Head to Head: Anchor Liberty Ale vs. Oscar Blues Dales Pale Ale

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have some more American Pale Ales. Both are from America. The first beer is the Anchor Liberty Ale from California. The second beer is the Oscar Blues Dales Pale Ale from Colorado.

As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.

Price: Winner – Oscar

Anchor – $10.99 (6 pack 12 oz bottles)

Oscar – $7.99 (6 pack 12 oz cans)

Appearance: Winner – Anchor

Anchor – This pours a yellowish amber with a very large and frothy slightly off white head. The head leaves very nice lace and lasts for a good while.

Oscar – Pours a yellowish amber color with a decent off-white head that leaves some nice lace on the glass.

Aroma: Winner – Oscar by a small nose.

Anchor –There is a definite malt aroma of straw and molasses. There is also a bit of fruit and spice although these are very faint.

Oscar – The sweetness of apple is balanced by the earthy pine and hop aroma.

Taste: Winner – Oscar

Anchor – This has a definite hop bitterness. Not to strong or overpowering but it never lets the slight sweetness come forward to provide balance and complexity.

Oscar – The bitterness starts out lightly but continues to build until the bitterness is quite strong. It does not become overpowering, as some sweetness develops to keep it in check. Some apple hints also come out

Body/Finish: Winner – Oscar

Anchor – Has a light to medium body and a average finish with some nice bitterness.

Oscar – Has a medium body and lots of bitterness in the long after taste.

Overall: Winner – Oscar
Well Dales Pale Ale just keeps on winning. This victory was not dominate though and it was harder to distinguish these two beers. I have loved Anchor Liberty Ale for many years and continue to enjoy it. But I am really coming around to beer in Cans, as long as they are from Oscar Blues. Now how will Dales do against the Nøgne? We will find out soon.

~ by alelagerlambic on April 17, 2008.