Oskar Blues "Double Dale's" Double IPA

Dale's was a fantastic beer. Here's the thing, though - that was a pale ale. It wasn't an IPA. Did they just slap the Dale's name on a DIPA and think we wouldn't be wise to this chicanery? They have lots of IPAs - I've reviewed a bunch of them. But I guess we'll see if this can live up to the name they put on it.

I'm not going to lie - that's a lot of head for a beer. But, here's the thing: it just barely got over the top of the glass, and that makes a pretty picture for a beer, so I'm giving it a pass. Yes, it is technically too much of a head, but it is a picturesque too much, if you get my meaning. Either way, it settles to a big ol' blob in the middle of the beer with so much lacing that I may have to avert my eyes. The beer itself is a nice brass color, and the aroma gives sweet bread and honey vibes that are all I need right now.

First sip is expectedly sweet, but there's a twang of bitter and tart at the end that gives the myriad fruits something to think about. Is the sip as good as the regular Dale's? No. I mean, it's good, but I'm not putting it on a pedestal and handing it a 5/5 review yet. Let's see how this works in a swig.

Tip-in is bitter, and I didn't know it would be this way, but the fruits are all peels with no carbonation to speak of, and the malt isn't more than a glimmer of honey. The middle rolls into spikey carbonation all around the mouth, but the fruits become sweet and meld with the bread and honey for a joyous experience. The finish is bitter and tart, but the mix is just about right to send some peels and bitterness into the trail off.

Bottom Line: Two Dale's aren't better than one, but they are still damn good.

4.0/5