Ten Bitter Years
Black Oak Brewing Co.

Ten Bitter YearsTen Bitter Years
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From:
Black Oak Brewing Co.
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Imperial IPA
ABV:
8%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.11 | pDev: 9.98%
Reviews:
81
Ratings:
200
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 12, 2021
Added:
Nov 26, 2009
Wants:
  11
Gots:
  26
To celebrate our 10th Year Anniversary in 2009, Ken wanted to put out a hoppy, bitter brew as a witty way to commemorate a decade of survival in the craft brewing industry. The result? Our 10 Bitter Years Imperial IPA. This strong brew pours a burnt orange colour and has a fresh, bright citrus and tropical fruit aroma. This beer is double dry hopped using three different varieties of North American hops leading to a full flavour of bitter pine and citrus. Although it packs a good hoppy punch, it finishes as smooth as possible for the style, with just enough alcohol warmth to enhance the flavour.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by coldmeat23:
Photo of coldmeat23
Reviewed by coldmeat23 from Oklahoma

3.88/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
GLASS: Snifter
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 50 degrees
I got this one from someone (???) at DLD 2010. Thanks to someone whose name I can't remember.

Pours a nicely clear, medium shade of amber. A head of leass than a finger of beige foam sits on top. It fades away to a surface covering film with some craggy conglomerations of sorts. The lacing is in thin strands, but is nicely sticky.

Loads of citrus/tropical hop notes dominate. Lots of grapefruit and pine resin. Good notes of citrus peels. Strong hints of pineapple and a light touch of papaya. Totally biscuity yeast presence. Mild traces of caramelly maltiness.

Slightly more balanced than the nose suggested, but still hops dominated. Flavor follows the nose, very well. Good level of hops bitterness and a cutting sharpness. Malty sweetness is buried, fairly deep.

This is full-bodied and has a light level of carbonation. Lightly smooth, to counter the bite of the hops, with a hint of creaminess.

It's good, but a bit too out-of-balance for me to rate it all too highly.
Sep 09, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of Matthew_Watson
Reviewed by Matthew_Watson from Canada (ON)

4.41/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Nicely balanced double IPA with a good malt backbone and lingering bitterness. The dry hopping comes out nicely with a more gentle floral bite at the beginning. Overall a well-made beer for the style!
Nov 12, 2021
 
Rated: 3.5 by boszormeny from Canada (ON)

Jul 10, 2020
 
Rated: 3.82 by groleau from Canada (QC)

May 08, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by grahuba from Connecticut

Sep 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.07 by Electros from Canada (ON)

Mar 09, 2019
 
Rated: 3.67 by jhodgert from Canada (QC)

Jan 13, 2019
 
Rated: 4.13 by Jangle_bojangle from Canada (ON)

Apr 07, 2018
 
Rated: 5 by tomghiley from Canada (ON)

Apr 05, 2018
 
Rated: 3.83 by sdm9465 from Canada (NS)

Mar 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4.74 by knowyourown from Canada (ON)

Feb 27, 2018
Photo of SSS
Reviewed by SSS from Canada (QC)

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-Pours a clear strong orange color, with an off white head that lingers
S-malt forward aroma with toasted and roasted Caramel notes overpowering any hop aroma that might be prevalent
M-Body is medium mouth feel has a luxurious character with the carbonation being a little bit peppery at the back of the throat
T-Caramel and malt sweetness at the front with a hop bitterness that hits you over the head and stays and lingers for a while
O- this is a boozy, malty, Imperial IPA, that definitely hits the advertised 80IBUs. I am in between on this one...try it for yourself
Jan 23, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by Jotora from Canada (ON)

Dec 30, 2017
 
Rated: 3.85 by bixby1971 from Canada (ON)

Oct 31, 2017
 
Rated: 3.94 by nullbort from Canada (ON)

Oct 10, 2017
Photo of Mysticmage
Reviewed by Mysticmage from Canada (ON)

4.06/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was a surprise. Served in a tulip glass pours copper brown and perfectly clear. Short lasting head. Variety of smells - i honestly smelled chocolate caramel but I am alone in that I think. It's got nose. agree witn hoppy comments but the clairty and colour will throw IPA drinkers. a nice find however.
Aug 24, 2017
 
Rated: 4.43 by kier from Canada (ON)

Jul 17, 2017
 
Rated: 4.84 by StormAles from Canada (ON)

Jun 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3.81 by Ivanhoes_Backpack from Canada (NB)

Jun 22, 2017
Photo of eberesford
Reviewed by eberesford from Canada (ON)

3.09/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
Served as draft and too chilled. Copper coloured with a smallish off white stable head that left good lacing. I find the reported IBU's astonishing as there was very little hop bitterness in the body followed by a whack of earthy floral (not citrus) aroma hop at the end which came as a surprise after the body. Not a winner, at least served on draft in this location.
May 02, 2017
Ten Bitter Years from Black Oak Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 200 ratings