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

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Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA Review

For those looking for hops, IPA is the brew. For those looking for IPA there are many brews, but Dogfish Head stands out as one of the premier breweries in the US for classic IPAs. Dogfish Head has many IPAs, but the most common "brew de strength" is the Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. Between the crisp finish and the smooth "I think I'm going to do nothing the rest of this hot afternoon" buzz, you can count on the 90 Minute to come through in hard times.

The first impression you will get upon purchase is "why the hell do I get only four beers?" Well, dear reader, drink one and you shall see. The 90 minute has a 9% alcohol content. Hence the four beers and the red cap. To judge the beer on alcohol content alone however is a sin. The 90 minute is one of the finer IPAs available.

The first whiff (I inhaled the beer fully up the nose during my first smell test, I kid you not!) is quite sweet. The beer has hints of grapefruit (common to IPAs) and a balanced malt flavor without the classic caramel hints common to ales. Instead the sweetness almost seems sugary, which as I understand helps contribute to the shelflife and aging of the beer.

The head is fairly smooth for a carbonated brew. The color is a fantastic amber, deeper than your average IPA .

The taste, as to be expected for an IPA, is bitter, however, unlike most IPAs it tends to be on the sweet side. This may come as a shock to the casual drinker, however upon further consumption I find that the sweetness is balanced. There is a certain "freshness" to the beer as well. Although typical to IPAs, the "freshness" of the 90 Minute goes above and beyond the average.

All in all I would rate the Dogfish Head 90 Minute a 90. For those that do not know me, I consider anything above 90 to be exceptional, so the 90 minute ale is in that category... exceptional!

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