First off, let me start this post by wishing everyone a Happy Veteran's day, and a Thank You to any vet's reading my blog.
Anyone that's read much of my blog knows that I've been a huge fan of Oskar Blues regular offerings and love the fact they can their beer. I'm also a big fan of stouts, and imperial stouts in particular. So combining my enjoyment of Oskar Blues, and my love of Imperial Stouts, I find their offering Ten Fidy!
The Beer: It weighs in at a hearty 9.5% and pours a pitch black with a thick darkly tan head capping it off. The nose is coco nibs, roasted espresso beans, and spices. The mouth is syrupy, thick and chewy, it coats the tongue. There's bitter roasted espresso beans, and dark chocolate with some figs. Smooth with just a bit of alcohol. There's a lot of different flavors here, but nothing that stands out. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the beer, but down here in Houston there's been a lot of hype on this one, and I'm not sure its all warranted. I'd take the SA Divine 5 and North Coast Rasputin over this one. A fine example still, just a little overrated in my opinion. It gets a B. Here's what the folks at BA think.
6 comments:
True, a bit over rated, probably because of the whole can thing. I hope to pick up some today.
Ten Fidy does have a big hype reputation to live up to. It seems that no matter which imperial stout you like best, at times that same brew can seems different and not up to par. Whenever I come across a beer that I know has been hyped and I give it just an OK rating, I also promise myself to come back and revisit it again another time and under slightly different circumstances. I bought a 6-pack of Ten Fidy back last spring and have opened up a can of this about once every other month. I'll tell you what, this beer just seems to change with every can I open. It mellows with time but seeing how it's in a can, hard to tell if it will really improve much over a year or two. Still, it seemed better the next time I opened one up. I've got just one can of Ten Fidy left in my beer cellar. Going to wait until nearly it's 1 year anniversary in the can before I open it up, that is, if I can keep myself from opening it up sooner.
I agree that my personal expectations may have been a reason why I didn't enjoy this one as much as I hoped. Its not the first time thats happened. The first time I had SN Celebration I thought it was over hyped. Then I went back again and had it and loved it. Of course one could then make an argument for diminishing expectations leading one to enjoying the beer more. Regardless I've got the rest of my four pack in the fridge and will wait a while before trying any of them. If I like it better I'll be sure to make note of it.
Like Dave I have had a pack of cans sitting around and I cracked one the other day, it changes over time. It is definitely a cold weather brew, when I have had it in Phoenix I don't seem to enjoy it as much as I did in Flagstaff in the Winter time. The color and texture is fascinating flavor I have always enjoyed, but I am working on long term judgement is still a work in progress.
Will keep my eye open for this one.
I thought it was over hyped. Then I went back again and had it and loved it. Of course one could then make an argument for diminishing expectations leading one to enjoying the beer more. Regardless I've got the rest of my four pack in the fridge and will wait a while before trying any of them. If I like it better I'll be sure to make note of it.
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