Ten FIDY - Oskar Blues Brewing Company

imagese

California

4.47/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nitro tap poured @ SmoQue BBQ in Long Beach

A- perfection! Solid dark dark chocolate with a gorgeous dark tan 3 finger head. Think a foamy espresso...

S- roasted cocoa and earthy hop bitterness

T- smooth roasty smoked malt with a slight hop bitterness

M- again, perfection. This beer just feels like heaven. Coats your mouth with sweet cocoa, and finish clean from the hops

D- for an RIS, this is insanely drinkable. I dare to say "too drinkable"... For 10.5 ABV, it has no boozy kick when on nitro (not that it has much from a normal tap). You could down a few pints and find yourself in a lot of trouble!

For those of you in SoCal, rush on down to SmoQue, get one of these on nitro, maybe follow it with an Arrogant Bastard or Union Jack, then grub on some amazing BBQ!

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-07-2010 06:46:30 | More by imagese

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes taken on 9/15/10.

On tap at Al's via the beer gas nitro blend and server in a nonic. Appears blak in color with a severely dark brown to tan head that quickly dissolves.

The aroma is dark chocolate with a twang of citrus hop character. Some alcohol is evident along with a light mineral quality. The alcohol imparts a fruit-like scent that increases in intensity as the brew warms.

A very pleasant blend of bitter roast verse chocolate sweetness hits the tongue. Taste of bitter chocolate couple with citrus bitter hops adds a nice layer of complexity. The alcohol is apparent despite a fairly cold serving temperature and adds a dark fruited character like raisins or plums soaked in alcohol. A twinge o flavor almost like liquorice is evident with some minor yeasty notes.

Overall a solid brew, quite a roasty bugger that is very bold and enjoyable but blends very well with all the flavors incorporated and a nice contrast of sweetness verse bitterness. Medium to full bodied with a modest level of carbonation. It is very enjoyable and I would have it again. It leaves a lingering aftertaste of sweet dark chocolate coupled with bitter grains hops and alcohol. I'm not sold on the nitro presentation altering much of this experience. If anything it might be perceived as a bit smoother in the feel than the norm but not 100% smooth like all nitro could.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-18-2010 17:06:23 | More by stakem

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On nitro-tap at Brass Rail, Campbelltown, PA on 3/12/09.

A - Poured oily and black as night off the nitro-tap with an inch of creamy mocha-colored head that reduced to about a quarter inch of retention and left decent lacing. Produced a nice cascading effect every time I swirled the glass.

S - Alcohol is more apparent here than with the canned version. Chocolate and coffee notes mingle with the boozy character. Some black licorice also emerges. Quite a hot and roasty aroma overall.

T - Flavor is quite chocolatey, but not sickeningly sweet. Hints of coffee and licorice add some depth, but overall the chocolate dominates the flavor. Ten Fidy also boasts a bold hop presence suggesting earthy and leafy notes, especially as it approached room temperature. Finishes on the bitter side for a stout with plenty of roasted malt goodness.

M - Full bodied and rick with an amazingly smooth and creamy texture. There's just a touch of carbonation in the middle to wake up them tastebuds. Finishes with moderate bitterness on the palate.

D - One of the best RISs on the market, IMO. This was amazing on nitro. Ten Fidy drinks supurbly for a 10% beer. Yum!

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-13-2009 15:26:00 | More by ffejherb

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz glass, the special on nitro at Hollingshead Deli, Anaheim.
Dark, oily black, enough to scare away any of my Coors Light drinking friends. Nitro gave it a thick, tight foam of chocolate brown head. Long lasting foam, thick chunky lace. The aroma is strong, but not overpowering. Some roasted chocolate, lots of bitter coffee. Flavor has lots of roasted malt, cocoa, coffee, chocolate. Sweet enough to balance the coffee/espresso bitterness. You can feel the warming alcohol, but doesn't burn. Thick, strong mouthfeel, but still creamy smooth and easy to drink. Definitely one to sip slowly and savour.

Note to self: Ranked #74/100 Top Beers on Planet Earth when I tried it

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-13-2009 20:37:58 | More by BigBry

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.9/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 3/18/08. Can. Poured oily black with hardly any head. The aroma was not very strong, but I got some chocolate, roast, and alcohol. Flavor strong in roast and citrusy hops. At some points, it tasted like I was having a stronger/thicker Gordon. This was a thick and hearty beer, definitely a slow sipper. I liked it, but it had a little too much roast/bitterness than I cared for. Also a very strong alcohol presence.

UPDATE: Had on tap at Plan B (suspect it was on nitro). It had a much larger and creamier head than from the can. Much smoother and easier to drink and there was less roastiness/bitterness than I had detected previously. Definitely prefered the on tap version, so sample on tap if you can! 7/4/8/4/16 (3.9/5)

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-02-2008 02:19:34 | More by LilBeerDoctor

gillagorilla

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. can poured into a Flying Dog goblet

A: Pitch black with a thick and strong mocha head. The head lasts for a bit on the initial pour but recedes quickly afterwards.

S: Strong, sweet malty smell with burnt roasty notes. I also get some black licorice I think. It smells delicious.

T: It has a nice full taste that isn't too thick but a nice burnt malted roasted sweetness. Not too many notes here, just tastes good. Full malt character that has a just right amount of sweetness. You can taste a bit of the alcohol, but it seems to just be a part of the malt and sweetness of the stout.

M: Quite smooth with only a tiny bit of carbonation, that is very subtle. You are kind of left wanting a bit more. Just the right amount of viscosity.

O: This is a great stout and it is a steal at its price, abv, and convenience (since it is in a can). I wonder how this tastes with a bit of aging. I don't see too much changing, since it isn't too complex and the alcohol is very subtle and seems a part of the flavor profile.

Serving type: can

06-17-2013 02:51:51 | More by gillagorilla

ubenumber2

Arkansas

4.8/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from can into a tulip , pitch black brew with a beautiful deep tan head that sticks around with tons of lacing

The smell is sweet and malty with hints of sweet chocolate in the background , makes my mouth water

Heavy mouth on this beer , just the right amount of carbonation , perfect for the style

Taste is just about perfect for the style. The heavy malt flavor comes in forward with some sweet chocolate flavors and a small hint of coffee. Just bitter enough with just enough carbonation

Overall , this is a wonderful stout , Oskar Blues continues to blow me away with their beers , this one is no different , to me just about the perfect imperial stout

Serving type: can

06-16-2013 23:33:54 | More by ubenumber2

da_beers

New Jersey

4.46/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A - pours a midnight black with a gorgeous chocolatey brown bubbly head that dissipates quickly. The brown and black look great together.

S - chocolate and toffee hit huge. Espresso notes on the finish as well, smell is superb, I want to bathe in it. So huge on the nose.

T - wave of flavor across the palate. Starts with the toffee and caramel, then goes to the mocha espresso that warms on the way down. It is a bit boozy, however, it's one slight knock.

M - full flavor and full bodied. Sandwich in every can on this guy. Warming and smooth, almost silky.

O - great imperial stout. Only thing is that its slightly boozy, but you have to expect that with 10.5%. Overall delicious and amazing.

Serving type: can

06-15-2013 12:45:54 | More by da_beers

utopiajane

New York

4.46/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Wow! This poured out like motor oil. Viscuous, black, no light passing through and sported a thick sugary looking head of coffee colored foam. Dwindled slow and left lots of lace. Nose is heavenly. Rich chocolate, cocoa powder, roasted malt, coffee, molasses, dark fruit in back and some vanilla. Brief whiff of alcohol that is so tempting and not unwelcome. It smells like a candy.

Holy how do you do! It tastes great! Mouthfeel is velvety and thick, creamy and smooth. Bit of alcohol on the palate, dark chocolate, nice and sweet. Toffee malt, a little grainy, a little sugary, coffee, a bit of dark fruit . There is a tiny bit of hop bitterness and roast and just enough booze to make you want more. I really love this and would say that of all the stouts I have tried some of them drink a little hard. Not this. This is elegant, aromatic and full. Superb.

Serving type: can

06-12-2013 12:18:41 | More by utopiajane

Smurf2055

Washington

3.96/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured into tulip.

Near black with a couple fingers tan head.

Smell is smooth chocolate. Smells sweeter than most imp stouts.

Taste is very smooth. Coffee is present. It’s not the same dark chocolate bitter that usually comes with stouts like this.

Heavy. Pretty impressive. Even more so because it comes in a can.

Serving type: can

06-10-2013 07:58:19 | More by Smurf2055

jdhowe

California

4.44/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz can into Dogfish Head snifter. Can dated 9-24-12.

The can opens with a crack and a hiss, splashing syrupy looking brown out.

A: Pours a deep brown, black in snifter. Brown visible due to thin pour from can. Head is a deep mocha -- 2 fingers dissipates to a thin film. Lacing is spotty down the side of the glass -- stickier than many imperial stouts.

S: Smell is pleasant, with hints of coffee, chocolate, fruit, anise. Alcohol is evident but not overwhelming.

T: Delicious. Coffee, cocoa, hop bitterness, malt sweetness, and just a little roasted character. The only detractor here is that the alcohol is a little more evident than I would expect.

M: Perfect. This is exactly what an imperial stout should feel like. Thick, creamy, smooth, viscous, coating. This beer does it all, and it does it all just right. Not overly oily, but just right.

O: Very impressed. One of my favorite imperial stouts, and my favorite imperial stout I've had from a can. I was a little worried by how syrupy the beer looked at first when I opened it, but this is a fantastic beer. My only worry is that, at ~$5/can, it's going to lose out due to being twice the price of Old Rasputin. It's also a bit more expensive than Stone IRS, but I believe this is the better beer.

Serving type: can

06-10-2013 07:35:01 | More by jdhowe

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Pitch black color with a pretty large frothy brown head on top. Excellent retention. Leaves clumps of lacing all around the glass. Very impressive! The aroma consists of grainy malt, dark chocolate, maybe a little bit of coffee. Creamy mouth feel, but a little on the light side for a stout. The carbonation on your palette almost feels no existent, especially up front.. Falls a little short for me. Toasted malts and Chocolate up front, alcohol hits about half way through, Alcohol is big in this one, really biting. Smokiness is there. Oak woodiness in background. This is without a doubt an excellent stout.

Serving type: can

06-07-2013 01:37:37 | More by Burkbom23

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.34/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

12oz can 10.5% ABV, canned 11-29-12 @ 09:24. "FIDY LONGSTOCKING"

Look is very dark, minimal head/lacing. Smell is roasted malt, coffee, cocoa, hops. lowish carbonation, medium feel, taste takes you on a journey: crisp and buttery roasted malts at first, bitter coffee/hops in the middle, with a sweet chocolate cocoa malt finish.

worth picking up, good "soy sauce beer"

Serving type: can

06-06-2013 06:07:22 | More by jimmah120

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4.46/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75

Can from Total Wine in Tampa. Canned 11-01-12 and consumed May 2013 so just over a year on this one. From notes.

A - Thick inky black pour. Two finger dark brown head. Minimal spotty lace and a film of retention.

S - Sugary dark fruit. Lot's of chocolate, licorice was prevalent. Molasses there too. Coffee, roast. Great complexity and depth.

T - Chocolate, mocha, a little booze. Much of the same from the aroma with more chocolate present and lot's more dark fruit. Booze was well integrated.

M - Full and creamy body. Sweetness with dark fruit finish. Very mild bitterness. Medium body seemed a bit thin.

O/D - Great beer. Body was a touch thin, otherwise quite epic. Complex and delicious with so many great elements working together and just enough booze for you to take notice. World class for sure.

Serving type: can

06-03-2013 14:25:35 | More by tbeckett

tittymcj

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours out dark brown/black with a thin creamy brown head. Not much lacing and the head doesn't stick around long.

S: Smells like faint coffee notes. Very light though, not overpowering or substantial.

T: Tastes like coffee and mocha. Very strong, deep coffee taste which is very smooth and has very little bite. Unlike most imperial stouts I've had in that there isn't a strong alcohol bite toward the end.

M: Very nice consistency. Not too thin (pet peeve of mine with IS's), and leaves a nice taste of coffee behind.

Overall solid. Not the greatest IS I've had, but it's right up there. Enjoyed many aspects, not let down by much.

Serving type: can

06-03-2013 00:00:08 | More by tittymcj

jgran737

Pennsylvania

4.99/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

From a can to a snifter; it lives up to the hype.

A: The only thing that could be improved on this beer (for me at least). There was very little head and I'd like to see a little bit more, but I'm really just being picky here.

S: Smells exactly how a Russian Imperial should smell. Malt, Coffee, Chocolate, Vanilla, Molasses, it holds nothing back and you can definitely pick out those wonderful, distinct smells.

T: Follows right up where the nose left off. You can taste a lot of chocolate and a lot of coffee. Comes off as the perfect balance between sweet and bitter and finishes first in both.

M: High carbonation and a bit creamy.

O: I don't know why I put this beer off for so long. Definitely a stout I would have again and again. If you haven't had it, it's a must for any stout lover or beer lover for that matter. Dying to try this barrel aged or on draft.

Serving type: can

06-02-2013 00:01:50 | More by jgran737

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.34/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

P: Pours like oil from the can. Thick and chunky. Completely pitch black with a dirty espresso head that dissipates to a disturbed wake. Micro bubble lacing that slides around the glass.

S: Roasted Colombian coffee, hot fudge, vanilla bean, dark fruits, chocolate milk and molasses. Nice to see that the roasted notes are exactly that and not burnt.

T/M: Thick oily adult chocolate milk with a kick of coffee. The ten fidy shows itself as a sweet boozy cherry sting that balances nicely. Bitter baking cocoa, vanilla, french oak, smoldered barley and cayenne pepper. Mouthfeel is hardcore thick, oily and coats like peanut butter on the roof of your mouth.

O: I have been anxious to try this and I can say I was very pleased. I would have liked more roasted coffee or grains to combat the sweet. Indeed a sipper to enjoy that creates a film of awesomeness encompassing the entire mouth. I will be picking up more of this for sure.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 00:30:44 | More by Hopswagger

brewskifan55

Mississippi

4.39/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass. Thanks, Cliff!

A: Inky black. A tan, one finger head that sits there and dares you to drink it. Aggressive lacing.

S: Chocolate and coffee go head to head. Just delightful.

T: Pow! Right in the kisser. Chocolate slides in with nice coffee notes. Smooth, warming. Sweet, but not overly so. Alcohol creeps in without a whisper. Sip and be awed. Even better as it warms.

M: Medium to high; chewy, frothy carbonation.

O: Damn fine, especially coming from a can. Seek out this 10.5 kickass brew. You'll get your 10 fidy's worth.

Serving type: can

05-26-2013 21:54:21 | More by brewskifan55

EliotRosewater

California

4.04/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from can into Bruery tulip.

A - Midnight black. Motor oil, man. Pours a finger and a half chocolate brown head. Later swirling produces little froth.

S - Tons of dark chocolate. Caramel, molasses. Bourbon/alcohol comes in a bit but isn't forceful.

T -Like the smell, chocolate, molasses, burnt sugar comes through up front. Not too much of an alcohol burn but the taste is there. Delicious. Like a dessert.

M - Slightly viscous, creamy. Great carbonation. Awesome mouthfeel.

O - Just a great RIS. The alcohol is definitely there but not overwhelmingly so. Picked up a four pack and each time had it for "dessert". Gets even better as it warms up.

Serving type: can

05-25-2013 16:27:55 | More by EliotRosewater

dar482

New York

4.93/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

This little silver can packs the one of the best Russian Imperial Stout I have yet to have. The color is a dark black with a creamy slightly brown head.

The aroma isn't too strong, but it makes it up with the flavor.

It starts off a bit creamy, with a bit of dark chocolate and strong roasted malts. The coffee and huge chocolate flavors are in this. It has great creamy mouthfeel, but then cuts off the tongue nicely once you start tasting the alcohol in there.

The can is a good amount because it is so rich and boozy at times, you might want a snack or something with this. Its boozy, but does it so well.

Serving type: can

05-19-2013 08:10:14 | More by dar482

Michigan

Michigan

4.54/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured from a can into a 22oz snifter. Used motor oil in both viscosity and color. No light at all is passing through. 1.5" frothy dark head that slowly emerges from the depths of the beer. It was actually pretty cool to watch! Leaves good lacing and caps the beer with a thin layer of foam

S- Roasty chocolate. Slight alcohol presence and more as it warms. This is going to be good!

T- Very much like the nose. Roasted bitterness. Malty. Dark chocolate-like bittersweetness.

M- Medium full. Smooth and mouth-coating. Just like a stout should be. Slight alcohol warming after a bit.

O- Great stout! Something I would like to pick up in multiples on the next release. Possible candidate for aging, but I don't know where it would go, flavor wise ....

Serving type: can

05-17-2013 02:09:17 | More by Michigan

beergoot

Colorado

4.69/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Pitch-black body with a decent, rich, thick light brown head. Currants, deep roasted grains, bitter chocolate aroma. Powerfully rich malt flavors; deep and robust; milk chocolate; really nice alcohol warmth throughout; lightly perceptible bitterness near the finish. Heavy body; silky smooth.

An incredibly well-made stout. Immense balance and complexity throughout and a real joy to sip.

Serving type: can

05-16-2013 23:24:30 | More by beergoot

Fireslayer

Wisconsin

4.29/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A- Jet black with two finger mocha head that quickly fades. Mild lacing

S- Roasted malt and chocolate with mild alcohol notes

T- Dark chocolate, coffee hints, toffee and fruit like qualities. Upfront alcohol smell is well hidden in the taste and sweetness. Great malt flavor on the backside.

M- Thick and creamy but not cloying. Great bodied beer

O- Great beer overall, lots of refined character and great mouthfeel. Definitely a winner.

Serving type: can

05-16-2013 19:16:25 | More by Fireslayer

gr0g

New Jersey

4.06/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Can dated "09-24-12." Viscous and black, looking like a proper Imperial stout. One-finger head and no lacing. Mocha at the forefront on the nose, with alcohol not too far behind. Sniff harder to try and find more complexity, but more of a solvent-like note comes out. Some nice roasty, dark chocolate notes are there, but they get squashed.

Creamy texture with a restrained sweetness upfront. The silky mouthfeel is noticeable and appreciated. Dark roasted malts evoke the flavors of dark chocolate, toffee, and a hint of raisin-like fruit. Slight hop bitterness, more of a roast astringency. The alcohol is more well-hidden than on the nose but still present. Good balance with all the right flavor notes for a big stout.

Ten Fidy is a very good Imperial stout, but the fuel note on the aroma and the high price tag are major negatives. There are better alternatives at better price points.

Serving type: can

05-14-2013 01:26:29 | More by gr0g

hopoilcrazy

Tennessee

4.53/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

A - Jet black, no light shall pass. Two fingers of head billow and collapse into a sandy cap.

S - Dutch process cocoa powder, chocolate malt, roasty, bourbon, vanilla, ancho chiles

T - Dark chocolate, espresso crema bigtime, cinnamon, currant/prune, coconut cream. Sweet, but not cloying. Malty, but hoppy enough to keep it grounded

M - Absolutely luscious and viscous without being syrupy. Light carbonation. Big body.

This is definitely the best IS that seems to always be available somewhere in Nashville

Serving type: can

05-09-2013 23:07:14 | More by hopoilcrazy