Draft Notes

Oskar Blues Deviant Dale’s IPA

Oskar Blues started brewing beer in the basement of their restaurant in Lyons, Colorado in 1998 and became the first craft brewery to can their beer (Dales Pale Ale) in 2002. I think it is safe to say that the Dale’s can is one of the iconic cans in American craft beer and should be credited with the craft can craze. Fast forward to 2012 and now we have the Deviant Dale’s in the new 16oz can, not to mention Oskar Blues opening a new brewery in North Carolina. Deviant Dale’s is an India Pale Ale weighing in at 8% ABV and 85 IBUs. Four hops are used during the brewing process and a 5^th(Columbus) for dry-hopping. This beer was a silver medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival in 2011. The Oskar Blues website tells a tale of Dale, the flagship, selling his soul to create the beer that sits before me. I have consumed a number of Dale’s Pale Ale and have also been known to throw back a few of Mama’s Lil Pils, both of which I enjoy very much. I am excited to crack this can and see what Oskar Blues has cooked up.

Deviant Dale’s India Pale Ale

As I pour the beer from the 16oz tall boy into my chalice, the aromas jump out at me before I even start thinking about the appearance. This beer is a cloudy copper/orange with a cream colored head. Now back to the aromas, it is absolutely breath taking (can’t believe I said that, but true).  I smell citrus, passion fruit, and pine. I don’t even need to stuff my face in the glass, but I do anyway to take it in. Excited to taste, I immediately take in the obvious hoppy taste that comes with an IPA. In addition the pine is still there and it actually is fairly sweet beer. There is a balance of hops and malt that I have not tasted in many beers. Definitely an alcohol taste, but very minor considering it is 8% ABV.  Mouth feel is velvet smooth and I mean real smooth. I would say a medium body.  Draft Notes is a young site, but this is by far the best beer I have reviewed to date. I will have to give 4.5 mugs out of 5 on the Draft Notes Scale. I gave this high rating due to the amazing aromas and absolute balance of hops, malt and bitterness.  Don’t tell my wife, but I may go to great lengths to name my first born boy Deviant Dale.

This review was done in collaboration with my beer blogging community at Reddit.com.  It is our first community review and we are looking to help promote each-others work, you can read my peers reviews at: http://www.reddit.com/r/beerblogs/comments/yuwbz/rbeerblogs_first_communitywide_review_oskar_blues/

For more information on Oskar Blues Brewery, visit their website at http://www.oskarblues.com/.