Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale

Dales Pale in the 19 oz can is an American pale ale, a style built on citrusy, resinous American hops over a lightly toasty malt backbone. The details supplied for this listing don't include an ABV or IBU, so treat the following as the style's typical profile rather than a measured spec: expect grapefruit, orange peel and pine on the nose, a medium body with a touch of caramel sweetness, and a firm but not harsh bitterness that finishes fairly dry. Pale ales in this mold usually land somewhere around 5 to 6.5 percent ABV, which keeps them sessionable even in a larger can. The 19 oz format is a tall can holding roughly one and a half standard servings, so it suits one generous pour or a shared one. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 40 to 45°F, which keeps the carbonation crisp while letting the hop aromatics open up as it warms slightly in the glass. Pour into a shaker pint, a nonic, or a tulip-style glass rather than drinking from the can. The pour releases the citrus and pine aromas, and a tulip will hold the head longer if you want the hop character to stay in the nose. At the table, the bitterness and carbonation cut through fat and spice well. Cheeseburgers, barbecue pulled pork, buffalo wings, and carnitas or al pastor tacos are natural matches, and sharp cheddar or pepper jack on a board works too. The citrus hop notes also pair with grilled sausages and fish tacos with a lime slaw. Skip very delicate dishes like plain white fish or light salads, which a hop-forward pale ale can overwhelm.