Ten FIDY - Oskar Blues Brewing Company

jeffbearer

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I don't often review beers on BA, often because I can't say something that hasn't already been said for me. But I just can't let Ten Fidy go by without saluting it.

Ten Fidy pours jet black with a coca colored head. Aroma is full of Roast, Coca, and Dark Fruit, Flavor washes your senses with roast, coffee, rasins and prunes. The alcohol is present as it is in all my favorite imperial stouts, but it is not obtrusive, subtle actually when you consider that it is 10% ABV. Superbly drinkable this beer could get you into trouble if you are not paying attention.

Comparing this beer to others in the style I have to put it at the top, de-throning others such as Avery's Czar, Bell's Expedition, and Old Rasputin. Even the perennial #2 beer can take some lessons away from Ten Fidy.

I don't want to rate this beer perfect, but I can't mark it down in any of the categories in good conscience. At $8 for 12 ounces that is a bit steep, but I'll gladly pay for a couple of snifters full to revisit this gem every winter.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2007 15:04:33 | More by jeffbearer

RoBotGod

Colorado

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This might be one of the thickest beers Ive ever drank. When I opened it out of the can I almost thought it was flat and then a dark brown head formed. It had that raw coffee smell with a little of black liquorish mixed in. It drank like a chocolate malt. It taste like dark chocolate and a little hazelnut to it. I m not sure how it would age in a can, but this would be great sitting it down for about 2 years. It was the best beer Ive ever had in a can, period.

Serving type: can

11-12-2007 02:49:49 | More by RoBotGod

Brad007

Vermont

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to RutgersBeerGuy for this one.

Color: The color of motor oil. Pitch black beyond all return. Very thin head that's brown in color.

Aroma: Strong chocolate aroma with creaminess. Roasty. A decent whiff of coffee. Rich. Malty.

(best to let this bad boy warm up and then detect aroma)

Taste: Smooth and creamy upfront. Rich. Lots and lots of roastiness in the middle. The hops show through well. Chocolate and dark fruits galore. A second sip just confirms this one. The roastiness is what makes this such a great example of an imperial stout. The alcohol is well-hidden as well.

Mouthfeel: Dry and roasty. Creamy. Smooth.

Verdict: A beautiful, marvelous example of a RIS...but in a can! Who thought that such malty, roasty goodness could come from a can? I'm in love with this beer. I must have more. Apparently, I'm not alone either. Honestly, I just have to give this beer high props because

1. I've never had such a good beer out of a can
2. Russian Imperial Stouts are my favorite style and honestly, I don't see that many where I'm from. I always have to import the best stuff by trade or by travel.
3. It's such a brilliant idea. I wish more breweries thought outside of the box like Oskar Blues has.

Marvelous. I still have quite a bit left in my glass and plan to savor this one to the last drop.

Serving type: can

03-15-2008 01:21:03 | More by Brad007

BeerSox

Virginia

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz can into 8oz snifter.

Deep dark opaque black. As it poured out of the can it reminded me of dirty oil coming out of the bottom of the oil pan on an engine (this tastes better though, trust me). The pour is restricted because of the shape of the mouth of the can, which created a smooth steady pour that created a quarter inch chocolate brown head that slowly transforms into a thin rim. Spotty and stringy lacing is left along the glass.

Thick and heavy bitter malts set up the base which leads way to a spicy hop aroma (which is barely detected behind the malts). Along with the two anchor aromas is a light smokiness which pairs well with sweet molassees. Some dry alcohol comes in as the beer warms.

The bitterness of the malts rivals a strong black coffee (and there is some of that flavor in there as well) along with a citrusy hop flavor hiding in the background. Mild chocolate comes into the middle to balance the overall bitterness. Some mild dried fruit finds its way in there. Full bodied with a good amount of carbonation. The feel is thick and sticks in the mouth after each sip. The alcohol is buried under the bold flavors, but sneaks out a little as the beer warms. The finish is the everlasting roasty malts, along with a little bit of hops.

This is a very robust RIS that probably tops them all in terms of bitterness and mouthfeel. The can seems to be a perfect fit for this one. The glass just seems to "designer", too classy, too delicate for this beer. It was a bit of a search for this one, but I feel it was worth it. It dumps the malts on you with still allowing for the hops to join in. After all that, there is still room for dry fruit and chocolate to add to the complexity. After reviewing 522 beers, some better than others, this one finally wins a perfect score from me. If you ever run into the brewers at the Oksar Blues grill, tell them Chris said, "Thanks."

Serving type: can

04-07-2008 01:52:21 | More by BeerSox

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

CAN you dig it, man?

I am giving myself over to hedonism in support of the troops on Memorial Day weekend. I am joining a nudist colony, the '70's show about swingers has reopened people's eyes to the lifestyle, some ganja is on the menu ...

And now - Ten Fidy at 1103 (Local, EDT). In cracking open the top of the can, it was filled to the brim! Holy microbrew, Batman! I had beer everywhere, as though the can could barely contain its contents. This would NOT be the canned beer to drink on the Schuyllkill Expressway headed to Wachovia Center. What a friggin' mess!

The viscosity of this beer is what immediately jumped out. Thick, full, motor oil, you name it, as long as its black and thick, you got it. Hey, wasn't there a '70's era porn star who might apply? You get the idea.

The head, which was easily two fingers of mocha brown, actually cascaded. The retention was low, but the lacing was mad nice, yo!

I just laughed at the appearance. "Would monsieur care for a nice glass of motor oil?" or "You're going to put THAT in ME?!?" (squealing with a joy usually unheard). F**ksake! Deep, dark brown, black, really. Viscous, unforgiving.

The nose was all of it. Chocolate, coffee, raisins, anything deep, dark, and bitter.

Mouthfeel? Is this beer?!? I've eaten fudge that was less thick!

Drinkability: 10% in a CAN?!? I'll down a sixer at my local. Sweet!

Serving type: can

05-25-2008 15:20:30 | More by woodychandler

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz can obtained at The Liquor Shoppe in Tygsboro, MA. Pours a completely opaque black with a half inch of short-lived tan head. Roasty dark chocolate, coffee, toast, date, hints of nut, brown sugar, toffee; the slightest hint of alcohol toward the end. Toast, dark chocolate, coffee, and toffee hit the palate right away, with some brown sugar, burnt, dark roasted coffee, toffee nut, and date, along with just the slightest tinge of alcohol warming dominate the exceptionally long finish for this beer. Rich full mouthfeel without being too viscous or syrupy, with light to medium carbonation. While this is definitely a sipper (true to style), one sip most definitely invites another one due to the complexity and tastiness. I am literally floored by this beer. It more than lives up to the hype. Possibly the best RIS I have ever had the pleasure of drinking, this beer is practically perfect in every way. and in a can to boot! Absolutely stellar.

Serving type: can

07-05-2009 18:37:33 | More by MrHurmateeowish

jhp40219

Kentucky

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Amazing, top of the line Imperial Stout here! Pours a dark black with the look and consistancy of used motor oil. Rich chocolate-colored two-fingered head. Smells of roasted coffee and chocolate. Normally I am not a fan of imperial stouts. Generally they taste like burnt coffee with alcohol added. This isn't like that. This is strong, as an imperial stout should be, but extremely tasty and drinkable. Not something a frat boy is going to chug. Instead it is a very savory sipping beer. Huge delicious chocolate taste with hints of coffee and malts. A slight alcohol burn on the back of the throat after a drink, but not something you are going to taste. Left a dark brown lace on the glass after each drink that required the pint glass to have a second quick rinse afterwards. Generally the imperial stouts I have tried have a very up-front alcohol taste. Not this one at all. Works extremely well after a nice meal as a dessert. I would not give any beer a perfect rating unless it absolutely deserved it. This one does. I have had top-rated imperial stout DarkLord by 3 Floyds Brewery at three seperate beer festivals, and I have to say I prefer Ten Fidy to it. Ten Fidy should be every bit as celebrated as DarkLord! Ten Fidy should be the gold standard that all imperial stouts aspire to.

Serving type: growler

10-08-2009 01:59:30 | More by jhp40219

taigor

New York

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On-tap poured into 8oz glass.

A - Pitch black, non-transparent with chocolate frothy head that slowly dissipates leaving significant lacing around corners of the glass.

S - Dark cocoa with some coffee and cherries.

T - Mostly chocolate with hints of java; very sweet.

M - Full bodied with high carbonation and slight bitter aftertaste.

D - Excellent sipping drink. High abv presence is not felt at all which makes this drink desirable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2009 11:54:33 | More by taigor

EnojysAnyBeer

Colorado

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Black as tar with the darkest brown head I have ever seen. The head is thick and creamy like whipped cream on chocolate milk. Leaves sheets of lacing and retains it's large shape. This beer really gives good head.

S- Thick cloud of rum-covered raisins, baker's chocolate, and sweet cream in coffee. And I have a cold.

T- Really decadent with sweet, melty fudge-cake nuances spiced with hops and booze. Doesn't overpower like most imperial stouts. Balanced in it's ludicrous proportions.

M- Big, thick, goopy slush of inebriation and joy. Smooth-ass carbonation

D- Drank it drank it like a like a milkshake yum yum yum yum yum yum

God made Oskar Blue's. Oskar Blue's made beer. Perfect 5.

Serving type: can

11-29-2009 07:54:09 | More by EnojysAnyBeer

Impfan

Washington

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This impy definitely puts me in mind of Bells Expedition in its massive body and flavor. Tons of bitter chocolate, coffee, toffee, figs, dates, plums, roast, and a dash of smoke are beautifully set of in the finish by some mightily citric hops. The creaminess is off the scale, and the finish is nearly endless.This sure as hell ain't no session ale, in fact its about as definite a sipper as I've ever tasted. Ten W Fidy is absolutely the best nickname for this flavorful beast!

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2010 14:04:29 | More by Impfan

cdizinno

South Carolina

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Presentation: Poured into a tulip glass from a can!

A: Black. Pitch black, with a nice light brown 2+ finger head. Over time it falls back to a thick film with heavy lacing.

S: Nice mild cocoa, roasted malts and aromatic coffee/espresso.

T&M: Smooth, ultra-smooth, full bodied stout with a creamy, rich espresso flavor that is incredible!

Excellent stout. Just about the best I've ever had in any 'stout' category. There is a hint of alcohol, but it is so well masked at 10.5% ABV that this is just incredible.

Serving type: can

05-12-2010 01:57:32 | More by cdizinno

DirtybeerguyRI

Rhode Island

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

APPEARANCE: A friend of mine performed an experiment with Ten FIDY where she took a pint into a completely dark room and had her son hold a high-powered flashlight directly behind the glass. According to her, absolutely no light was able to pass through this beer. Not surprising. You'll have better luck seeing a firefly through concrete. This beer is dark as pitch. There's about one finger of a light cocoa head.

SMELL: Fantastic aroma! There's the smell of oaty, freshly-baked bread combined with espresso and dark chocolate. I pick up an undertone of dark fruits with an alcohol tang (note the ABV above).

MOUTHFEEL: Slick and velvety! This very full-bodied, nearly viscous stout feels incredibly rich on the tongue. Low carbonation translates into a very smooth, drinkable stout.

TASTE: This stout opens up in the mouth with a huge, balanced taste of both dark chocolate and coffee. There's a lot of toasty dark malts, and under that tones of caramel and molasses.

DRINKABILITY: For such a huge, viscous stout, this is a surprisingly drinkable beer. Granted, I have a high tolerance for stouts, but I could drink several pints (or cans) of this stuff. It's hard to improve on this one.

VERDICT: Hands down, this is one of my all-time favorite imperial stouts. I'm a HUGE fan of this brewery and Ten FIDY is my favorite from them. That said, don't ignore their other brews. All good stuff!

Cheers,
John Harvey
Dirtybeerguy.com

Serving type: can

04-21-2011 23:38:58 | More by DirtybeerguyRI

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had this on tap and in the can at the Distillery in Sav. GA. Both were equally great.

Ten Fidy pours jet black with a coca colored head. Aroma is full of Roast, Coca, and Dark Fruit, Flavor washes your senses with roast, coffee, rasins and prunes. The alcohol is present as it is in all my favorite imperial stouts, but it is not obtrusive, subtle actually when you consider that it is 10% ABV. Superbly drinkable this beer could get you into trouble if you are not paying attention.

Comparing this beer to others in the style I have to put it at the top, de-throning others such as Avery's Czar, Bell's Expedition, and Old Rasputin. Even the perennial #2 beer can take some lessons away from Ten Fidy.

I don't want to rate this beer perfect, but I can't mark it down in any of the categories in good conscience. At $8 for 12 ounces that is a bit steep, but I'll gladly pay for a couple of snifters full to revisit this gem every winter.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2011 20:10:22 | More by ExtraStout

warbird07

Michigan

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2009 vintage poured into my 6oz snifter...

This Beast pours crude black, thick, thin, slow rising brown carbonation that only really forms as a thin ring around the glass, with some marbling on the surface..you know you are in for a treat when you pour it into your glass...huge sweet molassas nose, a bit of smoke,anise, dark chocolate...right up my alley...the first sip is intense charred malt, some bitter chocolate,molassas, smoke, no alchohol burn either forward or back...lingering bitter chocolate still...the mouth feel is formadable, heavy and chewy, a bit of a chore..but very satisfying...I must admit I love this beer..event though it's a sipper...

Serving type: can

08-05-2011 02:26:53 | More by warbird07

keysofebony

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Wow! This beer is fantastic. First time I've had this. Very pricey, but worth it. In Jersey, with my liquor store employee discount I got a 4 pack of cans for a little less than $13, would've costed $14.99+tax otherwise...yea but totally worth it on occasion.

From can into a snifter glass. About 45-50 degrees F.

A- I really had to pour it down the center to get any kind of head formation from it, but all in there after a quick pour I got maybe a finger and a half of really, really, really tan head. Of course, pitch black as expected....sweet. moving on

S- I used to live in a town with a chocolate making factory in it, and there was always a smell of sweet cocoa in the air within a mile around it...this reminds me exactly of that. smells like dark chocolate, a little floral hops, a little brandy-esque (almost like port wine) really not getting too much coffee, but for me that smell is in more dry stouts.

T- This is like I took a dark chocolate bar and melted it, or hot cocoa with triple the amount of powder in it (but cold). I can almost chew this beer (well not really, but its thick) simply delicious. Im getting literally little to no alcohol, even in the aftertaste, very well done being a 10+abv brew.

M- As I stated...thick and a pleasant aftertaste.

O- If this beer were non-alcoholic I would still drink it. I just might by a case of this next paycheck. I would not only suggest this to my friends, but I would give it to them for free just so they can have one of the best beers they've ever had.

Serving type: can

09-17-2011 06:22:44 | More by keysofebony

MurphyMacManus

Texas

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Can into tulip pint.

A: Color and viscosity of dirty motor oil. Small coffee-colored head induced by a very hard pour. Leaves nice lace, though.

S: Chocolate. Coffee. Raisins, plums. Strangely, no alcohol.

T/M: Slight lactic note. Rich, thick mouthfeel. Slight bitterness in the finish. A bit sweet up front, with chocolate notes. I don't get much dark fruit in the taste, though there is a strong roasted/charred character. Would almost be good paired with barbecue. Very little carbonation.

Overall: Holy shit! Also, spot-on for the style.

Serving type: can

04-11-2012 03:27:17 | More by MurphyMacManus

TwinButte

South Dakota

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Dark black motor oil color with a reddish one finger head. Appears to be holding the head well and I see lots of bubbles streaming up the sides of my snifter. Its time for a taste!

Oh my! I am picking up chocolate, more of the unsweetened variety and a little espresso. Second sip with a swirl...got a little bourbon and oak this time, mmm. Picks up a little more carbonation when swirled. So silky smooth guessing it has a good amount of flaked oats to make it creamy. I really get not hint of alcohol in it whatsoever. Is it really 10.5%?

Ten Fidy has been on my bucket list for awhile and finally made a trip to Ft Collins and brought it back along with quite a haul of others we can't get here in S. Dakota. It sure didn't disappoint me at all. I'd say its world class!

Serving type: can

07-01-2012 15:57:08 | More by TwinButte

chrisrose30

California

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This was poured on tap at TAPS in Petaluma, CA. Dark tan head with thick lacing that stuck on the glass. My first impression of this beer upon smelling it was molasses, coffee, chocolate, and everything black with a rich overall smell and subdued alcohol. The thing I really liked upon tasting this beer was the complexity - very chocolatey and thick, charcoal, molasses - and it subdued the alcohol well. This is, in my opinion, one of the finest imperial stouts out there.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2012 18:19:09 | More by chrisrose30

LordChesterfield

Oregon

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours black

Smells like licorice

Tastes like heeeaaaavvenn!

Tastes tits smooth and balanced, but at the same time austere in its weight. It is as though the discomfort of Old Rasputin is replace with sheer joy while losing none of the character. Absolutely brilliant. The can ensures freshness. The can is a cool black and silver mural. I find myself going back to this when I want one, good, beer. This always does the trick. Oddly enough this is par for the course for Oskar Blues.

Serving type: can

09-19-2012 07:03:33 | More by LordChesterfield

rdilauro

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Ok, imagine running your c ar for 3 years, never changing the oil. Then one day, you decide to change it.

JET BLACK, JET BLACK and almost poured in slow motion. Glug Glug Glug into my glass. Then a nice foamy dark brown head. I almost stopped right there, because I couldnt believe anything would like so great.

Now, the aroma/bouquet , honestly there was not that much here. But thats ok, at the first sip I went to stout heaven! My mouth exploded with a deep rich creamy stout. The finish, did I finish it, was so bold and long.

No question, out of the top 15 stouts in the world, this one is right up there.

Today, this is my favorite oil can and by far my favorite Stout

02/08/13:
Snowy Night in the North East.
Ok, went into my stash of Ten-Fiddy (slowly dwindling) and pop'd one open.
That dark rich jet black slow pour is something you just have to see to believe.
After the pour, I am still not convinced if I am picking up a coffee or chocolate noise.
Hard to distinguish. But with the taste, I am getting both flavors, all perfectly balanced.

The hardest thing to accept with Ten Fiddy , is that when you are at the end of your glass, no more and you look for another can, and you cant find one!

03/08/13
Another tasting. Still same results. Before I tasted this time, I think, I put my nose down deep inside the glass that was full of the stout. I picked up a strong aroma of roasted malt, very similar to what you might smell while roasted coffee beans. But there was also this noticeable aroma of alcohol, just as you would get from a tawny port.
The first sip this time. A good amount of carbonation, that roasted barley/malt stands out as well as the alcohol. But as I finish that sip, I left only with a full tasted of the roast. There is a unique smoothness to this stout. It almost coats the inside of your mouth and as you swallow, your entire throat gets to experience the pleasure.
I am still trying to determine if I am getting coffee or chocolate or both out of this stout. The first time I tasted this, it was easier, but now, I am having a harder time. Could be the glass.
I believe the first glass was a white wine glass. This time, I am using one of the Samuel Adams Boston Lager glasses (which I love for tasting beer, narrow at the bottom, opening up, getting narrow again and then opening). So much more can be smelled, tasted and felt using
Last time I reviewed this stout, my only complaint is that at the end of the glass, when it was empty, I was eager for more. Now, this time, I am so perfectly content with having just this one.

Serving type: can

03-08-2013 17:33:35 | More by rdilauro

Dave1999

Virginia

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours pitch black with a small tan coloured head.

The smell i dark malts, dark fruits, cherries and alcohol.

The taste is dark roasted malts, milk chocolate with a bit of bitterness to the aftertaste. Hides it's abv very well.

The mouth feel is smooth and creamy with low carbonation.

Overall this is an excellent beer, the mouth feel is spot on and the abv is undetectable. I'm not sure about the price though, about double that of old rasputin.

Serving type: can

12-24-2012 01:10:46 | More by Dave1999

circus_cat

Virginia

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Motor oil black with a light brown, almost maroonish creamy head leaving pretty nice lacing. Looks very rich and inviting.

S: Roasted malts, espresso, baker's chocolate, just a hint of vanilla, and some dark fruits in the background. The smell is incredible.

T: Mirrors the nose in many ways which is a very good thing. Lots of dark chocolate, plums, strong espresso, and roastiness. Wow.

M: Thick, creamy, smooth. What I imagine most stouts to be, only this time I'm not disappointed.

O: One of the few beers I've had where I find no flaws.

Serving type: can

01-05-2013 03:00:58 | More by circus_cat

Puddleduck

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

WOW TEN FIDY is the best beer ever, can not get enough of this great beer. This is worth every penny.

Serving type: can

01-09-2013 01:22:13 | More by Puddleduck

DesertRat

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

God damn this beer is thick! It is like pouring motor oil into a glass. At $15 for a 4 pack you would hope it stands out. It does, everytime I pour it I get excited. It's the first Oskar Blues beer I have had and it lives up to the hype the brewery gets.

I place this beer above; SN Narwal, Old Rasputin and Founders Imperial Stout.

Serving type: can

01-20-2013 02:29:57 | More by DesertRat

Bernardkowalski

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Absolutely one of my favorite beers!! honestly can go good with anything, but you are better off enjoying this beer by itself. it has so much too offer, such great combination between the yeast and malt's making this an outstanding brew. you can put this on my list of top beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 00:33:03 | More by Bernardkowalski