Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - North Coast Brewing Co.

Zraly

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

As soon as the bottle is cracked open, one is assaulted with a very forward aroma of coffee and alcohol. This beer pretty much announces itself. Old Rasputin pours a warm black color. The head I poured was not overly impressive. (I may be at partial blame for that.)

This beer is no joke. There is deep, bittersweet pungency to this brew. There is an exciting malt-on-malt, layered flavor. It is extremely complex and with an alcohol content of 8.9%, you will feel this beer. At moments, it tastes as though I am drinking a stout spiked with a shot of Stoli vodka. Holy sh@t.

Enjoy. And be sure to note the hair on your chest in the morning.

Edit - January 20, 2009

The taste buds have adjusted to many new types of beers, so I thought I'd re-visit a style, and this ale in particular, to see what I think of it now.

Dark as night with a clingy tan head. Faint, crisp note of alcohol and malts hit the nose.

Smooth, but bitter, malt kick. A smoothness resides underneath some of the upfront flavors. Tastes like a wonderful, french roasted coffee bean that has been french pressed --- with just a hint of sugar and cream. Bittersweet. This is so complex and delicious --- and would work well with black forest cake or a dark chocolate pairing. I'm having mine with some "morning after bread" that my girlfriend made: a whole wheat bread made with coffee and Kona Pipeline Porter. It's heavenly, and you should be jealous.

I'm glad I picked up a four pack of this and re-evaluated this selection. I think it has "cult" status for a reason. It's a cold night here in VA, and a few of these will warm me up the way I like.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2002 23:37:03 | More by Zraly

megamass

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-26-2013 02:49:24 | More by megamass

currysmegs

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-26-2013 00:51:52 | More by currysmegs

Justinsosmart

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-25-2013 17:15:11 | More by Justinsosmart

Christov

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -13%

05-25-2013 13:55:35 | More by Christov

WKole81

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-25-2013 12:35:40 | More by WKole81

mulliwater

Virginia

1.5/5  rDev -65.2%

05-25-2013 03:14:57 | More by mulliwater

klawburke

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-25-2013 01:02:54 | More by klawburke

iCabaLLero

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-24-2013 23:16:01 | More by iCabaLLero

robertmitchum

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-24-2013 09:51:56 | More by robertmitchum

SwG237

New York

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-24-2013 03:59:49 | More by SwG237

BillHilly

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -13%

05-24-2013 00:41:01 | More by BillHilly

donovado

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-23-2013 23:52:07 | More by donovado

Boston_Steve

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-23-2013 22:42:34 | More by Boston_Steve

visionaries

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-23-2013 17:45:33 | More by visionaries

kvnstfrd

Missouri

2/5  rDev -53.6%

05-23-2013 13:54:20 | More by kvnstfrd

lighthabit

Oregon

4.06/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a veritable black hole, light does not go far in this one. lacing it there - though i've seen this one do a bit better in the past - smell is malty bakers chocolate. yum. taste is so very well done. i enjoy this because it isn't super flashy in what it does, rather, it's a solid stout with a bakers chocolate bit of flavor, malt, hops, vanilla, finishing a bit dry . . . all assembled so wonderfully. sip and enjoy, the old man on the front is watching you, and i'm sure he's saying "slow down, take a moment"

update . . .
first, he's not saying that, but you'll have to go google it yourself.
second, go read up on old rasputin. i bet you'll enjoy this classic russian imperial all the more. here's a link to get you started - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Rasputin

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 06:06:10 | More by lighthabit

Nightrain87

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-23-2013 05:59:58 | More by Nightrain87

AaronBricking

Kentucky

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-23-2013 05:06:21 | More by AaronBricking

Callmecoon

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-23-2013 02:20:15 | More by Callmecoon

linnymtu

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-23-2013 02:06:59 | More by linnymtu

golfchance

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-23-2013 02:05:51 | More by golfchance

firecrack0r

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-22-2013 22:58:24 | More by firecrack0r

TomPF18superhornet

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-22-2013 21:47:13 | More by TomPF18superhornet

Rdc67

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-22-2013 20:30:04 | More by Rdc67