If you’ve read my reviews on anything resembling a regular basis, then you know I sort of buy more beer than I can drink. Part of that is because I drink a lot of my beer (a little less than half really) at my local Taco Mac, on tap. So, I usually end up building up a surplus of bottled and canned beer. Sometimes, this is a good thing, and sometimes it’s not.

For the can of Oskar Blues Java Ten Fidy Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hotbox Roasters Coffee Added I found in my garage beer fridge, it was definitely a good thing. A very good thing indeed. The bottom of the can is stamped:

Canned on 10/26/16 07:54 Under Consent of the King

I drank this on 10/6/19, so almost three years old. It is, of course, a rare variant on the more widely available Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels. I don’t remember what I paid for this, but I can tell you that Total Wine sells the standard Ten Fidy for $11.99 the 19.2-ounce can. I’ve seen it at Target though for $8.54. The beer has a very formidable alcohol content of 12.9% by volume.

The last time Oskar Blues released this beer was in 2017. Then, they said:

Oskar Blues Brewery took its Ten FIDY Imperial Stout and stashed it in a blend of Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for a minimum of eight months. The result is a cool and drinkable concoction that gets more complex with each sip….Just to sweeten the pot, for the third year, we’re dropping a TAPROOM ONLY Java Barrel-Aged Ten FIDY (12.9%). Aged just like BA Ten FIDY, but mixed with Hotbox Roasters cold brew made with a blend of Mexican and Brazilian beans. Java BA FIDY will ONLY be available from our CO and NC taprooms this one, single day.

Oskar Blues Brewery took its Ten FIDY Imperial Stout and stashed it in a blend of Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for a minimum of eight months. The result is a cool and drinkable concoction that gets more complex with each sip.

They listed the following prices at the brewery:

4 oz pour on DRAFT = $4

10 oz pour on DRAFT = $10

One CAN of either Java BA Ten FIDY or BA Ten FIDY = $12.50

One CASE (12 CANs) = $150

The case price is exactly the same as 12 single cans. Gee, Oskar Blues, thanks for the volume discount. Interesting to note, too, that a can at the brewery costs more than a can at either Total Wine or Target.

Oskar Blues Java Ten Fidy Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hotbox Roasters Coffee Added pours to a jet black color with a thick creamy tan head and an intense roasty espresso nose. Taking a sip, the beer is full like crude oil in the mouthfeel, rich and roasty, with all sorts licorice, bright berry (cherry?), espresso, boozy bourbon, powdered cocoa, woody oak, and in the finish a super high octane booziness. Dark fruity raisin and prune appear too.

Oskar Blues Java Ten Fidy Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon barrels with Hotbox Roasters Coffee Added is a slow sipper to be sure, and every sip is pure joy. The flavors explode in your mouth, and although the beer is expensive, this one can back up the price.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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