Ten FIDY - Oskar Blues Brewing Company

chefboy812

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can poured into a goblet.

Holy Moses this IS a stout!!!

Jet black with a big creamy mocha head.

coffee, burnt toffee notes, then a big smack of licorice. some molassas, raisen , and madeira.
Did I say WOW!

HUge roasty coffee, burnt sugar, toasted bread. Huge licorice; both good'n'plenty and black grandma style too. molassas and maple syrup. very bitter espresso finish lingers for a minute; literally.
Did I say GEEE WHIZ!

huge chewy malt with adry atringent bitterness that makes you snap your lips.

I think this stout gives old rasputin a run for it's money

Serving type: can

02-22-2008 01:50:59 | More by chefboy812

Lordsloth

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

For my 10th review(Yeah, that's not a lot)- Ten Fidy!

Sweet silver 12oz. can. Thanks to Cashew70 for the opportunity!

Poured a bit cold, just out of the fridge- no head developed, just a thin layer of tiny tan bubbes. Oily thick. A cool-looking pattern developed as the bubbles dissipated. Oily legs left as the beer progressed. Smell- tasty. Dark roasted malt, chocolate. Taste- Awesome. Of the few RIS's I've had, comes quite close to Darkness in taste and "smoothness factor". A coffee background, and a bit of chocolate on the back of the tongue. Chewy mouthfeel, quite satisfying. The smoothness and mostly hidden alcohol bite makes drinkability quite high.

Quite good. Quite good.

Serving type: can

02-21-2008 16:43:17 | More by Lordsloth

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Oscar Blues- Ten FIDY

A- Thick viscous black with a huge frothy mocha head. Heavy lacing with a solid head.
S- Let this 1 warm up a bit to realy catch the aromas, huge bitter sweet chocolate, dark roast coffee beans and pine hops.
T- Thick gooey fudge chocolate cake with icing and a double shot of dark roast espresso with a shot of vanilla and a heaping of whipped cream!
M- Potent alcohol detected immediately and throughout but big rich flavors, sweet and creamy body dominate. Finishes off sweet and candy-like.

Overall- 1 of the best beers you'll ever have from the can, and 1 of the best RIS out there! A few of these smuggled in your backback on an overnighter would make the end of a long hike even more enjoyable!

Serving type: can

02-20-2008 22:43:37 | More by NJpadreFan

deanhead

Vermont

4.58/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Rich, deep, black viscous looking stout, with a generous toffee colored head that stayed with the beer for it's entire trip to the bottom of the glass.

Smelled of chocolate, and rich roasted malt, pungent scent of hops, and a very slight note of astringency.

A cornucopia burst on my palate with the first and second sip. Roasted toffee, sweet and chocolaty, while being bitter& somewhat smoky.

This is one full bodied bad ass beer, that is very deceiving at 10%. Just be careful, as with all the other Oskar Blues products. They are so very drinkable and will sneak up on you if your not careful.
Enjoy with temperance!

This is an amazing beer. I would highly recommend trying it. It's beautifully balanced, and by far one of the best Russian Imperial Stout's I have ever enjoyed.

The notes say this beer is retired, but it can still be found in Western, MA at Table & Vine

Serving type: can

02-20-2008 16:21:02 | More by deanhead

CrazyMacHarris99

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a dark, thick black with a one-finger dark mocha head. Very thick and hearty. Head slowly dissipated and left some heavy lacing. The smell was not as strong as I had expected but my wife was sitting next to me and she said it was potent. Smells of dark chocolate and coffee with a hint of sweetness. The taste starts out with very bitter, burnt chocolate flavors but slowly leads to a creamy, sweet milk chocolate. The bitterness is strong at first but slowly fades as you make it through the glass. The mouthfeel is medium to heavy but still not a sipper. Overall a great RIS but not to be over indulged. Have a can left so I think I'll hang onto it and see if it mellows out any.

Serving type: can

02-20-2008 00:23:50 | More by CrazyMacHarris99

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.78/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12 oz can acquired from xmarcnolanx.

Pours black as night, brown head, very rich looking, tons of lace, nice legs as well, head settles to a thick layer. Smell is wicked, roast, chocolate, toffee, coffee, dark fruits, vanilla, biscuits, wood, alcohol, excellent. Taste is just as good, thick roastiness, chocolate, toffee, biscuits, vanilla, dark fruits and dates, alcohol but well hidden, solid roasty bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with silky low carbonation, way too easy to drink. Fantastic Impy Stout, one of my favourites. Thanks Marc!

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2008 07:25:43 | More by Viggo

gwong

New York

4.4/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours pitch black with a dark brown head. Good amount of lacing remains on the glass.

S: Roasted chocolate and coffee dominate the scent.

T: Bittersweet chocolate flavor with a slight hint of strong roasted coffee at the end.

M: Full body that's smooth and creamy on the tongue. Slight amount of carbonation.

D: High ABV but chocolate flavor makes it easy to drink.

Serving type: can

02-19-2008 04:25:50 | More by gwong

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12Oz can poured into my Duvel tulip

A: Black as pitch with a persistent dark brown frothy head. Pours thick as blood and probably will stain clothes just as badly!

S: Combination of sweet and burnt chocolate/chocolate malts up front. There's cream, notes of coffee and just a hint of raisins in there. This is what i expect from a good RIS

T: Thick bitter burnt chocolate, coffee that slowly fades leading into sweeter palate with just the hint of cream and milk chocolate. The finish is long and bitter. It's "standard" world class RIS.

M: Smooth, fluffy with a pleasant carbonation

D: Split one after dinner as dessert or have two for dinner.

**Edit 10 March 2013**
A 5 year old can, my last one. My notes above are accurate in terms of flavors, but not for feel. Despite a fullness, there's a lightness/wateriness interspersed with the thicker, chewier finish. Pretty solid. 4/4/4/4/4

Serving type: can

02-19-2008 04:02:04 | More by DefenCorps

dsa7783

New Jersey

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

12 oz can copped singly from Gary's in Madison... heard a lot of good things about this one, so I was eager to give it a try... Pours an engine-oil, jet-black, deep ebony hue with a sunset-red, tan head that left impressive lacing... smell wasn't as powerful as I was anticipating, although a noticeable dark chocolate and cocoa aroma was certainly present... Taste was absolutely outstanding... this one takes on the full characteristics of a thick, rich, chocolate milkshake... sugar-sweet, powerful, creamy flavor loaded with roasted malts, dark, burnt chocolate, espresso, and latte essences... the hefty 10% ABV is hardly apparent behind an intricate conglomeration of ultra-rich, thick, sweet, chocolate flavors... this one is right up on par with Southern Tier's Choklat, if not better... perfection in a can, and an excellent depiction of the style combining a creamy, thick mouthfeel, and a good drinkability that only took a hit due to the high ABV, which, although isn't noticeable, soon becomes manifested in a warming glow... Excellent stuff... Definitely recommended...
As a side note, I've heard that this beer was created combinig ultra-premium ice cream, and Whoppers malted-milkballs...

Serving type: can

02-18-2008 23:56:21 | More by dsa7783

NJBeerguy

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow, for a ten percent beer it has great drinkability. If it's in such short supply I've got to get back to the store from which I purchased it and purchase as much as they'll let me have. Yes I did like it. The pour at first gives no indication of the head that will first endear you to this interesting rendition of an imperial stout. The pour at first seems to produce no head to speak of with a pour so slow and with a viscosity to mirror that your heaviest of black gold (choose what weight of oil you will), in the end from the gathering of bubbles in the glass appears a thick medimum brown head (a good half inch in a conventional pint glass). The head allow for the perfect lace to form on the glass with each sip. The head does however disapate into a fine brown ring a each sip bring you closer to the bottom of the glass. The nose is of alcohol and deeply roasted grain. The taste is a wonderful roast and, chocolate flavor with an aftertaste who lingering roasted nutty flavor sits on the back of your tongue wishing for more. While I did detect a slight alcohol nose the drinkability is not impaired by the 10% ABV, yes that the scary part I could have turned this into a sessions beer very easily. Oh! Yea one after another. Yes it has the ability to make you forget that you are drinking a 10% ABV beer and visiting the far side of the moon. While some high gravity brews of late I've not found worth their weight in gold (and yes you will pay your weight in gold of this one). In my opinion this is by far the best yet from the little brewery from Lyons.

Serving type: can

02-17-2008 22:37:45 | More by NJBeerguy

dondeez21

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I have heard that this beer is available in very limited supply. My local liquor store has quite a few 4packs on the shelf and with a price tag of almost 13$ it doesnt look like it will be moving very fast. I grabbed a 4 pack the other night and I have to admit I am very glad I did. Ten Fidy is easily one of the darkest, thickest beers I have ever seen. It almost looked like I was pouring used motor oil from the can. A nice dark copper colored head formed after a few seconds. Overall I give this beer a 9.5 everythign was perfect from the color aroma and taste. Get this beer while it lasts!

Serving type: can

02-17-2008 05:57:55 | More by dondeez21

naproxen

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

mmm!!!

Pours dark as night from the tap with an equally imposing dark milky head as accustomed to this style.

The overall taste is sweet and roasty upfront with a delicious lingering taste of chocolate or maybe coffee.

It is very drinkable if you are looking for a meal in a glass, this is by no means a light russian imp.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2008 03:39:02 | More by naproxen

mnj21655

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. can poured into a pint glass

Pours a deep, dark impenetrable black, that strongly resembles used motor oil, with about a 1/4" of sturdy dark brown head that exhibits decent retention. Aroma is very restrained, good but noting too out of the ordinary. Roasted malts, chocolate, molasses, and some dark fruits are present with just a faint whiff of alcohol. Taste is much like the aroma. At first I am hit by a sticky sweetness which is followed by the arrival of roasted malts and, towards the finish, some dark chocolate and hop bitterness. The dark fruits don't appear until after the bitterness. In the late finish I get some alcohol, not hot or overwhelming, but noticeable. Mouthfeel is ok, it was a bit too thin IMO. This brew is medium, maybe medium-full, in body and has low carbonation. Drinkability is good, there was a nice alcohol warmth (a good thing) but overall I just wasn't that impressed. Its a solid brew and one that I'll revisit (since I have a few more cans) in the hope that tonight was just a bad night for FIDY.

Serving type: can

02-16-2008 23:27:15 | More by mnj21655

foxmul924

New York

3.98/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(Can into Room-Temp Pint Glass)

Appearance: Utterly Black Body with a Deep Brown, Lasting
Head with Sufficient Lace.

Smell: Chocolate and Alcohol

Taste: Bittering Hops are Quickly Overtaken By the Extremely
Malty Chocolate, Molasses, and Roasted Barley.
Additional Notes of Coffee and a Lingering Marshmallow
Flavor.

Mouthfeel: Full-Bodied, Almost Like Drinking a Thick Milkshake.
Very Smooth with a Semi-Clean Finish. Slightly Sticky
On and Around the Lips.

Drinkability: Definitely a Sipping Beer. Probably Wouldn't
Partake in a Second as it is Quite Rich, Warming, and Filling...
Not To Mention the 10% ABV Sneaks Up On
You!

Other: A Very Solid Russian Imperial Stout. I've Been Very
Impressed with Oskar Blues and Their Blue Collar 'FIDY'
Mentality. Worth a Try!

Serving type: can

02-15-2008 20:42:42 | More by foxmul924

manleyphoto

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

At any given time I have about ten different beers that I consider my white whales. Beers that based on reputation are must-try, but for whatever reason are not widely distributed, or are one-offs, or only available at the brewery. Until this week, Ten FIDY was one of those beers. I have pursued this beer with an Ahab-like fervor and unlike the fateful sea captain my search has been satisfied.


Ten FIDY is like a black hole. A vortex of malt and flavor that seems hardly contained in its unassuming can. This beer lives up to its vehicular namesake and pours as thick and rich as motor oil. It is so dense and so dark that the small bit of foamy head that manages to make it up through the liquid is as dark brown as cocoa powder. The smell alone told me that my search for this beer was not in vain, and the fist sip confirmed that fact. This is a slow drinker with loads of slightly sweet and roasty malt, coffee, and dark chocolate, with the slightest touch of root beer near the end of the taste. Ten FIDY is not as sticky-sweet as other versions of the style and the right amount of hops, coupled with a mild-drying astringency from the roasted malts make this really fun to drink.


Often when searching out elusive beer, the result tends to be disappointing. Ten FIDY lives up to expectations, and then some. This is a seasonal brew from Oskar Blues, with an unknown availability. Luckily it is brand new in the area, and there should be enough supply, at least for now. Don't let this one be your white whale, cast off the bow lines and sail over to the store and pick up as much of this as you can get your hands on. This is definitely one of the best beers I have had this year.

Serving type: can

02-14-2008 17:26:47 | More by manleyphoto

tprokop7

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up some at Julios. Poured into a snifter @50F.

A - Black as can be, with a dark reddish-brown head. My roommate says "I think this beer is so dark it actually consumes light."

S - This smells pretty alcoholic to me... snifters are supposed to bring out aromas, but I really don't smell much else.

T - Taste more than makes up for the smell. There is almost no alcohol flavor in the beer, and it has a wonderful roasted flavor.

M - Thick and smooth, with only slight carbonation. Great overall balance, it is a pleasure in your mouth.

D - I wish I had more, so that must mean the drinkability is pretty high, right?

Serving type: can

02-14-2008 02:10:26 | More by tprokop7

Ieatlambfries

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a new style Sam Adams glass. This jet black opaque brew poured with a three finger head of dense cappuccino colored bubbles. They formed a head so dense and thick it looked like a chocolate milkshake float. Thick doily like lace clung to the sides of my glass with each sip forming intricate patterns. This is one of the best looking brews I've ever seen.

Big espresso notes on the nose followed by dark cocoa and burnt molasses. Big roasted malt aroma in the finish with a hint of smoke and alcohol.

Upfront notes of burnt molasses and caramel. Followed by burnt sugar sweetness and caramelized dark fruits and licorice. Dark roasted espresso notes lead into unsweetened dark baking cocoa. Hops come up in the finish with a slight citrus rind twang and some alcohol vapors.

The mouthfeel is like liquid silk, and although it displayed a serious head, the carbonation is low and it goes down very smooth. Very drinkable despite the high abv. I haven't been this excited about a RIS in a long while. Get this if you can! No pun intended.

Serving type: can

02-14-2008 01:50:55 | More by Ieatlambfries

beerkeeper

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a slightly viscus black. The pour was absolutely incredible. The thickness of the beer took minuets to disapate. Which worked good in the long run because I enjoyed the malts even more as the beer wormed to room temp.Intimidating at first glance, but opens up nicely as reaches room temp, and becomes very inviting. Up front on the taste is a bold burnt malt taste which follows the beer down. Just when you think the beer is done, the alcohol comes back on the finish with reckless abandon, with a hint of hops. Great beer for those cold months.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2008 14:39:27 | More by beerkeeper

Hautacam

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Black. Pours out dense and oily with a small rusty crema head that dissapates quickly... (has an almost metallic sheen).... leaving a small collar in a Duvel tulip glass.
Dark chocolate and tobacco smell.
Super roasty burnt toast , charred chocolate flavor up front. Some sweetness , but the dry licorice , chalk and bitter espresso dominate. Some hints of tobacco, leather , vanilla and metal. No alcohol, though. Bitter, dry finish.
Mouthfeel is full , but not as dense as it looks.
Carbonation just about right.
A good dark , complex brew to sip on a cold Feb. evening with snow falling outside and the UCONN women beating someone's ass on the tube.

Serving type: can

02-13-2008 00:59:49 | More by Hautacam

kmo1030

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

this ours out of the can like motor oil. it's so thick that it takes a a few seconds for a head to form, due to the bubbles barely being able to push through the thick liquid. this looks like it mean business.
the aroma is of burnt coffee malts, with a softer hersey syrup type. the alcohol isn't detectable at all.
the taste is filled with that same burnt coffee, creating a slightly harsh bitter burned character. as in the aroma, there is a powdery chocolate quality beneath the coffee, in greater quantity than the smell though. very subtle licorice/rootbeer type flavors become noticable when it warms. the alcohol is masked very well, the only indicator is a little warmth in the throat.
it's very full bodied and very subtly carbonated.
drinkability is fairly good, but the burnt bitterness takes it's toll. this beer would do well in a 4 or 5 oz serving after dinner type setting.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2008 00:58:43 | More by kmo1030

bonbini26

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pour- like motor oil...it should be called 10W-40

Appearance- darkness....to light passing through this guy....dark brown head

Smell- Roasted, smoky, chocolate

Taste- wow...hits every inch of ur tongue with malt, hops, caramel, chocolate, roasted smoked coffee

mouthfeel- sticks to your teeth, like drinking a milkshake

drinkability- great for a cold winter night

next time i need a fork and knife to drink this....awesome

im surprised to see that this beer is retired i just picked it up a few weeks ago

Serving type: can

02-12-2008 23:41:01 | More by bonbini26

unholy2

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my first review so bare with me. The color is a black like motor oil with a nice baige head. The head was not very tall but leaves a nice lacing in the glass.I am a fan of R.I.S style beers and this one is high on my charts.The can looks like it should be in a corner store somewhere next to the colt 45 but thats one thing I like about it. I would recommend this R.I.S to anyone

Serving type: can

02-12-2008 23:26:10 | More by unholy2

unclecrappy

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Retired? Nooo!

I got my one and only four-pack two days ago at 3 Sons in Wexford -- something I had been dying to try since reading about it in BA mag a couple of months back. That kind of anticipation is often hard to equal once you finally get your hands on the beer.

I'm happy to say that in this case, Ten Fidy was as good as I had hoped -- and maybe better.

A -- darkest, thickest beer I've ever seen. Saying it pours like oil is not an exaggeration. Thin, dark brown head forms after a hard pour. And stays. And stays. And stays.

S -- maybe the only thing about this beer that's close to pedestrian. Big roasted aroma, with coffee up front and chocolate and tobacco in the background.

T -- Wow. Chocolate is bigger than the aroma would suggest, but not sweet at all. Coffee and other roasted flavors swirl around the chocolate, and there's a nice, dry, hoppy tinge at the end. What you don't get much of is the alcohol; a remarkable job of masking for a 10-percenter.

M -- Luscious. Rich. Thick. Smooth. Holy crap.

D -- Rated high, because of the exceptional complexity and off-the-hook mouthfeel. Easy to forget this beer's ABV.

OK. If you have a chance to try this, don't pass it up. And if you work for Oskar Blues: For crying out loud, tell someone to bring this back next winter, willya?

Serving type: can

02-12-2008 03:18:43 | More by unclecrappy

HopDerek

Pennsylvania

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

Pours like motor oil, a thick, pitch black with about 1/2 of creamy chocolate milk colored head, good long lasting retention and great full coating lacing. Smells big of coffee and chocolate, with some hops and a hint of alcohol. Tastes like an espresso with lots of roasted malt character that gradually changes into a nice chocolate shake. A smokey and hopped finish with a slight alcohol heat. Full bodied, low in carbonation, smooth and creamy with a nice bite. One excellent RIS, big in coffee and chocolate and very thick, hides the ABV nicely. Glad the folks at Oskar Blues decided to can it this year, hope they continue to do so.

Serving type: can

02-12-2008 01:05:45 | More by HopDerek

jaxon53

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Couldn't wait to try a canned RIS. Served at just about cellar temperature, in a snifter, from yes, a can! Let's see if it lives up to the hype.

Appearance: Pours out a deep inky, spent motor oil black. Possibly the blackest I've seen. Not a single ray of light could pass through this tar colored liquid. A vigorous pour yielded about a half inch of thinnish, dark, coffee colored head. Head receded rather quickly, leaving some thin streaks of dark lace.

Smell: A bit of a faint nose on this one. Nice roasted malt aroma with some prominent chocolate notes. Maybe a little molasses or brown sugar sweetness with some underlying dark fruits and black licorice. Almost a warm, freshly baked cookie in there as well. Pretty good so far.

Taste: Wow! A bit different. Quite bitter and dry in my opinion. A little coffee, a bit of dark chocolate, and an almost oaky flavor. A little dark fruit, maybe a raisin flavor. Tons of roasted malts with a mild hop bite. Finishes pretty smooth, with a little molasses and some noticeable booze. Not bad at all.

Mouthfeel. A bit dissapointed in this part of the brew. A little bit thinner than I would like but decent. Comes up just short of chewey. A moderate amount of carbonation is felt on the tongue and throat.

Drinkability: Pretty good drinkability despite the high ABV. Drinkability seems to get better as the beer warms. Overall pretty good, but different RIS. Lives up to the hype in my opinion.

Serving type: can

02-12-2008 00:46:10 | More by jaxon53