Dale's Pale Ale

Thanks to Kat Langford for giving me this to try last week. I've always seen the advertisements for Dale's Pale ale in the magazines, but never had a chance to get my hands on it. Tasted Sunday afternoon before leaving for Bent River brewery with Jen, Dan and Kaylee.

Appearance: Amber colored with a hazy glow about it. A soapy white ring coats the glass as the beer emits a speckled filmed head across the surface. Carbonation can be seen within. lacing is wet on the sides of the glass.
Aroma: Faint biscuit and bready sweetness alongside a orange tang from the zesty hops. Some pine is present too, complemented with a brief tropical fruitiness. Graininess is apparent. As the beer warms, more grapefruit becomes apparent.
Taste: Sweet and light tasting with a mild malt bill that allows the hops to say the rest. Orange citrus and pine carry the bitterness through while leaving out any grassy tastes. Some apparent notes of pear and plum come through, as well as some floral characteristics. A very juicy pale ale with a grain/bready finish at the end. With the strong hop presence, I'd place this more in the IPA category than anything, especially given the alcohol. Dry, but bready finish.
Mouthfeel: Bubbly and refreshing. The beer's carbonation is perfect and it helps bring out the hop complexities. Finishes dry and slightly resinous. Clean and spritzy but overall very drinkable.
Overall Impression: On the stronger side of a pale ale. This beer boasts a nice biscuity grain bill with a big hop profile to match. Notes of orange peel, pine and floral citrus come through most prominently. Very drinkable.