North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

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

I was hoping that this would be something special, but it turned out to be a a minor dud, Smells of a choclate and floral bouquet with taste of coffee and a liqorice aftertaste. Not the worst but was expecting more

Pours black with a beige head. Very rich, slightly rumlike. Aromas of caramel, coffee, chocolate and alcohol. Creamy and very full bodied. A bit of sourness in the finish. Very nice. Re(blind)rated at sk8viking’s: 7-3-7-3-15

Pours jet black into a snifter. Fruit and roasted chocolate aromas. Head quickly disspates to hug edge of glass. Medium sweet and heavy bitter -- almost like a chocolate espresso bean.

12 ounce bottle courtesy of csbosox. Pours and inky opaque black with a brown head that disapates to a ring. Molasses, smoke, bitter dark chocolate, dark roast coffee, chewing tobacco, spicey hops and alcohol in the nose. Prunes, very bitter, chocolate grit. Light smoke. Rather thin. Higher carbonation for the style. Slick and oily. Very good.

Rich malt, plum, sweet coffee and a hint of alcohol in the nose. Black with a thin tan head. Big malt flavor, nice coffee bitterness. Rasin and plum and a bitter alcohol finish. Wonderful silky mouthfeel. The only thing I would change in this beer would be to turn down the hops.

12oz bottle from Fresh Market, Raleigh. Funny, but in all the mad rush for the next new thing, I think folks tend to sleep on Old Raspy, one of the best and most reliable of American RIS. I know I overlook it, but that’s a shame since it’s got all the virtues one wants from the style: thick dark pour with a hefty cafe au lait head, full roasted aroma, and a deep, complex flavor that gives off bits of bakers chocolate, milk, and strong espresso as the brew warms. Excellent all the way.

Beautiful imperial stout. Strong and smooth, this beer is here as a reminder as to why we drink stout.

12z bottle. Black opaque with minimal ring of tan head. Rich malt nose. Sweet and alcoholic, slight fruity aroma and some chocolate and cinnamon notes. Full and warming in the mouth. Rich and bitter and creamy and a dark roasted malt flavor. Great roasted flavor, but still smooth and creamy. Buttery and toffeeish. Flavors of bitter chocolate and coffee. Smooth and alcoholic. Kingering and delicious from start to finish!