Head to Head: Nøgne Ø Pale Ale vs. Oscar Blues Dales Pale Ale
Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. This is the last of the American Pale Ales. The first is from the state of Colorado in America, the Oscar Blues Dales Pale Ale. The second is from Norway, the Nøgne Ø Pale Ale.
As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.
Price: Winner – Oscar
Nøgne – $5.99 (1pt .9oz bottle)
Oscar – $7.99 (6 pack 12 oz cans)
Appearance: Winner – Nøgne
Nøgne – The beer pours yellowish amber with a very large slightly off-white head. Some good lacing is left on the glass as the head slowly recedes.
Oscar – This also has a yellowish amber color with a smaller head that diminishes a bit quicker.
Aroma: Winner – Nøgne
Nøgne – I was quite simply amazed by this aroma. For an American Pale Ale it is full of aroma. Notes of grain, caramel, perfume and grass all combine to be truly aromatic.
Oscar – This beer has a very good aroma but just not as good as the other beer. It has hints of pine and is lightly hoppy with some apple notes.
Taste: Winner – Tie
Nøgne – This is the sweeter of the two beers. It still has a nice bitterness from the hops but the sweetness is always there.
Oscar – This is the more bitter. In fact I would of guessed this would be an IPA. It is not all bitter, as there is an underlying sweetness that gives is a great balance. But the hops are in control here.
Body/Finish: Winner – Oscar
Nøgne – The body is light to medium with a good bitter after taste that is a bit short.
Oscar – Has a medium body and lots of bitterness in the long after taste.
Overall: Winner – Nøgne
Sometimes these tastings are really hard. This is a good example. Both these beers are great. Each has characteristics that make it memorable and most enjoyable. But the one thing that swayed the decision to me was the bitterness of the Oscar Blues Dales Pale Ale. If it was an IPA it would be great. But as an American Pale Ale I think the bitterness is too strong. The Nøgne on the other hand is just wonderful. Plenty of hop aromas and flavors accompanied by a good sweet balance. There is nothing not to like about it. Either way they are both great beers and worth trying.
If you have followed the American Pale Ale comparisons you will know that I had two bottles of the Nøgne. One was great (the one used in this tasting) and one was not (the one that lost to the Terrapin). Quite simply this bottle was excellent. A beer that I really enjoyed. But I also have really enjoyed drinking the Dales. Give them both a try.
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