North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Truly a tremendous beer. Rich, foamy dark tan head over a nice black color liquid. Great roasted malt flavor with a slight dark chocolate taste. Strong beer, warm going down. Not too bitter. The overall effect is just right. A good imperial stout, I’ve rated it high.

(Sample from November 17, 2006 Beer Club Meeting; 12oz bottle at home with weeAnaP) Insane thick head that resembles a hefty pancake… popping bubbles and all. Love the color of Rasputin’s head! Great lacing that holds the entire height of the glass. Black color with deep mohogany at the edge of the glass. Strong, intense woody roasted malt… musky. Manly. Taste is bitter, strong, somewhat creamy. Aftertaste is of spicy hops and malt, just at the back of the nose. One of my favorites.

12 oz bottle. Pours thick and midnight black. Nice creamy mocha head. Big stout aromas:dark chocolate, roasted malt, black coffee. Smooth and drinkable with a slight hop finish. Very good.

Nitro Tap at Oldsmar Tap House. Pours black with a large cascading tan head that leaves great lacing. Aroma of chocolate, roasted malt, tons of coffee, and a hint of caramel. Taste is strong roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, roasted malt, and a hint of caramel. Full creamy mouthfeel with a moderate to strong amount of bitterness and smooth alcohol. Very good.

From the bottle. I was a little worried going in. As the other North Coast brews haven’t been great. Well this was great! Poured dark with a creamy head that lasted a while. It tastes of chocolate and other roastede flavors. The alcohol can be tasted a little as it warms your throat. Got in a four pack. That was plenty as any more would be hard to drink. Great winter sipping beer.

Bottle. Surprised I haven’t rated this before, because it seems that just about every store sells it. Appearance is deep black, little to no light coming through. Minimal espresso colored head. Flavor is roasted malt, french roast black coffee, dark chocolate, and some smoke. Heavy on the roasted flavors. Smooth on the palate, medium bodied. Leaves a long lingering dry smoky finish, not unlike a good scotch. Pretty intense stuff, not for beginners.

Draft. A bit harsh, but decent. Pours dark brown with brown head. Sweet creamy aroma. Lots of chocolate and roast flavors. Medium body with low carbonation. The relatively low price for a decent imperial stout bumps this up a few points.

Enjoyed this from a bottle. Poured like motor oil with a tan head of foam. Sweet with the taste of espresso and plenty of alcohol both in it’s aroma and palate, but it’s hoppy finish killed the experience for me.