Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - North Coast Brewing Co.

bosox941827

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz stubby bottle into Guinness imperial pint glass; poured cold and warmed as it tasted. Gotta say, one of the more compelling labels I've seen; it feels as though Grigori Rasputin is judging me as I pour the beer.
A - Dark as night; even held directly to a light, yields only the slightest hint of reddish brown on the edge; throws off a rocky head on the pour which slowly dissipates to a lingering lace.
S - Cocoa powder, black licorice, molasses and roastiness....can't wait to taste it
T - Surprised by the earthy hoppiness in this one. North Coast website doesn't say, but I'm guessing there's a healthy dose of Simcoe hops in here. But first impression is of sweet, roasted malts; molasses, coffee aftertaste (but not really *flavor*) and then that nice earthy bitterness, which lingers for as long as you can stand to wait for the next sip. The roasted malt flavor also mixes in with the hoppy linger. Aftertaste is quite similar to some Black IPAs I've had...
M - Medium amount of carbonation and not very heavy feeling despite look and ABV
D - This is definitely a sipper and an enjoyer; you don't want to session this and it's not in the job description
What a fantastic beer; absolutely LOVE the mixture of roasty malts and drying hops; great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 01:40:09 | More by bosox941827

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"

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

bob_d_j

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-22-2013 19:43:22 | More by bob_d_j

DeekNayvuz

Montana

5/5  rDev +16%

05-22-2013 19:28:53 | More by DeekNayvuz

bf7

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-22-2013 16:49:48 | More by bf7

BigbROB

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-22-2013 15:52:56 | More by BigbROB

Hopinista

Nevada

3.25/5  rDev -24.6%

05-22-2013 07:10:17 | More by Hopinista

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-22-2013 03:17:32 | More by SmellsofMahagony

drrone

Arizona

4.6/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a goblet

A - Pours a sexy completely black liquid, which liberates a 2 finger light brown head that slowly faded and left light lacing.

S- great nose of chocolate, mocha, light vanilla and light malt. great nose

T - Awesome wave of mostly the same as the taste. Chocolate, coffee and malt. Very nice.

M - Full bodied and lightly chewy. Drinks well.

O - After trying many very good RIS, this still satisfies and impresses. It is worth finding and drinking on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 01:33:40 | More by drrone

jtladner

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-22-2013 00:30:17 | More by jtladner

VirginiaJeff1

Virginia

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 19:27:50 | More by VirginiaJeff1

Busker

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-21-2013 18:03:20 | More by Busker

PlinyBeMiney

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 07:57:07 | More by PlinyBeMiney

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 04:48:41 | More by CosmoHopHead

mxchap

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 03:55:19 | More by mxchap