Oskar Blues Ten Fidy (Epic)

Ten Fidy, a russian imperial stout, is the Fall Seasonal from Oskar Blues brewing company.  I was happy when I found out that Oskar Blues would start distributing their beers in Illinois and I jumped on the chance to buy a four pack of this when I saw it.  After the first can I knew why it was so highly regarded.


After cracking the can it poured a viscous, oil like black.  Thick and dense and no light passing through, not even on the edges.  The camera doesn't do the color of the head justice.  The picture shows it as a basic tan head but in person it was a dark brown.  Like mud floating on water or something along those lines.  Really, really nice looking beer!

The aroma you ask? Well let me tell you that if you happen to pick some of this up you are in for a treat! Aroma is like a brownie dusted with espresso beans and undertones of fudge and more roastiness and some subtle dark fruit character.

Dark fruits and chocolate start up front and and give way to a roasted quality and finished fairly dry after having coated the mouth.  Not overly sweet but a perfect amount of sweetness to it that is cut by the roast.  Nicely balanced but I wouldn't mind if it was sweeter.  Still incredible, though!

It feels thick through and through.  This beer coats the mouth with layers of flavor and it goes down real easy for being a beer that clocks in at 10.5%.

Overall I would have to say this is a must buy for anyone who is a fan of Russian Imperial Stouts.  It is a perfect example and what this category should be.  Incredible.


I hope everyone is drinking well tonight!

Cheers ladies and gentlemen

The Alchemist Heady Topper

"Is our double I.P.A.! Loaded with hops, this one will put hair on your chest. "


Big thanks to Beer Advocate member Bstyle for hooking me up with a can of this! So excited to have a full can off this!


Ok, lets get to it!  The pour brought out 2 finger head and a orange/copper color to it with about a 2 finger head.  And holy crap, I can smell this thing from here! Wowzers!

The aroma on this is where everything starts to shine and really makes me even more excited for the first sip! Grapefruit right upfront and a peachiness in the back end.  I have heard and read about a peach character in the aroma and wow is that ever apparent! Beautiful aroma! Grapefruit and candy coated peaches.  Smells like a hop heads dessert. I am in for a treat!

First sip and bam! Bitterness and a candied hop flavor.  Grapefruit, a little bit of that peach to it and a sweet floral hop note just overwhelming the palate! Holy crap this is amazing! I may have to start trading regularly to get more of this. To add to the complexity of this, there is also a nice bready/biscuit note in there too.  Heaven Oh. My. God.

Mouthfeel is light to medium and is perfect for what I look for in an imperial IPA.  Bitterness lingers but as does that hoppy flavor.  

Overall this is everything I wanted this beer to be and then some.  Starts from the pour (Can says to drink the from can. Don't worry, I'll be drinking the rest from the can.)  Aroma starts the rush and the taste only solidifies it greatness.  Believe the hype of this beer as it is truly something very special!

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Mmmmmmm, I love this time of year and I love this beer.  Sierra Nevada Celebration is their winter seasonal beer.  An American IPA that comes in at 6.8%.

The beer itself poured an orange/reddish color with about a 3 finger head.  As I drank this the head just stuck around and laced the glass all the way the down.  Beautiful looking beer from start to finish.

First whiff I get a piney hoppiness and some nice bready malt and a touch of sweetness in there.  Very nice aroma to it.  Not overly complex but just very well done.

Absolutely love the taste on this.  Starts with a big piney flavor with a small trace of grapefruitiness in there as well.  Finishes with a nice bitterness and a bready character to it that really just makes the finish on this beer even that much better.

Mouthfeel on this is pretty surprising to me.  It has a medium to full mouthfeel on it.  Really coats yours mouth with flavor and is a nice touch.

Overall, I just have to say I love this beer.  I buy a decent amount of it during the winter when I need a darn good IPA and this always does the trick for me during the winter.  I highly recommend this to anyone who hasn't had it (that can't be too many people.)

Cheers ladies and gentlemen!