Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout

So I had three customers ask tonight about the Ten Fidy Imperial Stout. I can honestly say that I've never had it before. Here in CT we only get a case or two per year, so I generally don't buy any for myself. I do my best to make sure that as many clients as possible get the beer they're looking for. That being said, I looked up the Ten Fidy on beerAdvocate for one of my regular beer geeks and saw the reviews...95 points from the beerAdvocate masses and 100 point from the Bros!  Seriously?  Now I've got to try one...

The Oskar Blues comes in a 12oz can, in four-packs. To the best of my knowledge Oskar Blues doesn't use glass for any of their beers. I've found that people are generally shying away from the can but it's gaining a little more of a following each year. The Ten Fidy pours out looking like warm (aka not quite so thick) motor oil. Not only is it pouring into my glass absolutely black as night, but there is almost no foam to speak of. The foam you see in the picture was only after pouring the last 3oz pretty vigorously.  If you don't believe me, check out the video of the pour.

The foam that does arise is a very dark almond shade of brown and lingers around for a long, long time. After about 20 minutes there is still a thin film of coffee-brown foam, with pretty significant lacing left on the glass. At first the nose is very soft with just a mild amount of roasted malts and coffee coming through.  As the beer warms a bit, I'm getting a larger variety of roasts, toffee, chocolate, and more.

On the palate the Ten Fidy is thick and viscous, yet very easy to drink. Tons of roasted malts dominate my palate with a clean toasty finish and just a touch of dry bitterness. This really is the monster of all Imperial Stouts as the beerAdvocate reviews state!

Oskar Blues Brewery
Ten Fidy Imperial Stout
TCSH Rating - 9.5/10
Aka - As close to perfection as I've seen for a while!

Eli
Bibo Ergo Sum