When beer connoisseurs of the world consider the form in which their beer is served, there is usually a hierarchy of preference involved.

Draft beer tends to be the first choice, followed by bottled and finally the lowest of the low, canned beer. The seasoned beer connoisseur has been conditioned to scoff and turn up their nose at the notion of their prized beverage being served in a can. Images of Keystone Light and Miller High Life come to mind.

Recently, steps have been taken to diminish the inferior reputation canned beer has come to procure.

People point out that bottles let in the two things that damage beer the most: sunlight and oxygen. Furthermore, draft beer comes from a keg, and a keg is arguably just a giant can.

A Colorado microbrew called Dale’s Pale Ale has been blazing the trail of canned microbrews.

Brewed by Oskar Blues in Lyons, Colorado, the beer was first brewed in cans in 2002. Practical reasons aside, Oskar Blue’s Website claims to have canned the beer because they “thought the idea of our bold, hoppy ale squeezed into a little can was hilarious.”

Dale’s Pale Ale is characterized by a copper color, a hoppy first taste that is later balanced by a medley of malts.

The 65 International Bittering Units mean this is a rich, aggressive beer, not for the faint of heart (or taste buds). Despite its canned appearance, give this beer a chance; The New York Times didn’t rate it the top American Pale Ale for nothin.’