try it out, the availability at your local establishment may vary. If you do get a chance though, I would recommend a try.

Giving this one 7.25 out of 10.00.

You can check out more reviews of new microbrews and fun microbrew and craft beer related info at Microbrew Review or My Squidoo Lens. Check out Summer Microbrew too!
David James is Editor of The Microbrew Review Blog

Read more!

Dale's Pale Ale - Stephen's Review

Describing something as 'da bomb' tends to bring me back to days in grade school when I was all about things that were 'tha shit.' My Bazooka Joe T-Shirt might fall into this category because I had to eat a crap load of gum to get a shirt that I know no one else had. It's rare that a mature adult such as me (tongue -> cheek) would call something either of these terms but when I do it is with the utmost sincerity. It usually involves me feeling like a kid again. So it is really odd when I say I feel like a kid again drinking beer, but this one stands out above the rest. More after the jump!

As a regular pale ale, Dale's Pale Ale is better than average. It has a strong hoppiness without the bitterness (how in God's name does that happen?). This thing was formulated to drink like a Bud with the flavor of a craft brew. But what makes Dale's Pale Ale stand out above the rest and puts it in 'tha shit' category is... it's in a can! Fuckin Rock On! The geniuses at Oskar Blues Brewery thought it would be funny at first, convenient second, to package their beers in cans. After a little research, they realized that the stigma with canning beer is all but gone these days as taste isn't all that affected. This beer packs all the punch of the other crafty pale ales but you can take it to the lake, beach, funerals, etc.

Dale's is a bit hard to find as the grocer's aren't sure how to stock it. Some of them put it with the other cans so look between swill and Bud if you don't see it with the microbrews.

Read more!

Saffron?

I am a lazy shit. I have two new beers to review - Dale's Pale Ale(tasty) and Midas Touch(interesting), but I can't get around to reviewing them because listening to iTunes and getting materials together for a college application is more important. Shyeah Right!

Truth be told, I have enjoyed both of these beers a little too much. The Dale's especially. The Midas Touch grew on me like mold on bread a Magic Hat No. 9; not the tastiest at first, but after you have a couple, does it really matter? Don't get me wrong here, but the Magic Hat No. 9 could taste like bong water and it would still sell because it's a hip-stoner-grateful-dead-follower kind of beer.

So, anywho, Try Dale's Pale Ale(in a can no less) and I'll try to give my two cents on it tomorrow. Think about trying Midas Touch from Dogfish Head and don't be fooled by the saffron in it(yeah, I was like "What the fuck?").

That's all for now.

Read more!