Ten FIDY - Oskar Blues Brewing Company

jdubjacket

Georgia

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

Why does Oskar Blues do this to me? They create some of the best beers I've ever had but they're only limited releases. Case in point: Big Poppa Cherry and Ten Fidy.

Picked up a few four-packs of these at Green's on Buford Highway in Atlanta.

I still think it's hilarious to drink IPA's, Scottish Ales, Pale Ales, and now Imperial Stouts from a can.

Poured from a can into a Sweetwater pint glass. Looks like motor oil from a can. It's pitch black and looks delicious.

The aroma is one of dark chocolate, a little bit of coffee and roasted malts.

The taste reflects the smell. The chocolate and coffee undertones are very well balanced.

The mouthfeel is quite exceptional. It's smooth as silk.

The drinkability is outstanding. It goes down smooth, and the alcohol is masked very well. The only issue is the alcohol packs a punch, so it's tought to drink more than one.

Overall, an outstanding brew. This beer is just as good out of a can as it is on tap. Another great beer from Oskar Blues.

Serving type: can

02-03-2008 13:49:03 | More by jdubjacket

Kudashov

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

More canned goodness from my favorite brewery , Oskar Blues .

Poured into my large Spaten beer mug this brew is as black as night . The chocolate / mocca colored head is thick with very small bubbles . My mouth is watering just looking at this . Hope it tastes as good as the on tap serving I had at Sunset . Dan the bartender that night , also the Archbishop of Beer at Marty's in Newton told me , quote " now if they can only can it " . Well thank my lucky stars because this stuff is . There is a burnt coffee / roasted cashew aroma . Did I tell you I love all of the Oskar Blues brews . Taste is where this is just a hint better than Old Rasputin , Choklat and Brooklyn Black . I think it is mild bitterness that you get in the flavor that puts it ahead of the other brews . Mouthfeel is rich and as usual the drinkability is as good as all the other OB brews . Again . Oskar Blues has a fan for life with their brews .

Did I tell you I love all the OB brews ?

Thanks Dan . Again .

Serving type: can

02-03-2008 05:30:47 | More by Kudashov

Jwale73

Rhode Island

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

Served in a standard pint glass (thanks msubulldog25). Can opened with a slight spurt that my dog Sonny was happy to lick up off the adjacent couch. Poured an extremely dark brown with red highlights noticeable when backlit during the pour. Only way I knew it was brown was by looking at the liquid immediately below the rim of foam. Quarter-inch coffee-colored head quickly dissipated into a murky skim of light brown beer algae; plentiful sticky lacing throughout the tasting. Tremendous aromas of chocolate and malt. First sip was truly a beautiful experience. Sweet and chocolatey with a hint of coffee. Silky smooth, full mouthfeel culminated in a slightly astringent alcohol finish, while the fading memory of chocolate and malt lingered until the next sip. My only regret is that I didn't save this one for my 100th review. Outstanding imperial stout.

Serving type: can

02-01-2008 02:30:12 | More by Jwale73

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

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

Imperial Stout in a can. Had to try it, if for nothing than the sheer comic value.

A: Black, this looks like a black hole in my glass, just a little bit of head, very dark brown, looks like used motor oil. Awesome.

S: A big hit of chocolate, followed by some coffee, some alcohol, kind of a funky fruit smell, and each time I take a drink something new pops out, buttery almost, can't really describe it.

T: Coffee is the first impression, then chocolate, then burnt malts, lingering hop bitterness, but not too much actual hop taste, quite overpowered by everything else. Very tast though, just a little kick of alcohol, definitely has a warming effect.

M: Creamy, filmy, and sticky, very smooth with little carbonation, all in all a very pleasant mouth experience.

D: In no way is this offensive, but it will catch up to ya, quickly that alcohol is a sneaky devil. I'd limit it at one to actually enjoy it, two would be pushing it. Very good brew though!

Serving type: can

01-25-2008 23:47:58 | More by pokesbeerdude

SwillBilly

Virginia

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

Brought back east from my Brother-in-Law in Denver.

Appearance: Pours thick and deep black like used motor oil. Not a bit of light gets through the pitch black stout. A light brown head tops the beer and fades fairly quickly to a thin coating.

Smell: Hints of bittersweet chocolate, over ripe dark fruit, toasted raisin bread. A little alcohol comes through as it warms.

Taste: Starts mildly sweet with dark fruit and chocolate. The middle is where the dark roasted malts make an appearance with a nice roasty bitterness, very smooth until the finish wich is full of roasted malt and a big time hop bite that lingers long after the swallow. Alcohol dangerously hidden in the flavor profile.

Mouthfeel: Thick, luscious, creamy, encompasses the entire mouth, velvety. This is what a big stout should feel like in the mouth.

Drinkability/Notes: Definitely one of the better Impy Stouts I've had in a long while. The malts play a balancing act between fruity and chocolatey sweetness and dark roasted bitterness with the hops playing the encore in the finish with a big dose of hop bitterness. Dangerously drinkable at 10% abv. Fantastic in the mouth with a very good aroma profile. The best beer I've had in a can for sure, but also one of the best Impy Stouts I've had regardless of serving vessel. Highly recommended if you can get your hands on it. Thankfully Oskar Blues will be distributing this beyond Colorado in the near future. Seek and Enjoy.

Serving type: can

01-25-2008 22:59:40 | More by SwillBilly

joe1510

Illinois

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

12oz Can

I'm lucky enough to get to try Ten Fidy thanks to my Secret Santa Tayner. Ten Fidy gurgles from the can and appeared like black coffee when poured but black when in the glass. No light peeks through the body. A dark half finger velvety brown head formed on the pour. The head was so dark in fact it appeared to have a purple tint to it. Leaves sheet lacing that eventually cascades into the body.

The smell is big on the roasty side with a hefty dose bittersweet chocolate as well. I'm pretty surprised to find a moderate helping of hazelnut something I don't come across very often in Imperial Stouts. The roastiness is really what dominates though from front to back, everything else is just complimentary.

There is a huge amount of roastiness present. This roastiness kick starts things and is joined mid-palate by slightly bitter coffee grounds. There's a flash of baker's chocolate here and there but as a vein running through the roastiness. The finish brings a slight bitterness from the heavily roasted grains.

The body is lush with a nice velvety texture. There's a touch of heat on the swallow but it's barely noticeable.

This is an easy sipping Imperial Stout that will help keep you warm on a cold Winter's night. It will sneak up on you if you don't take it easy though.

Ten Fidy is a solid Imperial Stout from the guys over at Oskar Blues. They know how to make good beer and this is no exception.

Serving type: can

01-20-2008 01:52:37 | More by joe1510

tpd975

Florida

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

Wow franksnbeans threw this one in as an extra on our last trade.

A: Pours as black as black can be. Used motor oil and the night sky has nothing on this one. The head is insane. At least three fingers of thick bubbly goodness. It does die down, but this one laces as good as any beer I have ever seen. Add all this up with the fact that is comes in a can....makes it an absolute thing of beauty.

S: Nice roasted aromas with hints of dark coffee, and bitter chocolate. To be honest not the best smelling RIS, but I can't wait to taste.

T: Touchdown! This is a world class brew. The flavors are actually fairly simple and forthright. Tons of dark roasted bitter coffee, with hint of dark chocolate. A tinge of hops can be felt in the end along with a kind of tobacco taste. The taste of this one is not all clouded. It comes straight at you big and bold all chocolate and coffee and I have to say that I love it.

M: Absolutely wonderful. Big and thick and as smooth and creamy as any RIS you will every find. In one word Velvet!

D: No sign of the ABV here. I just wish I had more than one can.

Overall: I reaalllly liked this beer. Nice straightforward flavors that are big and bold like I like them. Add in the touch of hops and you have a masterpiece. Younger35 sent me two others that got lost in the ABYSS between here and Idaho. I would give my left hand to have them right now. There is hope on the horizon, as I have heard that OB is going to start canning this one full time. If they do the availability will make this the #1 RIS in America for those not so long cold winter days here in Florida, at least in my book ;)

Serving type: can

01-19-2008 20:11:44 | More by tpd975

Tilley4

Tennessee

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

First RIS I've ever had in a can. Wasn't sure what to expect.

Glugs out pitch black. Looks just like used motor oil. Smallish head that builds up slowly to about a 2 incher and laces the entire glass as I drink it. This is an evil and vile looking concoction!

Smells full of chocolate and malt. I'm beginning to think that this is all it's cracked up to be. I've been hearing the hype and I am beginning to believe it.

Oh, baby, is this thing smooth! Rich dark chocolate taste without even a sniff of the 10%. This is one dangerous brew! As far as strictly taste goes, this is the best tasting RIS that I've ever had. Simply amazing!

If I could get this all the time, it would be my go to RIS. Nothing else to this point measures up. It is following a Victory Storm King and seems to be in a class by itself.

Serving type: can

01-18-2008 15:13:29 | More by Tilley4

rallison

California

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

First RIS in a can! Thanks Oxymoron for this gem!

A: Beautiful thick, rich black color. 1 finger brown head. Beautiful, beautiful beer.

S: Roasted malts with some chocolate. Some nuttiness. As it warms, the smell definitely improves.

T: Creamy chocolate coats the tongue. Roasted coffee in the background. Light hops. Not extremely complex, but oh so tasty! Slight alcohol in the very back.

M: Rich, nicely coating. Perfect carbonation.

D: Extremely drinkable.

Highly recommended. Definitely one of the better imperial stouts.

Serving type: can

01-17-2008 08:59:51 | More by rallison

YonderWanderer

Colorado

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

A: Looks like black, thick, viscous motor oil being poured from a can. Leaves a single finger of dark tan foam, with moderate lacing on the glass.

S: Dark roasted grains, chocolate, coffee, and some mild sweetness.

T: Damn good. The alcohol is present, but not unpleasant. Lots of roasted flavor in this one. Some hints of chocolate, toffee, and coffee are in the background.

M: Thick and viscous, with little carbonation.

D: This is a great RIS! I can't wait til' this starts getting distributed in MA. I would gladly drink this all the time if I could.

Between this and Surly Furious, I have a whole new respect for beers in cans.

Serving type: can

01-17-2008 02:04:50 | More by YonderWanderer

Wasatch

Utah

4.72/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks goes out to ArrogantB for this brew.

Pours a deep black color, very nice carbonation, huge two finger creamy tan head, which leave some awesome sticky lacing. The nose is big on malts, toffee, chocolate, nice slight vanilla, and caramel. The taste is absolutly delicious, malty/toffee/chocolate, nice little bit of sweetness, and some caramel. The alcohol is hidden extremely well, could drink a few of these easy. Full-Medium body, a well rounded brew. Very drinkable, very smooth, this is an exceptional brew, highly recommended.

Serving type: can

01-17-2008 01:34:36 | More by Wasatch

AndoBrew

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

*love it, would buy it*

app: dark with bloodmeal hues. not much head. scary.

smell: bloodmeal smell, roasty dark malts nice rich n bold. not amazing though. it lacks the WOW.

taste: yummy, rich wonderful stout. GO OSCAR! not much to say. its great.

mf: little on the water side.. maybe from the age.

drinkable?: it sure is. this is why i drinkablem, cause of beers like this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2008 23:07:14 | More by AndoBrew

Mudpuppet

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to drumrboy22 for the chance to have this.

A- Poured from a can into a Brooklyn wide-type Champagne glass. Pours a pitch black with 1/4 inch tan head.

S- The aroma did not surface until the head subsided. Coffee and chocolate for sure then almost a plastic smell.

T- Very bright and bitter in the beginning. Tapers off to bitter chocolate and burnt coffee. Very malty beer indeed!

M- THICK!! This is very little carbonation. But that is good for this beer.

D- Love this! Could drink this all night until I fell over! If I could only find it here.

Serving type: can

01-10-2008 01:31:19 | More by Mudpuppet

BradLikesBrew

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nothing like trading beers on Christmas, thanks psprings.

Aluminum can has no freshness info.

a: Impenetrable blackness. A dark tan head fades swiftly.

s: Roasty malt, dark coffee and chocolate.

t: Espresso, bitter chocolate, roasted, nearly charred malt. Solid bitterness in the finish provides excellent balance.

m: Thick, full body. Light carbonation. Creamy.

d: Robust maltiness meets its match with ensuing bitterness.
This balance makes Ten FIDY quite drinkable and a damn good RIS. Gotta love getting a quality brew from a can.

Serving type: can

01-09-2008 22:33:37 | More by BradLikesBrew

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.83/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A lovely black & anodized 12 oz. can, top popped and poured into a snifter. One of two acquired in trade - this one's from Wasatch (credit vwcraig for the other) - thanks, guys.

"Cross-eyed. Cyclopean. Cancupiscent" [?]

A: Pours thick and perfectly black, remarkable-looking whether from a can, a bottle or a tap (but from a can is pretty cool). A roil of creamy effervescence builds a sizable puff of a head, nearly two fingers at it's peak, it's toasty orange, the color of cinnamon and graham crackers. And drops v-e-r-y slowly to a goopy film. Lace coats in satiny sheets, slipping a little but eventually gripping in neat bands. Gorgeous and nearly flawless in appearance.

S: Very dark chocolate aroma, burnt grains. A spicy tickle of dark fruit and dried raisins, a little meaty jerky/leather. Modest bitter coffee...I let warm for a long time and never got a huge aroma from it. Pleasant, yes. Captivating - hardly.

T: There's the bittering - wham! Bitter chocolate, espresso coffee, an indiscernible hopping. Sweeter cocoa in the middle. Trace of vanilla. Big flavor, but his one is just very dry and harsh in its sharp/burnt/sooty bittering - maybe my 4.0 is generous.

M: A medium bodied RIS, nothing too thick. That big bittering does grab hold firmly in the middle of the tongue and sticks like peanut butter to the roof of the mouth. Stickier malts stay on the lips. Creamy mouthfeel, unnoticeable carbonation.

D: I do love my Imperial Stouts and this surprised me in that I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. The hype here may be justified, but my personal experience = less than 'wow'. Besides that gorgeous appearance, this fell somewhere in the middle for other categories. Fortunately I have another one to try...scoring adjustments will be made, if warranted...

Serving type: can

01-04-2008 05:58:30 | More by msubulldog25

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

12oz can poured into an Imperial Pint Glass and served at cellar Temperature

A – Poured the thickest darkest oil looking liquid I have ever seen. This stuff literally poured out of the can like it was an oil slick, thick and syrup like and a drop fell on the counter, I thought it would stain forever. A huge four finger high head of thick dark colored foam rose up ever so slowly from the bottom of the glass and almost peaked its head up over the top. It had a nice cascading settling effect that really just added to the whole appearance and made look as though it was really a big time player here. Huge amounts of side glass lace were common here as this was just a monster. I would have to say appearance wise this was just perfect.

S – The aroma was thick, but not too overpowering as to be a put off. The deep dark chocolate was the first wave to hit you and this melded seamlessly into a big splash of roasted coffee. Very dark aromas here in general with hints of caramel and possibly some lactose or vanilla swirling around in there, but the overall heavy feel of this one was just getting itself started.

T – The flavor was huge and very dry even from the first sip. As I started I knew it was going to be big. The first thing I could taste was a nice amount of dark chocolate. Not a ton of it, but enough that there was some in there. This was balanced by some nice coffee like flavors and a ton of dry roasted malts. This was a very dark stout, even for the style. Some nice alcohol warming notes were present as well, and were actual welcomed here as it added some depth. The finish was very dry almost unusually so with a big time drawn out finish. Some subtle hoppiness was present in the finish, however nothing that would let you know that from the start, and in fact it took a good long time for that to even come around. There was another tiny little hint of vanilla in and around a sugary bit at the end, but this was mostly a bitter dry stout.

M – Very very full bodied. This was one of the thickest drinks I have ever had. It had the feel and consistency of an oil milk shake. Very big bodied and very filling this was easily something to cap off the night with. The carbonation was very nice as I would have thought for being so thick that it would have gone flat rather quickly, but this was not the case, it actually had a very nice and creamy consistency and the silk like feeling you can get from tiny carbonation bubbles.

D – This was defiantly a sipper, just due to the shear thickness of it. The alcohol content itself was very well hidden and in fact only trace amounts could really be picked up. This was just so filling there was just no way were you going to be able to take down huge gulps of this.

Overall I really thought this was pretty good. Now I will admit I have had better stouts, but I would say this was still more then decent and really showed off what this brewery can do. I would have to say it is more then deserving of its high ranking and is a nice contrast to a lot of the sweeter stouts I have had as of late. A solid effort and a really nice example definitely go out and get this one.

Serving type: can

12-31-2007 23:51:43 | More by mikesgroove

JohnGalt1

Idaho

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

From notes taken Friday night at The Front Door.. Draft into a Chimay goblet.. LOOKS THICK... Creamy brown 3/4" head... lacing lasts not really long... Aroma is Deep roasted malts and dark chocolate .. dark fruits and significant alcohol. Chocolate covered raisins and roasted barley.. smells great. Flavor is huge lingering roasted malts.. good sweetness.. This brew is thick for sure, but I am sipping and definately not complaining. Coffee and dark chocolate battle it out with the fruity notes.. ultimately it's a draw... chewy... lingers forever... hop bitterness ties perfectly to the black malts.. balanced alcohol and suprisingly smooth.

This in only the 5th time I've had this brew ... twice on tap at the Front Door (those were bourbon aged) ... latter two were from Younger35, Dan truly hooked me up and is an exceptional trader.. I give him the highest regards and suggest any trader check him out.

Edit: Why and the hell can I get Ten Fidy and Gordon (both wood aged) on tap yet not get a can of either in Boise? Distributors aren't giving Boise the credit it deserves ... we "should" be able to get them.. damn it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2007 09:02:28 | More by JohnGalt1

mentor

Colorado

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

Pours like motor oil, hard, to get a one finger fine-bubbled dark brown head over a pitch liquid. Smells coffee, some grassiness from hops, chocolate espresso, molasses, with a nice clean alcohol sting. Fruits are present in minimal quantities, more like sawdust from a fresh sweet wood.

Tastes potent roast with a rich milky cream malt sweetness underneath Chocolate-covered coffee bean. Way under is almost a caramel sweetness...something dark and candi-like in that sort of vein...nutty? Drying finish becomes drier in the aftertaste. Grassiness and ashy dark grain character. Amazing they can get hop bitter and grassiness to show amid the intense dark grains.

Md-thick body and creamy smooth silky mouthfeel. Alcohol helps clean the palette. Needs a bit of time for the alcohol sting to settle and the dark grain flavors to blend. Great cellaring potential.

Serving type: can

12-30-2007 22:19:59 | More by mentor

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I got this can in a trade with Wasatch. Thanks John!

It pours from 12oz can a pitch black with a small and quickly shrinking head of tannish foam.

The smell is roasted malt to the nth degree but I also can get some coffee and some chocolate.

The taste is strong and complex with notes of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, and a touch of caramel malt that slightly takes off the edge of the roasty goodness. The body is very thick and chewy and it's carbonation is light. What a sipper!! The finish has a nice hot cocoa kind of bitterness to it that really ends the session on a high note. Wow. I know it's 10%abv and it does give me a slight warming during and after the swallow but that doesn't hurt the drinkability of this RIS much at all. Oskar Blues....you've done it yet again!! My hat's off to you.

Thanks again, John, for including this in our trade!

Serving type: can

12-21-2007 23:22:46 | More by Bitterbill

Vancer

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Thanks to my secret Santa cartdan for the huge effort to get this for me.

Good grief, this is the blackest pour I’ve ever seen in a brew, and I’ve seen the Dark One. Even with the 10%, a rich and pillowy tan head, and no sh!t, it’s sticking to the sides 1/16” thick.

Aroma is a chocolate malt smore, dipped from a dark fruit barrel. Burnt toast coated with raison jam, tangy and not the least bit cloying. An excellent RIS, from a can – that’s a huge thumbs up.

Thick and rich body, this one has to have 300 calories in the can – another couple miles to walk tomorrow.

It was worth it.

Serving type: can

12-19-2007 02:27:06 | More by Vancer

bennetj17

Arizona

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

This is the thickest, blackest thing I've ever seen pouring out of an aluminum can. Dark brown foam atop the beer settles into a nice ring. Smells of sweet chocolate and a bourbon-like vanilla note with only mild suggestions of roast. The aroma seems a bit muted, and trying to get more I have to stick my nose far into the glass.

The beer has a strong flavor of dark chocolate, with a hearty bitter and roasted character. Lightly drying, with a hint of cherry in the finish. The alcohol doesn't show itself really. The mouthfeel comes out less chewy than it would appear to be, plus there is decent carbonation which is much appreciated. It coats the palate nicely.

I thought this beer was very good, and quite easy to drink for a heavy stout. It wasn't amazing in it's complexity but it doesn't really have to be. I like the fact that it wasn't too cloying or alcoholic. I would love some more of this, too bad that was my only can...

Serving type: can

12-17-2007 04:13:35 | More by bennetj17

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can obtained via trade with autumnaldave. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" dark brown (almost purply black) head above the opaque black brew. Head hangs on, with average lace, which actually is pretty good for the style. Aroma is surprisingly minimal, but what is present is the expected dark maltiness with ample hops. Taste starts with sweet darkness, but quickly goes almost acrid bitter, in a good way, then giving way to sharp hoppiness, and closing with gradual warmth. Mouthfeel smooth and creamy, but the acridness does hamper things a bit, and drinkability reflects the same, but still very good overall. I'm really being picky here, but that's just me. Regardless, way kudos for Oskar Blues for continuing to be on the cutting edge on putting new style in the can.

Serving type: can

12-16-2007 03:23:30 | More by ppoitras

ncvbc

North Carolina

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

Pours a deep dark black. Looks pretty crazy coming from a can. A nice tan head rises from beneath the abyss and rests atop it for a decent amount of time, leaving a little lacing down my glass. Smells of nice roasty malts. Chocolate and an underlying nutty scent. Taste is pretty much the same but not quite as good. Half baked? Sure, I smell some toasted bread. Fully roasted? I'm not so convinced. While this beer definitely has a roasty smell, the flavor isn't quite so bold. It's actually got some sweetness to it. Chocolate, not so dark and more milk chocolate like and again a nutty taste. In the finish you get some roasted coffee grounds. Still, I think it's good. Mouthfeel attempts full bodied but doesn't quite reach it. Velvety smooth with low carbonation, though not as lasting. Drinkability is excellent. While it doesn't have that fully roasted character that it states, this one proves to be a winner. An easy drinking RIS that doesn't show it's high alcohol but doesn't explode on the taste buds at the same time. It was gone before I knew it...

Thanks to tayner for including this in a trade!

Serving type: can

12-13-2007 02:14:31 | More by ncvbc

Imstillthegman

Delaware

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

12oz can.

Pours a pitch black with a big, thick looking dark brown head. Nice lacing reminds you what was once there.

The aroma is extremely dark roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, molasses, and this scent that reminds me of caramelized sugar left on the burner a bit too long.

The flavor falls off a bit from the scent. Same characteristics, but not as pronounced. Having had this on-tap before I gotta say the draft version is better...but this is far from bad. There is a toasted nut / burnt oat flavor up front. The coffee is in there, too. Chocolate isn't strong as I thought it would be. Finishes with some charcoal and dark coffee. Nice.

Mouthfeel is not as creamy or full bodied as I had hoped. Some dryness. Very good stout that comes in a can. If you see it on-tap don't pass it up. If someone offers you a can, take it. You won't be disappointed. Another fabulous job by Oskar Blues.

Serving type: can

12-11-2007 00:22:47 | More by Imstillthegman

pwoods

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks mmtmatrix, for this trade

12oz. can poured into a snifter.

A: Pours motor oil black and pretty similar viscosity. Over 1 finger of deep mocha head. Good retention. Patchy lacing.

S: Weak bitter coffee is over taken by burnt malts and a sweet molasses character. Just a hint of burnt nuts.

T/M: Burnt malts and burnt brown sugar. Small underlying coffee notes. Hops give a very dry bitterness throughout the entire drink. Feels almost chalky at times. Very dry finish. A touch of alcohol comes in, strengthening in the finish. Full bodied with limited carbonation.

D: Not a bad RIS. Not sure if it lives up to the hype or not.

Serving type: can

12-08-2007 22:37:51 | More by pwoods