Ten FIDY - Oskar Blues Brewing Company

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance - uncaps without a noise. Pours an inky, oily thick black, a finger of chocolate mocha head piecing together. Thick and creamy, thin sticky waves of lace make an even ring around the glass.

Aroma - heavy roasted malts, lots of coffee aroma. I dig.

Taste - huge roasted malts. Mmmm, sweetness, bitter espresso-like coffee. The swallow shows some bitterness, via either the roasted malts or balancing hops. It really doesn't matter, the show is in the roast and coffee flavor of the malts. And a fine show it is. Some abv warmth before long, the finish provides sustained roastiness post-swallow, just a delicious beer to enjoy.

Mouthfeel - heavy, thick, moderately carbonated. 'You can use a fork, but you'll want to use a spoon to catch every drop'...remember that one?? ;-) It's like that...

Drinkability - super stuff, that it's in a can just adds to the convenience and aura that is Oskar. Kudos to Yesac for pushing me to put this can in the fridge and check 'er out. Enjoyed this during Game 3 of the World Series, Tampa vs Philly. Toasts to both teams are in order for a fine game and one of the most competitive series through three that I can remember. Booyah!!

Serving type: can

10-26-2008 06:16:47 | More by brewdlyhooked13

itcomesnpints

New York

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

No need to worry about an exploding can as you open. This stuff is just too damn thick. Pitch black oil glugs out of the can. A hard pour created a big muddy head. A regular black hole in the glass. Cool.

Smells like sweet roasted malt, and lots of it. Coffee and bittersweet chocolate. Light hop oils on the nose.

Chocolate fudge, sweet malt, espresso and hop spice on the palate. Don't think this could taste any better.

A full-bodied RIS that is ridiculously smooth and creamy. Just enough pep from the carbonation to keep all that malt weight from falling flat. Best mouthfeel i've found in an RIS.

After being very underwhelmed by Oskar Blues' Gordon's DIPA, I was a rigid skeptic of Ten FIDY's hype...until I popped the top. Ten FIDY is not only the best beer in a can, but it might be the best RIS i've had yet.

Serving type: can

11-07-2008 16:40:08 | More by itcomesnpints

HardTarget

Texas

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A) Impenetrable blackness that only shows a razor thin edge of clarity when the glass is tilted 45 degrees. My imperial British pint glass seems to suck light into an inky void. A thin but persistent ropey head leaves spots of lace.

S) A hoppy vanilla milkshake.

T) First contact isn't pleasant. Harsh charcoal and ash with burnt sweet coffee spilled on it. It's too much. As I start to acclimate to the Rummy sweetness, the dark roasted coffee and refreshing citric hops start to shine. Before too long, I'm hooked, taking deep satisfying pulls from the glass.

M) Heavy cream, only the slightest carbonation in tiny bubbles. I think I swallow each sip 3 times, it clings to the palate with a long lasting oily lip smacking finish.

D) Like a tub that's too hot, getting in feels harsh and punishing, but once you're in: oh momma it's good. Dark heavy handed professional brings the skills; clean, bright hop profile that's unique without being charring, This beer doesn't just scratch that spot, it hammers it. Bravo, and thank God you've made it to Texas.

Serving type: can

12-03-2008 06:11:06 | More by HardTarget

joshuadlight

Texas

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

What better beer for my 50th review than the old ten FIDY?

Motor oil, soy sauce, deep dark outer space... whatever descriptions and metaphors you want to use. This stuff is blacker than black. Almost no head which gives away its lack of carbonation.

Out of my snifter this beer came rumbling forth with all kinds of the stoutiest aromas and flavors. Sweet cinnamon toast, freshly baked bread, and melted dark (think 99% cacao) chocolate. It tasted heavenly, sweet if thats possible, bitter, hot, roasty malts. There a soy flavor for the first couple of sips, but after warming those foul flavors died away, leaving only the best flavors you can find in an Impy Stout.

Can't give it a perfect for drinkability because one was enough, but it was nicely drinkable for what it was: a big, over the top bomb of aroma and flavor that was a joy to imbibe.

Serving type: can

03-25-2009 03:35:34 | More by joshuadlight

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a thick, oily black with a dark brown, dense foam cap. It quickly dissipates to a ring, and leaves excellent lace trails. The aroma is of dark chocolate, espresso, christmas pudding and piney hops. The taste is roasty and intense. Very dry coffee bean and cocoa flavors mix with a strong hop bitterness. There's also lots of dark malt bitterness as well. Caramel and fruity, banana esters from the yeast also show their presence. The alcohol provides complimentary warmth and always belies its 10% strength. The mouthfeel is super full-bodied, mouthcoating. The finish is hoppy, roasty and bitter for a long while.

This is an excellent RIS. Full of great, hearty flavors, and never too sweet. A winner all around.

Serving type: can

12-22-2009 03:59:28 | More by CAMRAhardliner

CrystalShipMS3

Maryland

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours black inky darkness. Super dark brown almost chocolate colored head. Head doesn't last long leaves some sticky residue on the glass as you drink.

Smell: Coffee and some cherry. Dark and bitter smell but slightly sweet.

Taste: Brilliant. Perfect. Sweet alcoholic fruit and bitter coffee and chocolate balance perfectly together. Lots of depth, each flavor develops on your palate with every sip. It's just plain excellent. Strong but tasty alcohol flavor develops as it warms, almost vodka like but it fits with the thick flavor well.

Mouthfeel: Cream. Perfect for the brew. Heavy. Delicious.

Oveall: I'll never forget this beer. Dear god. It's amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 22:48:42 | More by CrystalShipMS3

sevenarts

New York

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Dark, opaque black, small tan head, some lacing.

S: Coffee, chocolate, sweet malts, fruit, a bit of a smoky character.

T/M: Intense! Coffee and chocolate up front, some fruity hops blended in, wood, some bitter bite on the back end. Delicious and really complex and layered.

O: This is a fantastic stout, really rich and heavy, with a wide array of flavors.

Serving type: can

02-03-2012 23:49:58 | More by sevenarts

cragus

Ontario (Canada)

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

355mL can into snifter
A - Pours a pitch black with no head to speak of
S - Smells of malt, coffee, and chocolate with a little smokiness
T - Spice from the alcohol is present, but is not unpleasantly forward. Malty chocolate is the primary flavour backed up by some roasted coffee and a minor fruitiness.
M - Thick and rich mouthfeel. Very full bodied with a long finish and light carbonation.
O - This is my favourite beer, the mouthfeel in particular is just incredible.

Serving type: can

05-02-2012 01:54:08 | More by cragus

acevenom

Louisiana

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to EgadBananas for this can dated 11-14-11. Poured into a pint glass. Pours black with a two-finger length dark brown head that dissipates slowly. Some lacing is left on the side of the glass during consumption. There are aromas of dark roasted barley malts, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol. It's mildy sweet smelling as well. The taste follows the nose. There are dark roasted malts, bitter chocolate, coffee, and alcohol featured prominently in the flavors. The hops are also present on the back end to balance some of the malty sweetness. The aftertaste is mildly of coffee and chocolate. The body is medium to full with moderate carbonation. It's creamy, but not too filling. The drinkability is very high for a style generally more suited for sipping. It's full of flavor and very easy to drink for such a big beer. Overall, this is an excellent beer and an excellent example of the style.

Serving type: can

05-29-2012 22:16:48 | More by acevenom

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a can into a nonic pint.

A - Pours like motor oil (a perception possibly aided because it comes from a can), so black it seems to absorb light. Did I mention that it's really black?? Aggressive pour yields only a one-finger head of dark brown bubbles.

S - Everything here smells roasty and burnt. Getting burnt grains, burnt molasses, burnt raisin, burnt coffee. Smells inviting.

T - Wow. Surprisingly smooth for the flavor richness and depth. Esters of mocha, devil's food cake, espresso bean, molassess, plum, black cherry, and egg cream. If you struggle, you can detect some herbal and fruity hops in the finish. Extremely well balanced between sweet and bitter. 10.5% abv impossible to detect. Out of this world.

M - Medium to full bodied, with low carbonation. Smooth and creamy. Marvelous.

O - An amazing stout, and probably the best I have ever had. I have been reading about this for a while, and NOW I see what all the hype is about. Nearly perfect. Kudos to OB for this amazing stout.

Serving type: can

07-04-2012 05:07:58 | More by TempeBeerMan

sniper061

New York

4.86/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

This stout is another example of a fun beer, a pitch black pour with a caramel head. The pour out of the can was awesome and made a great 2 finger deep head in the glass. Great malt flavor, chocolate and anise on teh backside.
Ten Fidy is an incredible imperial stout that is great from can to can.

Serving type: can

04-01-2013 10:31:22 | More by sniper061

czechsaaz

Washington

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Lots of chocolate aroma. Big roast malt and tons of base malt. Almost smells a little like candy.

Deep dark with a big thick head of tan foam. Very nice. Lost of brownish lacing sticks, almost like syrup to the sides of the glass.

First sip is mostly sweet malt flavors and some maple and caramelized sugar, deep dark rich sugar flavors. Then the roast kicks in. It's not big roast flavor but enough to give it some tartness. Hops are present for bittering and are at a nice level to do that job, but mostly the hops are an afterthought. Big yeast esters of ripe fruit and black cherry. It finishes with a lot of chocolate flavor. Yum...

Big thick mouthfeel. Very apprpriate for the style. Slight warming from the high alcohol level. Almost chewy.

Big huge sipper. A very worthy beer to put among the better impy stouts.

Serving type: can

04-25-2008 03:19:51 | More by czechsaaz

kbnooshay

New York

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This poured an awesome pitch black! The super frothy head is a very dirty dark brown. Aroma is potently alcoholic but in a good way. Roasted coffee, sweet malt and very bitter chocolate are standouts in the nose. The taste is more of the same but the alcohol isn't as noticeable as in the smell.

Most impressive here is the multiple waves of delicious bitter chocolate and roasted malt. Moderately drying. Alcohol warms in the belly. The feel is syrupy and coating but at the same time creamy. Just to point out, at this time in the session almost all of the empty glass is coated in a generous sheet of brown lacing. This is WAYYY to drinkable for a 10% abv. It is a delight to drink but it will bite back!.

These guys make fucking awesome beer then they put it in a can! I know it shouldn't be a surprise to find beer this awesome in a can these days but i still do. Don't let it deter you, buy anything by Oscar Blues!

Serving type: can

08-20-2008 02:24:23 | More by kbnooshay

arizcards

Arizona

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Picked up a can from AJ's in late April for $2.99.

Beer poured black as night with a strong brown head. Nose is sweet malts, chocolate, and coffee with a hint of alcohol. Taste is of roasted malts and coffee with a beautiful bitter chocolate finish. Warming alcohol was present with the initial sips. Mouthfeel is creamy perfection. It is full bodied yet light at the same time. Each sip is incredibly smooth as there must be some oatmeal in the recipe. Overall drinkability is perfect. I have to believe this is the best RIS I have had to date!

Serving type: can

09-20-2008 22:59:18 | More by arizcards

IPAs4lyfe

Colorado

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Pours blacker than black with a dark coffee-colored head.

S: Ripe fruits, chocolate, creamy espresso.

T: WOW! Starts off with the dark fruit and lots of bittersweet chocolate, some alcohol, then some pleasant roasted malt and coffee flavors. The hops balance wonderfully after a good amount of time so you can enjoy the malt flavor. Great blanace here, finish is nice and bitter yet well balanced.

M: So good. Creamy, chewy, little carbonation, nice and thick the way a RIS should be.

D: Almost too good to be true. Alchol is WELL hidden which is almost dangerous! I could enjoy this all night long. The best Russian Imperial Stout I have had yet! Highly recommended.

Serving type: can

09-23-2008 04:45:16 | More by IPAs4lyfe

Stunner97

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- Dark black with a beautifully thinning foam head of a tan color, this is motor oil black no light coming through this sucker

Smell- strong coffee smells, dark roasted malts, almonds, and sweet burnt malts and dark chocolate

Taste- Coffee or espresso notes jump out at you, lots of dark tasty malts for sure, and again a bit of chocolate, a very good flavored stout

Mouthfeel- thick syrupy good brew, definitely heavy full bodied beer

Drinkability- A strong beer that pours very nicely out of the can and a not over whelming of alcohol beer considering how strong, a good well balanced stout worth checking out and getting again if you can get hold of these hard to find gems

Serving type: can

02-20-2009 06:48:26 | More by Stunner97

chsanders

Nebraska

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I was very impressed with this beer. It met every expectation that I had from things I've heard on different podcasts over the past year or so. It has just taken this long to get my hands on some. I love this beer and will sing its praises to anyone who will listen.

Serving type: can

04-27-2009 18:20:47 | More by chsanders

beerman207

Kentucky

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A 2 fingers of head, it's a thing of beauty coming out of a can. Looks like I just tapped a jug of motor oil. Head hangs around quite a while and is almost a dark brown. Wow. Leaves quite a bit of lacing around the glass.

S - Smell is of chocolate, raisins, and some hazlenut?, perhaps even figs, the alcohol comes through the nose a bit as well

T - This thing tastes like chocolate and coffee as well some hints of dark fruit. Definately has some bitter coming through and a sweetness that adds to the finish as well as a nice warming feeling.

M - Wow, this is silky and smooth and just magnificent in terms of the mouthfeel. The carbonation is just right and the creaminess of this is very impressive.

D- This one is a sipper for sure. I would love to have more than one can of this. Will definatey look for another.

Serving type: can

08-09-2009 02:55:01 | More by beerman207

BooRad81

Tennessee

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into snifter. Good lord. Pitch black with nutty, tan lacing. Looks like used motor oil. Hints of espresso and dark toffee on the nose. First taste is like eating dark cocoa and coffee with a milky chocolate finish. Rich and creamy, I could bathe in this guy. Still waiting to have it on tap. Simply a must try beer.

Serving type: can

12-10-2011 07:35:08 | More by BooRad81

bitterbeerguy

Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Its been a long week, and after starting with a Founder's breakfast, I decided it was time to try this little can in the fridge

Pours a color that is like a night when no moon is anywhere. Dark as dark gets. Small off white/cream bubbles came to the top when I poured but beyond that the carbonation does not reveal itself until consumed

Aroma is almost perfect. Heavy notes of coffee/toffee/chocolate are balanced by cream and marshmallow. Why did this not get a 5? You know the ABV when you smell it.

Taste is incredible- notes of alcohol, coffee, butter, toffee, and cashews. Almost a cream texture. Really, really, really good. No question there is booze in this, but it works in this brew.

A+, enough said.

Serving type: can

01-28-2012 01:07:35 | More by bitterbeerguy

Edwaka01

New York

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured fromn can into Middle Ages nonic.

A - Black-hole black with a thick, light brown/red head that slowly fades to leave a thin layer to hide the blackness.

S - Strong aroma of dark malts, chocolate, cocoa, dark LME, homebrew kitchen, boil, brew.

T - Extremely smooth. Bacon is most prevalent and it's awesome despite my vegatarianism. Smoky, roasty, malty base covered with the most awesome breakfast meat ever devised. Alcohol (10.5%ABV is non-existant).

M - Perfect for this style. Thick, but not fillingly so. No coating feeling, and no alcohol burn whatsoever.

O - Glad I picked up 2 4-packs of this. It will either be lovingly enjoyed or traded for something equally awesome. Bitches Brew anyone?!? Highly! recommended!

Serving type: can

02-07-2012 20:06:58 | More by Edwaka01

scootny

New York

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is one of the greats. Simple as that. Black liquid, dense brown head that leaves sticky spots and streaks. Smell is Godiva meets Starbucks. Taste is as good as it gets with a huge chocolate front that is followed by a heavy roasted grain coffee finish. Hops are plentiful but because of the huge sweetness of the malt they are balanced to the point of playing second fiddle leading into a coffee like finish. The wonderful blend of dark and chocolate malts just lays the floor on this one. A touch of licorice. Finish is surprisingly clean and dry with an extra bold coffee taste lingering. A touch of grapefruit skin as well. Feel is smooth and chewy while remaining light enough to drink way to fast. Satin on the tongue with a perfect and subtle carbonation. One of the best RIS I've ever had. No barrel needed, just vision and expert brewing. WOW!

Serving type: can

01-03-2013 05:36:20 | More by scootny

timc100

Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Fresh can

Pours pitch black out of the can, big dark mocha head - fantastic looking beer. The smell is huge - bitter dark chocolate and coffee, and a nearly dominating grapefruit and pine hop character. Some chocolate covered tart cherries as well - serve as the middle man between the coffee/chocolate and hops. Taste is incredible - full and vibrant. Dark roast coffee beans, chocolate, hop bite, burnt caramel. Very bitter and sweet beer, in fact. Amazing, super delicious stuff.

Serving type: can

03-18-2013 04:13:28 | More by timc100

Blackbird939

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Simply divine stout- what an imperial Russian should be, in my opinion. Ive had the pleasure of getting my hands on a 2010 1050 in the can and it was even smoother, silkier than a more recent vintage. Gets better with age. Delicious cold or room temp, flat or spirited. It is simply- honestly, the best beer I've ever had the pleasure of drinking. I worship this particular beer because it has earned all of my praise and these accolades. The pinnacle of the art form, at least in the world of stouts.

Serving type: can

03-26-2013 03:20:00 | More by Blackbird939

BillyB

New Jersey

4.83/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I can't think of a better way to sample a beer than hanging out at the GABF and chatting with the brewer while I drink.
This beer pours a jet black color with almost no head.
Deep rich aromas of coffee, chocolate , deep roasted malt and a hint of oakey/wood flavor.
Tastes of mollasses,chocolate and sweet roasted malt with a strong alcohol presence dominate.
Full bodied, rich mouthfeel.
The aromas and flavors this beer has from a can are just phenomenal.

Serving type: can

12-02-2007 21:46:37 | More by BillyB