North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

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

Wow! This tastes likes several beers made into one. (In a good way) First distict flavors of hops, followed by a sweet malty flavor, followed by a chocolate/coffee flavor, followed by a slight smoky flavor. Unbelievable!

Burned cofee, aromahops and a slight lactic sourness. Deep brown with a creamy brown head with lace clinging to the glas. Wonderfully complex taste: Coffee, figs/raisins and brandy rounded of nicely by the hops. Long aftertaste of dark chokolate. Fullbodied and deceivingly smooth.

Deep, dark chocolate, coffee aroma with hints of citrus. Warming on the palate. Well balanced between the roasted bitterness, malt body sweetness and cleansing hop bite at the end.

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.

Mondial de la Biere 2004. Very dark brown colour with glints of ruby and a frothy tan coloured head. Alcohol, merlot, dark bread and chocolate aroma. Vinous, chocolate, alcohol, coffee, and smoky flavours that blend together nicely. Full bodied and smooth, but without the richness I like in a stout. Actually preferred this to the Peche Mortel sampled immediately prior.

Oh my good lord, this is an incredible beer! This is an absolute ’must-try’ beer! Thick and tasty. High on the alcohol but not in an overpowering way.

Dark as night. Lower carbonation level due to the high alcohol content. Chocolate aroma with hints of licorice. Incredible flavour!! Coffee at first, with a smooth sweet chocolate middle, then a little warming with a gentle chocolate finish. The alcohol certaintly does not overpower. Mouthfeel is perfect, not too thin, but not too syrupy. Overall this is sweeter than other imperial stouts that I have tried, but with good balance. This truly is one of the world’s great beers! Thanks to Shadallion for sending me this remarkable find.

Drank this with the Cali Crew. Had a Tower of Power type nose (refering to the American Galdiator). Reminded me of Christmas time when I get to eat chocolate cookies. Sweet finish and full mouth feel.