North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

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

12 fl oz. bottle. Almost black color, lovely tan head. Aroma is roasted malt, chocolate, coffee. Flavor is chocolate, coffee, hoppy bitterness. Dry finish. Lovely.

The part that I most enjoyed about this beer was its creamy mouthful; something I didn't expect out of it. Otherwise, it had a nice fruity chocolate taste that goes down easy.

This is what its all about if your all about the russian imperial stout. And that I am. Dark, Deep, powerful, chocolate, coffee. Makes ya feel all warm inside too.

9-18-06 re-rate: I’m not going to change my rating, but the bottle I’m having right now doesn’t seem deserving of a perfect score. It is more one-dimensionally dark chocolate without the flowery hop bouquet and finish. Could be the age of the bottle, which of which I can’t comment because North Coast doesn’t do any freshness dating. I’ve probably had it in my fridge for 4 months or so. Ar 8, Ap 4, Fl 8, Pal 5, Ov 17 (4.2). 7-6-05: Before I even looked at the description, I was thinking "fruity nose". Truly a wonderful bouquet, complete with hops and super ropes. Fully opaque body. Large brown head, which was especially pronounced after I transfered the beer from a shaker glass to a tulip in keeping with the appropriate glassware for the style. Lasting head; very impressive. Excellent, tree ring lace. The first time I had this was when I offered it at one of my early beer tastings. I thought it was overrated at the time, but I know now that I simply didn’t understand it. 9% ABV is hidden well. It really is the perfect ABV. Interestingly, when I was in Beverages and More in Redwood City, I saw a scruffy, vagrant looking guy scuffle in and walk out with a 4-pack of Old Rasputin. That blew me away. All I ever see in Minnesota is those guys picking up Bud, Mich Golden Draft or MGD. Flavor is near to actual perfection; some alcohol burn, some hop, some chocolate and even a touch of those super ropes I like so much! This stuff is really awesome! I really can’t imagine a better imperial stout. It is clearly deserving of only my 4th ever perfect score. A little suprising it took me so long to procure the 2nd most accesible beer in the Ratebeer Top 50.

Pitch black pour with a healthy smooth finger of milk chocolate head. Roasty chocolate aroma with some alcohol present. Smooth roastiness transitions effortlessly into hop and chocolate bitterness with a lingering roasted finish.

Indeed a rich, flavorful brew with a deep intesity throughout. Tastes of maltiness and chocolate, a bit of fruit, coffee undertones, and hopiness. Delightfully well balanced and smooth. Cheers!!!

Black of color with a brown cloudy head. An aroma of liqurice, port, coffee and alcohol. A oily flavor with notes of old style liqurice and chocolate ind the finish. YUM!!

mmm smells of alcohol, hints of coffee and chocolate. pours black with a tan head. has a good flavor, nice hiding of alcohol, coffee and chocolate flavors galore! this is wonderful, not better than storm king, but damn good.