Introduced a couple of months ago as a new rotating seasonal release with one of my favorite brews (Ten Fidy), Gubna is another can of genius — a 10% ABV Imperial IPA. Brewed with three malts and one hop (Summit), Gubna is surprisingly hoppy, packing quite a pungent hop aroma and taste.

The beer is downright dank in terms of the hop component. Now, I’ve had some darn hoppy beers in my time, but this one is so earthy and resinous that it’s characteristics are very weed-like…

…not that I have ever… you know…

Uh…

Well, you see…

I…

Crap.

Appearance

Gubna pours a bright, clear golden amber with an orange hue. The head was small, but left decent lacing on the glass.

Aroma

For only using Summit for brewing and dry hopping, this thing packs a wallop. The nose is earthy, resinous and piny with a strong grapefruit note.

Taste

Again, a big hop profile that is pungent, earthy and bitter dominates the palate. For an Imperial IPA, this is a pretty full beer with a tart, bitter lingering finish that begs for more. The alcohol makes its presence more apparent as the beer warms.

Overall

It’s hard to believe that this beer came out of a can. It’s an excellent brew, but I’m not sure that I will be able to pay $4.95 per can to enjoy a four pack of this one again. If you like your IPAs pungent and full, this is definitely the beer for you.

Rating: 3.5/5

As a result of cracking open this can of Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, the brewery is now 2 for 2 in my book on really impressive canned beer. I’ve had a couple of other craft brews served in cans and they have all come out tasting like aluminum and disappointing. Oskar Blues seem to have the whole thing down to a science.

My local shop has been carrying the brewery’s Old Chub for some time now, but this was the first time I’d seen any Ten Fidy on the shelves — of course, I took what was left. As the shop owner is ringing up the purchase he points to the cans, smiles and simply says “motor oil.”

Appearance

The store owner certainly was correct in his brief summation of the beer. The Ten Fidy pours thick and slowly from the can like oil from an old engine block. The head forms well after the pour is complete as bubbles fight their way to the surface. The head was a rich, milk chocolate in color.

Aroma

Everything you could ever want in a stout: chocolates, coffee, roasted malt and a little sweetness. This thing smells wonderful.

Taste

This beer is chewy and smooth. It’s consistency is similar to that of Bell’s Expedition Stout, but without the wallop you get from that beers alcohol. In fact, for a 10% ABV beer, Ten Fidy hides it’s alcohol well, as it shows up slightly in the finish. Overall, this one is dominated by roasted malt, coffee and chocolates.

Overall

Not only was this my first stout from a can (other than Guiness), it was the first imperial stout. The fact that it was canned made no difference in my final assessment of Ten Fidy. Needless to say, I hope there are more cans on the shelf this weekend.

Rating: 4/5