Oskar Blues Brewery is grabbing 2016 by the horns with the re-release of one of its core brews, Deviant Dale’s IPA. Previously available year-round, this dry-hopped behemoth will now be available only seasonally and in limited release. The brew was, originally, the product of a happy accident in which the wrong bag of grain was used in a batch of flagship brew Dale’s Pale Ale. From there, brewers dry hopped the IPA to perfection and made it more intense with each round of “testing” on a willing group of guinea pigs — regulars at Oskar Blues Grill and Brew in Lyons, Colo. The result was a devilish sidekick that boasts foreboding aromas — floral, derived from Centennial hops, and herbal from hedonistic Columbus dry-hopping.
“The decision to make Deviant Dale’s available seasonally came as a result of the limited supply of punchy, floral Centennial hops that are the keystone of the recipe,” says Oskar Blues Head Brewer Tim Matthews. “We are now able to be selective and incorporate only the hops that are insanely fresh and will provide optimal flavor.”
To celebrate the Deviant’s return, Oskar Blues’ brewing masterminds threw release parties at the Tasty Weasel taprooms in Colorado and North Carolina. The Colorado event featured Deviant Firkins (think Jamaican and pineapple), unfiltered Deviant Chowdah and BBQ from Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids and a station for your little devils to create their own Voodoo dolls.
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At the North Carolina brewery’s event, the masters brewed four specialty batches in a Deviant flight, including Bloody Mary, Pineapple Habanero, Blood Orange and Honey Cardamom.
Since its inception, Deviant Dale’s has won a slew of awards, including a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the American-style IPA category in 2011 and a score of 99 from Rate Beer. Check the Oskar Blues Brewery Beer Finder to locate Deviant Dale’s IPA near you.
