Oskar Blues Brewing Dale's Pale Ale

Oskar Blues Brewing Dale's Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 6.5%

From: Longmont, Colorado, USA

Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney 

http://brew.oskarblues.com/ob-beers/

For many years, the use of cans in the craft beer world has been a bit taboo subject. For many, beer cans are associated with dull, mass produced lagers that dominate every supermarket. Independent brewers generally tend to use glass bottles and shy away from their aluminium alternatives. However, a major sea change appear to be on the horizon. Last year, the worlds largest craft brewery, Sam Adams, announced their intention to sell their famous Boston lager in cans. To many this came as a shock, however over the past few months more and more breweries have been ditching the bottle and moving to the can. Recently, London based Beavertown announced their intention to can four of their product.

Look great don't they?

Its well documented that cans offer better protection against light and air damage and are cheaper to produce as they do not require a separate labelling machine. However, cans often have to bought in bulk and are more subject to ambient temperature fluctuations, so there are pros and cons. Personally, i have no preference as long as the beer tastes great. But wherever you stand on this debate, the rise of the can is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

So how does this relate to this review I hear you cry. Well my beery chums, Oskar Blues have been canning all their beers since 2002. In fact some go even further and credit Oskar with being the very first brewery to offer canned craft beer. Here is the result of that first; Dale's Pale Ale.

Oskar Blues hail from Longmont Colorado and began life as a basement brewery in the restaurant of the same name. A few years later owner Dick Dale Katechis decided it was time for the brewer to strike out on its own and move into a purpose built brewery. By 2012 Oskar Blues began experimenting with re-sealable aluminium containers for some of their larger cans. Personally, I would love to see how these work so if any knows where I can get one in the UK give me a shout. Producing on average 59,000 barrels per year, this is likely to keep rising and rising to cope with demand.

Colour: Pours a dark copper brown with a minimal head, which provides excellent lacing throughout the life of the beer. I must say this has to be the darkest pale ale I have ever seen. It reminds me more of an IPA to be honest.

Aroma: Beautiful aromas of freshly cut grass and dropped pine needles dominate the aroma profile. Very subtle hints of caramel follow but do not linger in the nostrils.

Body: Rather dense for a pale ale but it will certainly refresh you on every sip. Given the the can suggests that this beer is a"A huge voluminously hopped mutha of a pale ale", I am pleasantly surprised to find that their is hardly any clogging on the back of the thoart. I find beers that have been heavily hopped to have a extremely sticky resin quality which this drink lacks. Good stuff guys!

Taste: Just like the nose, the taste of big bold pine needles dominate followed by a light, zesty citrus note. The drink will then come alive revealing hints of sweet sugary molasses, finally finishing with refreshing dry bitterness from the hops. At a punchy 6.5% ABV, you maybe thinking that the alcohol will steal the show like Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania. Luckily for us Oskar have hidden the ABV so well that you are rewarded with an extremely pleasurable drinking experience.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/camden-brewery-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/founders-backwoods-bastard.html

For the latest news on reviews follow me on twitter @beefsbrewery or like me on Facebook at Beefsbrewery

Left Hand Brewery Black Jack Porter

Left Hand Brewery Black Jack Porter

Style: Porter

Alcohol Content: 6.8%

From: Longmont, CO, USA

Purchased From: Utobeer, Borough Market, London
http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

Left Hand began in December 1990 with a home-brewing kit founder Dick Doore received from his brother. According to Dick, "it was all downhill from there." By 1993, Dick had teamed up with college buddy Eric Wallace and they resolved to start a brewery.

On September 21, 1993, they incorporated as Indian Peaks Brewing Company, and purchased a former meat-packing plant next to the St. Vrain River outside downtown Longmont, Colorado. A few weeks after beginning production, it was discovered that the name Indian Peaks was already in use by another Brewery, so the name was changed to Left Hand, in honor of Chief Niwot (the Arapahoe word for "left hand") whose tribe wintered in the local area. Left Hand's doors opened for business on January 22, 1994. Their first batch of beer was Sawtooth Ale, which has since become their most popular brew. In October of that year, Left Hand took home two medals at the Great American Beer Festival, a Gold Medal in the bitter category for Sawtooth Ale, and a Bronze Medal in the Robust Porter category for Black Jack Porter.

In recent years, the brewery is prospering and growing like never before! Beginning with over 30% growth in 2010, Left Hand is breaking barrelage records each year, even making the Brewers Association’s Top 50 Craft Brewers list in 2012. What started as a humble brew house extension in 2008, has turned into a 5 year $9 million expansion, as the brewery sprints to keep up with thirsty fans.

Let's see your cards!

Colour: When poured, you are presented with a thick jet black liquid with a light brown head. Soon the head settles down to a brilliant white which slowly dissipates to a foam. If you hold this beer to the light you are not able to look though it. In my book, this is a sign of a great porter.

Aroma: On the nose, you are presented with rich coffee and dark chocolate notes. These smells come from the rich dark malts used in the brewing process. Smelling deeper, you may also be able to pick out notes of sweet caramel. Yum!

Body: This beer is excellently smooth on your tongue and slips down a treat. The water used in the brewing of this beer has quite a high mineral content. This helps to clear your palate after every sip and lightens the beer to drink. Unlike some porters that can be rather heavy, this porter is reasonably light.

Taste: This beer tastes a lot like a black Americano with a spoonful of sugar added for a hint of sweetness. After you have adjusted to this taste, you are suddenly over whelmed with notes of dark chocolate. The sweetness of the beer helps to mask the high alcohol content of this beer. This is then cut thought by the mineral after taste, which as I allude to before, helps to cleanse your palate. If you are new to this style this beer would be a great place to start. Extremely flavorsome and lighter than your average porter.

For the latest reviews follow me on twitter @beefsbrewery