North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Dark brown colour, tan head. Aroma has bitter chocolate and coffee. Taste is of chocolate and roasted malts and dried fruits. Very nice imperial stout, to be rerated.

A - mellow chocolates, muted smoke V - slow settler, 3-finger head, very thick and creamy with staying power T - mellow coffee, oat and cocoa P - creamy, filling

Poured from tap an inky black with a large frothy brown foam. Nose is somewhat smokey with coffee and roasted malt. The flavor pours in with roasted coffee, some smokiness, licorice, heavy malt, and a touch of dark cooked caramel and a dash of toasted raisin fruitiness. The palate is full of malt that floods the palate at first then mild full finish. This is a slow sipping beer that although good seems a bit dominated by the smoked grain and coffee flavors which masks the other flavors. I’ll have to try it from the bottle to see if there is a difference.

The beer pours with a small head and is ebony in color. The aroma is chocolate and some hoppiness comes through. The taste is smooth and chocolately, which is well balanced by a healthy addition of hops. You do notice the alcohol a bit towards the end. The body is medium with medium carbonation. This is a great beer and deserves its reputation.

Had this many times but haven’t had a chance to rate. 12oz bottle pours a thick, oily black with a creamy, lacing brown head. Aroma can be sensed from a foot away with cherry, whiskey and brandy all prevalent . Up close the aroma has a ton of coffee, nuts and dark chocolate. Flavor has a bit of wood, chocolate, nuts, licorice, coffee, brown sugar, and burnt toast. Roasted bitterness envelopes the mouth and the high alcohol can be felt all the way in the back of the throat. This is a stout lovers imperial stout.

Pours a beautiful dark brown, almost black. Has a vibrant fruity aroma. Nicely balenced taste. The flavor kicks with hints of chocolate and caramel. Semi-sweet. You can taste the malt nicely and the 9% ABV is well hidden. It ends with a somewhat bitter aftertaste and smokiness. Man I wish I had more than one of this beer, I could drink this all night long!!!!!!!!!

Aroma: Surprisingly subtle and subdued compared to the beer’s visual impact. It is earthy and natural, with campfire-like burnt tones. The bitter combination of chocolate and coffee and sweet overtones of maple trees foreshadow the beer’s complicated taste. Appearance: Intensely dark burgundy-brown; almost black. Opaque even when held up to the light, with a fiery brick-red glow along the edges. The head is frothy and resilient, its color a dark, coffee-stained, cinnamon-infused beige, very reminiscent of a double capuccino. Overall, the beer would match nicely with a ski lodge. Flavor: Wonderful! Chocolate and espresso provide the beer’s foundation, covered with an intense, burnt-to-perfection malt flavor. Then there is a layer of stewed fruit-and-vegetable sweetness (especially cherries). An undercurrent of almond (specifically amaretto and marzipan) pops up now and then. Lingering finish retains roasty and nutty elements in your mouth for a long time. Amazing! This would go so well with dark wheat toast spread with Nutella, or with any dark chocolate. Might also be good with some kind of flaky pastry, like a Danish, turnover, or kringle. Palate: Although the beer is very viscous, it is not as creamy as I expected due to its medium-sized bubbles. Probably for the best, since the lightness helps keep the beer from being too overwhelming. After you swallow and lick your lips, the beer still clings to you. Overall: The high alcohol content and richness of this beer make it something that demands to be drank slowly and deliberately, but the flavor is so enchanting that it wouldn’t be hard to knock back more than a few of these between dinner and bedtime.

Very pretty pour..you should watch. Chocolate head on a black bottom.. Very fresh and refreshing going down. Fresh malt caramel, raisin, chocolate hops. Very even and fills with taste. A great brew. 2nd rating; I like. Nice hops on the tongue. Like espresso, fine coffee and great beer at the same time. Great beer : but how is it my highest rating? This isn’t the best beer I’ve tasted...is it? What would be a 5 then?