Oskar Blue's Dale's Pale Ale 12Pk

Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale 12-Pack is a bold, hop-forward American pale ale at 6.5% ABV, packaged in twelve 12 oz cans. Recognized as America's first craft beer to be commercially canned when it launched in November 2002, Dale's earned a Gold Medal at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival in the English Ale category — a testament to its enduring quality more than two decades after its debut.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  IBU: 65  |  Origin: Longmont, Colorado  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Oskar Blues Brewery

Production & Heritage

Oskar Blues Brewery began as a small brewpub in Lyons, Colorado, where founder Dale Katechis started hand-canning Dale's Pale Ale in November 2002 — a move that challenged the long-held stigma against canned craft beer and ultimately reshaped the industry. The brewery has since expanded to production facilities in Longmont, Colorado, and Brevard, North Carolina. Dale's Pale Ale is brewed with European malts and a blend of American hops including Cascade, Centennial, and Comet, resulting in 65 IBUs of assertive bitterness balanced by malt backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a pronounced malty sweetness quickly layered with strong, dank, piney hop aromatics. Resinous and earthy notes dominate, with a subtle floral quality from the Cascade hops underneath.

Taste: The entry is a rush of bitter hop character supported by a caramel malt foundation that adds weight and sweetness to the mid-palate. A piney, citrus-driven hop body shines through as the beer develops, and the generous carbonation keeps each sip lively. The 65 IBUs deliver real bitterness without overwhelming the malt balance.

Finish: Dale's closes with a mix of sweet and tangy notes followed by a slight dryness and lingering bitterness. A carbonic prickle persists after the swallow, leaving a silky, clean mouthfeel that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Dale's Pale Ale

Dale's drinks best poured into a pint glass or shaker glass at around 45–50°F, which allows the hop aromatics to open up without suppressing the malt character. Straight from the can works perfectly well too — the format was literally designed for this beer. A Hop Shandy (Dale's with fresh lemonade) tames the bitterness for warm-weather sessions. A Boilermaker pairing Dale's alongside a shot of American bourbon plays the caramel malt notes off the whiskey's sweetness. A Michelada built with Dale's brings extra hop bite to the classic tomato-lime-chili framework.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Introducing a macro lager drinker to craft beer with real hop character
• Pairing with smoked meats, burgers, or spicy wings
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates canning-era history

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dale's Pale Ale taste like? Dale's Pale Ale delivers bold, piney hop bitterness up front followed by a caramel malt sweetness, finishing with a slightly dry, tangy character and lingering bitterness at 65 IBUs.

How does Dale's Pale Ale compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Both are iconic American pale ales built on Cascade hops, but Dale's hits harder at 6.5% ABV versus Sierra Nevada's 5.6% and leans more aggressively into piney, resinous bitterness. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale tends toward a more balanced, citrus-forward profile, making Dale's the pick for drinkers who want more intensity.

Is Dale's Pale Ale good for beginners? Dale's can serve as a solid gateway into hop-forward craft beer, though its 65 IBUs and assertive bitterness may challenge palates accustomed to lighter styles. Those comfortable with some bitterness will find it approachable thanks to its balancing caramel malt sweetness.

Where is Dale's Pale Ale made? Dale's Pale Ale is brewed by Oskar Blues Brewery, which operates production facilities in Longmont, Colorado, and Brevard, North Carolina. The beer originated at the Oskar Blues brewpub in Lyons, Colorado, in 2002.

What foods pair well with Dale's Pale Ale? Grilled burgers and sharp cheddar capitalize on the beer's malt sweetness. Spicy buffalo wings are tempered by its carbonation and bitterness. Smoked brisket echoes the toasty malt backbone. Fish tacos with citrus slaw complement the piney, citrus hop character. Aged Gouda mirrors the caramel malt notes.

What sizes does Dale's Pale Ale come in? Dale's Pale Ale is widely available in 12 oz cans sold in 6-packs and 12-packs, as well as individual cans and 19.2 oz single-serve stovepipe cans at many retailers.

Is Dale's Pale Ale worth the price? Dale's positions in the accessible tier of craft pale ales, delivering a well-established, award-winning recipe at a price point competitive with other widely distributed craft 12-packs. Its consistent quality and 6.5% ABV represent strong value in the category.

Why Dale's Pale Ale?

Dale's Pale Ale earned its place in American beer history as the first craft beer commercially sold in cans, a decision that in 2002 was widely considered risky and is now industry standard. More than two decades later, the recipe still commands respect — the 2025 GABF Gold Medal and an 87-point BeerAdvocate score across nearly 8,000 ratings confirm it remains competitive against a vastly expanded field. The combination of European malts and a multi-hop American hop bill at 65 IBUs produces a pale ale that punches well above its accessible price tier. For drinkers who want a reliably bold, no-gimmick pale ale with genuine craft heritage, Dale's continues to set the benchmark.