Head To Head: Oscar Blues Dales Pale Ale vs. Highland St. Terese’s Pale Ale

Welcome to today’s Head to Head challenge.
Style: American Pale Ale. View Table

Beer	Oscar Blues Dales Pale Ale	Highland St. Terese’s Pale Ale
Brewer	Oscar Blues	Highland
Country	America	America
State (if Applicable)	Colorado	North Carolina

As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.

Appearance: Winner – Oscar Blues

Oscar Blues – Pours a light amber color with a good sized head of slightly off white color. The haed leaves an attractive lace as it slowly disapears.

Highland – This pours a golden color with a small white head. The head disappears leaving no lace.

Aroma: Winner – Oscar Blues

Oscar Blues – This has some really nice aromas. There is a hint of grain, some strong citrus and a touch of resin in the nose.

Highland – This has more of a grainy hop aroma along with a touch of sweetness.

Taste: Winner – Oscar Blues

Oscar Blues –This has a really full and robust flavor. It is not to strong there is just a lot going on for a relatively light beer. There is some initial bitterness that is then joined by a hint of caramel sweetness. The hops dominate but not like an IPA.

Highland – This has very little bitterness, in fact it has a surprising sweetness with a slightly odd taste that I still can’t quite place.

Body/Finish: Winner – Oscar Blues

Oscar Blues – This has a light-medium body with a nice long dry finish. The bitterness in the finish is well controlled and I definitely wanted more.

Highland – This has a light body with a smooth mouthfeel and almost no bitterness in the aftertaste.

Overall: Winner – Oscar Blues
Chalk up another win for the big beer in the little can. Between these two beers it is dominate. It has more aroma, better flavor a good finish and it looks inviting with its color and head. I really like the Highland brewery. I have been drinking their beers since it opened and am usually happy with there beers. But the St. Terese’s just seems a bit to well pale. It needs a bit of character. Character is definitely something the Dales has in abundance and in a can.

~ by alelagerlambic on July 25, 2008.