Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - North Coast Brewing Co.

natescape

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Managed to find this on tap at CBS Scene in Foxoboro, MA. I had never tried it before, and was completely blown away. Served in a standard pint glass, the beer arrived black as midnight in a cave on a cloudy night with a blindfold on. It had a thick, rich finger-width head with an aroma of deep smoked malt and hints of chocolate and espresso. Mouthfeel was rich, slightly chewy, and utterly fulfilling. Tasting it was like entering another world... smooth, deep, just hoppy enough to add a little something extra. The flavor lingered for a while afterwards ... a blessing.

I'm normally a hop freak, but this may just be the best beer I've ever had. I can't wait to go back and have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2012 14:43:56 | More by natescape

thrash420

California

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is the only beer I would ever give a perfect score to. Never before has such a masterpiece been crafted. It is said that one even gains intelligence from drinking this wonderful brew.

A: Oh man the waiter brought me a schooner of motor oil again, atop sat an inch of thick tan head. As I sipped, it laced amazingly. When the whole 16oz was gone, it was still laced head to toe like a magnificent art piece.

S: Deep roasted hops with caramel and coffee aromas with light spices filled my senses, followed by a barely noticeable alcohol smell. It was delectable and made my mouth water.

T: Given the alcohol content and other imperials I've had, I expected a much more bitter harsher taste. This was quite the opposite, it was smooth and delicious, very easy to drink and enjoy. An amateur beer drinker could enjoy this just as much as our seasoned vets.

M: This would have only felt better in my mouth if it was vagina. It wasnt sticky, wasn't too thick nor too thin. It was perfect, absolutely perfect.

Overall: 100/100. 2 thumbs up. Worlds most perfect beer in this category

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2012 18:52:49 | More by thrash420

cruzmissile72

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had this at Cask Republic in New Haven, CT on tap into a snifter.

It arrived as a lovely dark color with a nice tan head that lasted throughout. Nice lacing. Nice bitterness balanced well by the creaminess and a pronounced alcohol bite at the finish. This was my first time drinking this--hopefully many more to come. Definitely a sipper at 9% alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2012 23:21:06 | More by cruzmissile72

kevinsane

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My first experience with a stout was a Guinness which I did not particularly enjoy. This beer however, Old Rasputin Imperial Stout, has completely changed my opinion in regards to the Stout category.

Appearance : Poured a deep robust black/brown color with around a centimeter and half of thick tan head, which as it emptied, left several dense layers of foam.

Smell : A rich melody of chocolate, coffee and what I assume was the residuals of alcohol. Simple, yet very enjoyable.

Taste : A sophisticated yet conservative mix of chocolate, black coffee and possibly toffee? It's taste is mysterious yet familiar and is one of my favorite aspects of this beer.

Mouth : The first sips are in my opinion the most enjoyable. The thick foamy head acts as an appetizer to an entirely delicious dark beer , combined with a sturdy 9% alch by vol rating which leaves nothing to be desired.

Overall : It may seem as though I am gushing over this beer and frankly that is because I am. It was thoroughly enjoyable from the first to last sip, and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially on a cold night.

Cheers

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2012 06:15:44 | More by kevinsane

GuitarRob22

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I have had this beer on-tap and from the bottle and I have to say, this is what a stout is all about. Dark chocolaty and bold. The 75+ IBUs and 9% alcohol are hidden behind a fantastic flavor. The head is tan and allows for fantastic aromatherapy while drinking. Highly recommended.

From the bottle this beer does seem to be lacking some of the finer details of flavor found when it is on-tap.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2012 02:10:13 | More by GuitarRob22

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Old Rasputin stands as being the creamiest imperial stout in my experience thus far. It's quite interesting - the alcohol is noticeable and there is a touch of hops in there as well, but the foamy head and rich body come closer to a Young's stout than, say, the Stone Imperial Stout. And indeed, there is a chocolate profile which makes for a tasty, tasty beer. The only downside for me was the lack of strength of smell. I got some whiffs of malt and chocolate, but it didn't knock me back. I'll blame it on the glassware choice of the bar (regular pint glass) and not dock too much for it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2012 07:23:54 | More by TheRealBigC

Bierguy5

Ohio

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

On tap at South Park Tavern. Very deep brown, nearly black. Thin mocha head looks inviting. Eventually a thin collar forms, and some spots of lace.

Roasty notes, espresso and dark chocolate. Caramel, dark fruit and some earthy, almost ashy notes.

Roasted malts and fairly dry up front. Espresso notes, bittersweet dark chocolate and some caramel. Not much dark fruit. Bitter roasty notes linger for a while, just like a nice espresso at the end of a meal.

Great body, with a lower amount of carbonation. Alcohol is hidden very well in this. I really like the dark chocolate/espresso character in this. Well made.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2012 23:59:51 | More by Bierguy5

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pot at Terminus. From notes.

A - Poured black with a khaki one finger heat. Good rings of lace and a film of retention.

S - Coffee seemed strong with lot's of chocolate. Simple but enjoyable.

T - Chocolate, booze, chocolate covered coffee beans. layers of chocolate and roastiness.

M - Really smooth, mild carbonation and a medium to full body.

O/D - Nice but lacking depth. Don't get me wrong though, this was a good Impy Stout and really easy to drink. Just left me wanting more as I felt like it had the potential for greatness.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 06:32:47 | More by tbeckett

tylerprince

Colorado

4.73/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A second Old Rasputin review. Had the pleasure of trying this on tap after a year of cellaring. DBGB, Bowery and Houston, NYC. This review is pretty much a copy of my first with some major changes:

A: Pours a beautiful matte black. No light gets through. After a cascade, a frothy 2-finger mocha head remains, with good retention. This gives way to a beautiful lacing.

S: Chocolate up front, roasted malts. Hop presence has certainly faded compared to the fresh bottle, and has been replaced by a coffee-like aroma. Much stronger than out of the bottle.

T: WOW. So much character, but still with all the flavors of a stout. Roasted malts and chocolate throughout, with coffee flavors much more powerful after the cellaring. The second 5.0 I have ever awarded for taste - this is simply perfect.

M: Creamy with just the right amount of carbonation. Finishes with some foam. Other stouts with this much flavor are generally sippers...this one is so smooth you can drink at your own leisure.

O: One of the best stouts I've tried. I only wish it were easier to find - it's lack of ubiquity is astonishing given its status in the beer world as the archetypal RIS.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2012 22:56:23 | More by tylerprince

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Super dark and creamy. Head looks like hot chocolate.
S: Roasty, chocolatey, hints of alchohol.
T: Doesn't drink like an imperial at all. Super smooth with roasty chocolate. A kick of alchohol finishes it off but it doesn't linger. A nice finishing touch.
M: Perfect. Sits with a perfect amount of bubbles and the nice flavors really come through.

Overall a great beer. I was reluctant to try it because usually imperials have too much ABV for me but this one did a great job of working in compliment with it. A must try.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 15:07:06 | More by Jamesthebrit

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap served in a pint glass

A - Obsidian with ruby tint and some stray photons passing through edges. Two finger ecru head with excellent head retention and great lacing

S - faint smell of roasted coffee and dark chocolate with alcohol in background

T - Extremely smooth the whole way with roasted barley and chocolate in the front and nice EtOH the whole way through. Not as bold as I expected but so smooth. Very little bitterness

M - full body moderate carbonation creamy and smooth

O - Fantastic Imperial stout. One of my favorites but still not as good as The Abyss.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 14:32:11 | More by williamjbauer

gkunkle

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Brickhouse a few months back, reviewing from chicken-scratch on the back of a receipt. Served in a pint glass with a one finger light tan head. Body of the beer is black, though I think a deep brown would be a better descriptor, as it's not truly a jet black. Aroma is of dark sweet malts, roasted malts, chocolate, caramel. When I sip the beer I get flavors of dark chocolate, roasted notes, bitterness, malt sweetness. Body is not as thick as expected considering the smell and the high ABV. I am generally not an RIS kind of guy, but this was one of the first imperial stouts I have enjoyed.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 10:29:59 | More by gkunkle

Murrhey

Montana

4.55/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Taco Asylum. Poured in a pint glass, reviewed from notes.

A- Finger width mocha head. Long retention and sticky, foamy lacing. Deep reddish black color. Mahogany.

S- Creamy and chocolaty. Toasty malts and caramel as well.

T- Deep, dark and bitter. Creaminess is not lost with the roast malts. Subtle and not overpowering. Wonderful.

M- Fairly thick and creamy bodied. Decent carbonation.

O- Wonderful beer. What hath North Coast wrought?

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 06:57:06 | More by Murrhey

Trifecta1

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this both on-tap and in bottle, and surprisingly, the bottle was superior to the tap, god knows why, so I averaged the two ratings.

A - Black as night, opaque, no light going through this stuff. 1/2 pinky of head, darker grey colored.

S - Typical quality Imperial, nice hints of chocolate, maltiness, slight hop quality to it.

T - Great, tastes of smooth chocolate and the hops make their presence subtley known. The chocolate malt is clearly the forefront. Alcohol taste is very effectively masked by the fantastic flavors.

M - Thick, decent carbonation, not overpowering or underwhelming. Good balance. The creaminess is praiseworthy.

O - Does it live up to the hype? That, lads and ladies, is up to the drinker. In my opinion, the bottle lived up, whereas the tap did not. Anyways, both were great choices; drinkable, flavorful, nice ABV and cleverly masked. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 03:40:29 | More by Trifecta1

BuzzLitebier

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

So, I had this on tap at the 9:30 Club in DC, which is good and bad. The bad: they served it in a plastic cup and too cold, which is why I didn't rate it as highly as I possibly could have.

It was black with no head and no lacing (likely due to the cup) and the nose opened up as it warmed up with dark roasted malts, coffee and hints of chocolate I could definitely smell a bit of the alcohol too.

The taste was phenomenal! Lots of coffee and a molasses. It did have a bit of bitter finish, though, which was OK with me.

It was kind of creamy for the mouthfeel and thinner than I would I've expected, but awesome overall. I'll definitely seek it out in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 02:40:43 | More by BuzzLitebier

tdm168

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at World of Beer North Hills on 12/29/11. Served in a small snifter.

Pours a pitch black with thick, creamy, cascading mountain of cappuccino colored head that has great retention. The nose offers rich chocolate aromas, some roasted malts and coffee, and even some faint anise. The flavor is similar with rich chocolate and coffee with faint anise, but there are also heavy alcohol esters and a very faint astringency in the finish. The alcohol is intense, but doesn't take away from the flavor. It's a very rich, smooth, warm, full bodied beer.

This is a great RIS. I've had it several times before, but this is the first time I had it on tap. I'll go back to this stout again and again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2011 11:56:13 | More by tdm168

cvm4

Mississippi

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

A - Black as black body with a firm tan head.

S - I picked up coffee notes with dark chocolate and malt notes. The coffee notes are very strong.

T - The dark chocolate hits you first and foremost. Then you get a medley of malt of coffee with sweet tones along the way.

M - No problem coating your mouth to let you taste every bit of this beer. Great carbonation and taste on the palette.

O - Represents what an RIS should be. A beer that can move you into stouts since it's so drinkable. And a great bargain too!

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2011 12:14:50 | More by cvm4

mjw1200

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I have enjoyed this world class stout for a while. Not sure why I never reviewed, but figured now was as good of a time as any. It is the epitome of a stout in the color, pour, head. Dark in the bottom, lighter on top. full of chocolate and coffe in the nose and that translates into the taste. Add in caramel, lots of citrus hops to the chocolate and coffee. The hops almost make me pucker at times. love how easy this is to drink, cant make out the 9.0 abv til it hits me.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2011 02:52:57 | More by mjw1200

dbmata

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a phenomenal beer. Have had it many times, it is by far best on tap. You get a far sweeter flavor profile from the draught then you do from the bottle. The bottle gives a slightly more bitter and toastier flavor.

Appearance: Black as night, perfectly stouty.
Smell: Biscuity and toasty. You can smell the slight bitterness from the dark malts.
Taste: Bitter, dark, toasty and a small chocolate nib flavor. Nice malt backbone, and a slight but non-descript bitter from the hops.
Mouthfeel: Nice and thick, as it should be. Perfect mouthfeel, coats your mouth and doesn't let you forget it.
Overall: Great beer, one of my favorites. Have had it many times and draught is best. It is the model of a RIS, and holds up well to extended aging.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2011 02:46:39 | More by dbmata

nickfromsacto

California

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The only decent beer on tap this night, unfortunately this place doesn't clean out their lines very often.

A whole pint for just five bucks, though.

Poured about two fingers of dark golden head that lingered and lined the walls of my glass until the second round. Unable to see through this dark-dark beer. The smell makes a lot of sense for this particular style: the essence of dark chocolate, roasted almonds and the strong scent of ethanol. It feels a little spicey coming in and warm going down. Not sure about the hops, are there any? Should there be any? Who knows. I don't care because overall this is an awesome beer for the high alcohol and dark chocolate lovers a staple for the cooler holidays and beer float nights.

I have missed my chance to have this on nitro ... Twice.

Cheers and enjoy

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 22:54:13 | More by nickfromsacto

claspada

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an engine oil black color with a very thick, toffee colored creamy head of foam. The head is very dense and lingering.

Aromas begin with malted chocolate, cocoa powder, roasted graininess, some creme and mild coffee.

The tastes begin with creamy layers of malt balls and coffee wrapped in an earthy wet blanket of flavor. Waves of creamy coffee with a slightly watery middle balanced by some ample hopping and roasted malt bitterness in the finish.

The mouthfeel is medium to thin bodied, with medium carbonation. Lighter on the palate than I remember from the bottle but it improves the drinkability.

Overall this is an exceptional stout, overlooked in today's saturated dark beer craft world because of it continuous availability, but a real treat to find on draft at a local bar in my town.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 13:38:33 | More by claspada

ZenAgnostic

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Tapped into a pint glass at Lowbrow.

Appearance - Black body, medium brown one-finger head with enormous retention and stick.

Smell - Nutty, coffee malt. Slight alcohol underneath. Well balanced.

Taste - Coffee, chocolate, alcohol. Very roasty and lactic.

Mouthfeel - Creamy. Totally full bodied. Coats the tongue.

Overall Drinkability - I want to give this beer all 5's, but since I'm rating it in style, it has some pretty stiff competition.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2011 01:07:16 | More by ZenAgnostic

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Pours an engine oil black color with a very thick, toffee colored creamy head of foam. The head is very dense and lingering.

S - Malted chocolate, cocoa, small traces of warm pete, some creme, and mild coffee.

T - Creamy layers of malt balls and coffee wrapped in an earthy wet blanket of flavor. Waves of creamy coffee with a watery middle, and very generous pine bitterness finish with a moderate lingering bitterness.

M - Medium thin bodied, really needs to be thicker.

O - An exceptional stout, a little too thin, but one I could drink all of the time.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 06:16:12 | More by jzeilinger

gatornation

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at busters

A- pours a dark black color with a 2 finger creamy khaki head ,nice sticky lacing

S- roasted malt.semi-sweet chocolate,vanilla bean,caramel and toffee

T- a delight for a RIS..so smooth with chocolate,roasted malts/hops with some coffe and cocoa notes

M- velvet smooth with medium/light carbonation coffee and vanilla

O- a delicious easy to drink and tasty RIS

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2011 22:24:16 | More by gatornation

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours opaque black, with a cap of rich mocha brown head. There is a coffee, vanilla, roasted malt and a hint of alcohol in the nose. Taste is slightly chocolate, espresso, roasty malt, dark fruit and subtle vanilla. Very well balanced with a hoppy bitterness that matches the sweet elements. Creamy carbonation and a medium heavy body is very nice for the style. The ABV comes through at the end. It's warming. Also a subtle bitterness is re-established. Very pleasant finish.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 21:01:42 | More by JackieTH