Ten Bitter Years
Black Oak Brewing Co.

Ten Bitter YearsTen Bitter Years
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From:
Black Oak Brewing Co.
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Imperial IPA
ABV:
8%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.11 | pDev: 9.98%
Reviews:
81
Ratings:
200
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 12, 2021
Added:
Nov 26, 2009
Wants:
  11
Gots:
  26
To celebrate our 10th Year Anniversary in 2009, Ken wanted to put out a hoppy, bitter brew as a witty way to commemorate a decade of survival in the craft brewing industry. The result? Our 10 Bitter Years Imperial IPA. This strong brew pours a burnt orange colour and has a fresh, bright citrus and tropical fruit aroma. This beer is double dry hopped using three different varieties of North American hops leading to a full flavour of bitter pine and citrus. Although it packs a good hoppy punch, it finishes as smooth as possible for the style, with just enough alcohol warmth to enhance the flavour.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MasterSki:
Photo of MasterSki
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Huge thanks to Jason for picking these up from the brewery, and big thanks to Eric for schlepping them down to Dark Lord Day. Served in my Kuhnhenn tulip. This can't be more than a few weeks old.

A - Pours with two fingers of creamy off-white foam that leaves behind glass-coating lace as it recedes to a thick cap. Transparent dark copper-gold color.

S - Pine, citrus rind, light tropical fruits. Definitely hop-forward, with a slightly spicy and bready backbone. There's a bit of catty pungency too.

T - The taste is a bit disappointing compared to the smell. The malt character is more sugary than spicy, and the hop character is one of bitter grapefruit, pine, and only light sweetness. Aftertaste gets pretty intense bitterness-wise after half a bottle. This is probably a 3.75 but I'm going to invoke "homer" bias here.

M - Carbonation is a little higher than I like, but not harsh. Medium body that is sufficient for 8%. Finish is more sticky than dry. Not what I prefer in a DIPA, but still solid.

D - At 8% this is on the lower end of the ABV spectrum of DIPAs. However, the aggressive bitterness and so-so feel keep it from being super session worthy. It also has the misfortune of being consumed a few days after the incredible Kern River offering.

All that being said, this is the best beer of this style that I've had from Ontario. Kudos to Black Oak for brewing an East Coast American-style DIPA that I wouldn't be embarrassed to serve to my American friends. Look for this on the Canada Top 25 any day now.
Apr 26, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of Matthew_Watson
Reviewed by Matthew_Watson from Canada (ON)

4.41/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Nicely balanced double IPA with a good malt backbone and lingering bitterness. The dry hopping comes out nicely with a more gentle floral bite at the beginning. Overall a well-made beer for the style!
Nov 12, 2021
 
Rated: 3.5 by boszormeny from Canada (ON)

Jul 10, 2020
 
Rated: 3.82 by groleau from Canada (QC)

May 08, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by grahuba from Connecticut

Sep 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.07 by Electros from Canada (ON)

Mar 09, 2019
 
Rated: 3.67 by jhodgert from Canada (QC)

Jan 13, 2019
 
Rated: 4.13 by Jangle_bojangle from Canada (ON)

Apr 07, 2018
 
Rated: 5 by tomghiley from Canada (ON)

Apr 05, 2018
 
Rated: 3.83 by sdm9465 from Canada (NS)

Mar 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4.74 by knowyourown from Canada (ON)

Feb 27, 2018
Photo of SSS
Reviewed by SSS from Canada (QC)

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-Pours a clear strong orange color, with an off white head that lingers
S-malt forward aroma with toasted and roasted Caramel notes overpowering any hop aroma that might be prevalent
M-Body is medium mouth feel has a luxurious character with the carbonation being a little bit peppery at the back of the throat
T-Caramel and malt sweetness at the front with a hop bitterness that hits you over the head and stays and lingers for a while
O- this is a boozy, malty, Imperial IPA, that definitely hits the advertised 80IBUs. I am in between on this one...try it for yourself
Jan 23, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by Jotora from Canada (ON)

Dec 30, 2017
 
Rated: 3.85 by bixby1971 from Canada (ON)

Oct 31, 2017
 
Rated: 3.94 by nullbort from Canada (ON)

Oct 10, 2017
Photo of Mysticmage
Reviewed by Mysticmage from Canada (ON)

4.06/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was a surprise. Served in a tulip glass pours copper brown and perfectly clear. Short lasting head. Variety of smells - i honestly smelled chocolate caramel but I am alone in that I think. It's got nose. agree witn hoppy comments but the clairty and colour will throw IPA drinkers. a nice find however.
Aug 24, 2017
 
Rated: 4.43 by kier from Canada (ON)

Jul 17, 2017
 
Rated: 4.84 by StormAles from Canada (ON)

Jun 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3.81 by Ivanhoes_Backpack from Canada (NB)

Jun 22, 2017
Photo of eberesford
Reviewed by eberesford from Canada (ON)

3.09/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
Served as draft and too chilled. Copper coloured with a smallish off white stable head that left good lacing. I find the reported IBU's astonishing as there was very little hop bitterness in the body followed by a whack of earthy floral (not citrus) aroma hop at the end which came as a surprise after the body. Not a winner, at least served on draft in this location.
May 02, 2017
Ten Bitter Years from Black Oak Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 200 ratings