Style: Imperial Stout

ABV: 10.5 IBU: 98.0

97/100

Aroma:	11
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	20
Mouthfeel:	5

Oskar Blues Brewery Ten FIDY

What the brewers say

This viscous stout is loaded with flavors of chocolate-covered caramel and coffee … Ten FIDY (10.5% ABV) is made with enormous amounts of two-row malt, chocolate malt, roasted barley, flaked oats, and hops.

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Strong roast and peppercorn aromas with slight dark fruit esters. Chocolate and coffee are prominent. Some nice dark malt sweetness of caramel adds to the nose. Dark and exotic.”

Flavor: “Complex blend of roast, biscuit, cherry, peppercorn, and alcohol. Hops bitterness lingers but is not prominent. Balance is on the malt side, and this is definitely a heavy example of an imperial stout—rich and roasty. Nice earthy character and some lemon sweetness with slight bitterness which helps to cut the sweetness. Coffee roast character is buoyed by the bright, peppery alcohol. Rich, dense, and extreme.”

Overall: “Heavy and thick makes this a sipper. The roast and peppercorn create a complex blend with the high level of alcohol. Very enjoyable—sweet and chocolaty and balanced well. Very smooth and very approachable.”

What our editors thought

Review printed in: The Dark Side (Winter 2014) (View All Issues)

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Oskar Blues Brewing Barrel Aged Ten Fidy

Roast and bourbon across the nose, with plums, dates, vanilla, and a chocolate/cherry-pie undercurrent. Roast malt adds backbone to the flavor, with restrained sweetness. Falls on the roastier side, dry, astringent. Invites another sip. Could handle, perhaps, a little more alcohol warmth.

Oskar Blues Brewery Barrel-Aged Ten FIDY

**Aroma:** “Dark chocolate nibs, moderate vanilla, light oak earthiness, umami, and caramel, touch of coconut. Medium alcohol.” **Flavor:** “Rich chocolate-syrup flavors up front, perfect for ice cream. Sweet caramel and a touch of vanilla and coconut with coffee notes going into the aftertaste. Medium alcohol on the back end (but not harsh) mixed with a slight burntness. Touch of umami. Cherry esters are rich and sweet. Some tartness gives the finish a little tang. Barrel notes are subtle—vanilla, and slight tannin on the finish helps to dry it out.” **Overall:** “Big dark chocolate–dominated imperial stout. Touch of ethanol warming, a touch of umami, and a light pleasant anise/licorice thing that all flow together nicely. The alcohol level is quite balanced with the high chocolate and caramel notes. If not careful, I could consume a lot of this.”

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Classic pine/citrus hops aromas with a toast background, hints of fruity esters, and some sweetness. Not overly bitter, so the lighter malty/fruity notes can linger a bit. Perhaps a bit sweet. In the realm of lighter American IPAs.

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