 shigadeyo (1369), Southwest Ohio Area, Ohio, USA
Mar 8, 2007
Rating #500...
Oskar Blues Ten FIDY pours out in an oily, opaque, nearly black stream much like used motor oil. It looks quite thick and viscous. There is a smally very dark brown head (like the color of a milk chocolate bar) that slowly diminishes to leave a whisp of a veil and a thicker ring around the edges. Light lacing on the flass. Rich chocolate fills the aroma along with some mocha, dark fruit and berries (blueberry?), and some lush vineous characteristics. The flavor is a really complex composition of roasted malts, dark chocolate, espresso, ash, and some fruit and berry undertones (difficult to discern specific ones). The finish is dry, roasty, and has a bitter dark chocolate/cocoa flavor. Alcohol is well hidden and is only noticeable in the warming finish. The bitterness has a dry and roasted flavor similar to unsweetened chocolate and espresso. It seems to be quite substaintial, but is partially suppressed by the hefty maltiness. Ten FIDY is full-bodied, feels a bit heavier than average in the mouth, and has a milky texture . It is also extremely smooth and quite creamy going down. Overall I am faily impressed with this beer, but really wish I would have been able to try it fresh. I like the dryness, but think that the bitterness level might be just a touch too much for my tastes (as far as Imperial Stouts go that is). Maybe it’s the pine and resin hops flavors that creep out in the finish and aftertaste that ruins this beer a bit for me. At any rate, Ten FIDY is bold and well worth trying. However, I found that I liked it less and less with each passing sip for some reason...
12 oz bottle (hand-bottled) from goldtwins. Thanks Larry! I really appreciate that you shared this this excellent and hard to get beer with me. I only regret that I was sick when I received it and had to wait until I was better to try it. Then I actually forgot about it for a week or so until I discovered it in my fridge recently and decided to save it until #500. It has held up surprisingly well for being hand-bottled so many weeks ago. Thanks again Larry!
The_Jester (474), Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Aug 29, 2008 355 mL can. Black, with a medium-sized brown head. The aroma is not as strong as I expected, and consists of sweet chocolate, roast, and a touch of citrus hops. In the flavour there is an initial hit of alcohol, then lots and lots of roast, then dark chocolate, followed by maraschino cherry syrup, and finally a slight astringency. Some hop btterness in the finish. Incredibly smooth and creamy. I love these guys.
GRM (826), Aylmer, Quebec, Canada
Aug 28, 2008 Can, 355 ml, gift from Philippe Boutin in August 2008, savoured on August 28 2008; eye: black as used oil when you have an oil change, viscous, opaque, dark brown head that falls and turns into a ring, lacing; nose: roasted malt, molasses, candied fruits, hops quite present, strong coffee, dark chocolate, liquorice, light pepper, light alcohol, light smoke; mouth: thick, viscous, roasted malt, lots of resinous hops, dark chocolate, strong coffee, molasses, liquorice, light pepper, light alcohol, light smoke, finale in roasted malt with a big presence of hops, quite astringent, quite bitter, full body, oily texture, not much carbonation; overall: quite good
FRANÇAIS
Canette, 355 ml, cadeau de Philippe Boutin en août 2008, savourée le 28 août 2008; œil : noire comme l’huile usée lors d’un changement d’huile, visqueuse, opaque, mousse brune foncée crémeuse qui tombe et se transforme en un petit anneau, dentelle; nez : malt rôti, mélasse, fruits candis, houblon bien présent, café fort, chocolat noir, réglisse, léger poivre, léger alcool, léger fumé; bouche : épaisse, visqueuse, malt rôti, beaucoup de houblon résineux, chocolat noir, café fort, mélasse, réglisse, léger poivre, léger alcool, léger fumé, finale en malt rôti avec une grosse présence de houblon, pas mal astringente, pas mal amère, corsée, texture huileuse, peu carbonatée; en résumé : pas mal bonne
Meikman (3), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
does not count  Aug 26, 2008 Partial to impy stouts, I was eager to try this one today. The head is really bubbly, yet its smoothly carbonated. It lingers on and on, and gets better toward room temp. A continuous lace. Thick and chocolaty with a late sting. This beer helped me understand the "blood" beer adjective. A nice, nice brew.
derekbang (101), Indiana, USA
Aug 25, 2008 This is one fine imperial stout. Pours very thick with frothy, bubbly head. Heavy lacing and mouthfeel is terrific - oily and chewy - flavor lasts forever. Aroma of dark fruit and alcohol yet flavor is coffee, dark chocolate, roasted malt and a bit of dark fruit. Only slightly less thick than a Dark Lord and if not for a hint of cherry, flavor is close to that par level (more bitter yet much lower ABV). Tried from a pint glass and also a snifter - much better from a snifter. This is a real winner.
Pompey (20), Longmont, Colorado, USA
Aug 25, 2008 Light to very light head, aroma of treacle and molasses and a touch of roasted barley. What a lovely mouth feel -- big, full bodied, with a minimum of carbonation. Toasted caramel, toffee and earthiness wrapped into a juicy thick package that is sweet enough to almost hide the 10% alcohol. One of my favorite stouts. I had it at the brewery in Lyons and have had it in the cans too. The canned version is almost identical to the on tap one. I can’t wait to take this skiing as it’s ideal for a winter warmer...
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