North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Brewed by North Coast Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Fort Bragg, California USA

A little bit disappointed by this one, good beer, but I find the reputation to be better than the actual product. Pours the standard Imperial black, with a large creamy head and excellent lacing (could see every sip taken). Aroma is strong malts with some light piney hops and even a bit of clove. Taste is of bitter coffee grounds. It has an exceptionally long after taste, with a slightly warming alcoholic finish. Mouthfeel is creamy and the carbonation is flat. As for the super stouts I feel that this is a good product, but nothing compared to Great Divide’s Yeti. Still good, and that is coming from a non-Stout drinker.

Bottle. Dark beer with a hint of ruby color that sports a big beige head. huge roasted malt and coffee aroma with a slight underlying hop presence. Tons of roasted malt, some coffee, molasses, and raisins with a lingering bitterness and a dry finish. If you want tons of roasted malts in your imperial stout, you’ll love this one. Hides alcohol well.

Deep black color, beautifull, thick light brown head. Seductive aroma of chocolate, roasted malt, alcohol vapors, maybe fruits. Strong, powerfull, assertive flavor of chocolate and rich roasted malt, maybe hops, bitter finish, the roastyness lasts almost as long as the Energizer bunny. The alcohol is not much present even if the content is 9%. Full body, slightly syrupy texture, a bit chunky too, medium carbonation. Yup, that hit the spot really well after a long, hard day of work. I had the chance to sample this beer at Le Mondial de la bière but drinking a whole bottle gives a better appreciation of the qualities of the beer, very intense and rich as promised by the commercial description.

Bottle @ Plan B, Copenhagen. Aroma is very full and mysterious. Dark roasted malts, coffee, caramel and licorice. Fruity. Black coloured with a brown, lasting, thin head. Taste is intense, sweet, slightly bitter and well balanced. Full of roasted malts and dark fruits. A wonderfull brew.

I could almost kiss Governor Bob Taft on the lips for allowing us high-ABV beers in Ohio (even though it was dumb we didn’t have them in the first place). This immediately became one of my favorite beers, being the Stout lover I am. Wonderful warming chocolate flavor with an alcohol presence that is not overpowering. Absolutely perfect pour with lacing that lasted to the bottom of the glass. I will be keeping this one in stock at all times.

Quite a coffee/chocolate aroma. Deepest brown, small cappuccino head. Strong coffee flavour, hint of liquorice. Oily, good bitterness. A well defined Imperial Stout!

Pours a very dark dark reddish brown with a nice light tan head. aroma of coffee and chocolate. taste very sweet with chocolate and coffee tones then the hops bring it bitter at then end. Very smooth and malty.

The bitterness and overwhelming malt are a tad much. No sweetness whatsoever.